Hawaii

[Janman]

Our 25th anniversary is coming up and i have to make good on a promise to take my lovely bride to Hawaii.Friends who have been to Maui highly recommend it.Any suggestions on places to stay.We are leaning towards a condo as we like to do a little more of our own cooking as i am not to fond of eating out 3 times a day.I have browsed some internet sites and looked at some travel brochures but a picture says only so much.Some first hand knowledge would be welcome.:03biker:

[Blrfl]

Are you looking more toward being on the touristy end of the island (Kihei/Lahaina side) or are you looking to get away from it all (Hana side)?

--Mark

[sherob]

Look for manapua and noodle trucks... you can eat out every night on the cheap :D

[E the B]

I was in Hawaii for 12 days in January, splitting time between Maui, Kauai and The Big Island. Of the three islands, my girlfriend and I agree Maui was our least favorite island, while Kauai was our favorite.

That said, if you're set on Maui, be sure to try snorkeling on the northeast side of the island. On Maui, we spent two nights at the Marriott Resort at an obscene price (like $275 per night), and one night at a hostel for $60. We agreed we liked the hostel better - not just for the price, but evening discussions in the living room included two Scotts, two Aussies and us. The rooms were Spartan, but clean.

I'd highly recommend island hopping via air. The Big Island holds Kona, black, pink and green sand beaches, Volcano National Park and the saddle road. Kauai is truly a garden paradise, and the canyons there are awesome. Maui is scenic (albiet less scenic than the other two islands) and very, very expensive.

If you're up for adventure and variety, island hop and rent Jeeps to tour with. If resort life and all its expensive trappings are required, enjoy Maui.

PM me if you want more info, but there are a lot of details available on the net.

Enjoy . . .

[KrazyKooter]

My in-laws have a time share on Kauai and my wife has been there several times. She talks about it being "the best" island. I think they even film the show "Lost" there.

[tommyboy]

My timeshare is on Kaanapali Beach (used to be an Embassy, now Kaanapali Beach Resort). Right on the water. I will be in Kauai in 3 weeks. It is my second favorite island.
+1 on hitting 3 islands - Maui, Hawaii (big island) and Kauai. Stay away from Honolulu as it would be just like taking Toronto and putting it next to water (OK, warm water)!

[rickj]

Janman,

Congrats on 25! I've only been to one of the islands (Kauai) on our honeymoon about 5 years ago, but I'm looking forward to going back! Don't have much desire to see the others. I understand that it is the least "touristy" of the islands and is known as the garden island. Beautiful scenery everywhere. We stayed in Kapaa, near the middle of the island and rented a Jeep. Great place for 4-wheelin in the rain forest. Lots of attractions to the north and south.

Good luck,
Rick

[Jefro]

My wife and I prefer Kauai by far.
If you like the more laid back style, like to rent a kayak and paddle up the Wailua river to the secret waterfall near the Jurrasic Park filming site, peddle a bicycle thru an old abandoned sugar cane field down to the Baby Seal Beach, snorkel or body surf at the sunny Poipu Beach, or golf on a world-class course in rainy Princeville on the north shore, or hike the goat trails of the Napali coastline, or want the absolute BEST australian lobster at a really cool bamboo covered restaurant in Poipu called Keoki's (owned by the Dukes chain), or just want to helicopter around inside the extinct volcano at the center of the island, the wettest place on earth with 400 inches of rain a year, or just work on your suntan.
Or you could just take a lot of credit cards to Maui.:rolleyes:
Your choice.
Jefro.

[sherob]

I like the "all to myself" aspect of things. The Big Island was my fav... then Lanai :cool: Of course, I could go stay on Kaho'olawe and be ALL by myself and dodge unexploded ordinance :eek:

[Jefro]

Sherob, so, you would choose to stay at a leper colony just to get away for a while?????????

[STBNE]

Back in the mid 70's me and afriend did a survivalist thing for a whole month on Kauai.We virtually picked our existence off of the fruit trees and there were ppl who were squatters living in the jungle which is what we did too.It was the best month living off the land that i have ever,ever experienced.The wild an rugged nature of the island was what we were looking for and at the time it was even less civilized than it problably is today.Well worth it...you must check it out!:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[goalie]

Hi Janman,

Congratulations on your upcoming 25th anniversary (Silver, iirc?)!

Your post is especially timely, as my wife and I returned home this past Sunday from 10 days split between the Big Island and Maui... we celebrated our 5th anniversary with an intimate vow-renewal ceremony on a secluded beach on the Big Island, complete with leis and the blowing of the conch shell... very touching! We've been to the islands a number of times and absolutely love it there.

