Hawaii

[rikkiandjulie]

Someone talk Hawaii to me. Julie really really wants to go, and I'd love to as well. We would like to go for about 4-5 days.

Any islands you like better than others? Any airlines that are cheapest? The cheapest time of year to go?

Anything is helpful!

[ElsaVonM]

How I wish that I could provide loads of advice on this subject... :-)

[ct]

I've only been to Oahu and though we loved our time there (visiting a friend), I'm sure its far from the best island.

[eratmama]

We loved Maui--and went there for our honeymoon If I had a week and lots of funds, we often say we would fly in, drive to Paia (artsy, casual) then drive to Hana (a whole lot of nothing there.) Gorgeous. We had a great tour book I will try to remember the name of. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

Not a big "gay scene" where we were, but we felt totally comfortable on our honeymoon

[joyseattle]

I've been to Hawaii (the Big Island) three times, Oahu twice and Maui once. It depends on what you want to do/see. Beach vacation, you can go to any of them. City life, go to Honolulu. Hippy vibe (pockets on each island, but definitely Paia, which erat mentioned and where I stayed in Maui). Do you want to stay at a hotel/resort on the beach? Rent a car and explore?

For airfare, check kayak. I usually use miles there and/or back and have flown both Alaska and United (I do NOT recommend United), but you could find better deals on others from your location. For time of year, usually not late Nov through March, but you can get deals sometimes if you're lucky.

I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have or give recommendations about any of those islands!

[quinny]

I lived on the Bis Island for 5 years. I visited Oahu a lot (dated a girl in the air force). Visited Maui and Kauai quite often, and stayed on Molokai once. What do you want to do there? Beaches? Tourist/shopping? Night clubs? Nothing? Golf? Volcano? Horseback riding? Bike riding? Nude beaches? Scuba? While you can find almost everything on each island, there is always one that is the best for each activity. Give me more info and I'll tell you which islands are best.

The absolute best resource for visiting the islands are the guide books from this company www.hawaiirevealed.com/books-apps/hawaii-the-big-island-revealed They were dead on, on all things, in my opinion. I had all the travel books and no one ever beat these people on honest reviews. When they reviewed, they actually lived on the islands and weren't bought by any of the big companies.

[rikkiandjulie]

Quinny,

We will probably do the whole tourist deal. Hotel on the beach, snorkeling, Luau, shopping, etc. I also really really want too see the Lava Parks. I'm thinking 3-4nights. We couldn't afford much past that.

If we didn't have to rent a car that'd be great.




Rikki-iPhone

[2brides]

We went to Oahu/Honolulu 10y ago and I didn't care for it at all (we were there for a conference for L.) It is a big city on a beach. Same traffic, high end store, etc as we have here - just on the beach. We did rent a car to see Pearl Harbor and the North Shore, but if you are looking for something more relaxing and low-key, I am not sure Honolulu is the best place.

[twotrue]

I've only been to Maui. Loved it. If you go to that island there is a Luau that I'll recommend. I went when I was there and now they support the place I currently work.

[2brides]

We went to Oahu 10y ago (L had a conference there.) I really didn't care for it. It is just a big city that in near the beach. unless I was sitting on the beach, it wasn't much different than being home (traffic, expensive stores, restaurants.) We did rent a car and drive to Pearl Harbor and the north shore which was nice. But if we were to go again, we would choose a less commercial, less congested, and more relaxed island.

[quinny]

Ok then. If you are only going for 3-4 days and want to keep costs down, I assume you are only going to one island. Is this right? If you want to see active lava, you have to go to the Big Island and you have to rent a car, the island is the size of CT ad the volcano is in volcano (town - where I lived for 3 years:) and not near anything touristy, at all. For the rest of the activities, you will want to stay on the Kona side (It might be cheaper to fly into Hilo. Hilo is about a 2 hour drive to Kona, I don't know how much it will save you).

If you want economy but inexpensive but fine accommodations (think best western and around 150 a night) stay at the King Kamehameha (http://www.konabeachhotel.com). Its clean and in the center of town. If you want to spend more and get a big Hawaii feel (spend more = 300 - 500+ a night depending on the time of year) stay in Kohala. I think the Hilton www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/ might be one of the least expensive. It is really night, with a kind of Disney feel. There is a boat that takes you to your room. The grounds are really pretty and you can (pay to) swim with the Dolphins. If you want a really beautiful, tropical hotel, I recommend the Mauna Lani www.maunalani.com/. It is my favorite hotel in all of Hawaii but rooms typically cost 400 a night (I was a massage therapist there, it is beautiful). All the Kohala hotels are on beautiful white sand beaches and are a quick 5-10 min drive into Kona.

Kona is the shopping/dining/activity hub on that side of the island. If you are going diving, I would absolutely check out Jacks Diving Locker www.jacksdivinglocker.com/ I dove with them weekly and was certified for rescue diving through them. They are great.

For a luau, I would check out the booze cruise out of Kona. I've been quite a few times, always took people who visited and they loved it. It is a buffet and all the drinks you can have (or it used to be) and the dancers come out and dance on your table. You also get a beautiful boat ride which, on a clear day, allows you to see the mountains/volcano in t he middle of the island (which is rare .

If you are going snorkeling I would check out fair wind www.fair-wind.com/ they are a great company and they take you to Kealakekua Bay (aka the site where Captain Cook was killed and eaten)

For beaches, Hapuna is the best, it is just north of Kohala but if you go during high season, it can be crazy packed. There is a beach, little known to tourists just at mile marker 69 (known to as '69's but the locals) and it is part of Hapuna but much quieter

I love, love, love the Hilo side but its not for everyone. It is not commercial, not touristy, kind of run down and all sorts of wonderful. If you visit Volcano on a Wed or Sun, take time to ride down to Hilo and check out the farmers market (you can stop in and tell a few vendors I said hi . It's not to be missed. And there is a bakery right next to the farmers market that makes these purple sweet potato.. gah. I can't remember what they are called! But they are so good. Ahh... I wish I could go back.

There is a lot to do on the BI. There is I think, the only green sand beach in the world, horse back riding down Waipio, helicopter rides. I would buy that book I referenced above and check out my suggestions here.

I can add more like don't miss the lava cake or the macadamia crusted mahi mahi at Roys www.roysrestaurant.com/ but I have to tend to my hungry little boy! have fun planning!

[joyseattle]

I can second nearly everything quinny said about the Big Island. Great advice! Keep us posted on your travel plans...