Oahu trip report
Sep 10th, 2006, 02:54 PM
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Oahu trip report
Returned this morning from a week on Oahu. After an overnight flight, I am currently trying desperately NOT to give in and go to sleep until later this evening so that I can get back on central time schedule. Perhaps posting this trip report will help perk me up and keep me hanging in there for a little longer. Please excuse me if it rambles though!
FLIGHT/ Flew on Continental from Nashville to Oahu with a connection in Houston. We really like the seat configuration on the 767's they use on Houston to Honolulu route. Rows are 2-3-2 so not a lot of middle seats. Continental also provides meals and snacks throughout the flight. Airline food is not great but nice to have the option. Especially liked the personal entertainment systems in every seatback (even in the cheap coach seats). Several movie and tv choices, about 20 audio channels and even video games (remind me to never play poker for real money!). If you check in online for the flight from home, you can get a certificate for a free headset.
RENTAL CAR/ Rented a jeep wrangler through Thrifty. You don't need 4wd on Oahu but we rented a jeep on previous trips to Maui and Kauai and just think it's a lot of fun.
ACCOMMODATIONS/ Stayed at the Marriott Koolina Beach Club using DH's Marriott points. The "oceanview" villa we reserved had a view of the parking lot and gas grills but after a couple phone calls we were able to get moved to a 12th floor room that did have an view of ocean but also of construction nearby. The villas are very nice and well-equipped (full kitchen, washer/dryers, etc.) I could have done without the construction but looks like it's going to be going on for the next couple years. When the surrounding property is eventually completed it's going to be fabulous. Despite the destracting construction, the property is still BEAUTIFUL. Pool areas and hot tubs are gorgeous. Adult only hot tub with view of the beach was my favorite. Wonderful at night with the live music nearby and views of Lagoon 2 (there are 4 lagoons). The lagoons are wonderful and perfect for swimming or just relaxing. One and a half mile walkway that connects them. We walked it several times at sunrise and sunset. Enjoyed snorkeling and saw lots of fish and a couple of turtles near the rocks at Lagoon 3. I am a beginner and usually very nervous but the lagoons are very calm and I felt really safe. A few days of "practicing" in the lagoons and I was able to build my skills and my confidence which came in handy later in the week.
ACTIVITIES/ If you can believe it, we spent a whole week on Oahu and never went to Waikiki. We drove past it the second day on our way to North Shore and just weren't real interested in spending time in the city. We spent 3 days up on the North Shore. It was easy to zip up H2 from the west side of the island to Haleiwa. Loved Haleiwa!
Just down the road we saw LOTS of turtles at Turtle Cove. They were huge and would swim right up to you. Another highlight of North Shore was the snorkeling at Shark's Cove. A little bit of a challenge climbing over the rocks to the water but tons of fish.
On one visit we ran down to Dillingham Airfield and DH took a glider ride. He loved it. There are 2 competing companies side by side and they will haggle with you depending on how busy they are. I'm not crazy about flying in any aircraft - even those WITH an engine so I stayed on the ground and took pictures.
On the way back from Dillingham we stopped and watched kitesurfers for a while. That was really fun. We purchased folding beach chairs our first day on the island and just left them in the jeep so if we came across a beach and wanted to sit for a while we just pulled them out. At the end of the trip we gave the chairs and a softsided cooler to a couple at the rental car office that was just arriving. They were thrilled and said they would pass them along to someone else when they leave next week.
FOOD/ Here is a quick review of some of the food we enjoyed while we were there:
*Roy's - Great chocolate souffle! Live music later in the week and outdoor tables that were wonderful under the full moon. Two entrees & dessert about $75
*Kohohele's at Marriott - Decent burgers, good onion rings, nice mixed green salad but about the size of a postage stamp (okay not really - maybe a litte bigger) Dinner for two about $35 & up.
*JulieZ - Small restaurant featuring filipino food in Kapolei. Had good breakfast there. The adobo pork is really good. Around $15 for two for breakfast.
*Killer Tacos in Haleiwa - Excellent! I loved the kalau pork tacos and DH's favorite was the first burrito. AGreat food and a deal at about $10-$15 for two.
