Hawaii Summer '08 - Suggestions??

SME · Post by **SME** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:03 am

Hi! My husband and I are going to Hawaii for the 2nd time this summer, in part of our one-year anniversary! We are going to be spending 2 whole weeks there this time and already have an idea of things we want to do.

However, I'd like to get some suggestions from others that have been to Hawaii. Particularly Oahu and Maui. We are probably going to tour Maui for 2-3 days and spend the rest on Oahu. Last year, we toured the Big Island and loved it there, so we may do that again as well. I have no information on Maui though as we did not go there last year.

Any suggestions? We love to do new stuff and depending on how extreme it is we may opt to do it. We've done luau's, stayed on Waikiki (we are staying there again), visited Chinatown, went to Ko Olina and swam with sharks on the north shore. I know we've missed out on a lot of things, so please share anything you've done and anything that would be something 'not to miss'. I've heard mixed reviews about the Polynesian Cultural Center which is why we skipped it the first time.

Thanks!

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:03 am

First you must download me to your personal computer.

EternityOfPain · Post by **EternityOfPain** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:52 am

Maui is an awesome place to visit, I suggest checking out "The Hana trail." Its a whole day event where you tour the backside of the island, visit several waterfalls, see there great rainbow trees, + tons more. The views you see are simply amazing stuff. I suggest going with the small mini van option. There are several different vehicles you can choose but the smaller the vehicle the more 1 to 1 questions you can ask your tour guide which i found pretty cool.

Another thing I found was great was Biking down the dormant volcano. This is my favorite activity i did in Maui. Early in the morning (2 AM) they take you up the largest dormant volcano in the world (over 10,000 feet) to first see the sunrise (its really cold so i recommend wearing lots of layers, hats, gloves the whole 9-yards) after seeing the sunrise you begin the bike down. They have it setup where you follow the tour guide down the mountain. The really amazing part is that you go through so many different eco-systems. The ride lasts for the most of the day and the best part is. Its all down hill, (except for the very end) so very little peddling is needed. Its fun stuff. Also at one point you can literally see the entire island from coast to coast. That view alone is worth checking out this event.

I also recommend you check out zip-lining. That’s really fun too. Basically your strapped on a harness and you well.. zip-line from tree to tree up on the mountain side. Very fun.

Also I recommend checking out "Big Beach" and if your feeling adventerous... "Little Beach." Those are the popular beaches on Maui. Big Beach has some killer waves. Little Beach is famous because its a nude beach

It was a blast and I am sure you will have a kick ass time. I did alot of other things i can't really remember at the momment lol. If i get a chance i might be able to show you some pics we took.

Ryouko · Post by **Ryouko** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:48 pm

I highly recommend a visit and stay at the "Volcano House". ^_^ It's a beautiful inn with a restaurant, and has a view of a still smoking volcanic crater. It's located up on a mountain (or so) so it's a bit of a drive, but totally worth it.

My family has been to the Polynesian Center before, and we absolutely loved it. The show they put on in the evening is fantastic. :)

ReiTheJelly · Post by **ReiTheJelly** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:06 pm

I'd love to help, but my timeshare is on Kauai, so I don't know much about Maui or Oahu (I try to avoid Oahu since my crazy cousins live there...I spend the obligatory "dinner with them before my flight back to the mainland", but that's it.)

Post by **Kaona** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:04 pm

SME, why not Kauai?! I've spent a lot of time on Maui and Big Island, but my favorite place on earth is North Shore Kauai. It has to be one of the most beautiful and romantic places on Earth. Stunning, and by far my favorite of the islands. You can do everything from zip lining, ATV, horseback riding on the beach or up to waterfalls, paddling up the Hanalei River, snorkeling off Niihau...great place.

Not sure if you have your accommodations lined up, but we usually stay in Kapalua on Maui. If your budget is tighter, and you don't mind a little bit of 70's decor, Honokeana Cove condos puts you oceanfront with a small chilly pool, at half the cost of Kapalua. The cove in front is one of the best places to snorkel with turtles in all of Hawaii. It is located in Napili and walking distance to The Gazebo Restaurant. This place is legend. Greatest breakfasts on the shore - mac pancakes with coconut syrup, listening to the waves crashing....ahhhhhh. Line forms at 7am....opens at 7:30 if I remember correctly.

If you want to get remote, Hana is the place to go. The Sea Ranch Cottages at the Hotel Hana Maui face the ocean with outdoor jacuzzi tubs on your private deck! Talk about incredibly romantic - drinking bubbly in the jacuzzi in the rain with a full moon rainbow (moonbow) in the night sky. Palm trees swaying in the wind. From there you can check out the black sand beach, the brilliant green sand beach is a five minute walk from the hotel, hiking up the "7 Sacred Pools", Lindburgh's grave. Very nice, but Hana is incredibly expensive.

