Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Senior Citizens in Oahu/Maui/Kauai/San Francisco

Search

Senior Citizens in Oahu/Maui/Kauai/San Francisco

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26th, 2005, 07:55 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Senior Citizens in Oahu/Maui/Kauai/San Francisco

Hello. My parents are now going to travel to Oahu/Maui/Kauai in March '06. All they hear from everyone is that "it's beautiful"..which it is. But they ask "what's there to do?". They will be in the islands for about 10 days. Not very good at hiking at all. Anyone with any suggestions about what they could do beyond the obvious....Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Cultural Center. Any suggestions, especially from seniors would be greatly appreciated. Thank
traveller3 is offline  
Old Jul 26th, 2005, 08:14 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are so many things to do on all of the islands -- snorkeling, swimming, boat trips, museums, shopping, dining, horseback riding, golf -- that your folks will probably come home exhausted!

I'm always puzzled by visitors who arrive here with a "schedule" of what they'll be doing/seeing -- leaving precious little time to just enjoy the _experience_ of being in such a culturally-rich environment.

The state's official tourism site has loads of free info:
http://www.gohawaii.com
auntiemaria is offline  
Old Jul 26th, 2005, 08:51 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi and thanks for your information. My parents and their friends at 75+. They don't snorkel, golf, swim or horseback ride but they do shop! I will access the site you suggested. Thanks again
traveller3 is offline  
Old Jul 26th, 2005, 12:20 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here is a list of things on Oahu. I realize from your messages that they are elder and can't do everthing. But, it's easy for me to copy & paste the entire list.

Also for Maui: www.mauihawaii.org

List of things to do on Oahu
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.

Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.

Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $40, but I prefer the buffet package ($55) or the luau buffet package ($75). The evening 'Horizon' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.

Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.

Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city. If you have time, take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.

Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website: http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm

Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe.

Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming.

Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.

Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.

Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).

Hike to Manoa Falls: (Free) You can drive right up to the trailhead and park for free. Or you can pay a few bucks in a nearby lot to have someone "watch" your car. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest also bamboo there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet.

Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.

Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/

North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove & Chun's Reef. Chun's Reef has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove and Chun's Reef in the summer.

Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.

Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits and carp feeding pond.

Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.

Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.

Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.

Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples). Check brochures or get info on-line. Search: oahu botanical gardens

Other: Sea Life Park, Zoo, Aquarium, dinner cruise, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.

Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.

Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii
www.alohatower.com
www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours
www.driveguidemagazines.com
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining & entertainment

Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free).

Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.

Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:
www.outrigger.com
www.sheraton.com
www.ohanahotels.com , etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.

Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at www.entertainment.com. They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.

Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.

Phone Cards: If you don't have a cell phone, the best phone cards right now can be found at Costco or Sam's Club. Right now they are only $.03/m, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no monthly charge. Can be used from pay phones ($.25 or eight units surcharge from pay phone), hotels, homes.
dusty56438 is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2005, 10:10 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
WOW! Thank you so very much for taking the time to copy all of the info. They will be very grateful as I am too!!
traveller3 is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2005, 11:28 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,182
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Honolulu:

Tour of Doris Duke's ShangriLa estate thru the Honolulu Academy of the Arts is excellent and appropriate for their age and interests.

How about historical interest tours like Iolani Place, Mission Houses, and Bishop Museum?

Shopping in central Waikiki is excellent and could take a day or two!

If they've only got 10 days and are going to 3 islands they will spend quite a bit of time, checking in and out of hotels, going to and from airports.
suze is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2005, 11:30 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,182
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
There's a tour I just learned about on another recent Fodors thread... on Kauai you go on a "movie tour" in a van where they show you film clips and then take you to see the place in person.
suze is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2005, 11:33 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,182
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
www.shangrilahawaii.org

If they are interested, you need to book ahead as the tours are small groups and sell out well in advance. It is really a fascinating tour, you meet at the Academy and see a video about Doris Duke's life and building of the estate, then in 2 vans go there, past Diamond Head.
suze is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2005, 01:28 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, dusty! I'm downloading your entire message, what a treasure trove of information!

traveller3: there's also the Maui Film Festival, Firstlight series, in December. You get to see movies first on Maui and long before they hit the mainland. The Festival itself is in the summer usually, but the Firstlight series has been in December. We were able to attend some movies in December, 2002 and December 2003. Highly recommend the MFF!
easytraveler is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dwoznia
United States
18
Sep 14th, 2005 03:38 AM
jnewshel
United States
14
Sep 7th, 2005 08:59 PM
GailLK
United States
31
Jul 19th, 2005 02:36 PM
OldSouthernBelle
United States
18
Jun 8th, 2005 12:17 PM
cw05
United States
9
May 27th, 2005 06:57 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -