Thread: Possible trip to Hawaii

Celebrating 25 years of matrimony this year. Threw out the idea of a trip to Hawii to celebrate. Never been, heard it's expensive. Any tips, experiences to share, hook ups, things to see or stay away from? Input?

Originally Posted by PhxMJ

Which you prefer? Jungles and waterfalls or touristy stuff?

Good question. Most likely a mix. We would want to do the traditional luau thing.

Hi, I just got back from 16 days in HI; Big Island, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui.

Definitely worth a visit IMO, as long as you can get away for at least 9 days, perferably more.

I prefer Molokai, Big Island and Kauai; most folks start out with Oahu and Maui.

Right now the state budget and private economy an absolute shambles from what I could tell/saw/was informed. You can get a condo for around $100 a night most places by looking around, even cheaper in the older Oahu places.

During the whole trip Not Once did I hear a shred of financial radio. No local radio at all – just import of the most base mass media over the airwaves. Found HI local TV quite GOOD, but again nothing on the financial realm.

Still, I was amazed how cheap property now is on Hawaii, Molokai and Maui.

The HI drought is getting worse, not better, so many of the famous water falls and pools are lower and/or near dry. Especially on Maui. On Maui I would avoid Lahaina/Wailuku/road to Hana when the cruise ships are in port. However, the road between Ulukalapua Ranch and Kipahulu is now open (wasn't open three years ago when I was last there) and the road is in better shape - very drivealbe right now. Less hassle than the drive to Hana for sure. Something else that has changed on Maui in last 3 years is that you can no longer bike ride down from the summit. The park service no longer allows that. But, you can still ride down from the park boundary (good enough IMO). The weather last week on Haleakala was crappy for 6 of 7 days, but the 7th day was spectacular!

The only active volcano (active as in right now) is Hawaii. Lava stopped flowing to the ocean about four weeks ago and is very hard to see right now. Also, the sulfur dioxide is still rather high in some areas. Still a beautiful place! The maps/rental places say don't drive to south point, but DO IT anyway - awesome. Note that Saddle road has road construction continuing for quite some time, but wasn't too bad. No matter what anyone else says it takes almost three hours from Volcano to Kona over the saddle, hiway 11 is quicker (and lets you go to south point) but doesn't put you between the two volcanoes. Do both roads. Unless you want to kick it on the gold coast for the whole time, not drive anywhere else, which is also a great way to go! My fave snorkeling on Kona side was at the Puo' (longer name - the sanctuary park).

Know that the time of year you go will alter what is available. Last few weeks the whales were incredibly active, but that is partly b.c. they are in a feeding frenzy and ready to move north soon.

There are some great cultural opportunities above and beyond the Luau, both native and historic. The battleship Missouri is a GREAT tour, moored next to the USS Arizona for the last five years or so. Waikiki is great for an intro to the island, but definitely don't spend all your time there. Homeless on the beach have gotten worse in three years, but prices have come down

I can guarantee that a visit to the old leper colony on Molokaii will be unlike anything you ever experienced. Other unique activities to the island including the opportunity to ski and sunbathe on the island separated only by 2 hours and 13,000 feet (but very few folks don't get altitude sickness doing that extreme). Another unique HI experience is the hot caves (but kinda tricky).

What kind of experiences/pace/price ranges are you looking for?

Congrats on the 25th anniversary Greg! That's an amazing accomplishment!

I've never been to Hawaii, however I worked with a guy that goes just about every year; on his last trip he said he booked a sweet ocean view condo on honolulu craigslist for less than $100 a night for a weeks stay. He said there are all kinds of deals out there right now (referring to places to stay). Hope this helps.

Have a great time!

Originally Posted by max momo

What kind of experiences/pace/price ranges are you looking for?

Wow, thanks for all the great info.

I would like to see Pearl Harbor and the battleship. Snorkeling sounds great. Not sure how much driving I will do. Probably only stay a few days in late June. Maybe a week at the most. Trying to get everyone's schedule together is a pain. I hadn't considered a condo, sounds doable. Thanks

Maui is great.

Take a couple days and circumnavigate the island, it's an awesome drive as you go through a bunch of different climate regions... all of them amazing. The big rental car companies, won't let you do it since part of the road is unpaved (at least this is from a couple years ago), so I rented from Rent-a-wreck (not a bad car at all) just so I could do the loop.

Newbie tip: don't go boogie boarding in 7 foot waves (when there are warning signs on the beaches) wearing your glasses

One wave and the glasses were gonzo, driving home (10 miles on unfamiliar winding roads) not being able to see clearly past my own dashboard, was quite the adventure.

But overall, boogie boarding in Maui rates right up there are one of the most fun things I've ever tried, a total blast.

Originally Posted by Runum

Good question. Most likely a mix. We would want to do the traditional luau thing.

Max Momo's assessment is great.

You know me, I'm a hiking adventurous type of guy so I have no idea what beaches are good.

I enjoyed the big island alot more than Maui. The one thing I would recommend if you could swing it is the night time snorkel with the Manta Rays in Kona. If they are in season it will be amazing. You don't need any experience to do it either. You just shine the light down and these 17 foot wide creatures come within inches of you trying to scoop up all the plankton. Don't run away!



Hiking at Volcanoes National Park is another cool thing to do. It's all black and sharp and its rock that is younger than you. If the lava ever runs again, I'll be on the first flight back to see it.

Hiking into the crater is amazing also. Below is a pic I took. This is the view from the lodge, you hike around the crater and down into it then walk across it (see the trail in the middle) and back up.

Hawaii's great to visit. I spent three years there and have gone back to visit a few times. You could see a little bit of everything. A direct flight could take you to Oahu or Mauai from the mainland, not sure about other islands. Costs to other islands aren't very expensive and would take about 30 minutes. All of the islands are different. For Oahu, I would stay at a hotel in Waikiki. Very easy to walk along the shore to burn off your last meal, hike (walk) up Diamond Head, spend time at the beach. 30 minute drive would take you to Pearl Harbor. Plenty of lauas to choose from. Polynesian Cultural center is a long drive about an hour to hour and a half but you would get to see several shows from the Polynesian islands. Recommend you block out a full day if you tackle this one. Big Island has the active volcano and black sand beaches. Oahu has probably the most number of tourists and residents. So visiting the other islands would give you less of a crowd feeling. The economy hit Hawaii pretty hard. There aren't as many tourists now so the streets aren't as packed downtown Waikiki.

Tom