Our first trip to Hawaii

Old Sep 19th, 2015, 10:05 AM
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I love the North Shore, it is quintessential Hawaii imho. It's definitely the surfing mecca of the world with the most beautiful beaches (Sunset, Waimea, etc). It's more of a country feel too and nice to get put of the city for the day. You can drive through the center of the island and stop at this pass that is very windy and then drive to the Japanese temple further on. I'd also go very early in the day.

If you have time and love snorkeling I'd recommend Hanamua Bay. You can make a reservation on line (which you will need) and again I'd go very early before the crowds. Its one of the best places to see reef fish anywhere.
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Old Sep 19th, 2015, 10:44 AM
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Some confusion here over advance planning. I think you are staying at the Sheraton in Kona, but have not booked in Honolulu or on Maui. Right? Those lodgings and your rental car on Maui are pending -- and possibly a car for a day on Oahu? If you want a luau on Maui, book that now. A whale watch can wait until you get to Maui; a snorkeling excursion to Lanai would double as whale watch during 'whale soup' in the ocean in February.

Because you can snorkel to your hearts' content in less crowded conditions on Maui, I'd skip Hanamua on Oahu.

Also, you are not planning to drive to Volcano? (Consider an air tour out of KOA.) You might enjoy City of Refuge and Hulihee Palace from Kona, as well as a drive north up the coast and back along the to Waimea.
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Old Sep 20th, 2015, 04:10 AM
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Well, a lot to digest.

This is where we stand now.

Delta, BOS to HNL for $663PP. [Arrive at 4pm]

Hawaiian Air, HNL to OGG to KOA to HNL for $280PP. [Arrive back at HNL at 2pm for a 6pm flight home on 2/9]

Sheraton Princess for 5 nights with points. [1/27-1/31]

Sheraton in Kona for 5 nights with points and dollars. [2/4-2/8]

Car rented for the Big Island--$266 including all taxes.

Left to do.

Maui condo rental, 3 nights. [2/1-2/3]

Car rental for Maui.

Will reconsider a car rental for Oahu.

nanabee; You mentioned Sunset. A friend I played BB with yesterday said he almost drowned at Sunset. It seems like the waves are incredible. Certainly a sight to see.

I can't thank you all enough. We only have 13 nights and so will have to select carefully our itinerary.

But we won't rush our days, as we now travel in a more relaxed mode.
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Old Sep 20th, 2015, 08:22 AM
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The Keauhou Sheraton doesn't have a swimming beach, but you are right next to a harbor from which you can take a convenient and fairly inexpensive snorkel tour to Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook) and Place of Refuge (Two Step). These are two premiere snorkel sites that are much easier to access by boat in one visit.
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Old Sep 20th, 2015, 08:38 AM
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aloha richard, I have never rented a car on Oahu (5 trips so far). I loved the Iolani Palace tour, add that to your Chinatown day.

On Maui my family stayed at Lahaina Shores condo/hotel and it worked well for us (walking distance to the town so people could go out on their own). Definitely need a car on Maui. Going up Haleakala (not at sunrise) was an amazing thing to do there.
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Old Sep 20th, 2015, 09:13 AM
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You can rent a car for just a day on Oahu. There are several pickup/dropoff locations right in Waikiki.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 06:08 AM
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Princess Kaiulani is a good choice on Oahu. I have stayed there several times and find the location to be great. Take note that the "International Maret Place" is being completely redone and is right next door to the "PK" as it is sometimes called. If your room is on the construction side you may get noise.

Call me crazy but I like the hustle and bustle of Waikiki! I am not a beach lounging person at all, preferring to drive, enjoy the weather, shop, admire the many gorgeous spots around the island, eat great seafood, and just relax on a bench at one of the many parks along the shore. I arrived HNL just yesterday, and trust me... it's busy!
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 08:27 AM
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nanabee; You mentioned Sunset. A friend I played BB with yesterday said he almost drowned at Sunset. It seems like the waves are incredible. Certainly a sight to see.

If it was winter, not surprising - those beaches are not swimmable in winter (they're still gorgeous, but the water and waves should be left to the "professionals"). This is where the Banzai Pipeline is - look it up on youtube.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 08:51 AM
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Oh, I meant to add, we also love the counter-clockwise drive. Last time we went to the North Shore, we kayaked in Kailua all morning, then drove across the H3/H2 (spectacular drive) to Haleiwa for lunch.
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Old Sep 21st, 2015, 03:27 PM
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I mentioned something similar further up-thread, but will take another stab at it.