I agree with glossblk06, each of the islands has a special uniqueness that makes them different and appealing in their own way... everyone has their own favorite (mine is the Big Island), and likely you will too after you have visited them. If you have the time, it's very much worth it to visit more than one (but don't try to do too much in one visit; a general rule of thumb would be to allow no less than 3 full days to each island visited... so, if you're there for a full 7 or more days, then 2 islands would be ok; otherwise stick to just one island, in order to fully experience it).

MANY tv shows and movies have been filmed in the islands; you can even take a tour on Kaui and see the Coco Palms hotel (where Elvis filmed Blue Hawaii), and a ton of other movie locations you will recognise right away.

There's a ton of information available on the web regarding accommodations and things to do on the islands... you'll find so much it can be overwhelming!

I recommend consulting a travel agent who specializes in Hawaii... a big reason to do so , is that many of the major travel tour companies work directly with travel agents and consequently they can find excellent deals that you typically can't find elsewhere (like the trip we just got back from!)... a Hawaii specialist will be able to advise you specifically based on your desires and budget. And no, working with an agent doesn't cost you anything. I know, because my wife is a certified Hawaii travel specialist who further specializes in honeymoons and romantic travel.

Again, congratulations and good luck in planning your trip... you'll definitely enjoy it!

Whit :biker:

PM me if you'd like more information; I can forward you to my wife who would be more than happy to work with you. I know this sounds like a business solicitation, but it is a genuine offer to help. After all, it's what she does, and she does it very well (not that I'm biased or anything... :) ).

[Jefro]

A long while back on Kauai, me and the boys rented an old rusty 4x4 suzuki for several months. The hood was so rusted out, we didn't even have to raise it to check the oil!

[sherob]

Sherob, so, you would choose to stay at a leper colony just to get away for a while?????????

I think you are thinking of Molokai :confused:

[Mike]

I go yearly to Kihei and rent a condo across the street from Kam III beach near the boat dock. I like it there, it's convient to the boat dock for trips out to Molokini crater and it's a good place to start the trip to Hana, We tend to run that route counter clockwise.

The Hana road is a must do and allow roughly 8 hours to do it in. Yeah car rental companies say your not covered but the road is much improved and there is maybe eight miles of dirt road left. The scenery makes it very worthwhile. Luau's are hit an miss and very pricey. There is only one traditional Luau I know of and it is really good....no lounge lizard singing tiny bubbles, no Maori native making faces and no comedian trying to embarass someone in the audience.

Maui Gold pineapples are the best there is in my opinion, they are good to take for a snak when diving, there are a lot of roadside vendors selling food on the cheap.

We rent a condo as a staging area so luxury is not what we look for but the condo is well supplied and quite clean. Maui is one of if not the most expensive of the islands to stay and dine. We cut cost by stopping at COSTCO on our way to the condo. We stock up on groceries and pack chow to take with us.

Condos are priced pretty good, I think we pay $150.00 a night for one with all the cooking and eating utensils,boggie boards,snorkeling equipment, washer/dryer...pretty much like being at home.

Maui is one of my favorite islands but then I like them all, each one is unique.

I hear the ferry is up and running so on my next visit I am going to see what the travel time and cost is to island hop. Regardless of the choice in island you make you will have a good time.

[MrClean]

I lived on Kauai for 2 years , 2 months on Maui , both nice

[tarfin]

I can't give you any island advice but I'd recommend checking out http://vacations.travelzoo.com/hawaii-vacations/ They send out a weekly Top 20 travel deals newsletter and there have been some incredible deals on Hawaii there.

Std disclaimer : not affiliated, yada yada...

[tommyboy]

Has anyone ever been to Ni'ihau? (off the Napali coast).
My wife I did the zodiac boat trip along the Napali coast years ago. She was pissed that I spent the money for the trip (right up to the time we got on the boats, then she thought it was a great excursion!). We have also done the helicopter tour around the island. If give only one choice, take the zodiac boats.

[sherob]

Ni-ihau is off limits ot us hoalies :rolleyes: You have to have some Hawaiian blood to set foot on that island, or be a Robinson... or know someone who works on the island :rolleyes:

[STeve1300]

+1 on Kauai.... I got married on that Island... when we transferred to Maui for the second half of our honeymoon, my ex started crying because she missed Kauai. To me the difference is like Cancun and the Riviera Maya area just south... Same temp, trees, ocean, and sand... but one area has more attractions, and the other more "nothing".... which on a second honeymoon, might be "everything".

