Oahu - to stay in Waikiki or Ko Olina?
Apr 18th, 2013, 09:35 AM
#41
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry I can't help at all with the GoOahu card, obviously. I hope you get helpful feedback from those who have used it.
Glad to hear your accomodations are all set. Sounds like an excellent plan!
Re. Pearl Harbor: At least 3 hours for the basics. You could spent a lot of time there, as you've realized, but 3 hours might be enough for you to go through some of the displays. Not all of the exhibits there are under the 'National Park' umbrella,if I remember correctly, but I may have this wrong; we only bought a ticket for those parts of the memorial that are part of the National Park system.....I think. Someone here will confirm.
Glad to hear your accomodations are all set. Sounds like an excellent plan!
Re. Pearl Harbor: At least 3 hours for the basics. You could spent a lot of time there, as you've realized, but 3 hours might be enough for you to go through some of the displays. Not all of the exhibits there are under the 'National Park' umbrella,if I remember correctly, but I may have this wrong; we only bought a ticket for those parts of the memorial that are part of the National Park system.....I think. Someone here will confirm.
Apr 18th, 2013, 09:56 AM
#42
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that 3 hours would be good. 4 hours if you really want to spend a lot of time reading every monument and memorial in detail. The $1.50 tickets on recreation.gov is only for reserved times for the USS Arizona Memorial. I would head there a good 2 hours before your reserved time to view the exhibits and stuff. Then at your reserved time, you head into the theater, watch a short movie about the attacks then you board a ferry which takes you to the memorial. You are allowed I think 20 minutes there before heading back where you can view more of the exhibits at your leisure. The 1.50 does not cover the other attractions such as the Bowfin submarine or the USS Missouri or the aviation museum - those you will have to purchase separate tickets. The Bowfin is right where the Pearl Harbor memorial is so you don't have to drive anywhere else but the Missouri and museum is in a different location so I think you have to drive there and park separately. I have honestly never done anything else aside from the USS Arizona (and I have done it twice) - but I am looking forward to seeing the USS Missouri and the avaition museum on my next trip.
That's great that you have accomodations booked! You will have a wonderful time!
That's great that you have accomodations booked! You will have a wonderful time!
Apr 19th, 2013, 10:38 AM
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great, thanks all! This clarifies a lot, I was wondering the difference between what the .gov site offers and what tour companies are offering. So, a mid morning reservation might work well, then we will make sure to get there early and allow time to see other things before our tour.
Apr 19th, 2013, 12:38 PM
#44
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brenkjtravel: We waited quite awhile after purchasing our tickets for the Memorial before we were able to view the Memorial, but we didn't have reservations.
Don't bring any bags or purses into the park; it's a pain to use the lockers. Also, get there plenty early; parking is actually a bit of an issue there!
Don't bring any bags or purses into the park; it's a pain to use the lockers. Also, get there plenty early; parking is actually a bit of an issue there!
Apr 22nd, 2013, 08:55 AM
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found out you can purchase the Go Oahu card through Costco for $40 cheaper than on the website
However they only sell the three day and not the 5 day, which I am hoping will be ok since you don't have to use the days consecutively. It will include all of Pearl Harbor, the Movie sites tour, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and on the North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life Park, Kayaking, Dole Plantation tour, bike rentals, scooter rentals, catamaran trips, a bunch of museums, and other excursions, even discounts on restraunts. You also get one extra, like a swim with the dolphins (my kids would love that!) That's going to save me $240 to buy them from Costco, not to mention all we will save on the attractions...Love it!
However they only sell the three day and not the 5 day, which I am hoping will be ok since you don't have to use the days consecutively. It will include all of Pearl Harbor, the Movie sites tour, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and on the North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life Park, Kayaking, Dole Plantation tour, bike rentals, scooter rentals, catamaran trips, a bunch of museums, and other excursions, even discounts on restraunts. You also get one extra, like a swim with the dolphins (my kids would love that!) That's going to save me $240 to buy them from Costco, not to mention all we will save on the attractions...Love it!
Apr 22nd, 2013, 09:11 AM
#48
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hit 'enter' too soon.
One of the best things we visited on Oahu is also the only palace in the United States:
http://www.iolanipalace.org/
Iolani Palace is a fascinating place to be. Visit the exhibit downstairs, too. It's a great museum and is both poignant and proud.
It's fabulous that it was restored and is now a museum. Beautiful experience and I highly recommend a visit.
One of the best things we visited on Oahu is also the only palace in the United States:
http://www.iolanipalace.org/
Iolani Palace is a fascinating place to be. Visit the exhibit downstairs, too. It's a great museum and is both poignant and proud.
It's fabulous that it was restored and is now a museum. Beautiful experience and I highly recommend a visit.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 09:48 AM
#49
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EmilyPost - now I have to go to Iolani Palace too! It is amazing, the number of times I have been to Oahu and yet even though my days are packed, I've never been to the palace, nor the Bishop Museum or even PCC. Next time, for sure!
Apr 25th, 2013, 12:00 PM
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would love to go there, but wondering if the kids would like it?
They have done palaces and museums in Europe and liked them pretty well, but with less time I'm on the fence?
I am sure there will be plenty we just play by ear.
I think it looks really cool.
They have done palaces and museums in Europe and liked them pretty well, but with less time I'm on the fence?
I am sure there will be plenty we just play by ear.
I think it looks really cool.
Apr 25th, 2013, 04:33 PM
#53
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think young kids would enjoy the palace visit so much, generally, but it can be experienced during a short visit.
The palace is a poignant remnant and reminder of a time and culture that has passed. The palace is more about the culture of the Hawaiian people rather than a monument to power and influence (although there's that, too...Iolani Palace had electricity before the United States White House!)
The palace is a poignant remnant and reminder of a time and culture that has passed. The palace is more about the culture of the Hawaiian people rather than a monument to power and influence (although there's that, too...Iolani Palace had electricity before the United States White House!)
Apr 25th, 2013, 11:39 PM
#54
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The palace is a pretty short bus ride from Waikiki and wouldn't be an all-day affair. There would still be plenty of time for the pool and beach. I believe it's along the bus line that goes to Pearl Harbor so you might be able to combine the two, although that might be a bit much for one day. I would say the palace might be one of those places that the kids wouldn't pick to visit, but it might be worthwhile to take them there, anyway.
Apr 27th, 2013, 11:46 AM
#56
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No swimming with (harassing!) dolphins.
If your kids like the TV series "Hawaii Five-O", they know the Iolani Palace as 'police headquarters'.
If you are staying North Shore, you'd probably be closer to the PCC there than from Honolulu, although there are tours that will pick you up and return you to a Honolulu hotel.
Don't overbook yourselves. Hawaii is a treat in itself. I'd skip Dole and Sea Life Park. I believe only the Navy tour lands at the Arizona memorial.
If your kids like the TV series "Hawaii Five-O", they know the Iolani Palace as 'police headquarters'.
If you are staying North Shore, you'd probably be closer to the PCC there than from Honolulu, although there are tours that will pick you up and return you to a Honolulu hotel.
Don't overbook yourselves. Hawaii is a treat in itself. I'd skip Dole and Sea Life Park. I believe only the Navy tour lands at the Arizona memorial.
Apr 29th, 2013, 04:07 PM
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the input on the Dole Plantation and Sea Life park. I was a little on the fence about those two. I guess I just really want to have experiences that are unique to Hawaii/ Oahu, but also fun for the kids ( most being teens).