From what I've heard, the Polynesian Cultural Center is great, and so is the Swap Meet on Oahu. Everyone I know from Oahu goes to the swap meet when they go home.

buttrflym · Post by **buttrflym** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:43 pm

Hana is the thing to do on Maui if you like all that green stuff. It is pretty but what a drive. Takes 3-4 hours to go about 50-70 miles. You really have to plan that one. It is long cause of traffic and people stopping to take pictures. You can get the best banana bread I have ever had at little stands along the road and some very nice hand woven baskets. Just remember to pack a lunch because there is virtually no food in Hana except roadside stands. Amazing to the rest of us, NO FASTFOOD!

Somewhere near Hana is also the black sand beaches and a volcanic tube system you can hike. There are signs for both and it is a neat stop.

Also on Maui is one of the best places for a luau at Old Lahaina Luau. They do a traditional show that sticks more to the original idea. I also second the idea of biking the mountain. I liked doing it at sunrise but sheesh that was way early! Hmm...I know there is more but eh, can't think this early in the morning. Make sure you go surfing!

The other island I was only on for a day so didn't do all that much. I hope you have a great trip!

SME · Post by **SME** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:48 pm

Thank you all for the information! The ziplining, surfing and paddling all sound like great ideas! I didn't think much to visit Kauai, mainly because I don't know of many people who have visited the island. But I may go ahead and book a day there because it sounds like a nice tranquil place. I really appreciate all the suggestions!

How about places to eat? I love Genki sushi, the idea was just phenomenal with a rotating sushi belt. I don't eat sushi much, but they had a variety that I could deal with, including (I know, totally WEIRD) hot dog sushi. I'm looking for a restaurant that is to die for, and should not be missed. We have a pretty unlimited budget so money isn't a factor. Duke's is a great place just to hang with the touristy crowd and talk to people from different places around the world.

I've heard a lot about the swap meet but didn't have time to get out to one when we last met. I also realized how incredibly cheap and efficient TheBus is out there too...if I would have realized it sooner I could have saved about $500 in cab fees. It was so expensive to get around the island without a rental car. I was thinking about getting a rental when I realized TheBus goes everywhere...that wasn't bad at all!

My husband keeps mentioning about moving out there. I have two friends that just recently relocated and they are loving it. I've heard mixed messages about living out there, so I'm not sure. I'd love to hear more suggestions if anyone else has any!

sugarcels · Post by **sugarcels** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:26 pm

Really? My sister went to Kauai on her honeymoon recently, and they were very bored. They regretted that they didn't pick a better place in Hawaii to visit, because there was only so much they could do. Oh, and the wild roosters drove her crazy

SqueakyGate · Post by **SqueakyGate** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:06 am

We just took our belated honeymoon in Hawaii last November staying in Waikiki, Hilo (Big Island) and southern Kauai. If you like nature activities, Kauai is not to be missed. If you only like lively nightlife activities, you will disappointed. We were looking for a laid back vacation, so Kauai was perfect for us.

I took a kayak tour up a river and hiked to some falls- that was pretty cool.But found tree roots to be treacherous (no wonder I had to sign a waiver) http://www.outfitterskauai.com/wailua.html
Lots of snorkeling as well. We didn’t mind the roosters at all. Though strangely they are EVERYWHERE on Kauai… even in the rainforest. Apparently during a particularly severe hurricane years ago, they were literally blown all over the island.

Since we were also there during my husband’s birthday, I arranged for him to take a Hawaiian guitar lesson from a very nice man named Hal Kinnamen on Kauai. http://halkinnaman.com/aindexinstruct.htmlHal lives in a small town named Hanapepe which is also an artist/ gallery community. While hubby was having a great time playing music, I had a lovely time exploring shops and talking to artists.

We were lucky enough to be on Oahu the first Friday of the month when the monthly Art Walk takes place in Honolulu’s China Town. That was really nice. http://www.yelp.com/biz/first-friday-art-walk-honolulu

In Waikiki, we stayed at Hotel Renew (which was called Oceanview Aqua Tower before their renovation)http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... k05b:10023

If you need a pool and lively bar, this isn’t the place for you. But is was incredibly convenient to both the beach and the bus line AND a very good value. I’m turning into a devout fan of tripadvisor as I have found the reviews to be accurate.

Our favorite place to eat in Honolulu was:

Mei Sum Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant
65 N Pauahi St
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 531-3268

both of us ate to bursting for under $15 total –which is absurdly low for Honolulu. We liked it so much that we ate there twice! My mouth is watering just thinking about their shrimp dumplings.

Coming back from Pearl Harbor, we stopped at a shopping center in Waikiki called Kings Village and stumbled upon a lovely little tea room named Cha No Ma. We were served the most fragrant and delicate tea by a Japanese student named Ken. http://www.kings-village.com/cha/ You should go. The prep method is Chinese and served in small sipping cups allowing the drinker to savor the aroma. Very relaxing experience after siteseeing and shopping.

I hope you have a great time. This was my first trip to Hawaii and I thought it was going to be a cliché destination, (and it could have been if I had done the tourest trap stuff) but I was pleasantly surprised.