[bobwendy]

Timely post for me.
MY wife and I are going to Hawii for our 15 year anniv.I've never been there,
my wife has been there a number of years ago.
I thought about a cruise ship that hit a couple of islands , as an option.
We are going around April of 2008.
Bob

[Bbob]

You can't "get local" from a cruise ship. There are, however, many condos for rent on all the islands. Then you can experience it all. Kauai is my favorite and have been there many times, usually stay in a condo on Poipu Beach area. Maui has more to do, is more expensive and crowded, have been there many times also. Kauai no ka oi imho. If you stay near Kapalua you are way up at the end, away from the center, nearer the big touristy hotels. Kauai is more of a residential place with more small local, peaceful things to do. There are no high rises and plenty of reasonable condos. You don't have to be on the beach, since so many are so near! Go Big Save, eat poke, slow down, and hang loose! Plenty of Harleys to rent, watch the loose stuff! A car is better for the place. The weather is always great.

[jim0899]

My wife and I returned on the 17th. We try to go as often as possible. Do go online before you leave and check out the airfares to the other islands (if you want to see more than one), there was a fare war going on earlier this month (might still be happening) we got $9 tickets (Hawaiian Airlines-one way to any island) and spent some time on the Big Island. Don't sell Oahu short there are lots of sights; especially if it is your first visit.
You can go to downtown Honolulu, drive to the end of Manoa RD., park your car and you are in a tropical rain forest (like Lost) continue on the trail about 3/4 of a mile to Manoa Falls (be sure to bring old shoes for the hike). Get up early one morning and hike to the top of Diamond Head for a fantastic view, on the way back stop at Snorkel Bob's and rent Snorkel equip. for $9 a week.
Go up to Sharks cove on the North Shore for some fantastic Snorkeling (or fight the crowds at Hanauma Bay. While you are at the North Shore check out the Banzai Pipeline and stop at Matsumoto's for the best shave ice anywhere.
Now on day two...well you get the picture- Oahu, Waikiki, Honolulu can also be quite a bit of fun. Good luck and hang loose!

[Blrfl]

Don't sell Oahu short...

+1. There's a lot to do there. My last two trips (2 weeks each) have been Oahu-only, but my wife's family is there so we had some other things to occupy our time.

...drive to the end of Manoa RD...

If you go up there, take a brief detour onto East Manoa Road and visit the Manoa Marketplace shopping center. Tucked away in the back is a little place called the Island Manapua Factory (http://www.islandmanapua.com) that's worth a stop. (The baked duck manapua is yummy.) The Teriyaki joint next door isn't bad, either.

--Mark

[Geoff]

Going to the Big Island feb 12th as a retirement present to myself..for those of you going there I got airfare from Tampa for 775 per person...one stop in phoenix..thought that was a pretty good deal ...not looking forward to that much time in a plane..:eek:

[steve3b3]

Brenda and I went to Maui for our 30'th in June and stayed in Napili.
We stayed here: http://www.napilikai.com/ It was quiet and had its own kitchen. We only used it to make breakfast, but others cooked their family meal there. We did go over to the USS Arizona from maui, but basically spent the week doing stuff on Maui. The road to Hana, a snorkeling trip, up the volcano road (Hakalaia?)

If you do go to Maui, buy the book "Maui Revealed". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0971727937/bookstorenow600-20 The author evaluated almost everything on the island. The section on the road to Hana for instance, contained viewable stuff by milepost.

We're going back sometime, but next time, we'll spend some time on other islands. We feel we've seen Maui, and next time we'll explore one or more of the other islands in addition to Maui.

We booked through Expedia.com, by the way. All over the island there were Expedia Advisor booths to help you book additional trips and stuff. We used them to book the snorkeling trip and the USS Arizona trip and found the lady we used extreemly friendly and helpful.

Steve:04biker:

[sherob]

I lived on Oahu for 8 years... lots to see and do. Go to Hanauma Bay and snorkel, or enjoy the Toilet Bowl for a ride out to the left side of the bay :bow1:

You can go up to Pali Lookout and visit Jackass Ginger Pools... don't know if they still do the mudslides down the hills out there :)

As was mentioned... Sharks Cove is great for snorkeling... real good for night dives!

Don't miss Harpo's Pizza! :cool:

[tommyboy]

Is that a place that Oprah Winfrey owns? (Harpo's)

[sherob]

Is that a place that Oprah Winfrey owns? (Harpo's)

This place was around in the 70's... way before she was anybody :cool: