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Old Feb 3rd, 2008 | 11:52 AM
  #1  
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Surprise activities for son and girlfriend

Son and the GF are going to Honolulu for a week in March for their spring break.
They are staying at a VERY cheap motel, and on a budget. I would like to surprise them with some prepaid activites.

They are athletic and adventurous. I thought of surf lessons...nice romantic restaurant..etc.

Any ideas?

They are 21 so drinking is ok.
rutheye is offline  
Old Feb 3rd, 2008 | 07:36 PM
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couple hikes should be on the agenda. <a href="http://www.oahunaturetours.com">oahu nature ours </a>

i enjoyed it because i didn't have to do any driving, and the guide was very knowledgeable.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2008 | 08:12 PM
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Why don't you get them a couple of nights in a nice hotel room, maybe on the north Shore.

There are all sorts of activities you could purchase for them through Expedia.
Marginal is offline  
Old Feb 3rd, 2008 | 08:20 PM
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Sunset dinner cruises are always a fun time.
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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 06:49 AM
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www.shangrilahawaii.org
is a tour of a very beautiful estate run thru Honolulu Academy of the Arts. you need to reserve tickets in advance $25/pp.

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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 08:20 AM
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What about a luau?
beanweb24 is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 08:20 AM
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How about a luau?
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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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Polynesian Cultural Center would be a great activity/luau.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

For activities/tours you can look at these sites:

www.hawaiiactivities.com

www.activityworld.com

www.hawaiifun.org

Instead of prepaying for activities, you could buy them a book or two so they can get out & see Oahu.

'Oahu Revealed' and/or 'Driving & Discovering Hawaii, OAHU, Honolulu & Waikiki'.
dusty56438 is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 10:30 AM
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I think surf lessons and a guided hike sound like winning ideas, especially for athletic types.
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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 11:53 AM
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My thought was the athletic activites are mostly free on Oahu (hiking DiamondHead, etc.)

So a nicer dinner, show, tour, or luau would be more what they might enjoy but not be able to afford themselves.
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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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How about a better hotel?

Other than that, I would send them to a luau (with transportation included) and surfing lessons.
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Old Feb 4th, 2008 | 10:11 PM
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Better hotel and surf lessons.
GSTRDR is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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Maybe they're happy with their cheap motel.

I'd give them money for nice meals instead. Someplace like the Banyon Veranda at the Moana, or Shorebird or Ocean House at the Outriffer Reef.

suze is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2008 | 12:10 PM
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A snorkeling trip out on a boat.
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Old Feb 15th, 2008 | 09:30 AM
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Thank you for all of your suggestions.

I might add that they won't have a rental car, so things need to be somewhat close to the cheapie motel near Waikiki Beach.

Surf lessons and the luau sound good.

Their little motel has a kitchenette and is clean and run by a nice family. They won't be in the room for very much time...so I think a nice meal would be better.
rutheye is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2008 | 11:46 AM
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Re Surf Lessons:

Can someone recommend which company for this near Waikiki Beach?
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Old Feb 15th, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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I think a very fun thing to do is the Outrigger Canoe rides

I lived in Hawaii for a couple of years and never did the outrigger rides because I thought it was too
"touristy" but later did go back as a tourist and I thought it was very fun!!

We had a blast
sunbum1944 is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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Rutheye, we're always in the market for a cheap motel! What is its name, and does it have a website?

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2008 | 05:02 PM
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I think it's a sweet idea to surprise them. What about a gift card (Visa or American Express) so they can choose what they want to do? You could provide them with a list of suggestions. They might prefer to choose their own activities and not be locked into anything. They could also choose to splurge on a souveneir or dinner that they would not get to on a tight budget.
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Old Feb 16th, 2008 | 06:45 AM
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The inexpensive motel is called Waikiki Prince Motel. I found it after ALOT of research for these kids. Almost had them book the hostel down he street, but this seemed almost as cheap and offers individual kitchenettes. Here is the website:

http://www.waikikiprince.com/
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