consuelo

Ginger, why do you think the trolley is a rip off? I thought it cost 1 dollar to ride it. And do you know anything about the Hilton in Turtle Bay? I am so worried about the crowds that I might cut my time at the HHV and head someplace more relaxed. Consuelo

Sammy

Turtle Bay is no longer Hilton. Not sure who runs the hotel there now. I've seen people here recommend against the 'Estates at Turtle Bay' villas , saying that they were dirty.

Sammy

If you want to stay in Waikiki, you might want to consider a 2-bedroom condo. at the Waikiki Shore- the only condo. directly on the beach in Waikiki.

Outrigger manages many (most?) of the units there but the best rates I've seen are from Capt. Cook Resorts:
http://www.captaincookresorts.com/

Ginger

Sounds like you are going when schools are still in session. Don't worry about it. Can you check on Japanese schools?

We also stayed at Hilton Turtle Bay I would be surprised if the service is much different than when we were there. It is in a beautiful location. I think half the time at HHV and half the time at turtle bay would be great.

The North Shore property is not as animated as HHV but it is isolated and wonderful. About the trolley there is a zone pass or something like that it use to be 15 dollars never saw the sense in this when "the bus" takes you around the island for $1.00. Maybe their prices have changed I did not see this last summer but we also had a car so I did not investigate quite so thoroughly.

consuelo

Hi again, well the old Hilton is called now the Turtle Bay Resort. The price is reasonable and it sounds like the kids would have fun with the activities...now is that beach safe in the North shore? Is the North Shore dangerous?

lcuy

Consuelo- The north shore beaches should be quite calm in June. The dangerous surf is in the winter. Turtle Bay is one of those places most people go to relax or take part in the hotel activities- tennis, swimming, horseback riding, etc.
The bus now costs $1.50 per ride (around the whole island is one ride..) or $13.50 for a student monthly pass and around $28 for an adult one. Buy them at Foodland or 7-11, or many other stores.
The tourist trolley is actually quite fun for one day. You pay for an all day pass and can get on and off at the varios stops. The drivers tell jokes and stories and give you a tour as you're driving. Just make sure you get on an English tour... many are in Japanese!
Regarding the Villas term. In Australia we rented many condo/motel suites that were called villas, so I suspect the idea came from there. Makes the suites sound much bigger, doesn't it?

Ginger

We stayed in the hotel not the villas at Turtle Bay. Hotel is Ocean Front Villas are back a bit.

Ginger

P.S there is a water park out on that end as well as Waimea falls park, Heaui, concerge can tell you about a beach where 25 giant turtles come every morning.

consuelo

Hi again Ginger, you have been such good help. I have it all planned now, 4 nights at HHV and the last 3 nights at Turtle Bay. We are staying at HHV because that is where my husband has a conference for 3 days but after that I want to relax more.When I called Turtle bay they told me that they are also adding 2 more pools and a huge water slide that should be all finished by June. I am not expecting a luxury hotel, I just want a nice, quiet place. Also it would be a good location for the other attractions like the cultural center and the falls since we love to hike. Any more advice? Thanks.

Ginger

I am glad Consuela, I am a tad obsessed when it comes to Hawaii.I was pulling that 25 number out of the air but they did tell us a number close to that came if it was not 25, it was 20 or 19. There also is a snorkel spot over there, sharks cove? That has been compared to Hanama Bay.

You should do a $15 tour package to Hanama bay (from HHV)(Independent tour operators have contracts with the hotels, I did this through Royal Hawaiian) covers snorkel gear and transportation to the Bay. Your kids will love this and it will mitigate any parking head aches you might experience if you go to the park with a car. REMEMBER GO EARLY AS POSSIBLE for best view and least crowds.

Take a day and check out Byodo temple on the windward side. I suggest you do the coastal drive from N.S to Makapu. It is actually closer to Honolulu but the drive from the North Shore is great. Hike Makapu lighthouse if it is over cast or before noon. Do an archive search here on North Shore Kauai or make a new post, I don't know that side so well. Have been but not explored the hiking trails. I tend to get happy and run around too much on Oahu.

PPC only plan on part of the day, here skip show and eat somewhere else. I don't like this place but many others do. I just would not buy the show package, stroll around for few hours on the cheaper tickets and learn what you can from exhibits. This is not a true cultural center though more of a theme park, so it is not worth the extra doe IMHO. Better centers for information on Hawaiian history are Iolani Palace and Bishop Museum. I think you should visit one of these places if not both if you go to the cultural center just to give your kids an intelligent look at Hawaiian History. PCC is described as Polynesian Disney land by people I know who share the ancestry depicted in the park. I have been and I felt that it was too much on the entertainment side and the educational side gets lost.
I am just one opinion though. I do remember not having enough exhibits to explore after a couple of hours. Then you are among many that are just wandering over the same areas waiting for a sorry to say tacky show to begin. Lonely Planet describes it as college student performances in elaborate costumes. They call also call the park part Hollywood part authentic. This was my take also and I did not read about it before hand.