Oahu vacation
Oct 22nd, 2000, 09:44 AM
#1
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Oahu vacation
My boyfriend and I are going to Hawaii for the first time in May 2001 for nine days and after much research we decided to stay on Oahu for the entire time. We'll be staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Since interisland travel is so easy, we thought that an all day trip to Kauai and/or Maui would be fine. We love nightlife, and plan on doing alot of sightseeing of the entire island and felt that Oahu offered everything we wanted. I'd appreciate other peoples thoughts and ideas on this strategy (especially Lani if you're out there) and any suggestions as to "must sees", dining and such. Also is there a half decent luau on Oahu? We can always go back to Hawaii in the future and concentrate on other islands.
Oct 22nd, 2000, 04:11 PM
#2
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My wife and I returned a month ago from 2 weeks in Oahu/Maui. We also loved Oahu. I recommend in no particular order. Waikiki Beach of course. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay (which might have been the highlight of our trip actually), hike up diamond head. View was great. Go to the North Shore! Wonderful up there! Shave ice at matsumoto's. Watch the sunset at one of the waikiki beach bars while drinking a mai tai, listening to the great music. We took a dinner cruise. Had a great time. Looked at Waikiki Beach from the water. Pearl Harbor was touching. Should go there. Lots of other things! Feel free to ask more.
Oct 23rd, 2000, 07:19 AM
#4
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We went to Duke's..Had lunch a couple of times and drank some drinks..Great location..Also nice to listen to the free music at sunset at the Sheraton Waikiki. Real nice place as well. I'll post later today on what cruise it was. I'm at work and can't remember right now.
Oct 23rd, 2000, 04:00 PM
#5
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Take a drive up the East coast of Oahu on route 83 - a beautiful coastline.
If you want to learn more about the culture of Hawaii, go to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. They have a beautiful collection of Hawaiian artifacts, along with hula dances and other exhibitions.
Get the Entertainment Book. It has many coupons for meals and attractions in Oahu, including the Polynesian Ctr, the Museum, and the USS Missouri.
If you want to learn more about the culture of Hawaii, go to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. They have a beautiful collection of Hawaiian artifacts, along with hula dances and other exhibitions.
Get the Entertainment Book. It has many coupons for meals and attractions in Oahu, including the Polynesian Ctr, the Museum, and the USS Missouri.
Oct 23rd, 2000, 08:27 PM
#6
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Anne,
Excellent plan! You will love Oahu, and you have everything there for a dream vacation. Oh yes, I have stayed at the Hilton, and it is great! I would go to the luau and evening "Horizon" show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. (I wouldn't spend any more time there at the PCC unless I were taking children with me.) You can get a package which will include pickup at your hotel so you don't have to drive back in the evening.
Of course, I'm sure you'll want to do the Arizona Memorial/USS Missouri, see Punchbowl Cemetery, the Bishop Museum, see Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu and other historic sites there.
Be sure to spend a day at Kailua Beach, about 30 minutes from Waikiki, and explore the rest of the island. If you buy the latest edition of Frommers Hawaii, I find they usually have the most up to date info on all the different sites and activities.
Be sure to visit Duke's Canoe Club at the Outrigger Waikiki for great Hawaiian music and good food right on the sands of Waikiki Beach!
If you're especially interested in something on another island, like Volcanoes Nat'l Park, a day trip would be a good idea, and I love to fly inter-island there - the scenery is so beautiful!
Have a great trip!
Aloha,
Lani
Excellent plan! You will love Oahu, and you have everything there for a dream vacation. Oh yes, I have stayed at the Hilton, and it is great! I would go to the luau and evening "Horizon" show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. (I wouldn't spend any more time there at the PCC unless I were taking children with me.) You can get a package which will include pickup at your hotel so you don't have to drive back in the evening.
Of course, I'm sure you'll want to do the Arizona Memorial/USS Missouri, see Punchbowl Cemetery, the Bishop Museum, see Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu and other historic sites there.
Be sure to spend a day at Kailua Beach, about 30 minutes from Waikiki, and explore the rest of the island. If you buy the latest edition of Frommers Hawaii, I find they usually have the most up to date info on all the different sites and activities.
Be sure to visit Duke's Canoe Club at the Outrigger Waikiki for great Hawaiian music and good food right on the sands of Waikiki Beach!
