Going to Hawaii in 3 days. Any suggestions?
sisao_tresed asked:
It’s a family trip, (me, sis #1, sis #2, mom, and dad) and this is how it’s going:
Arrive in Honolulu and stay about 3 days. One day will be Pearl Harbor. Our hotel is the Celebrity Resort, so we are right next to Waikiki Beach.
We are then going to Kauai and staying Pono Kai for a week. I love snorkeling (more than scuba even) so I am seeking any good dive spots on the island (ideal spots are with many fish and coral and is about 10 to 25 feet deep). We really have nothing planned and we will play it by ear, but does anyone know of any sights or events worth seeing? Even restaurants, hikes, tours, “mom and pop” places, and anything to really experience it?
Oh, and is it alright to splurge in Hawaii or should I limit my spending?
It’s my first time there and I want to really remember it! Please tell me about your experiences!
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It’s a family trip, (me, sis #1, sis #2, mom, and dad) and this is how it’s going:
Arrive in Honolulu and stay about 3 days. One day will be Pearl Harbor. Our hotel is the Celebrity Resort, so we are right next to Waikiki Beach.
We are then going to Kauai and staying Pono Kai for a week. I love snorkeling (more than scuba even) so I am seeking any good dive spots on the island (ideal spots are with many fish and coral and is about 10 to 25 feet deep). We really have nothing planned and we will play it by ear, but does anyone know of any sights or events worth seeing? Even restaurants, hikes, tours, “mom and pop” places, and anything to really experience it?
Oh, and is it alright to splurge in Hawaii or should I limit my spending?
It’s my first time there and I want to really remember it! Please tell me about your experiences!
July 25th, 2009 at 7:30 am
take sunscreen
July 27th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
u shud go to kona the beaches are great there- not too cold!
July 27th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Climb Diamond Head..Take the tour of the beach that Elvis shot a movie “Blue Lagoon”, go to the Dole pineapple farm, do to the Polynesian village for a pig roast..
July 31st, 2009 at 1:35 am
I’m from Florida, so Honolulu didn’t impress me, it was much like Miami, except there were Japanese tourists instead of Cubans.
Look on some snorkeling websites or blogs. Maybe you can get some ideas for snorkeling there.
Things are very expensive in Hawaii, especially in Honolulu. If you want to get a few souveniers, fine. For example, I saw a shirt I wanted to get for my mom. I wrote down the website and ordered it when I got home. I wasn’t going to pay what the shop was asking for it. The macadamia nuts and coffee are really good though, if you enjoy those things, definitely buy them, they cost even more when shipped to the mainland.
Do a luau. The food was great and they have fire dancers and everything. It’s worth the money.
Have a good trip.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:25 am
These all seem like great suggestions. But I say get a surf board and take it out for an afternoon. Learning to use it might be fun.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 am
Go to the north side of the island for snorkeling and if possible purchase your own gear befor you leave… hike up diamond head it is right near Waikki, also a good place for snorkeling is Hanamana Bay it is a state park so there is an entrance fee… but beautiful. Drive around the entire island if possible, there is a resturant in the town of Haleiwa called Haleiwa Joes it is excelent. See the dole pineapple farm. also see the halona blow hole. here are some links
August 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Pearl Harbor is a must see, in my opinion. Though you will not need a whole day to visit it. Plan for max of 2 or 3 hours for that. If you add seeing the Mighty Mo, then add another 1.5 or so. One thing to be aware of is that you cannot take in any purses or camera bags to Pearl Harbor. This is strictly enforced. You can only carry a wallet, cell phone, and bottle of water.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is fantastic. It is up in Laie. You can get transportation from Waikiki. It opens around 11:30 am. and you should plan to be there the entire day and evening as the evening show is the best I’ve ever seen at any Polynesian Island. Their Ali’i Luau is award winning. I’ve actually just written a review of the Polynesian Cultural Center with advice and some money saving ideas.
In Kauai, see Wiamea Canyon, it’s the grand canyon of the Pacific. As for hikes, I love doing the first two miles into the Kalalua trail along the Na Pali coast line. The Beach House Restaurant is my favorite on the island. If you think you might want to take a helicopter tour, Kauai is THE best island to take a helicopter tour.
Sorry, I’m not too sure about the best places to dive, because I don’t dive. However, if you get a chance, pick up a copy of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (now in 6th edition). The book should have good advice for diving spots.
Enjoy your time in Hawaii!
August 8th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
All of the other posts are correct. As far as spending, if you want to get a lot of souvenirs for little money, go to the flea market at Aloha Stadium. It’s HUGE, but only open on Wed, Sat., Sun. They open at 0600, so you can have breakfast there, and shop early. Also, there is free Hawaiian music on the beach walk in Waikiki on most nights, and fireworks on Friday nights. Have a great time. Aloha!
