We were in Hawaii in 2006 for 2 nights on our way back from Australia. We stayed at the Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel which was fine. Unfortunately I'd picked up quite a bad cough and cold so Hawaii to some extent is remembered through red eyes and an even redder nose

As we only had one full day, we did find a trip that took us to Pearl Harbour and the Arizona Memorial (worth visiting as we found it extremely moving) in the morning followed by a tour of the Island (Oahu,I think it is) in the afternoon. Again, worth doing. Had a quick look through my papers but can't find the name of the tour operator but I'm sure someone else can help.

Yep, this is the right forum

If you enter 'Hawaii' in a topic search you'll find a small amount of info.

Pippy

You need to decide which Island you want to visit, most people think of Hawaii as just Oahu and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, but the other Islands are probably just as attractive.
I stayed in Waikiki for four days in 2002 as part of a round the world tour, I enjoyed it but wished I had visited another island as friends told us Maui is lovely. If I went again I would do a two or three island holiday.
As the previous poster said, on Oahu visit The Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbour, it's very moving, the north of Oahu is very different, much less touristy. I visited an area not far from Waikiki called Hanauma Bay which had a lovely beach and clear waters for snorkelling and seeing lots of colourful fish. If you like walking a hike to the top of Diamond Head which is just a couple of miles from Waikiki is well worth doing as you can see for miles.
I found prices for food and accomodation quite high, but I live in Germany and back then I found the Uk much more expensive than where I lived, so UK residents might not find it expensive and of course with the dollar being very low against the pound prices should seem very reasonable.

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we went,for 4 nights in oct 06,before flying back to florida.
we stayed at the ohana east hotel,which was 1 street back,from waikiki beach.
we also visited pearl harbour,the arizona memorial & uss missiouri.very moving & i would highly recommend,this trip.
we also done the polynesian cultural centre trip.this is a full day,but again highly recommended.
another thing we did,was the trip,in the submarine.our grandaughter,really enjoyed doing this.
we didn't find the food expensive,as across the road,from the hotel,there was an all you can eat place & because we had our 6 yr old grandaughter,with us,we tended to eat there,as she loved it.she felt very grown up,being able to go up & help herself & the food,was good as well.
i would not go,for a full fortnights holiday,unless i was island hopping.4 nights,was long enough for us.mind you,maybe 5 or 6,but definately not a fortnight.
i have some photos,in the photo album,if you take a look.i don't know,how to post links though.maybe one of the mods,could point you,in the right direction.
we travelled with united vacations & i could not fault them.about £2000 cheaper,than virgin quoted us.
tracy

Thanks for your replies!

I'm planning on spending about 2 weeks visiting Hawaii, and really want the traditional type island. Maybe Maui would be the one to plump for? Sounds very nice according to the brochures. I don't really want anywhere that's too commercialised; just somewhere with soft, sandy beaches, perfumed flowers (I've heard on one of the islands the locals put garlands of Frangipanis around your neck when you step off the plane) and where you can sip coconut and pineapple cocktails filled with rum while listening to that lovely Hawaiin music.............the sort of Hawaii you see portrayed in films. Grass skirts....the lot!

Do you think Maui would fit the bill?

Thanks again in advance.

Strawberry

The friend who told me about Maui had worked in Hawaii(Oahu)for a few years and had visited all the Islands, he said that his favourite was The Big Island (Hawaii) because of the volcano which is awsome. But he recommended Maui to me, he said it's very different to Oahu, much quieter and very beautiful, I think he said the road to Hana was spectacular with lovely beaches and waterfalls.
To me Waikiki is just another crowded resort with lots of high rise hotels , the beach though long, is surprisingly narrow and could I suspect get crowded, great for someone wanting a lively resort but not for a quiet relaxing holiday. Having said that I didn't dislike Waikiki it just wasn't the sort of place I would want to spend more than a few days but I found other parts of the island attractive and fairly unspoiled.
From what I understand anyone staying on any of the islands apart from Oahu would need to hire a car
as public transport is practically non-existent. Hotel prices aren't cheap but the standards are usually very high.

Hi Judith,

Thank you for your reply........................Maui definitely sounds as though it fits the bill.

That drive your friend mentioned - the one with lovely beaches and waterfalls has made my mind up for me; and I really want somewhere that is unspoilt.

Did your friend mention what the food and drink was like? Is it American/Polynesian style do you know? Any other tips on local customs etc would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards

Strawberry

Hi, I have been lucky enough to visit both Oahu and Maui. Maui wins hands down. I went there for 10 days in Jan/Feb 2007. I rented a private condo right on next to the beach. Hired this through http://www.vbro.com. Not cheap, but worth every penny. To sit on the balcony constantly watching whales breach was wonderful. We did various things whilst there. I did do a trip report at the time - Las Vegas, San Francisco and Maui. See if you can dig it out, it may give you an idea???

