Hawaii Vacation Advice
- Thread starter Blue2core
- Start date
The first step is accepting that you are in fact, a tourist. And anything you do will be touristy.
I would go to Maui if only choosing 1 island. Tons to do and extremely scenic. Road to Hana...biking the volcano at sunrise...snorkeling at Molokini.
Oahu isn't bad though just a lot more crowded. But Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the Dole Plantation, and the North Shore are certainly worth seeing.
Oahu isn't bad though just a lot more crowded. But Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the Dole Plantation, and the North Shore are certainly worth seeing.
Oahu is a good choice for your first visit. Pearl Harbor is a must see. Diamond Head and Punchbowl/Cemetery of the Pacific are great too.
Waikiki is definitely tourist central but rent a car and explore the island. But no matter where you go you're going to be a haole so accept it and have a good time.
Waikiki is definitely tourist central but rent a car and explore the island. But no matter where you go you're going to be a haole so accept it and have a good time.
How long will you be there? One island is not enough. Go to one touristy island then one laid back island. Kauai or Big Island would cover the laid back aspect
I have a home on Oahu below is some things to do.
The USS Arizona is a must see. You should get ticket on line for
the movie and trip out to the Memorial. If you want go next door and
visit the USS Missouri, a walking tour by yourself is about 11/2 hours. I To do both is about a half a day. The other
half of the day you can go East or West/North. I would do West/North on
different day. I am not sure how many days you on the island.
East takes you towards Diamond Head. You should drive up to the summit and
if you feel up to it climb the crater. 45 minutes each way and good work
out I did it, it's a good hike. Next continue East towards Hanauma Bay.
Stop at the park and take a look. It is a great snorkel place. Continue on
East taking RT 72,61.and 83 till you get the H3, which will take you back to
Honolulu. The second sighting stop after Hanauma Bay, is the blow hole, I
believe. This drive is very scenic.
West takes you towards the North Shore, a must see. The waves should be up.
If they are; you might want to this the first thing in the morning. It
becomes a 2 lane road and will draw a lot of people, also you will be going
against traffic. Make a short stop at the Dole plantation, a tourist place
but fun. Make sure you try the soft pineapple ice cream. Continue on
towards Haleiwa, where you must stop either on the way out or back. If
traffic allows continue toward the North Shore trough Sunset Beach towards
Waimea Bay. Turn around any time after that.
In Haleiwa stop at Surf And Sea just before or after the bridge, depending
on which way you come into town. Great place for T shirts and neat North
Shore gifts. If you like shrimp stop at Macky's Shrimp Wagon, again just
you come in to town or leave. They have the best shrimp on the island.
Last time I had friends out, we had to go there 3 times.
Also stop at Matsumoto,s Shaved Ice. It is different than anything you ever
had, nice little treat. If the line is out to the telephone pole it about
a 15 minute wait. A great place for dinner or lunch ,in town, is Haleiwa
Joe's which right next to the bridge.
I have included a web site for most every thing above, except or a map.
Check them out and get back with ant questions.
http://www.surfnsea.com/ http://www.haleiwajoes.com/ http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/welcome.htm http://www.nps.gov/usar/ http://www.ussmissouri.org/visit.aspx http://www.koolinagolf.com/roys.html http://www.frommers.com/destinations/oahu/D37840.html http://www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii/BlowHole.htm http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking/diamond_head_trail.html http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/ http://hawaii.kulshan.com/Hawaii/Honolulu_County/Ohau_Island/Kailua/Restaura
nts/Lucy's_Grill_&_Bar.htm http://www.dole-plantation.com/Train/james.aspx http://oahu.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/haleiwa/
The USS Arizona is a must see. You should get ticket on line for
the movie and trip out to the Memorial. If you want go next door and
visit the USS Missouri, a walking tour by yourself is about 11/2 hours. I To do both is about a half a day. The other
half of the day you can go East or West/North. I would do West/North on
different day. I am not sure how many days you on the island.
East takes you towards Diamond Head. You should drive up to the summit and
if you feel up to it climb the crater. 45 minutes each way and good work
out I did it, it's a good hike. Next continue East towards Hanauma Bay.
Stop at the park and take a look. It is a great snorkel place. Continue on
East taking RT 72,61.and 83 till you get the H3, which will take you back to
Honolulu. The second sighting stop after Hanauma Bay, is the blow hole, I
believe. This drive is very scenic.
West takes you towards the North Shore, a must see. The waves should be up.
If they are; you might want to this the first thing in the morning. It
becomes a 2 lane road and will draw a lot of people, also you will be going
against traffic. Make a short stop at the Dole plantation, a tourist place
but fun. Make sure you try the soft pineapple ice cream. Continue on
towards Haleiwa, where you must stop either on the way out or back. If
traffic allows continue toward the North Shore trough Sunset Beach towards
Waimea Bay. Turn around any time after that.
In Haleiwa stop at Surf And Sea just before or after the bridge, depending
on which way you come into town. Great place for T shirts and neat North
Shore gifts. If you like shrimp stop at Macky's Shrimp Wagon, again just
you come in to town or leave. They have the best shrimp on the island.
Last time I had friends out, we had to go there 3 times.
Also stop at Matsumoto,s Shaved Ice. It is different than anything you ever
had, nice little treat. If the line is out to the telephone pole it about
a 15 minute wait. A great place for dinner or lunch ,in town, is Haleiwa
Joe's which right next to the bridge.
I have included a web site for most every thing above, except or a map.
Check them out and get back with ant questions.
http://www.surfnsea.com/ http://www.haleiwajoes.com/ http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/welcome.htm http://www.nps.gov/usar/ http://www.ussmissouri.org/visit.aspx http://www.koolinagolf.com/roys.html http://www.frommers.com/destinations/oahu/D37840.html http://www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii/BlowHole.htm http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking/diamond_head_trail.html http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/ http://hawaii.kulshan.com/Hawaii/Honolulu_County/Ohau_Island/Kailua/Restaura
nts/Lucy's_Grill_&_Bar.htm http://www.dole-plantation.com/Train/james.aspx http://oahu.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/haleiwa/
We did four days in Honolulu, have to go to Pearl Harbor. Took a few more tours, luau, beach time.
Took a prop plane with the A/C broke to Maui for four more days. Rented a car there, done lots of exploring. Unless you've never been out of the city, I would not recommend the Road to Hana. Waste of a day. I can drive on narrow roads through the hills where I live. Also done another luau on Maui, those are great. Like to go back soon, wife want's to see the volcano's this time.
Took a prop plane with the A/C broke to Maui for four more days. Rented a car there, done lots of exploring. Unless you've never been out of the city, I would not recommend the Road to Hana. Waste of a day. I can drive on narrow roads through the hills where I live. Also done another luau on Maui, those are great. Like to go back soon, wife want's to see the volcano's this time.
You might tag HICATFAN for more advice, he's lived there for years. Good 'ol Johnson County boy made good.
Turtle Bay. Stay on the North Shore. Don't stay downtown Honolulu. That's the touristy stuff. It's good for one trip but you want to experience actual Hawaii on Oahu- North Shore.
The Big Island has more to do and see than any,but it's a matter of personal preferences,I had a great time on Maui with a variety of things to see and do
Just got back from a two week trip in Hawaii. I was there for a business trip so I had to stay on Oahu but there was PLENTY to do there.
As mentioned already, everything down on Waikiki Beach is super crowded and overran with tourists. I was working downtown so I still made my way down to the beach but it's certainly more urban. I do recommend a catamaran cruise and specifically one with booze on board.
Go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Arrive 15 minutes before it opens to the public because it's the most popular snorkeling on the island. I bypassed the video ish you had to do and just went straight down to the water. Borrowed gear from a friend so you might be stuck on that one if you don't already have those items. You will see plenty of ocean life.
If you are in decent shape, hike KoKo head. It will kick your *** but it's breathtaking at the top. Diamondhead is an easy hike but overran with tourists. Nice views of Waikiki at the top. I don't think you are technically supposed to hike at the Pillboxes anymore but I recommend doing it any way in Lanikai. Really cool town and the hike overlooks the Moks.
