Would like to start planning a trip to Hawaii for next summer (05)any tips on what is the most economomical way to go, but still hit all the highlights, we will be flying in from Detroit Mi. When is the high season in Hawaii? What are the must sees? should we island hop or stay in on location?Which island? Is it better to rent a condo or hotel? We like to try everthing! I would just like to go there!!Any and all tips are greatly appreciated, thanks!

Anna, could you tell us how many days you will have for your vacation, and what you hope to spend per night on accommodations? The high season on Hawaii is mid-December (approximately) thru mid-April. Will there be just you and a partner traveling, or will there be children along?

We will probably travel in July, 12 days, me, husband and by then 15 yr old son. Last year we did a road trip from Detroit to the Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Cody Wy, Grand Tetons,Yellowstone Park (12 days highest we paid a night was $118) and spent almost $3,000, three years ago we went to Japan for 12 days and spent $3,000 (daughter lived there arranged for accomodations for us). I would like a ballpark figure on what others have budgeted/spent. I assume the flight from Detroit will be costly, with accomodations the next expense, I can't even imagine what the rates are, I haven't started looking yet. I thought this forum would be a good place to start. I meant to put this in the Hawaii forum, glad you found it!

Anna, there is no "Hawaii forum" - all posts go to the US forum; the pull-down list at the top of the page is to help you search for previous posts on particular states, not to pigeonhole your original post.

Flights will be expensive but bargains can be had. Sign up with an e-mail notification plan with a couple of the major carriers, or with something like a fare-watch service on Yahoo or onw of the big travel sites, and be ready to spring when you see something affordable.

As for which island(s), it depends on your preferences. Oahu is the most populous and has a range of attractions, Maui arguably the most developed for mass-market tourism, Kauai less so and many think it's the most scenic island albeit some development, and the Big Island (Hawaii) the largest and most spread-out, also with the most variety but relatively few white-sand beaches. Start your research now.

As far as accommodation, see the above. If one island, then renting a condo or apartment might be best; if two or more (I wouldn't do more than 2 personally except see below) then probably hotels are better. Think Priceline. Go to www.biddingfortravel.com and look at what people have achieved using PL in the islands. Also don't forget you can get cars on PL too.

One last thought is that, especially in the summer months, you might seriously consider a cruise around the islands. Norwegian Cruise Lines recently got approval to run an all-Hawaiian itinerary (with no foreign port requirements, which previously sucked three or four days out of a week). I suspect that you might be able to strike a very good deal on a cruise, and it has some real advantages for first-time visitors to Hawaii. Unpack once, all meals included, time to look all the islands over so next time you can choose the one(s) you like most, plenty of activities for your son, plus your hotel moves overnight from one island to another. Cheapest waterfront hotel rooms on the islands Fly to Honolulu, spend a couple of nights in a (PL) hotel, go on a cruise, then spend a couple more nights in Honolulu or some other place before going home. Give it a thought.

Yes, there is most certainly a Hawaii forum and that is where you need to re-post this. Use the pull-down menu to indicate Hawaii and then post. It's used for posting AND searching...

Hello Crazy4Hawaii: Good tip for the Ardbeg BTW. I like it!

Hi AnnaR! My family is going to Honolulu this summer in July so here are a few things we did during our planning stages.

Check out the airfare from flights leaving Detroit to the different islands in July NOW. That will give you some idea how much airfare might cost.

Search this forum and check out guidebooks from your local library and read up on the different islands. This way you can get an idea of which one (or two or even three) you're interested in. My family decided on Honolulu because my husband had never been there (I, OTOH, have and our first anniversary was in Maui & Kauai). We were going to also do the Big Island for a day, but when we realized the whole island hopping thing had changed, we nixed it. While a lot of people don't seem to like Honolulu, we read about a lot of things we were interested in seeing and decided to stick with the one island.

Be honest with yourself about where you want to stay and how you want to pay for it. I, for one, am NOT a Priceline person, no matter how cheap it is. But that doesn't mean Priceline isn't for you. I'm also not into renting condos but on Fodors I've noticed people getting very nice ones. My one requirement for this stay in Honolulu was a hotel well known enough that I could read reviews about it. Why? Because when I took my first trip to Honolulu (during the days when the only information on Hawaii was through a travel agent) I stayed at a horror of a hotel and vowed this time: NEVER AGAIN.

Good luck to you!

Anna, I agree with Cats_Do_Dance's advice to you in many areas. I think Hawaii is one of those places, unlike some, that you can "do expensively" or "do budget-conscious"........ and it doesn't affect the most enjoyable components of your trip.

Personally, if I were you and didn't want to spend a fortune, I'd buy the Entertainment Book 2005, find an Outrigger or Aston property for the island(s) I wanted to visit. You can get 50 percent off regular rates with the E. Book, and know exactly what hotel you're getting. (We stay in the Renaissance Wailea in $450/night rooms for $225, and you can find a property with $200/night rooms for $100!)