*Aoki's Shave Ice - okay but not the best we've had. About $2 for large
*Ted's Bakery - chocolate haupia cream pie. Very good but very rich! $2.50 slice
Breakfast most mornings was fresh fruit smoothies with our blender. Also had a couple cinnamon rolls from Cinnayums. We grilled out a few nights at the resort and bought some of our groceries at Safeway in Kapolei and at Costco. Founds lots of goodies that we can't get at the Costco at home. Especially good were the macadamia caramel corn, cornflake butter cookies baked by DaKine Bakery and the fresh california rolls/sushi.
SUMMARY/ Overall it was a wonderful, relaxing week. We met a lot of really nice people and had a terrific time. Would go back in a minute!
FLIGHT/ Flew on Continental from Nashville to Oahu with a connection in Houston. We really like the seat configuration on the 767's they use on Houston to Honolulu route. Rows are 2-3-2 so not a lot of middle seats. Continental also provides meals and snacks throughout the flight. Airline food is not great but nice to have the option. Especially liked the personal entertainment systems in every seatback (even in the cheap coach seats). Several movie and tv choices, about 20 audio channels and even video games (remind me to never play poker for real money!). If you check in online for the flight from home, you can get a certificate for a free headset.
RENTAL CAR/ Rented a jeep wrangler through Thrifty. You don't need 4wd on Oahu but we rented a jeep on previous trips to Maui and Kauai and just think it's a lot of fun.
ACCOMMODATIONS/ Stayed at the Marriott Koolina Beach Club using DH's Marriott points. The "oceanview" villa we reserved had a view of the parking lot and gas grills but after a couple phone calls we were able to get moved to a 12th floor room that did have an view of ocean but also of construction nearby. The villas are very nice and well-equipped (full kitchen, washer/dryers, etc.) I could have done without the construction but looks like it's going to be going on for the next couple years. When the surrounding property is eventually completed it's going to be fabulous. Despite the destracting construction, the property is still BEAUTIFUL. Pool areas and hot tubs are gorgeous. Adult only hot tub with view of the beach was my favorite. Wonderful at night with the live music nearby and views of Lagoon 2 (there are 4 lagoons). The lagoons are wonderful and perfect for swimming or just relaxing. One and a half mile walkway that connects them. We walked it several times at sunrise and sunset. Enjoyed snorkeling and saw lots of fish and a couple of turtles near the rocks at Lagoon 3. I am a beginner and usually very nervous but the lagoons are very calm and I felt really safe. A few days of "practicing" in the lagoons and I was able to build my skills and my confidence which came in handy later in the week.
ACTIVITIES/ If you can believe it, we spent a whole week on Oahu and never went to Waikiki. We drove past it the second day on our way to North Shore and just weren't real interested in spending time in the city. We spent 3 days up on the North Shore. It was easy to zip up H2 from the west side of the island to Haleiwa. Loved Haleiwa!
Just down the road we saw LOTS of turtles at Turtle Cove. They were huge and would swim right up to you. Another highlight of North Shore was the snorkeling at Shark's Cove. A little bit of a challenge climbing over the rocks to the water but tons of fish.
On one visit we ran down to Dillingham Airfield and DH took a glider ride. He loved it. There are 2 competing companies side by side and they will haggle with you depending on how busy they are. I'm not crazy about flying in any aircraft - even those WITH an engine so I stayed on the ground and took pictures.
On the way back from Dillingham we stopped and watched kitesurfers for a while. That was really fun. We purchased folding beach chairs our first day on the island and just left them in the jeep so if we came across a beach and wanted to sit for a while we just pulled them out. At the end of the trip we gave the chairs and a softsided cooler to a couple at the rental car office that was just arriving. They were thrilled and said they would pass them along to someone else when they leave next week.
FOOD/ Here is a quick review of some of the food we enjoyed while we were there:
*Roy's - Great chocolate souffle! Live music later in the week and outdoor tables that were wonderful under the full moon. Two entrees & dessert about $75
*Kohohele's at Marriott - Decent burgers, good onion rings, nice mixed green salad but about the size of a postage stamp (okay not really - maybe a litte bigger) Dinner for two about $35 & up.
*JulieZ - Small restaurant featuring filipino food in Kapolei. Had good breakfast there. The adobo pork is really good. Around $15 for two for breakfast.