Take the Pali Hwy over to the east side. The drive is unlike anything you will ever see in your life.
Go eat at a shrimp truck on North Shore. I ate a Giovanni's and was not disappointed. Everything already mentioned above about North Shore is on point. I stopped at the Dole Plantation. Plenty to do there as well.
Make yourself over to Liliha Bakery for breakfast one day. Get the mahi mahi. Overall, enjoy yourself because Hawaii is a dope touching place to visit. I can't wait to go back and hop to another island.
As mentioned already, everything down on Waikiki Beach is super crowded and overran with tourists. I was working downtown so I still made my way down to the beach but it's certainly more urban. I do recommend a catamaran cruise and specifically one with booze on board.
Go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Arrive 15 minutes before it opens to the public because it's the most popular snorkeling on the island. I bypassed the video ish you had to do and just went straight down to the water. Borrowed gear from a friend so you might be stuck on that one if you don't already have those items. You will see plenty of ocean life.
If you are in decent shape, hike KoKo head. It will kick your *** but it's breathtaking at the top. Diamondhead is an easy hike but overran with tourists. Nice views of Waikiki at the top. I don't think you are technically supposed to hike at the Pillboxes anymore but I recommend doing it any way in Lanikai. Really cool town and the hike overlooks the Moks.
Take the Pali Hwy over to the east side. The drive is unlike anything you will ever see in your life.
Go eat at a shrimp truck on North Shore. I ate a Giovanni's and was not disappointed. Everything already mentioned above about North Shore is on point. I stopped at the Dole Plantation. Plenty to do there as well.
Make yourself over to Liliha Bakery for breakfast one day. Get the mahi mahi. Overall, enjoy yourself because Hawaii is a dope touching place to visit. I can't wait to go back and hop to another island.
Honestly loved the Big Island...you can do everything there.
But Kauai is incredible...if you can go down the Na Pali coast it is simply one of the most amazing things you can experience.
But Kauai is incredible...if you can go down the Na Pali coast it is simply one of the most amazing things you can experience.
My favorite part of Oahu was the North Shore. Very laid back with nice beaches, Turtle Beach, Shark Cove, Waimea Bay, Waimea Valley, the PCC, Haliewa, the Shrimp food trucks, Motsumotos Shave Ice, and the Dole Whips on the way up there.
Pick up a Ukulele and learn a few songs, then just sit on the beach and enjoy.
There are some nice places on the eastern side as well. Chinaman's Hat, the Buddhist Temple, Bellows beach, Hiking down to the Dragons Nostrils.
I've only been once, but it was a great trip and I want to go back.
Pick up a Ukulele and learn a few songs, then just sit on the beach and enjoy.
There are some nice places on the eastern side as well. Chinaman's Hat, the Buddhist Temple, Bellows beach, Hiking down to the Dragons Nostrils.
I've only been once, but it was a great trip and I want to go back.
Wife and I stayed at Turtle Bay for a part of our trip, really enjoyed it there and close to a lot of things on that side of the Island.
To OP...we also spent the other half of our trip in Lanikai Beach. Oahu has vastly different parts to it that is you split your trip between two areas of that island, it almost feels like two separate places. We rented a Jeep Wrangler during our trip too, which was fun to cruise around with the top down.
http://<a href="http://s643.photobucket.com/user/bhaunert/media/cc35e162-969c-457d-9bdf-262df515105b_zpsgkjsfbrk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/uu158/bhaunert/cc35e162-969c-457d-9bdf-262df515105b_zpsgkjsfbrk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo cc35e162-969c-457d-9bdf-262df515105b_zpsgkjsfbrk.jpg"/></a>
We stayed a week on the Big Island. Kilauea had an eruption that was entering the ocean at the time, and that was magical. There's something about standing on an active volcano that makes every man feel small in the world. Nature is grand.
I haven't heard it mention, so i thought I would address the elephant in the room. You seems like a smart kid, so I’m wandering how your transition to Hawaii will be as far as communication goes? Are you doing anything different like special audiobooks or relying on signals more? The only time I’ve been out of the country is when I was shipped to Nam and I was as confused as a yankee learning to square dance. Have a safe trip.