May I suggest you check out "alternative-hawaii.com" .......... they have wonderful photos and info on the different islands. Only you know what sounds/looks appealing to you. If I were going for the first time, for 12 days, with a 15-year old boy, I would probably do two islands, definitely the Big Island (I think it would fascinate your son), and Oahu........... Waikiki is a lot of fun for a few days, and the rest of the island is beautiful and fascinating. So much of historical significance there on Oahu........

AnnaR

Another good reason to start checking out the airlines now is to check which routes they have available from Detroit. When my family started planning for our Hawaii trip in 2003, my husband was still under the impression our city had non stop service to Honolulu. He was wrong.

I suggest you check to see what the routes are to the different islands and how many stops they make. I have a feeling leaving from Detroit will require at least one stop, but I don't know. Ask yourself how many stops you're willing to make. Two stops may have cheaper airfare, but it also makes an already long trip, longer. Only you and your family know if this is worth it.

Sometimes the airlines offer really great airfares from the west coast "gateway" cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. It may very well be cheaper to fly from Detroit to SF or LA, spend a day or two there and then hop Aloha, Hawaiian or one of the other carriers to Honolulu or Kona.

AnnaR - I went to Hawaii last year on a shoestring budget and had the time of my life. I can't help you with the airfare from Detroit - I live in Las Vegas and chose a flight out of LAX, not due to rates but to purposefully park my car at my mom's so my teenage daughter (19 then) wouldn't have access to my car and worry me to death through the entire trip - but that's another story!!

Anyway - I found what I consider to be a true gem of a hotel. It's the Hawaiiana Hotel (www.hawaiianahotelatwaikiki.com) - situated right in the heart of Waikiki on Beachwalk. The rates were astounding - last summer I paid $400 PER WEEK and it included a kitchenette which saved me a lot of $. The hotel is an older property, but well-maintained and on the most beautiful grounds - plumeria trees, tropical plants & flowers, grassy areas, two pools. The staff was great & very helpful. They give you a sliced pineapple after you check in and serve (free) Kona coffee and tropical juice every morning by the pool.

The Hawaiiana is one block from the beach, a few steps from Kalakaua, and The Bus runs just outside the back gate. There are other hotels (Halekulani & Outrigger Reef are at the end of the block) all around and plenty of restaurants & little shops. The little hotel next door (Breakers) makes a terrific cheeseburger in their little grill by their pool.

If you decide to rent a car, the Hawaiiana has parking spaces available on a first come/first served basis for a daily fee. Personally I didn't have a need for a rental car - The Bus goes virtually everywhere and there are tons of tour companies, shuttles and trolleys as well.

Oahu is by far my favorite island - it has so much to offer, especially for your first trip. The tour of the Iolani Palace is so interesting. There's also the Bishop Museum and Queen Emma's Summer Palace. Chinatown is a lot of fun and has great prices on produce, fresh fish, lei, and yummy pastries. Of course the Arizona and Mighty Mo are not to be missed.

There are "Things To Do On Oahu" books all over the place that offer coupons to many, many things that will save you more $$.

I would rent a car only when you might want to get out of Waikiki and see other parts of the island. The North Shore is fantastic. Kailua, Lanikai and Waimanalao beaches are worth a visit. If you do drive over there, try and stop by Boots & Kimo's for macadamia pancakes.

There is a free show on the 3rd floor of the Waikiki Marriott every Monday night - hula dancers & all. No cover charge, kids allowed. They serve burgers, sandwiches, tropical drinks. Great view of the sunset from up there too. Also, for some "local" flavor - stop by the Paradise Lounge at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (about 10-15 minute walk from the Hawaiiana) on Saturday night and listen to Olomana. They are a local recording group and very entertaining. No cover there either, kids okay. On Friday, Saturday & Sunday you can catch a good little trio in the Mai Tai bar at the Royal Hawaiian (on the beach) - no cover, kids okay. They serve burgers, tropical drinks, etc.

You can make your vacation as much or as little as you want to. Just decide what you want to do and do it. Just don't forget the best part of all - RELAX! Spend time on the beach and soak in all the aloha spirit and friendliness Hawaii has to offer.

bashfulLV, can you look at the following website:

http://www.hawaiianahotelatwaikiki.com/rates.htm

and tell me which kind of room you had at the Hawaiiana for that rate? I've always thought, that when my DH and I finally take an extended trip to Hawaii, I want to stay longer on Oahu than usual, and I'll need a more reasonable place to do that. I know they participate in the Entertainment program........ and I've always heard good things about them. Thanks in advance!

bonniebroad - I was in the very same room they use for the standard room. They are under new ownership since I was there, and have changed their website - I had to laugh when I saw my very own room right there on the site! I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there and can't wait to get back.

They have weekly rates - last year they were $400 per week, they may have gone up since then, I don't know. They also have monthly rates, but you need to call Lisa (800-367-5122), the manager to see what those would be. They also have bigger rooms - all I needed was the basic (cheapest!) and it worked for me. Good luck to you.

ttt