OT: Hawaii help

[uconndoit]

Nice pedicure bruh. I see the clear coat. Not judging. I get mine done once a year.

First tdrink, now Kenny.

 

[Deepster]

I would say 9 days is the minimum if you plan to visit 2 islands. 10 is better and would allow 2 nights in Honolulu which a first time visitor should do but no one else.

I'd do it 3 nights in Maui
3 nights in either Hawaii or Kuaui.
2 nights in Honolulu on the way home.

Maui has the most to do. Kuaui is quieter. The Big Island is the most distinct from the others.

If it is your first trip, use an agent who knows Hawaii. Most don't and will Google stuff that you can also find.


Been 3 times and planning a 4th trip at some point.

Maui:
Road to Hana (start early) stop at Red Sand beach.
Haleakula sunrise, bike down
Day sail to Lania
Day a Makena Beach (Big Beach)
Shave ice
Plate lunch
Old Lahinia
Swim with Turtles in Honolua Bay

Kauai:
Poipu Beach (Sheraton side)
Na Pali Coast Cruise
Bernakes Beach Bar and Grill
Sunset at Lee Beach
ea Canyon

Big Island:
VNP
Lava walks
Kona
Waikola beaches
Captain Cook monument
Helicopter tour

We did a circumnavigation of the island in a day.


Oahu:
Arizona and Missouri
Waikiki, just to see it.

I didn’t like doing three islands in one 10 day trip. Felt like we were constantly lugging bags, packing and unpacking and catching flights.

 

[SubbaBub]

I didn’t like doing three islands in one 10 day trip. Felt like we were constantly lugging bags, packing and unpacking and catching flights.

That's why you do Honolulu first or last. I would skip it completely but if you are doing a family trip for the first time, you sort of have to if only for the Arizona/Missouri museums.

If you fly out on Saturday evening you can hit the giant flea market at Aloha Stadium beforehand. Get all you souvenir gifts at a huge discount.

Also if you are with family, you can do a lot worse than a sunset reservation at Duke's and have some Hula Pie. FYI their is also a Duke's on Maui. My advice is to share it.

 

[Hugo]

I didn’t like doing three islands in one 10 day trip. Felt like we were constantly lugging bags, packing and unpacking and catching flights.

Agree. Too much to do on 3 islands in only 10 days. Need 12 minimum for 3, but can do 2 in 10 days. If in doubt always spend the extra day or two, it will be well worth it.

 

[Deepster]

That's why you do Honolulu first or last. I would skip it completely but if you are doing a family trip for the first time, you sort of have to if only for the Arizona/Missouri museums.

If you fly out on Saturday evening you can hit the giant flea market at Aloha Stadium beforehand. Get all you souvenir gifts at a huge discount.

Also if you are with family, you can do a lot worse than a sunset reservation at Duke's and have some Hula Pie. FYI their is also a Duke's on Maui. My advice is to share it.

I did Honolulu first. And like I said, it felt like the moment I was comfortable in one spot, I was repacking, taking a taxi and shuffling off the catch the flight to my next island.

 

[spudzj6]

I did Honolulu first. And like I said, it felt like the moment I was comfortable in one spot, I was repacking, taking a taxi and shuffling off the catch the flight to my next island.

Deepster is right. For the amount of time you may go, seeing a bunch of islands for multiple days may get too hectic. You will need time just to chill, so much to see and do, your brain gets fried.

I recommend setting up your main stay hotel either Big Island or Maui, then do a day trip to Honolulu (you will only need 1 day to see the sights). There are really cheap hops between the islands. You can get on a 5 or 6 am flight, get a car drive to Pearl Harbor (when you set up when you want to go, buy tickets ahead of time), drive around the island - stop up in the North Shore for sights and shopping, get Mastumoto's Shave Ice (with the ice cream, youll thank me later) and Ted's Bakery (local pie shop). Then drive down around the north side past Turtle Bay over to the east side toward the Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park filming area). You can stop in Kailua for beach time, Lanakai beach is one of the top beaches in the world (but I'm biased because I lived there). Kailua also has good local food places. Then you can keep driving til you hit the south side of the island, east of Waikiki. Youll go past Koko Head Crater, Diamond Head Crater and Waikiki stopping if you have time. Waikiki is nice to say you've seen it, but its just like any big city, but with a very crowded beach. Even if you do nothing but sight see on Oahu, the island gives you a million great picture stops.

Man I miss Hawaii...if you pay for my ticket, I can be your tour guide! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Husky25]

The native islanders hate white people. Be careful.

Dress like this. You'll fit right in.

 

[Travelman6]

 

[Travelman6]

Nice pedicure bruh. I see the clear coat. Not judging. I get mine done once a year.

Ahhh Thailand. I almost ended up either there or Myanmar this year, before ending up in Guatemala. I went in 2009 and it was dirt cheap. Beer for under a dollar, huge bowls of noodles for about a dollar, bamboo hut on the beach for 6 bucks, bike rentals for about a dollar per day, motorcycle rental for the day for under 10....is it still super cheap there? I think the most expensie thing in Southeast Asia, for me, was the 3 day, 50 dollar pass for Angkor Wat.

 

[Jay-Bone]

I was in Oahu over the holidays visiting the future in-laws. Spent a few days on the Big Island. I've only done those two, see Oahu post before, Maui & Kuai next time. My fiancee is from Oahu, they like Big Island the best. Fire and ice. More for the adventurous, not as much for the R&R beach goers. But the beaches are great too if you want both.

Volcano National Park was awesome. We hiked to the lava at night. Much more daunting hike than expected. Miles over undulating lava rock in the dark not knowing if we'd fall in. Pro-tip: start 3-4 hrs before sunset. Not for kids, not for non-adventurous, not for the faint of heart. People were hobbling back with sprained ankles. The payoff was worth it. A few meters from flowing lava, unreal. The caldera at night was cool too.

The giant manta ray night snorkel was unreal too. Not for the faint of heart either. Cold water temps while sustaining a flat arm outreach position for 45 mins. Adrenaline keeps you going. Older kids only. They come up to within an inch of your body. Don't touch!

Do a snorkel tour out of Kona. Fine, for kids. Maybe 10+? Captain Cook, Two Step, and remote southern location. They'll show you all the coastal lava rock formations. Dolphins too. Pro tip: At Captain Cook, go out among the rocks at the point, that was best. You're almost pushing tropical fish out of the way. Make sure you find a Honu.

We stumbled upon Merriman's as mentioned by @storrsroars. Delightful. Don't leave without trying the bread pudding.

Stay in VNP, stay in Kona, rent a 4x4 (For Green sand beach and Mauna Kea summit). We had an amazing Airbnb for $100/night in Kona.

 

[GemParty]

Great ideas!

 

[Jay-Bone]

Great ideas!

You should have been there yesterday with the volcano erupting! We missed it by 5 months.