Discussion
Before I start googling; any tips from people who've already been? Should we try to get to all (the main) islands or are they much of a muchness? Are there direct flights from the UK? Is Hawaii standard US prices for hotels/car hire/food or is it pricier? Are there cruises from the US west coast to Hawaii?
Don't bother with Honolulu it will put you off Hawaii and give you a very bad impression. Others say to go to Pearl Harbor but it isn't enough of a reason to go to that Island alone. Instead go to Maui and Kauai and as your flights will go through Oahu you may get enough of a lay over to see the highlights on Oahu anyway. We did this and booked a hire car from our hotel at a bargain price. Both Maui and Kauai are beautiful islands and offer the Hawaii you may have in your mind.
I have done a helicopter tour on both Islands. Both well worth it but if you want to see the Jurassic Park waterfall then kauai is the on to go for.
I was there over Christmas and new year and when you drive around the islands you can see whales very close in. Its their breeding time of year and is very impressive.
Be very aware of the waves around Hawaii though. During any time of the year the ocean is not to be advised for kids. During December the waves on some beaches break above my 6 ft 3 head. I'm 18 stone (fat not muscle)and the waves picked me up and dropped me on the beech and took a layer of skin off by sliding me on the sand. (painful and blood was involved). Not saying this to scare you, just be aware.
We got our car though Mauijeeps.com who supply jeeps from the main agents. Jeeps get a hard life here so take a good look over the car. I was a fool and picked up in the night and only found out the tires were bald when coming down the side of a volcano in the rain. This was from a major rental place such as National or Avis. When i went grand cherokees were similar in price but when you do the road to Hana they are a bit big.
Do the road to Hana. don't treat it as a rally and stop frequently. there are some famous stops that get crowded but other areas can be found and are fantastic. My wife and I trekked a very short way to find an almost deserted waterfall and was fantastic.
Budgets for hotels are all over the place but look out for buy 4 nights and get one free deals. these even apply at the 5 star resorts. No idea of prices as the last time I was there was in 2009. If 5 star is your budget the fourseasons get the best reviews and deserve it.
I have only been to 3 islands so others will have different and very valid experiences which I am looking forward to reading.
Enjoy the trip
I have done a helicopter tour on both Islands. Both well worth it but if you want to see the Jurassic Park waterfall then kauai is the on to go for.
I was there over Christmas and new year and when you drive around the islands you can see whales very close in. Its their breeding time of year and is very impressive.
Be very aware of the waves around Hawaii though. During any time of the year the ocean is not to be advised for kids. During December the waves on some beaches break above my 6 ft 3 head. I'm 18 stone (fat not muscle)and the waves picked me up and dropped me on the beech and took a layer of skin off by sliding me on the sand. (painful and blood was involved). Not saying this to scare you, just be aware.
We got our car though Mauijeeps.com who supply jeeps from the main agents. Jeeps get a hard life here so take a good look over the car. I was a fool and picked up in the night and only found out the tires were bald when coming down the side of a volcano in the rain. This was from a major rental place such as National or Avis. When i went grand cherokees were similar in price but when you do the road to Hana they are a bit big.
Do the road to Hana. don't treat it as a rally and stop frequently. there are some famous stops that get crowded but other areas can be found and are fantastic. My wife and I trekked a very short way to find an almost deserted waterfall and was fantastic.
Budgets for hotels are all over the place but look out for buy 4 nights and get one free deals. these even apply at the 5 star resorts. No idea of prices as the last time I was there was in 2009. If 5 star is your budget the fourseasons get the best reviews and deserve it.
I have only been to 3 islands so others will have different and very valid experiences which I am looking forward to reading.
Enjoy the trip
Well, I partly agree and partly disagree!
My memory is a bit hazy - I think we spent a total of 12 days in Hawaii a couple of years ago - but I think the islands are sufficiently different to try and stay on 3 different ones:
We started on Oahu, which wasn't classy by any means but is definitely worth a visit to see Waikiki beach and Pearl Harbour - my wife and i found this very moving. There is also an interesting Polynesian cultural centre on this island.
We then spent some R&R time on Kaui - beautiful scenery - the "doors off" helicopter tour is highly recommended. We stayed at Princeville which has the equisite Princes Golf course, probably the most amazing (and long / difficult) course I've played on.
We then finished off with a stay on Big Island where I did some Manta Ray diving and then we drove around the volcanos (plus another helicopter tour) over the active lava flows etc.
I'm happy to be corrected by someone in the know, but I thnk Maui and Kaui are fairly similar.
It's a long way, but an amazing trip!
Sidicks
My memory is a bit hazy - I think we spent a total of 12 days in Hawaii a couple of years ago - but I think the islands are sufficiently different to try and stay on 3 different ones:
We started on Oahu, which wasn't classy by any means but is definitely worth a visit to see Waikiki beach and Pearl Harbour - my wife and i found this very moving. There is also an interesting Polynesian cultural centre on this island.
