Travel tips for Hawaii

RStar · 01-23-2008, 08:15 AM

I'm planning a trip to Hawaii for a vacation in Sept.

This is my first vacation trip ever. I have never been to Hawaii (or any where else much for that matter).

Any tips on travel dates, weather in sept, best prices, and things to see?

Thank you, I value your input.

~Bob

DreadPirateRoberts · 01-23-2008, 08:49 AM

paging GC....

Do you want to see a bunch of stuff (there's a lot of WWII history if you know where to look)?, or are you more interested in finding a nice beach, sitting there and doing nothing? Or sitting by a pool and being waited on?

RStar · 01-23-2008, 09:35 AM

While some sitting on a beach will need to be a part of it, seeing sights will also be important. The war type not so much, culture is more important.

I will be traveling with my mother, aunt and her female companion, and possibly my dissabled wife. So physical activities will be out (Though snorkeling might be fun for some of us. But hiking might be out. Because there will be 4 or 5 of us, we most likely will split up at times doing different activities as well.

So, GC is the Big Kahuna when it comes to the Islands, huh?

Snowflake · 01-23-2008, 09:44 AM

bring a bathing suit?

Go to a 7-11 and have some kind of curry pie, right mousepod?

Alex · 01-23-2008, 09:48 AM

Do you prefer to be surrounded by other tourists with relatively clearly defined activities (Waikiki, Maui) or do you prefer it off the beaten path, surrounded by a more authentic local vibe but you're more on your own for entertainment and activities (other parts of Oahu, Kauai, Big Island)?

Are there any must do activities? Hiking, diving, musuems, Matsumoto shave ice, seeing how incredibly tiny the beach at Waikiki is, etc.

Weather in September should be fine with highs in the upper-80s and overnight lows around 70. Much in the way of serious rain would be pretty unusual but can vary by island and side of island.

How long are you planning to go? If you have a full week or so, and since it is your first time, I'd probably suggest starting on Oahu (but not Waikiki) for a few days and doing the standards (North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, etc.) and then hop over to one of the neighbor islands (Big Island or Kauai rather than Maui or Lanai) for a few more days to get the different flavors.

As for price, June to mid-September is the peak tourist season so if you're looking at early September you'll probably have some challenges finding discounts. But again that will vary by what kind of travel is your preference. A rental condo in Kaneohe will be vastly different thing from an all-inclusive on Lanai.

BarTopDancer · 01-23-2008, 09:48 AM

I recommend sunscreen at all times.

And I do not recommend walking through the International Marketplace at 3am. Trust me.

Alex · 01-23-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Go to a 7-11 and have some kind of curry pie, right mousepod?

Chicken curry manapua is the thing you have to eat from the 7-11 hot case, at least so far as I'm concerned.

Alex · 01-23-2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

I recommend sunscreen at all times.

And I do not recommend walking through the International Marketplace at 3am. Trust me.

Well, I'd recommend not even stepping foot in Waikiki but yeah, this is fair advice. I did it many times when I lived only about a 1/4 mile from there but I think my being unmolested was more luck than anything else (same for when I used to do midnight walks from UW down to the Space Needle or through the Central District in Seattle).

RStar · 01-23-2008, 10:35 AM

Thanks Alex! I forgot about you living there, and Lani being from there.

I'm pretty open about activities, and doing tourist stuff is ok. But frankly, I think the more local real life is more interesting. I'm open on where to stay, and which Island we stay on. Consider this vacation an open slate at this point. Right now we have two points. 1) Hawaii, and 2) September.

So, if the end of Sept is better, we may aim for that. How long we stay will depend on the total budget, but I'm looking at 4 or 5 nights (we will have a Mon-Fri off of work). Departure and arrival days of the week prices may also effect this. If the hotel is cheeper to stay Sunday through Friday for instance.

Also, what is the cheeper Airport to fly into? I'm figuring LAX as the cheepest to fly from, but would prefer Santa Ana (John Wayne) as it is closer. But if there is a "Better" airport, it would include all things like transportation to our hotel. We might likely rent a car to get around as well.

A rental condo in Kaneohe sounds interesting. Are weekly condos available on all the Islands, and are a cheeper way to go? A two bedroom condo with a kitchen would be perfect for the 4 or 5 of us.

And I think a luau would be great!

madmonkeygirl · 01-23-2008, 11:15 AM

Having gone to Hawaii 3 or 4 times in my lifetime since my dad had to go over there for work the month of September is nice to go. I think i went second week of September once and the weather was gorgeous (occasional rain shower but not enough to keep me and CM out of the water much). We stayed on Oahu though since that is where my dad had to work. I would rather have gone to Maui but hey maybe someday when i go back i will stay in Maui instead. But let me tell ya nothing like laying on Wakiki beach and swimming in the nice clear blue warm water...i don't like the beaches here anymore i am very spoiled.

I've done the luau thing before really nice transportation to and from your hotel. Also CM and i did a dolphin watch all day on a catamaran it was a blast. Just things off the beaten path so to say. I would never have done the dolphin watch on my own so i thank CM for being the one to try this with me.

Pearl Harbor held meaning for CM so we did it. Brings tear to me eye just thinking about all those lives lost. Something that should be seen just once if you're able to.

I would have taken him on the hike to the top of the volcano but the worst thing about that hike (needing a flashlight yes a flashlight) due to the spiral staircase in the complete darkness going up the top part. It was very scary with no flashlight and i'm really surprised i did not twist my ankle or break any legs.