*Killer Tacos in Haleiwa - Excellent! I loved the kalau pork tacos and DH's favorite was the first burrito. AGreat food and a deal at about $10-$15 for two.
*Aoki's Shave Ice - okay but not the best we've had. About $2 for large
*Ted's Bakery - chocolate haupia cream pie. Very good but very rich! $2.50 slice
Breakfast most mornings was fresh fruit smoothies with our blender. Also had a couple cinnamon rolls from Cinnayums. We grilled out a few nights at the resort and bought some of our groceries at Safeway in Kapolei and at Costco. Founds lots of goodies that we can't get at the Costco at home. Especially good were the macadamia caramel corn, cornflake butter cookies baked by DaKine Bakery and the fresh california rolls/sushi.
SUMMARY/ Overall it was a wonderful, relaxing week. We met a lot of really nice people and had a terrific time. Would go back in a minute!
Sep 10th, 2006, 03:03 PM
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Great trip rport of Oahu! I think it will serve as a classic going forward - especially for those who think Oahu = Waikiki. Dang! Now I have a strong "need" to go to the local Roy's for chocolate souffle 
Sep 10th, 2006, 03:26 PM
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Thanks Starrsville. Just noticed several typos - Killer Tacos should be "fish burrito" instead of "first burrito". Also Lagoons should be Lagoon "2" for snorkeling and Lagoon "3" in front of the resort. I guess I'm a little more tired than I thought.
I still can't believe we didn't go to Waikiki (or about half the other things we planned to do)! Maybe next trip.
I still can't believe we didn't go to Waikiki (or about half the other things we planned to do)! Maybe next trip.
Sep 10th, 2006, 04:12 PM
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luvtrvl~ 
fabulous report.. I love the idea of staying on the North Shore as a change of pace..
I am also interested in the glider rides.. I have an aviation savant in my teenager.. he's done biplane rides with his dad in Arizona, but not a glider ride yet..which comapny did you use?
As for the food report, I was almost tasting your entrees, very difficult to stay focused on this get healthy thing, but thanks for the tips for future reference!
I would still have to return to Duke's in Waikikki for their caesar salad.. it is a favorite.
Thanks again for a good job and I took notes for our return, J.
fabulous report.. I love the idea of staying on the North Shore as a change of pace..I am also interested in the glider rides.. I have an aviation savant in my teenager.. he's done biplane rides with his dad in Arizona, but not a glider ride yet..which comapny did you use?
As for the food report, I was almost tasting your entrees, very difficult to stay focused on this get healthy thing, but thanks for the tips for future reference!
I would still have to return to Duke's in Waikikki for their caesar salad.. it is a favorite.
Thanks again for a good job and I took notes for our return, J.
Sep 11th, 2006, 01:02 PM
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Luvtravl, many thanks for your TR.
I just took offer for 5 nights at Marriott Ko Olina BC on Marriott promo (no timeshare talks required). So, after wondering what i got myself into, loved reading your description.
Also enjoyed your non-Waikiki viewpoint. It's such a wonderful island, and I love it ALL, Waikiki included...but it's nice for future visitors to have someone validate that Oahu consists of lots more than its world famous beach!
And the food tips..Ted's haupia pie!!! Can hardly wait to taste it. The best dessert ever in Hawaii was a haupia cake--maybe this will top it?
I just took offer for 5 nights at Marriott Ko Olina BC on Marriott promo (no timeshare talks required). So, after wondering what i got myself into, loved reading your description.
Also enjoyed your non-Waikiki viewpoint. It's such a wonderful island, and I love it ALL, Waikiki included...but it's nice for future visitors to have someone validate that Oahu consists of lots more than its world famous beach!
And the food tips..Ted's haupia pie!!! Can hardly wait to taste it. The best dessert ever in Hawaii was a haupia cake--maybe this will top it?
Sep 11th, 2006, 01:15 PM
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this is great! Just a funny comment about Ted's--my brother used to work in an office where the ladies ordered Ted's pies once a week. One day, one of the ladies gave him an extra large polo shirt. Because she knew his size? NO, because she had outgrown the shirt!.....Ted's pies are delicious, but in moderation.......
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