Hawaii
 

Anyone been to Hawaii have any suggestions on what to do and not to do.

Re: Hawaii
 

Don't stay in Waikiki! Maui is a great place. Embassy Suites or Sheraton at Kanipali Beach is great. My favorite place to eat in the whole world is THE HULA GRILL on Kanipali Beach, Maui
Get OUT of Honolulu - traffic is a nightmare. There is a massage school across Oahu that has great therapists and very reasonable. Get the local papers or google Massage schools Oahu.
Ride down the MT on a bike - Maui - A MUST! Stop half way down and eat those donuts on a stick - INCREDIBLE!
Been there many times and LOVE IT!

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I can't really offer any advice but we're going to Kauai (the Garden Island) in a few short months ourselves.

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Been to Oahu and Kauai!

Oahu..go to visit Pearl Harbor! We stayed at the Sheaton on Wikiki Beach! Lots of walking. Can take a $5 bus tour to the Mall. Best to book a full day bus tour around the whole island! There are usually tours to sign up for that day of arrival. if u wait till the next morning, there wont be anything left. We loved it!! Most go surfing in the water. U must wear swim shoes or u can get cut and get an infection very quikly!

Kauai- stayed at Grand Hyatte Kauai Resort & spa! Watched whales every morning at breakfast! Drive one day up one side and another the other side! lots of little things to do. Saw South Pacific play too!

Havent been to Maui. Heard great things but it has less commercial stuff.

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If it were me, I would go down to Pearl Harbor and see the memorials. However, I am a history nut, so that is what it is worth.

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I want to try and find one of these things! Maybe wear it while I try surfing for luck.

http://chefelf.com/starwars/images/e...klace_greg.jpg

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Been to Kauai for vacation and Honolulu for work, and loved them both. Kauai is the most low-key, rustic island - or so I've heard, and it was just perfect for us. We stayed at the Princeville Resort on the north side of the island near Hanalei, and it was excellent.

Wouldn't vacation in Honolulu, but as far as work destinations go, it was pretty nice. Touristy near the resorts though. Lots of chains like P.F. Chang's and Cheesecake Factory.

I would like to go to Maui, as I've heard great things.

Re: Hawaii
 

While I agree that I have always heard Maui is the best I disagree with AB about Honolulu. A couple of years ago we spent five nights there before taking a Pacific cruise to Los Angeles and we loved it.

The famous Wakiki beach was cool and visiting Pearl Harbor was something I had always wanted to do and will never forget.

Honolulu is the most populous city with 930,000 people in the metropolitan area and there is a lot of traffic BUT we no problems driving a rental car to Pearl Harbor one day and then across the Island to the North Shore to watch surfing another day.

I really don't think you can go wrong with whichever Island or Islands of Hawaii you visit!

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We fly out Sunday morning at 6:00!

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Staying at Waikiki Beach

Planning to go Whale watching, Hole in the Wall Food Tour, Pearl Harbor, Luau, Cultural center and shopping district. Next time we will take in another less populated island, but we wanted to do these things in Honolulu and plan to rent some mopeds.

http://www.outriggerreef-onthebeach.com/

Re: Hawaii
 

I have stayed in both Honolulu (Waikiki) and in Maui more than once. Totally different feel, but I love both places! We did a bus tour on Oahu that was fun, and included lunch. It goes to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and several other places.
If you DO go to Honolulu, eat at Duke's! It's a classic. We stayed at a Wyndham Resort right down in the middle of all the shopping and only about two blocks from the beach. You could walk everywhere - you didn't need a car at all.
In Maui, my favorite part is Lahaina Village and Ka'anapali Beach. Staying on Ka'anapali anywhere - you won't be disappointed. There are tons of great restaurants there and in Old Lahaina.

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I LOVE Hawaii! Dole Plantation is a great stop, eating breakfast pancakes with coconut syrup on them - YUM! Climb Diamond Head, Go to the North beach and watch the giant waves and surfers, Hilo Hattie's, The Flea Market around the Aloha Bowl on Fri/Sat/Sunday - GREAT! We love that place! I want to go back!

Re: Hawaii
 

We stayed on Maui for a week. Very relaxing. Very friendly. And VERY beautiful! We did the bus tour around the entire island one day. It was gorgeous. But if you tend towards car sickness, be aware that you will be sicker than a dog on that particular trip! (it was a 9-bagger for me, but worth every one of them!). I can't remember the name of it but we did a luow (how do you spell that??) right on the beach one night. That's an experience you won't want to miss. Altho, I'll tell you up front - poi tastes like it looks: like wet cement. We asked around and the locals told us about a secluded inlet where we could go snorkeling. It's a place where the locals go to. That was very nice. A little walk to get there off the road (we parked the car right along the side of the road with the others since there is no parking lot back there). Ask around - the locals are very, very helpful. And then of course, you'll want to check out the work by Wyland at his gallery. Have fun! I know you will!

Re: Hawaii
 

We rented a convertible to drive accross the Island to watch some surfing on the North Shore and stopped and toured the Dole plantation on the way. It was funny that they had so many things pineapple flavored in the store. I ate a pineapple soft serve ice cream cone and it was actually very good.

Re: Hawaii
 

Went to Waikiki for our anniversary. Loved it! Stayed at the Best Western Coconut Waikiki at the very end of Lewers. It was a few blocks from the beach and very calm/quiet at night. Pearl Harbor is a MUST. It was incredible.

Oh..the Polynesian Cultural Center is awesome. It is run by the Mormon church and represents 7 polynesian cultures, has a Luau, multiple cultural demonstration and a live show. Bus will pick you up from just about anywhere in Waikiki. Loved it.