I didn't get to snorkel or horseback but did go over to the North Shore to watch the surfers.

But for the most part i am one to just lay on the beach reading a good book and go swimming in the water. Kicking it back doing nothing.

Yes the flea market is there (it was right across the street from our hotel) but we didn't go there at all...and oh yeah forgot we did make the trek to the Dole Pineapple Factory of course.

01-23-2008, 08:15 AM	#1
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	Travel tips for Hawaii I'm planning a trip to Hawaii for a vacation in Sept. This is my first vacation trip ever. I have never been to Hawaii (or any where else much for that matter). Any tips on travel dates, weather in sept, best prices, and things to see? Thank you, I value your input. ~Bob __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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01-23-2008, 08:49 AM	#2
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	paging GC.... Do you want to see a bunch of stuff (there's a lot of WWII history if you know where to look)?, or are you more interested in finding a nice beach, sitting there and doing nothing? Or sitting by a pool and being waited on?
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2008, 09:35 AM	#3
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	While some sitting on a beach will need to be a part of it, seeing sights will also be important. The war type not so much, culture is more important. I will be traveling with my mother, aunt and her female companion, and possibly my dissabled wife. So physical activities will be out (Though snorkeling might be fun for some of us. But hiking might be out. Because there will be 4 or 5 of us, we most likely will split up at times doing different activities as well. So, GC is the Big Kahuna when it comes to the Islands, huh? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2008, 09:44 AM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	bring a bathing suit? Go to a 7-11 and have some kind of curry pie, right mousepod? __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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01-23-2008, 09:48 AM	#5
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Do you prefer to be surrounded by other tourists with relatively clearly defined activities (Waikiki, Maui) or do you prefer it off the beaten path, surrounded by a more authentic local vibe but you're more on your own for entertainment and activities (other parts of Oahu, Kauai, Big Island)? Are there any must do activities? Hiking, diving, musuems, Matsumoto shave ice, seeing how incredibly tiny the beach at Waikiki is, etc. Weather in September should be fine with highs in the upper-80s and overnight lows around 70. Much in the way of serious rain would be pretty unusual but can vary by island and side of island. How long are you planning to go? If you have a full week or so, and since it is your first time, I'd probably suggest starting on Oahu (but not Waikiki) for a few days and doing the standards (North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, etc.) and then hop over to one of the neighbor islands (Big Island or Kauai rather than Maui or Lanai) for a few more days to get the different flavors. As for price, June to mid-September is the peak tourist season so if you're looking at early September you'll probably have some challenges finding discounts. But again that will vary by what kind of travel is your preference. A rental condo in Kaneohe will be vastly different thing from an all-inclusive on Lanai.
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2008, 09:48 AM	#6
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I recommend sunscreen at all times. And I do not recommend walking through the International Marketplace at 3am. Trust me. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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01-23-2008, 10:35 AM	#9
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	Thanks Alex! I forgot about you living there, and Lani being from there. I'm pretty open about activities, and doing tourist stuff is ok. But frankly, I think the more local real life is more interesting. I'm open on where to stay, and which Island we stay on. Consider this vacation an open slate at this point. Right now we have two points. 1) Hawaii, and 2) September. So, if the end of Sept is better, we may aim for that. How long we stay will depend on the total budget, but I'm looking at 4 or 5 nights (we will have a Mon-Fri off of work). Departure and arrival days of the week prices may also effect this. If the hotel is cheeper to stay Sunday through Friday for instance. Also, what is the cheeper Airport to fly into? I'm figuring LAX as the cheepest to fly from, but would prefer Santa Ana (John Wayne) as it is closer. But if there is a "Better" airport, it would include all things like transportation to our hotel. We might likely rent a car to get around as well. A rental condo in Kaneohe sounds interesting. Are weekly condos available on all the Islands, and are a cheeper way to go? A two bedroom condo with a kitchen would be perfect for the 4 or 5 of us. And I think a luau would be great! __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2008, 11:15 AM	#10
madmonkeygirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 764	Travel tips for Hawaii Having gone to Hawaii 3 or 4 times in my lifetime since my dad had to go over there for work the month of September is nice to go. I think i went second week of September once and the weather was gorgeous (occasional rain shower but not enough to keep me and CM out of the water much). We stayed on Oahu though since that is where my dad had to work. I would rather have gone to Maui but hey maybe someday when i go back i will stay in Maui instead. But let me tell ya nothing like laying on Wakiki beach and swimming in the nice clear blue warm water...i don't like the beaches here anymore i am very spoiled. I've done the luau thing before really nice transportation to and from your hotel. Also CM and i did a dolphin watch all day on a catamaran it was a blast. Just things off the beaten path so to say. I would never have done the dolphin watch on my own so i thank CM for being the one to try this with me. Pearl Harbor held meaning for CM so we did it. Brings tear to me eye just thinking about all those lives lost. Something that should be seen just once if you're able to. I would have taken him on the hike to the top of the volcano but the worst thing about that hike (needing a flashlight yes a flashlight) due to the spiral staircase in the complete darkness going up the top part. It was very scary with no flashlight and i'm really surprised i did not twist my ankle or break any legs. I didn't get to snorkel or horseback but did go over to the North Shore to watch the surfers. But for the most part i am one to just lay on the beach reading a good book and go swimming in the water. Kicking it back doing nothing. Yes the flea market is there (it was right across the street from our hotel) but we didn't go there at all...and oh yeah forgot we did make the trek to the Dole Pineapple Factory of course.
	Submit to Quotes