If you're especially interested in something on another island, like Volcanoes Nat'l Park, a day trip would be a good idea, and I love to fly inter-island there - the scenery is so beautiful!
Have a great trip!
Aloha,
Lani
Oct 24th, 2000, 06:22 AM
#7
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Thanks Roger for the insight. And yes I did actually order the Entertainment Book yesterday for Hawaii. I reviewed their web page and they offer many discounts for the restaurants that we want to eat at and sights we want to see.
Lani, thanks also regarding the info on the Polynesian Cultural Center. I think we will go to the evening luau and show like you suggest. I did read mixed reviews about it saying it was too commercial, but I think that it is probably the most authentic luau on Oahu.
Thanks again everyone for your input. I'm sure we'll have a great time in Hawaii!
Lani, thanks also regarding the info on the Polynesian Cultural Center. I think we will go to the evening luau and show like you suggest. I did read mixed reviews about it saying it was too commercial, but I think that it is probably the most authentic luau on Oahu.
Thanks again everyone for your input. I'm sure we'll have a great time in Hawaii!
Oct 24th, 2000, 02:26 PM
#8
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Anne,
The only luaus that are a little less "commercial" are the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui and the Kona Village Resort Luau on Big Island. But some of the more commercial ones are still fun, (just don't ever go to the one at the Marriott on Maui, and don't expect good drinks at any luau; also, all luaus are overpriced so get a discount if you can!) My point here is that the Horizon show alone is worth the price of your ticket, even if you got no dinner, really! Most tourists do not really care for the luau food (the real Hawaiian fare) so I don't feel you really go for the food, it's just the fun experience, to see the show, etc.
Please let us hear from you when you return! If you like Chinese food, eat at the Golden Dragon at the Hilton, the most gorgeous Chinese restaurant you've ever seen, with great food!
Aloha,
Lani
The only luaus that are a little less "commercial" are the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui and the Kona Village Resort Luau on Big Island. But some of the more commercial ones are still fun, (just don't ever go to the one at the Marriott on Maui, and don't expect good drinks at any luau; also, all luaus are overpriced so get a discount if you can!) My point here is that the Horizon show alone is worth the price of your ticket, even if you got no dinner, really! Most tourists do not really care for the luau food (the real Hawaiian fare) so I don't feel you really go for the food, it's just the fun experience, to see the show, etc.
Please let us hear from you when you return! If you like Chinese food, eat at the Golden Dragon at the Hilton, the most gorgeous Chinese restaurant you've ever seen, with great food!
Aloha,
Lani
Oct 28th, 2000, 06:46 PM
#10
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Anne you and your boyfriend will love the Hilton village.We didn't pay for ocean view but we asked when we got there and we had a magnificient view.I don't have any additional suggestions, however we did not enjoy the luau we went to. We did not go to the Cultural Center one which would have been a whole day affair. The food was terrible for the price ($60) The hilton has a luau of its own. I think it is 2x a week. The ceremony with the dancing girls and the flame tossers etc is free although if you want a seat you have to buy a drink. In addition to this the do have the food for an additional price. If we knew this we wouldn't have signed up for the other luau where a bus picks you up and drives you 45 min away. No matter what you do you will have a great time.
Oct 30th, 2000, 11:14 AM
#12
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Dana, the Entertainment Book can be ordered through their website: www.entertainment.com. I got it within two days of ordering it. It really has good coupons for excellent restaurants and many activities and sights.
Bean, thanks for the insight regarding Hawaiian entertainment at the Hilton. I think I'll wait until we get to the hotel and check out all that it offers before I book any luau trips. I know that they have fireworks on Friday nights and I would rather spend the money at a great restaurant and later watch a hula/flame tossers ceremony at the hotel. We are currently booked for a village garden view room in the Alii Tower (which is fine), but I'll also ask about an upgrade when I get there. It can't hurt to ask.
Thanks again everyone and I will definitely give a trip report in May.
Bean, thanks for the insight regarding Hawaiian entertainment at the Hilton. I think I'll wait until we get to the hotel and check out all that it offers before I book any luau trips. I know that they have fireworks on Friday nights and I would rather spend the money at a great restaurant and later watch a hula/flame tossers ceremony at the hotel. We are currently booked for a village garden view room in the Alii Tower (which is fine), but I'll also ask about an upgrade when I get there. It can't hurt to ask.
Thanks again everyone and I will definitely give a trip report in May.
