Travel tips for Hawaii

[Not Afraid]

Hmmmm. I wonder if that's what has been plaguing my live since 1971?

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Hmmmm. I wonder if that's what has been plaguing my live since 1971?

Isn't that the year you were born???

[Jazzman]

I'm so jealous! My wife and I have been in love with Hawai'i since our first trip and we can't wait to go back.

My recommendations:

-Rent a car and do the circle the island drive. Stop at Dole for some amazing Dole Whip. Get the split and share, it's truly ambrosia. Visit a shrimp truck if seafood is your thing. Get some sweet corn too. Stop off at beaches along the way, even if you only spend 30 minutes at each one. Stopping at random beaches has led to us finding some of our favorite spots. If you've never been, visit Hanauma Bay. Personally I think it's a little over-hyped and we skip it now but it should be seen at least once. Oh, and get a convertible so you can put the top down and really enjoy the view. Whether you're looking at the mountains or the ocean the views are priceless.

- Waikiki. Personally, I love Waikiki, but then I love people and crowds and bustling, busy places. Yes, it's touristy but then, you'll be a tourist so it kinda fits. The beach is great and we spent most of our last trip just sitting on grass mats or floating in the water. It was sublime. Eat at Duke's or the Shore Bird, great restaurants. Cheeseburger in Paradise makes a wonderful pineapple teriyaki cheeseburger, but they are a little pricey. I can't suggest emphatically enough stopping by Leonard's Bakery for some orgasmically good Malasadas. They have plain or filled (with all different types fillings) and they're all good. Stroll through the International Marketplace but avoid the food court. Ickyness lives there. There's an awesomely swanky shop called the Thor Stor where an ex-Imagineer dreams up the coolest tiki creations. It's tiny but a not-to-be-missed shop.

- Pearl Harbor. Go early in the morning and do everything. Tour the Missouri (where, coincidentally, I just played a gig a few months ago ) and then head over to the Arizona museum. Watch the film and then take the boat over to pay your respects. It's very somber, moving and something I honestly believe that every American should do at least once. The submarine memorial is also a nice place to visit as well.

- Luaus. I love, love, love and highly recommend Germaine's Luau. They'll pick you up, drive you out, feed and entertain you and drive you back. The food is friggin' to-die-for, but then I'm somewhat of a kalua pig addict so I might be biased. The show is very fun and the drinks are well poured, and well drank. Paradise Cove is good and the location is prettier, but in my opinion it doesn't really capture the fun, jovial luau atmosphere. At Germaine's you feel like you're at a big, family gathering whereas Paradise is more formal. There are also other luaus around O'ahu but these two are the best.

- Polynesian Cultural Center. Skip it. PCC is the most over-hyped waste of time in Hawai'i. The food is lackluster and there is no alcohol (if that's something you care about) to go with it, the show is more suited to the Vegas strip than a Hawaiian luau and ultimately the park is more about the Mormons' (who own and run the park) version of Polynesian history and culture than actual Polynesian history and culture. If you're Mormon or cool with that whole situation then good on you, by all means go. But I think it's important to know that fact before dropping the cash to go and then spending your whole day there. Just my opinion.

- If you dig malls then visit Ala Moana center. It's huge and has virtually every store in existence. But it is still a mall so no big deal if skipped.

- Hilo Hattie's. We always stop in for aloha wear and gifts to take home. They've got nice stuff and the prices aren't too high. You can find comparable stuff elsewhere for cheaper, but going to Hilo Hattie's rather than Wal-Mart always makes us feel better about our spending.

- The Swap Meet. Lots of stuff for cheap, but not much different than other swap meets. Still, at least you're supporting locals which is nice.

There's lots more that I'm forgetting but you've got lots of other suggestions here so I'm sure you'll have a fine time. I can't wait to read a trip report and see pics! Hawai'i is so amazing. Have fun!

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

I'm so jealous! My wife and I have been in love with Hawai'i since our first trip and we can't wait to go back.

My recommendations:The food is friggin' to-die-for, but then I'm somewhat of a kalua pig addict so I might be biased.

But is it better than bacon? (apologies for the derail)

loads of good tips!

[RStar]

Thanks Jazzman! Everyone has had some great ideas! I would have never thought to rent a convertable....

I'll pick up a Sunset mag today, thanks Lisa!

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

- Hilo Hattie's. We always stop in for aloha wear and gifts to take home. They've got nice stuff and the prices aren't too high. You can find comparable stuff elsewhere for cheaper, but going to Hilo Hattie's rather than Wal-Mart always makes us feel better about our spending.

There are Hilo Hattie's on the mainland as well. I have been to the stores in San Diego and the Block at Orange. I think I own about a half dozen shirts from there.

[wendybeth]

Well, Jazzman- that explains why my MIL was so anxious to go to the Polynesian Center. What a drag that they were sold out on the day we spent in Waikiki. I think I would have been really pissed to get there, pay as much as one has to, and then been subjected to the Mormon version of Polynesia. Damn, she's sneaky. (Always trying to get me to read 'historical novels' written by Mormon authors which present a lily-white view of the religion's history, etc).

Anyway- we loved Waikiki. Yes, it's small, but there is lots to do and it's a beautiful beach. We never had a problem finding a place to park our butts and there is a great bar called Dukes where you can get drinkies. We stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki and had an ocean view room that was really nice. I understand the Outrigger chain also has condos- try checking out their website. (The Outrigger hotel also has a webcam that shows the beach and Diamondhead so you can see for yourself what it looks like).

Have fun!

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

But is it better than bacon?

Honestly, kalua pig is touching the line of "As good as sex." Words cannot express the kind of tingly, feel good vibes that course through my veins, welling from the very core of my soul whenever I consume a plate of kalua pig. If my wife wouldn't strangle me, I'd name our first child "Kalua."

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Well, Jazzman- that explains why my MIL was so anxious to go to the Polynesian Center. What a drag that they were sold out on the day we spent in Waikiki. I think I would have been really pissed to get there, pay as much as one has to, and then been subjected to the Mormon version of Polynesia. Damn, she's sneaky. (Always trying to get me to read 'historical novels' written by Mormon authors which present a lily-white view of the religion's history, etc).

Ouch. I won't dive into my sentiments regarding the Mormons in general, but I do always believe that people deserve to know what the truth of PCC is when contemplating going there. It isn't that it's a bad park necessarily, but with the way it is presented and then what it actually is has always felt like a classic Bait-And-Switch to me. The park is very pretty, entertaining and well run and a good time can be had, but to me it's akin to setting up a Pirates of the Caribbean clone in Jamaica and advertising it as an authentic depiction of Buccaneer life in the old days. And, there's much better food and shows elsewhere so I don't see much reason to spend a whole day on it either.

Originally Posted by Alex

Hilo Hattie's is an interesting thing. They're kind of like ABC Stores. No local would go to one in Hawai'i but as soon as they see one of them on the mainland they have to go in.

I always kinda wondered about that. I figured that Hattie's was a place that locals rolled their eyes at but secretly appreciated was there. Knowing that it's irresistible on the mainland cracks me up. I imagine displaced islanders putting on trench coats and big sunglasses and sneaking off to Hilo Hattie's for a quick fix.

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Honestly, kalua pig is touching the line of "As good as sex." Words cannot express the kind of tingly, feel good vibes that course through my veins, welling from the very core of my soul whenever I consume a plate of kalua pig.

I belive that word may be "Cholesterol".


I did find this web site about conods in Hawaii: Condo In Hawaii.com