Feel free to ask any questions.

oh, a car is a must!

Strawberry

Sorry my friend didn't mention the food, maybe Jannerlilly can give you an idea. On Oahu the restaurants were mostly normal American style, some chain names, though there were a few that served local foods and I did see some of the hotels had Hawaiin Theme nights where they had a Luau.

Judith

Strawberry

I'm sooo jealous that you're visiting Hawaii.... I LOVE it there!!!!!

I'd suggest visiting a couple of the islands. Have a look at Kauai too - I've been to the four main islands and Kauai was definately my favourite, and the one I'd imagined Hawaii to be like. Maui is beautiful but bear in mind that a lot of the island is very commercialised as it's where many Americans go to get married / have their honeymoon. Whereabouts were you planning to stay?

U2fan

Hi U2fan,

So Kauai is less commercialised than Maui? That's what I'm looking for.............the kind of Hawaii you see portrayed in old Hollywood films. You know, white sandy beaches soft as talc, palm trees, hammocks, Hawaiin music......I don't want anything commercialised or where there's hoardes of tourists.

I was speaking to a cabin crew once, and she told me she visited Hawaii years' back and said the smell of flowers hit her as she stepped off the plane (not sure which island she went to) and that it was the most beautiful and loveliest place she'd ever been to - and she'd been near enough everywhere.

I'm researching as much as I can before booking so will now take a look at Kauai too. Could you island-hop and do both? Say, a week in each? Or would you say Kauai is what I'm looking for?

Also, I take it the food is International/American but was wondering if it had a Polynesian influence? And the wine; is it mainly South American? I hope so cos I kinda like Chilean!

Oh, one more thing..........the weather! When are the best months to go? I'm thinking Spring (well, between March and May).

Thanks ever so in advance

Strawberry

Hi Strawberry

I'm sure U2fan will be back to give you some answers, but I know lots of companies do holidays to more than one Island, so there is always the possibility of going to two, ether through a Tour Operator or DIY.
As to the wine you probably can get Chilean wine but remember that the USA is a wine producing nation so I would imagine that there will be a majority of Califirnian wines on offer.
I was in Hawaii in March and the weather was perfect.

Kauai sounds exactly what you're looking for. We stayed on the east coast but I'd recommend staying on the north coast which is so pretty especially if you're going later in the spring/summer, i.e. May rather than March.

You can easily do two islands in two weeks (we did four islands in just under three weeks!) - I'd suggest that you experience at least two different islands - they are all so different. I haven't been but the north coast of Oahu is supposed to be very beautiful. That's where the film 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' was set.

I'd say that generally the food in Hawaii has more of a Polynesian influence than American. We expected chips to come with everything, but it didn't. Regarding the wine - I'm not sure about South American wines; I like Zinfandel and I drank a lot of it out there! :>) Just a word of warning, alcohol isn't cheap.

Have a look at this link - some good tips on Kauai: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29218-c85164/Kauai:Hawaii:Kauai.Info.html

BTW, the Hawaii forum on http://www.tripadvisor.com is a great source of info.

U2fan

Hi U2fan,

Oh you've been ever so helpful! Thank you.

I've taken a look at Oahu and Maui on the Trip Advisor links you sent me - but I've definitely plumped for the north coast of Kauai.

The beaches, scenery and sunsets look out of this world!

I read on Trip Advisor that there are also plenty of secluded beaches on that stretch of coastline - are there any you could recommend? Or is it a case of driving out and finding them? Also, are there any stretches of beach where the sea is very pale and shallow - and which you can walk out quite some distance before it becomes deep?

Also, could you recommend a tour operator, or is it better to book DIY?

Thank you again for your help!

Strawberry

Hi

Tunnels and Ke'e Beaches are supposed to be the best on Kauai (I haven't been to either). If I returned to Kauai, I'd definately stay at the Princeville Hotel - it looks amazing!

These links might be useful re-the beaches. The 'Ultimate Kauai Handbook' is the 'blue book' 'blue bible' that people refer to - it's an excellent guidebook.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29218-c3792/Kauai:Hawaii:Beaches.And.The.Ocean.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k864134-Kauai_beaches-Kauai_Hawaii.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29218-d207414-Reviews-Tunnels_Beach-Kauai_Hawaii.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k2123021-What_are_the_beaches_like-Kauai_Hawaii.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k1650734-Hawaii_Virgin_What_are_the_beaches_like_in_Kauai-Kauai_Hawaii.html

http://www.bestplaceshawaii.com/tips/10_best/beaches.html

U2fan

Oh thanks for those links, U2fan..................you've been a GREAT help!!!

I'll take a look at those (and the Princeville) and then get cracking on my booking!



Strawberry