Hawaii

[redsquirrel]

My husband and I have a 10 day trip to Hawaii planned for the end of February. We are flying into Honolulu, and staying there for 5 days, then we are flying over to Maui for 4 days.

For those that have been, I want some input on what the best things are to do in each place. Of course we will go see Pearl Harbor, go to Waikiki beach, etc. But is there any other hot spots I should know about??? What about Maui? I'm not as familiar with the hotspots there as much as Honolulu.

Thanks in advance!

[The_Jarhead]

I spent about a month in Hawaii about 10 years ago. There is ton of things to do. If you dive you can dive new site every day. The best one I did was old Japanese fighter plane that was shot down near Pearl Harbor.

Make sure you get to atleast one luau. They put on a great culter show and food is awesome. Also look into doing a hiking or biking tour in to the volcano areas.

If you're in to surfing there is always Waimea bay. Actually even if you don't surf it's really cool to check out. Waimea Bay Beach Park is home of the largest, dangerous, most spectacular, ridable surf in the world.

[dreamgirl]

RS have a great time... I've never made it there myself... please post pics so we can see them after you get back... I always hear how beautiful it is there.

[Otter]

I was stationed there for 3 years while in the Army. There's a million things to do. I'll list a bunch and you pick. (Spelling is probably incorrect, but it's been 10 years) On Oahu. Waimea falls, North Shore (25 to 30 ft waves in the winter), Sandy Beach, Hanama Bay, Diamond Head, Polanesian Culture Center (tourist trap), USS Arizona Memorial, Sea World, Take a drive around the entire island (takes about 4 hours but awesome stuff to see), Germaines Luau (probably the best of all), Chinamans Hat on the leeward side, Bellows beach (beautiful green water) if you can get on Bellows Airbase, Kole Kole Pass if you can get on Schofield Barracks (where the Japs flew through on their way to Pearl Harbor). I never made it to Maui. But I would recommend the Big Island and Kauai if you can. Have a blast and watch out for the menehunies and the mahu's!

[meat12]

sounds like fun have a great time rs

[redsquirrel]

Originally posted by Otter
I was stationed there for 3 years while in the Army. There's a million things to do. I'll list a bunch and you pick. (Spelling is probably incorrect, but it's been 10 years) On Oahu. Waimea falls, North Shore (25 to 30 ft waves in the winter), Sandy Beach, Hanama Bay, Diamond Head, Polanesian Culture Center (tourist trap), USS Arizona Memorial, Sea World, Take a drive around the entire island (takes about 4 hours but awesome stuff to see), Germaines Luau (probably the best of all), Chinamans Hat on the leeward side, Bellows beach (beautiful green water) if you can get on Bellows Airbase, Kole Kole Pass if you can get on Schofield Barracks (where the Japs flew through on their way to Pearl Harbor). I never made it to Maui. But I would recommend the Big Island and Kauai if you can. Have a blast and watch out for the menehunies and the mahu's!

WTF are menehunies, and mahu's?

What is there to do on Kauai, and the Big Island? Is it expensive to do like a day trip?

What's the Germaines Luau? Where is that?

We are staying right on Waikiki, and near Diamond Head....BTW- what is Diamond Head?

We're going for sure to see Pearl Harbor and Sea World....

[Wolfhound]

I always thought the best part about going to Hawaii was the walk through the airport. Every time I went back there from cold weather it was great. The airport has open walls and as you walk off the plane, everything smells and feels so alive. Whatever you decide to do, take a VIDEO CAMERA!!!

[bjbabe]

RS

When i wanted to go to Hawii actually Maui, i went online and ordered free information about Maui, i got a free videotape and books with coupons on certain hot spots and resturants. Go online i bet you can find wonderful spots to go that won't be that expensive.

Have fun, and take lots of pictures.

[Stonecold54]

sounds like a great place for a bikini and a camera red!!!! Take me with you away from this SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Otter]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
WTF are menehunies, and mahu's?

What is there to do on Kauai, and the Big Island? Is it expensive to do like a day trip?

What's the Germaines Luau? Where is that?

We are staying right on Waikiki, and near Diamond Head....BTW- what is Diamond Head?

We're going for sure to see Pearl Harbor and Sea World....

Menehunies: Hawaiian folk lore. The little poeple (leprechans).

Mahu's: The tall beautiful blond that come out at night. Only bad thing is they will probably have an 8 inch crank in the dress somewhere.

Kauai: Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Awesome! Scores of waterfalls, excellant scenery and all free.

Big Island: Kilauea National Park. Kilauea is the active valcano that's constantly erupting. Kilauea Crater, I think you can still go down inside. Thurston Lava Tube. You actually walk the tube where lava use to flow. Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The two dormant volcanoes in the center of the Big Island. Can do smoe snow skiing in the winter.

The cost for a day trip would be round trip airfare on Hawaiian or Aloha Air, a rental car and whatever food and drink you need. Takes about 30minutes to get to Kauai and 45 to get to the Big Island by air. Flights leave all the time.

Germaines Luau: You'll find millions of brochures with directions in every hotel lobby. Just ask.

Diamond Head: The main simbol of Hawaii. It's the valcano crater seen in the background of every picture ever take of Waikiki.

I also recommend goint to the Punchbowl Crater. It's the National Memeorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Not far from Waikiki.

[sana]

oh - i wish i could go! have fun!!

[redsquirrel]

Thanks so much Otter!!!

I really want to get over to Kauai and see the waterfalls, but are there any around Honolulu??

[Otter]

Originally posted by redsquirrel
Thanks so much Otter!!!

I really want to get over to Kauai and see the waterfalls, but are there any around Honolulu??

Nah not much doing for waterfalls around Honolulu just Waimea Falls. Biggest thing about Oahu is Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl stuff like that. I would recommend that you go to the North Shore. Take a day and find Sunset Beach and the Pipeline. These are both world famous surfing spots, plus during the winter you'll will surely see some 30 foot waves crashing off the break. You can swing over to Waimea Falls Park from there. Also Hanama Bay is great for snorkeling. Calm water and lots of sea life to experience. I wish I was going back. Man was it sweet. Enjoy!

[redMachchick]

COOOLLLLL!!

Thanks for the info!! There is a high possibility that we are going to be stationed in Pearl Harbor in about 8 months or less so the more information the better!:D

[Otter]

Originally posted by redMachchick
COOOLLLLL!!

Thanks for the info!! There is a high possibility that we are going to be stationed in Pearl Harbor in about 8 months or less so the more information the better!:D

RMChick,
Another tip for the military that have never been to Hawaii. You can rent cottages 3 and 4 bedrooms right on the beach. So you can get and idea of the cost, the going rate back in 94 was $44 a night for a 3 bdrm. Really nice place. So make sure you check out the Waianea Rec Center. You can even put your visiting family or friends up in them for the same price. It's well worth it. Also the Hale Koa military hotel is in Waikiki directly on the beach. Very nice. Prices were about $60 to $100 cheaper than the civilian hotels. A room with 2 double beds was $80 a night. Within walking distance of just about everything. Also the gyms on Hickham AFB and Barbers Point Naval Air station are first class. Make sure you check them out. Man I wish I was going back.

Take me with you, I'm a cheap date and I'll be good. I promise!