Planning to stay at the military base in Waianae on Oahu in April. Has anyone stayed there? How is the travel from there to other parts of the island such as Diamond Head, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, North Shore?
Would also like to spend sometime on Kauai and possibly Maui. How would you suggest we divide our nine days on the islands?
Thanks,
Arlene

Nine days = 2 islands tops to me. Otherwise you will spend too much of your time going from one island to another [packing, checking out, getting to airport, through security and then getting to new hotel, checking in [maybe having to wait for 4 pm checkin time etc..]

Can't help you pick between those 2 islands as I've been to Oahu, BI and Maui only. We LOVED BI, more than Maui.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Aloha arlene17,

Just one thought. If you are planning to stay at the base at Barking Sands on West Kauai,, which I would LOVE to do if only I could - you may consider going off base and booking a couple of nights on the north shore Hanalei Princeville area.

No more than 2 islands! 4 nights in Oahu, 3 nights at the base on Kauai, with 2 more on northshore. That;s how I'd play it.

Good luck

Waianae is quite far from everything else (except the North Shore). Depending on traffic, it could take you 45-60 minutes or so to get to a spot like Diamond Head and Waikiki. Is this your first trip to Hawaii?

I also like the Big Island as a contrasting island to Oahu. Like Debi says, 2 islands would be good for 9 days.

With only 9 days, I would just stay on Oahu myself.

If you've never been on Oahu before, I don't think you should stay in Waianae. It is a solid hour to Diamond Head and Waikiki and not a tourist area in any way, shape, or form. The military cabins are very basic and the surrounding area used to be quite anti-military. Whether or not this is still true, the fact remains that it's definitely off the beaten path.

Have you considered staying at the Hale Koa, the military hotel right on Waikiki Beach. It costs more than the Waianae cabins but you're right on Waikiki Beach and you wouldn;t be doing all the driving from Waianae. Depending on your rank, you can pay as little as $100 per night, and the hotel is very nice.

5 nights Oahu, 4 nights Maui.

Waianae is a long way from most Oahu attractions. Lots of homeless camps (they are cleaning up some & getting rid of some) in the area. Lots of crime on the public beaches.

Try Hale Koa in Waikiki or the lodging at Bellows if you don't like Waikiki.

Lots of info:

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

www.mauihawaii.org

www.visitmaui.com Free brochure

www.bigisland.org Free brochure

www.kauaidiscovery.com Free brochure

www.kauai-hawaii.com

Waianae ia a ways from Waikiki but if the lodging is inexpensive then maybe it is worth it to get to see Oahu. You will need a rental car...

Just avoid rush hour traffic and you will be fine. Oh and it would be too far for Waikiki bar hopping...

Here are some positive points..

Pearl HArbor is 20-30 minute drive. (Huge Commisary and Exchange with nice souveniers, mumus, beach stuff. Tickets & Tours shop for stuff like Polynesia Cultural Ctr, Waikiki, Hilo Hatties, Waikiki Trolley etc)

Close to HIckam (HIckam AFB and Pearl are next door) and HIckam has some nice sand & grassy beach areas (think picnic), a nice restaurant on the beach and you can rent boats at HIckam boat harbor. BTW HIckam has a large Commisary & Exchange too..

You are close to BArbers Point mostly housing now but has some great beaches inside the base and your car etc will be less likely to be vandalized..beach theft is commen said to say and the thieves watch you..

Waianae is also close to Pearl City Mall (civilian) and Aiea Chop Suey..great inexpensive chinese sit down cafe..

Waianae is also closer to the North Shore...and you can do a Drive around the island

If you stay at Waianae you can still use Hale Koa as a Waikiki base..you can park at the HAle Koa, do brunch on Sunday (reservation tho), sit by the pool or go to the beach, shop in the little BX,p/u Wakiki Trolley right in front of Hale Koa...
or do Pearl HArbor tour in am, drive to Waikiki, park at Hale Koa, sightsee Waikki, have dinner and a show...and a designated driver tho for the drive back to Waianae

My DH and I have done teh make do with cheap lodging the Military way and have done just fine