Re: Hawaii
 

Definitely do a Luau one night in your life! It's expensive and the food isn't that great, but the show is fantastic. And yes, I agree with Margie, poi is terrible!!
Spam, on the other hand, is like their state dish! There is spam at Mcdonald's and I had spam sushi at a local's joint. I love Spam though, so it was good to me!

Re: Hawaii
 

Kauai. And take the Na Pali coast tour with Makana Tours. Smaller boat than the others, and the captain is a native Hawaiian and awesome. Bring waterproof (e.g. disposable) cameras for snorkeling. Regular cameras are safe to use on the boat. Might get a little spray, but nothing to worry about.

Re: Hawaii
 

Once we visit Kauai, our next stop is going to be an island that I am told is nearby where all your fantasies can come true. The host is very nice and said to dress VERY sharply in his white suit and his midget sidekick can get you anything you want.

Re: Hawaii
 

Don't by last-minute pineapples at the airport, unless you're desperate. They're crazy expensive, there.

Re: Hawaii
 

Thanks everyone for your input.

This is for our 40th anniversary and I have been looking forward to it for years. Found out this morning I have a relative going tomorrow! :(

My debate is between cruising the different islands vs flying into Hawaii and staying at a hotel.

I definitely want to do the Pearl Island. I remember doing a book report on that in school. I love history.

Second, I can't remember which island but they have what they call the Pacific grand canyon. Having seen the one in Az I would love to sneak up on that one. (My husband accuses me of sneaking up on grand canyon to "peek" over the side. I am terrified of heights.

He would like to see one of the volcanoes. Not so sure about that for me. lol

I am trying to get built up walking now.

The cruises are pretty much either Apr or Sept. If I fly I can go anytime. I prefer cruising, but that takes more days and my husband doesn't know if he can manage that many days off at once. He needs the break, but we will see. :)

If you can add any more input all suggestions are welcome.:thumbsup:thumbsup

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I don't care for pineapple unless it is fresh and then limited amounts. My husband LOVES pineapples. He eats pineapple sandwiches!

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We generally stay on one island, sometimes with a day trip to another one. Did a tour of the Big Island that way. Once or twice, we did a week or so on Maui and another stay on Kauai. Never tried the cruise, but I bet it would be a blast.

Can't think of a better way to celebrate an anniversary! You are sure to have a h.a. :)

Re: Hawaii
 

thanks.

Hubby doesn't want to cruise roundtrip. I told him I would compromise and cruise either there are return. I am thinking cruising there would be the better option so we can rest before we get there.

IF we do something different then we would have to decide on what islands to visit.

BTW...how do you get to the other islands, boat or plane?

Re: Hawaii
 

We took planes. Didn't really look into taking a boat, so don't know how it would compare time-wise or cost-wise. (Not to mention, I don't remember what the fares were anyway! ;))

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"Honolulu!!! I wanna go there!!!"

First off... don't do this to get there.... LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a5mlpGS7Zg

Re: Hawaii
 

There's a Hawaiian Airlines flight that goes between Honolulu and Maui about every 30 minutes and it's pretty cheap.

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On Kauai...Don't forget to drive around and visit these spots: Spouting Horn; Kilauea Lighthouse/Scenic Overlook; Wailua Heritage Trail; Puu Hinahina Lookout (Canyon) & Pu'u o Kila Lookout Canyon; Kukee Lodge picnic area museum; Waimea Canyon/Falls; Anini Beach; Smith Family Garden Luau/Fern Grotto. Best Restarant is Kalapak Joes!!

The west side of island has canyons and there is a little tini restarant called Rock Island Cafe'. Best beef burgers ya ever tasted casue there is no hormones and junk feed to these cows!

The East side . We couldnt make the frive all the way around to the top(north tip), so we missed the beautiful beaches there.

Also while vising Spouting Horn, I believe u drive by the old Coco Palms Hotel where Evis did his movie "Blue Hawaii".

Have fun!

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Now, I want to go :icecream

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I'm thinking if we cruise there are around the islands I would only have to unpack once and then pack to fly home.

Still looking at all options.

Not to keen on packing and unpacking to move from island to island.

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Kauai. Waimea Canyon. It's amazing, and gorgeous, but don't expect the scale to be anything like the "real" GC. ;)

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We own a travel agency and book cruise travel every day. The number one complained about cruise in the world is the Hawaii Island Cruises - especially on NCL. It is absolutely the WORST cruise we have ever had out of over 30 cruises by my wife and I. I do not in any way recommend you to cruise the islands. Fly to Oahu spend a few days, fly to Maui, spend a few days, fly to Kauai and spend a few days. That is just my opinion and suggestion.

Re: Hawaii
 

When we were in Maui, I watched the cruise ships out in the ocean and wondered why in the world someone would choose to spend their time on a ship in the ocean when they could spend their time instead on these beautiful islands. Just didn't make any sense to me. I want to go on a cruise sometime. But not to Hawaii. In the Hawaiian islands, I want my feet to be firmly planted on terra firma.

Re: Hawaii
 

AB, the cruise we took from Honolulu to Los Angeles was our first NCL cruise and it was a big disappointment after cruising on Celebrity and RCCL. The ship was only two years old and beautiful but the staff was kind of clueless. Probably because they were American since it was a US flagged ship unlike most cruise ships. Americans are just not as good it seems at the hospitality industry as some cultures.

Re: Hawaii
 

Margie, that is kind of my thoughts also. We did a cruise but it was from Hawaii to Los Angeles after we spent five nights at a hotel in Honolulu.

I think cruises are great but if I were going to Hawaii to visit Hawaii I would stay on land as it is a beautiful place.

Re: Hawaii
 

Departing STL now

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Bon voyage!

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Have a good trip.

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See you guys there!

http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/pic...pictureid=1237

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Have fun!

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It was my understanding that they brought you into the islands not stayed out in the ocean???