Anyone been to Hawaii? Got any advice?

Yeah, I was thinking we can hit up a walmart or something and buy stuff to eat for some meals like you mentioned. I dont mind eating cheap, haha.

 

I’ve lived on oahu for over 20 years. Friend of mine owned a tourist desk for a decade of that. I have some associates and friends that own some rental car companies and air B and B and other such things as well.

It would take me forever to write out my thoughts and opinions and find out what you’re into and such.

PM me if you have any specific questions but at least Pm me what what you and your wife like to do (ages are helpful) and your preferences about hotels and tourist activities. Preferences being, nightlife, hotel types, rental car types are you into hiking (how long and type of trails, etc etc etc. Any other general travel questions, as well as an idea of what your budget looks like and I can put something together for you I’m sure. Or hell, just give me a call.

 

I ALWAYS go cheap on hotels or air b n b when my wife and I travel. All we care about is a bed, a power outlet, and a safe place to leave our stuff.

However in Hawaii we went with her brother and he likes big hotels. I would go cheap, but call and find out if they charge separately for parking. Most big ones like Hilton charge daily for parking, $30 a day, not sure if small hotels charge or even have parking.

I wouldn't plan on island hopping for now. Its hard to do with covid restrictions because your 72 hour test only covers the one island you land on from your departure, you have to jump through more hoops to go to another island.

There is a lot to see in Oahu. If I go there again I will spend my days around North Shore and come back to Waikiki in the evenings. The jurassic park area is cool too, I have a friend who lives there literally on the beach looking at the mountains from jurassic.

The is on the outside of the ranch where jurassic was filmed. I went to a park down the road from the ranch.


My friends back yard faces China man's hat. When the tide drops you can walk to that island.


This is a "secret" beach near the pillbox hiking trails. Beautiful water but beware of jellyfish.

 

Cool, I'll send you a PM. Ha.

 

We went to Kauai on honeymoon 18 years ago. Oahu 3x in the past 8 years (work). Maui 5x in the past 8 years (work/fun), and are booked for Maui in November.

I think everyone should do Waikiki at least once and hitting up Pearl Harbor is a must. You can make a great trip over 5 days in Oahu hitting Waikiki, Pearl, Diamond Head, North Shore, etc.

The itineraries above for Maui are spot on. We prefer 7-10 days in Maui to get a good mix of activities and beach time. North Maui has some nicer hotels. We stay in a VRBO in South Maui.

We were thinking of Kauai this year but with Covid we decided to take a trip we were more familiar with. Maybe next year. But, comments about Kauai being a step slower seems spot on still.

I think the comments on Covid above are accurate. Will cross that bridge when we get closer as things are changing all the time.

Airfare is by far the most expensive it has ever been for us, and what really shocked me is car rental pricing. Outrageous... so, plan ahead here.

Good luck and have fun!

 

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Going to take all that and do some research on what will work for us.

 

Hawaii flights are BOOKED! Going to Oahu the week of Labor Day. Now to find a place to stay and figure out what to do, ha.

 

If you want to stay in Waikiki and are made of money, I'd recommend this place. I wish we'd stayed here.



Definitely don't stay at the Ohana East by Outrigger. Not nice at all, though the cafe on the main level was pretty good for breakfast.

 

Heading out to the Big Island myself on July 8th for 8 nights. Wife and I are staying at the Hilton in Waikoloa Village. Can't wait.

 

Nice! If you or your wife like sweet breakfast I would suggest trying the Elvis pancakes at the MAC 24/7 restaurant. I'm not a huge pancakes fan but had to try it. I didn't eat for a full day after this meal. LOL
https://youtu.be/NxjdunAt1Ks

 

NICE!! I'm down for that.. ha

 

Best breakfast we found in Waikiki was Cheeseburger in Paradise.

 

Don't spend your time on Oahu unless you want to do a lot of tourist stuff and shop for trinkets. Kauai is a real nice island. The Big Island is also nice.