August 9th, 2009 at 3:33 am
If you will be in Honolulu on a Friday night- the Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a free hawaiian show with fireworks afterwards over the ocean. We stayed there a couple of years ago. We arrived that day (Friday) and it was a fun way to start our vacation. It’s a beautiful resort to walk around during the daytime also.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Hawaii is very expensive, but see as much as you can while you can! I recommend a book called “Hawaii” by DK Travel Guide Series (an major bookstore should carry it). It lists every tourist spot and lists all the hotels, restaurants and travel sites and gives you their opening & closing times as well as their prices. This little book is more than worth the few dollars it costs; it will save you alot of time and money, as well. Have a GREAT trip!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:36 am
We just got back!! What a wonderful time it was, indeed! Enjoy every minute while you’re there before you know it your back home. Hananuma Bay is fab for snokeling and it’s beautiful beach. You gotta see Waimea beach and the falls on Oahu. Kauai is so different from all the other islands, we love it there too. We did all the islands and all the beaches are fantastic. Take me with you, please!
August 15th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Every time I go to Hawaii I see one travel book all over the place. We used it and it was great. They have blue covers and are under the Revealed title. For example Maui is Maui Revealed. In it they tell you where to go for everything including snorkeling. You can get the books at an major bookstore and they have them for all major islands. Aloha
August 17th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Okay, since your parents will be with you, you have to go to the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (Waikiki) and see “Bue Hawaii The Show”. It is not open on Tuesday evenings, but the rest of the week the show is on!
An excellent Elvis impressionist and every time that we are on Oahu, we go to see this show!!
an inexpensive place to eat in The Waikiki area, is called Seaside Bar and Grill. It is on the corners of Seaside and Kuhio Ave. They always have breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials!!
Go to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. It is really worth the money!
Go on the Grand Circle Island Tour.
You can splurge if you want to, it is up to you!! One person said that Hawaii didn’t interest them, since they were from Fla, but my inlaws (just moved from Orlando to mIchigan), loved Hawaii! They have been four times to our six times!! I guess it all depends on the people.
Go on the Navatek 1 Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise on Oahu. It is really nice!! Your mom and dad would really enjoy it!! It is a full two hours on the Navatek 1, full buffet style dinner, and entertainment!! Great food, excellent views, and it goes further than the other dinner cruise boats, and it is a really smooth vessel!!
August 19th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Polinesian culure ceter,Nort shore to see turtles,Sharks Cove(snorkle spot)(ther are no sharks),DIAMOND HEAD,the stairway to heaven(you can’t go up it anymore but it’s nice to see),Hunama Bay(snorkle spot), for good suveniors see the stadium on swap meet days on the weekends,the gysers,Pauli lookout(it gets windy here),Waikiki is nice but i don’t chose it a spot to swim.See the ships that were in pearl harbor like the MightyMoe.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 am
I like to eat! Here are some suggestions on places to eat:
Oahu:
Dole Plantation Tour – they have a fun maze and it breaks up the drive up to the North Shore (if you plan on seeing the pipeline). Try to pineapple soft serve ice cream.
Northshore: try the shave ice – either Aoki’s (my favorite) or Matsumoto (adam sandler wore the shirt in the movie 50 first dates – see it before you go, if you have time!)
Kahuku: Giovanni’s shrimp truck – i love this place. shrimp scampi from a scary looking truck but I just CRAVE this shrimp. Ask any of your hotel staff, they’ll definitely know about it.
Waikiki: Leonard’s Malasadas – GREAT donuts – there’s usually a line for them!!
Pineapple Room: I had tasted some of Alan Wong’s cooking for the first time this year. He was at an event that I went to and I was able to talk him into hooking me up with a doggie bag. I will forever be a fan of his!!
Kauai:
Hyatt Hotel’s Buffet – great spread!! love the resort, too – even better than the Princeville Resort.
Hamura Saimin – it may be a little tough to find but it’s a local favorite (save room for the lilikoi pie!!). It’s in Lihue, cheap eats! 2956 Kress Street
Roy’s Poipu Bar & Grill – in the poipu shopping village. I just love Roy for his consistency at all his locations – i’ve never had a bad meal yet!!
Activities on Kauai:
Diving: be sure to visit Caverns (located on the South Shore) or if your budget allows, take a boat out for a dive.
If you get a chance – not sure how old you are, but try to look into doing the Zipline Tour. It’s a little pricey but it’s the most fun I’ve EVER had!!
Helicopter tour – if you do the helicopter tour, be sure to do the Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour. Their equipment is pristine and they’ve got a great track record. When I plan my events and do a helicopter tour, I always trust them to take good care of my executives at my company.
Picnic – it’s always fun to picnic anywhere on Kauai…no matter where you are, you’re sure to have a fantastic view. (see if the hotel staff knows of any good “bento” or “Plate lunch” places. You have to try a plate lunch at least once while you’re there!)
Have a FANTASTIC TIME!!