Many (most?) Maui condos, particularly at that time of year (whale season), have minimum stay requirements, so you might have trouble finding one you like for a stay of only 3 nights. And with the usual cleaning fee I don't think you'd save much vs. a hotel anyway. So consider nixing the Sheraton Keauhou in favor of the Sheraton on Maui's Ka'anapali Beach, and staying in a condo on the Big Island instead. There are some very nice ones along the Kohala Coast, which is definitely better in terms of beaches, and IMO a better base for touring the island as well.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2015, 02:02 PM
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Thanks for the up-to-date itinerary. Yes, we'd 'improve' on some of this, but I think flights and lodgings are now 'in cement'.

You can book a Maui condo with an agency -- like Aston -- for just a few nights. Some owners will also have gaps in their calendars that may fit your dates. I would not wait long to book car and condo on Maui -- and a luau if you want one. Snowbirds plus Whale Watchers = Low Inventory.

You're going to have a wonderful trip!
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 10:49 AM
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ChiSue; Thanks for the tip on the Aston agency. I will book the condo and car within the next week for Maui.

FitC; Thanks for your input.

sf7307; Patty; Now considering a car. perhaps for one day and would do the counter clockwise tour.

simpson510; We are staying with the Princess and we also like busy, even while sitting watching the hustle and bustle.

suze; lolana Palace will be on our to do list for Chinatown.

The condo in lahaina Shores was full for our dates. But I think we want to be more in a central Maui location.

sylvia3; Captain Cook. Haven't we all seen a movie in our younger days on the adventures of CC.

Will visit that area.

P.S. ChiSue; My wife would love an air tour. I will stay on the ground.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 10:55 AM
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Iolani Palace has tours lead by a live person (but only at certain times). I missed that and went on the self-guided audio-tour version and really liked that a lot because you could go at your own speed, listening to as much in depth information (or not) as you wished.

I did a solo excursion one day (by Bus) that included Foster Botanical Garden, the beautiful Kuan Yin at the gardens, then a walk back across Chinatown (stopping for a snack along the way of course!), then the tour at the Palace. After that caught a bus back to central Waikiki. Took about 4 hours and cost ~$40 total.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2015, 11:40 AM
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Hi suze; Will keep that in mind.

For Oahu we don't intend to rush to see everything.

Our arrival day we will probably get to the hotel between 5:30 and 6pm. Strictly R and R.

D2; Then Pearl Harbor, probably 2/3 hours R/T and 3/4 hours at Pearl.

D3; We will walk Diamond Head and the Waikiki beach.

Afternoon TBD

D4; Chinatown and consider your suggesting. Will leisurely do more walking in Chinatown.

D5; TBD

Each of these days will include a very light lunch. Probably have dinner out 2/3 nights and dinner at the Sheraton bar 2/3 nights.

Four months till we leave and plenty of time to revise and revise again.
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Old Sep 30th, 2015, 04:23 PM
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Our Maui stay has been arranged and partially paid for, although we have until January 16th to cancel for our February 1st stay.

The condo/hotel is Wailer Ekahi Village with a garden view.

Took the less expensive room as at the Kona Sheraton, we have a water view for our last 5 nights.

Now just need to make a car reservation. The cheapest so far on Priceline bidding for a compact is about $180, all taxes included for the 3 nights on Maui.
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Old Oct 1st, 2015, 03:14 AM
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That car rate is extremely high; I recommend just making a reservation now (pay nothing) and check a few times as your dates get closer.
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Old Oct 1st, 2015, 05:47 AM
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Thanks sylvia3; A good though to book without paying and then keep checking.

Today was $172, all inclusive.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2015, 04:28 AM
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Today was $158, all inclusive for a compact.

I don't think it will go much lower.

This fare is pre-paid, non-refundable.

Thoughts?
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Old Oct 2nd, 2015, 06:00 AM
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Be sure to try discounthawaiicarrental.com! That's not prepaid, so if you find a better price you can take it. There is no way I'd pay now for a car 2 months or more out (I always make the best reservation I can, then check for better.) And I wouldn't prepay for a reservation unless it was in the $20/day range or less.
But that's me☺
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Old Oct 2nd, 2015, 06:37 AM
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There are so many recommendation to use discounthawaiicarrental.com. But EVERY time I have booked with them I have found a lower rate (sometimes within a week of my trip) by using Hotwire or Priceline. It's probably a good idea to have that reservation in your back pocket -- but it's probably not going to wind up being the lowest rate.
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