We then spent some R&R time on Kaui - beautiful scenery - the "doors off" helicopter tour is highly recommended. We stayed at Princeville which has the equisite Princes Golf course, probably the most amazing (and long / difficult) course I've played on.
We then finished off with a stay on Big Island where I did some Manta Ray diving and then we drove around the volcanos (plus another helicopter tour) over the active lava flows etc.
I'm happy to be corrected by someone in the know, but I thnk Maui and Kaui are fairly similar.
It's a long way, but an amazing trip!
Sidicks
PaulHogan said:
Before I start googling; any tips from people who've already been? Should we try to get to all (the main) islands or are they much of a muchness? Are there direct flights from the UK? Is Hawaii standard US prices for hotels/car hire/food or is it pricier? Are there cruises from the US west coast to Hawaii?
I lived in Hawaii for 7 years (Maui). Honolulu (Oahu) is a concrete jungle. The locals call it the LA of the South Pacific. Having said that, it is a must for Pearl Harbor, cocktails at the Sheraton on Waikiki Beach and obviously the Banzai Pipeline (North Shore) to see the radical surfers. Kauai is beautiful. Like a scene from Jurassic Park (parts of the movie were filmed there). Not much else to do there though.
Big Island (Hawaii) is somewhat scruffy but has the attraction of Kilauea volcano. A helicopter over the lava flows is expensive but a "once in a lifetime". You can see the lava running through cracks in the crust. You can drive to the edge of the cauldron if you like. You can also walk through a dry lava tube which is quite something. Amazing but very stinky with the sulphur gas. Kealakekua Bay is interesting. Take a small boat or kayak a short distance across the small harbour to the monument marking the place of Captain Cook's murder. When I was returning by kayak the last time, early evening, marlin and dolphins were jumping across the bow of the kayak! The "Big Island" is probably the most Hawaiian of all the islands and it certainly has that laid back feel, although (other than Kona town) it is a little 3rd world in most places.
Maui IMHO is by a long stretch the best. It has the Hawaiian feel, but with the class and sophitication of a 5-Star resort. The beaches are world class and idyllic (that's why George Harrison chose to live there). There is lots to do (horse riding in the rain forest, drive around the extinct volcano, sports fishing, great restaurants, etc). Make sure you spend most of your time in West Maui (particularly Lahaina Town) as the Kahului (east side) is very "local". Lahaina has fantastic restaurants and great pubs & bars. West Maui has brilliant beaches, resorts and golf clubs. A trip to Hana and the rain forest is a must (if you've got a full day). Jump into the Seven Sacred Pools and visit the chapel where Charles Lindeburg (famous aviator, if you didn't know) is buried. If you're staying in Maui, I would suggest David Paul's Lahaina Grill for dinner - it's world class.
Molokai is a very Hawaiian island. Unspoilt but very quiet. It was a leper colony. Great for horseback riding or a trip to the former colony.
Lanai is the pineapple island. Nothing to see but thousands of acres of pineapple fields.
There are cruises from the west coast, but in all honesty you will be losing 3 days on the water getting to Hawaii. My advice would be to either fly to Honolulu and pick up one of the island hopping cruise ships. They will do Maui, Kauai and Big Island, although you will not be in any one place long enough to know it. EVEN BETTER fly-drive, in which case I would do 3 days Oahu, maybe 1 day in Kauai (very short internal flight), 2 days on Hawaii (Big Island) to see the volcano and Cook's bay, then at least 5 days or more on Maui depending on budget (Maui can be expensive).
Too much stuff really, I'd be writing a small guide book. PM me if you like, with any specific questions. Once you've made your mind up what you wanna do/see, let me know and I'll try to hook you up with locals who will be happy to assist you further. The Hawaiian people are truly fabulous and always happy to see you. Just don't expect flower leis as you get off the plane (Hawaii Five 0 and Magnum style). All that stuff stopped in the early 80's! You will leave feeling like you've left family behind though. Hope this helps.
I'll just add to all the above -
We went in 2009 and stayed on Big Island, Oahu and Kauai.
If (and I certainly recommend it) you do any heli tours, then the one to go with is Paradise Helicopters in Kailua Kona, Hilo on Big Island.
At the time they were the only heli tour that could land on the side of Kilauea. http://paradisecopters.com/tourInfo.php?]TourNo=HE...
A chance to actually see flowing lava under your feet.
The only way to see the best of Kauai is also by air.
eta - we all got flower leis at the airport!
We went in 2009 and stayed on Big Island, Oahu and Kauai.
If (and I certainly recommend it) you do any heli tours, then the one to go with is Paradise Helicopters in Kailua Kona, Hilo on Big Island.
At the time they were the only heli tour that could land on the side of Kilauea. http://paradisecopters.com/tourInfo.php?]TourNo=HE...
A chance to actually see flowing lava under your feet.
The only way to see the best of Kauai is also by air.
eta - we all got flower leis at the airport!
sidicks said:
Well, I partly agree and partly disagree!
