Which 2 islands to visit?
Apr 30th, 2014, 05:27 AM
#41
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The Outrigger on Waikiki usually has the best beachfront rates on that end - while - across the park - on the other/more quiet side of Waikiki - check out the New Otani Kaimana Hotel - which has a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean - under a big Nau tree.
see. www.kaimana.com, or google it.
see. www.kaimana.com, or google it.
May 2nd, 2014, 11:21 AM
#42
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OK, I see ten nights in Hawaii in mid-October for two first-time visitors flying out of Columbus, Ohio -- one of whom would prefer Italy but may need something more low-key. Whew! Is that it?
We fly Chicago - Maui most winters now, but have stayed for two to four weeks on all four of the major islands numerous times. I look for a wide body jet, nonstop on at least the long leg of the trip. I avoid 757's and west coast connections. I can find this into HNL and OGG (Maui). You probably can, too. (We fly AA ORD-DFW-OGG (or into HNL, then hop to OGG without leaving airport security).
Most first-timers like to see Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl, the Iolani Palace, and possibly drive Oahu's pretty east and north shores. Waikiki is an icon, and you can get around within it without paying to rent a car or to park it at your hotel.
In October the oceans will have turned from being calmer north to calmer south on Kauai, Oahu and Maui. Big Island's good beaches are in the Kohala Coast area (NW) year 'round.
Oahu plus Maui makes sense, with a week on Maui. There are many nice hotels and condos in both West Maui and South Maui; South is more convenient to the airport and to visit Hana, Haleakala, Iao Valley. Maui has the best easy-access beaches and good snorkeling; Big Island has better sea life, but few easy-access beaches. You need a rental car full time everywhere outside Honolulu.
We fly Chicago - Maui most winters now, but have stayed for two to four weeks on all four of the major islands numerous times. I look for a wide body jet, nonstop on at least the long leg of the trip. I avoid 757's and west coast connections. I can find this into HNL and OGG (Maui). You probably can, too. (We fly AA ORD-DFW-OGG (or into HNL, then hop to OGG without leaving airport security).
Most first-timers like to see Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl, the Iolani Palace, and possibly drive Oahu's pretty east and north shores. Waikiki is an icon, and you can get around within it without paying to rent a car or to park it at your hotel.
In October the oceans will have turned from being calmer north to calmer south on Kauai, Oahu and Maui. Big Island's good beaches are in the Kohala Coast area (NW) year 'round.
Oahu plus Maui makes sense, with a week on Maui. There are many nice hotels and condos in both West Maui and South Maui; South is more convenient to the airport and to visit Hana, Haleakala, Iao Valley. Maui has the best easy-access beaches and good snorkeling; Big Island has better sea life, but few easy-access beaches. You need a rental car full time everywhere outside Honolulu.
May 4th, 2014, 03:55 PM
#43
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not to beat a dead horse (pardon the phrase) but there is no way you can get ready from your hotel to the airport go thru security, etc in an hour. They request you be there at least 1 hour early and if you take a shuttle they will pick you up about - 2 hours early to make all the stops and get thru traffic If you are in HNL it takes 40 minutes just to get to the airport if you are lucky! Depending on where you stay in Kauai it could be an hour to get to the airport. Getting off the plane in your next stop, get a car, cab, bus whatever and to your hotel/condo you are talking many hours since you first left your hotel even if it is a 20 minute flight.Quite a bit longer if you are going Kauai to BI.. .People need to be realistic and take this into consideration when thinking about island hoping in a short time span in my opinion but then I go to Hawaii to enjoy the island itself and not be rushed around everywhere. Good luck in making your decision. Certainly are some varied ones here.
May 5th, 2014, 06:18 AM
#45
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Tomsd -- I think you are a minority of one in recommending first-time visitors do a lot of island hopping during a short stay. The only other post I recall that endorsed this was someone who had yet to experience Hawaii.
I appreciate your interesting tales of the islands and good suggestions about places to visit. You may forget, though, that the "Old Hawaii Hand" can travel familiar routes faster and more confidently than the stranger who must find his way.
It's my opinion that cramming 'more' into a visit to the islands is a mistake. Most visitors want to experience the unique character of Hawaii -- to get on Island Time and soak up some Aloha, not check off the number of islands glimpsed. Even the exhausted travelers in "If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium" had a tour guide navigating for them. People who do want to tally 'glimpses' would be better served to take the NCL cruise.
I appreciate your interesting tales of the islands and good suggestions about places to visit. You may forget, though, that the "Old Hawaii Hand" can travel familiar routes faster and more confidently than the stranger who must find his way.
It's my opinion that cramming 'more' into a visit to the islands is a mistake. Most visitors want to experience the unique character of Hawaii -- to get on Island Time and soak up some Aloha, not check off the number of islands glimpsed. Even the exhausted travelers in "If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium" had a tour guide navigating for them. People who do want to tally 'glimpses' would be better served to take the NCL cruise.
May 5th, 2014, 02:13 PM
#50
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We go to Hawaii to slow down. To enjoy it and the mahalo vibe. That's the point for us.
Spending time in an airport isn't what we choose to do. Like I said, we prefer to spend at least a week on one island at a time.
It's our personal preference.
Spending time in an airport isn't what we choose to do. Like I said, we prefer to spend at least a week on one island at a time.
It's our personal preference.
May 6th, 2014, 12:47 PM
#53
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From one source:
""Mahalo" is a Hawaiian word meaning thanks, gratitude, admiration, praise, esteem, regards, or respects. According to the Pukui and Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary, it is derived from the Proto-Polynesian masalo.[1]
Some sources support that the meanings "thanks" and "gratitude" were appended to the word following contact with Westerners. While the word mahalo is found in Lorrin Andrews' 1865 dictionary, the English-Hawaiian section does not provide any Hawaiian word intended to mean gratitude or thanks.[2] Also, early visitors noted that the Hawaiians were generous and grateful people, but had no word to express gratitude or to say "thank you".[3][4]"
Random quotes from on-line:
"My friends had just returned from their Hawaiian vacation and wanted somewhere easygoing to dine. . . In order to maintain their mahalo vibe, ..."
Headline: "Chef Sam Choy spreading mahalo vibe"
Website title: "Optimistic Vibe-- Mahalo"
""Mahalo" is a Hawaiian word meaning thanks, gratitude, admiration, praise, esteem, regards, or respects. According to the Pukui and Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary, it is derived from the Proto-Polynesian masalo.[1]
Some sources support that the meanings "thanks" and "gratitude" were appended to the word following contact with Westerners. While the word mahalo is found in Lorrin Andrews' 1865 dictionary, the English-Hawaiian section does not provide any Hawaiian word intended to mean gratitude or thanks.[2] Also, early visitors noted that the Hawaiians were generous and grateful people, but had no word to express gratitude or to say "thank you".[3][4]"
Random quotes from on-line:
"My friends had just returned from their Hawaiian vacation and wanted somewhere easygoing to dine. . . In order to maintain their mahalo vibe, ..."
Headline: "Chef Sam Choy spreading mahalo vibe"
Website title: "Optimistic Vibe-- Mahalo"