We then finished off with a stay on Big Island where I did some Manta Ray diving and then we drove around the volcanos (plus another helicopter tour) over the active lava flows etc.
Sidicks
Did you do the diving in the bay by the Sheraton Hotel?We then finished off with a stay on Big Island where I did some Manta Ray diving and then we drove around the volcanos (plus another helicopter tour) over the active lava flows etc.
Sidicks
They were doing it when we were there - I didn't go down but am kicking myself now!
Zip106 said:
Did you do the diving in the bay by the Sheraton Hotel?
They were doing it when we were there - I didn't go down but am kicking myself now!
Yes, that's right, at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay resort. A tremendous experience, really glad I did it. I think they have a guarantee that if you don't see Mantas one night you can have a free trip the following night. They were doing it when we were there - I didn't go down but am kicking myself now!
I was lucky, as we were only staying there for 3 nights, and it was only on the final night that I was able to do the Manta trip, so it was all or nothing!! As a scuba diver I was staying at the bottom while the Manta barrel-rolled in front of me, collecting the plankton where i was shining my lights. If you don't dive then there were plenty of people snorkelling on the surface, supported by floats, who got an equally good view given how clear the water is.
Sidicks
I have not experienced all the islands, but I stayed at Wailea resort and Spa on Maui. http://www.grandwailea.com/
As has been said, there are many good beaches, forest lands, the volcano ("active but in a currently inactive state" as tourism would have it), great sunsets from Wailea over the half sunken molokini volcano - which is great for scuba, sunrises from the top of the volcano etc..
The road to Hana is very picturesque through the forests and winding its way around the cliffs. As has been said, you can stop to jump into a waterfall and buy pineapple and banana cake from shacks on the side of the road. It's well worth taking your time on the way to Hana - and then blast it on the way back as your passenger will be hanging over the cliff edge! There isn't that much at Hana (or wasn't in 2001) in the way of restaurants, so take some food.
Things to do:
Snorkel in Molokini.
Horse riding from one of the ranches half way up the volcano, down to ride along the beach and then back up for the "cowboy barbie" (ahum).
Gravity bike ride from the top of the volcano down the banked roads that Reagan built for the Starwars project.
Helicopters (we did http://www.bluehawaiian.com/maui/).
Beach barbies / picnics / music with the locals etc at weekends.
Restaurants / livelier areas up the west coast in the evening.
chill.... enjoy.
Beaches are ok as has been said, but it got windy every afternoon while we were there (June / July) and sandblasted us quite well.
As has been said, there are many good beaches, forest lands, the volcano ("active but in a currently inactive state" as tourism would have it), great sunsets from Wailea over the half sunken molokini volcano - which is great for scuba, sunrises from the top of the volcano etc..
The road to Hana is very picturesque through the forests and winding its way around the cliffs. As has been said, you can stop to jump into a waterfall and buy pineapple and banana cake from shacks on the side of the road. It's well worth taking your time on the way to Hana - and then blast it on the way back as your passenger will be hanging over the cliff edge! There isn't that much at Hana (or wasn't in 2001) in the way of restaurants, so take some food.
Things to do:
Snorkel in Molokini.
Horse riding from one of the ranches half way up the volcano, down to ride along the beach and then back up for the "cowboy barbie" (ahum).
Gravity bike ride from the top of the volcano down the banked roads that Reagan built for the Starwars project.
Helicopters (we did http://www.bluehawaiian.com/maui/).
Beach barbies / picnics / music with the locals etc at weekends.
Restaurants / livelier areas up the west coast in the evening.
chill.... enjoy.
Beaches are ok as has been said, but it got windy every afternoon while we were there (June / July) and sandblasted us quite well.
A shark cage on the North Shore was the highlight of my trip.
http://www.sharktourshawaii.com/
We stayed in the Hilton on Waikiki beach. It is very built up in places. However, that really suited as we are beach and city people.
It also suited my wife as there were shops of every designer in spitting distance.
http://www.sharktourshawaii.com/
We stayed in the Hilton on Waikiki beach. It is very built up in places. However, that really suited as we are beach and city people.
It also suited my wife as there were shops of every designer in spitting distance.
I have been to the big island and agree with what has been mentioned above.
I found it a really interesting place, with a very varied climate for a small island. Hot on the beach and cold and wet up in the mountains/volcano area.
Walking across the dried lava plains was really interesting and strangely beautiful.
I didn't bother with a heli flight near the volcanic area, as watching them from the ground I could see that they couldn't get near anything interesting (for your safety).
The lava flow is always changing, so you never know what you are going to see, if anything.
I avoided the busy hotels and instead stayed at B&B's, some of which where very good and private.
It was easy to take a drive and find a nice quiet beach.
My visual memories are of beautiful sunsets and fascinating scenery.
When can I go back?
I found it a really interesting place, with a very varied climate for a small island. Hot on the beach and cold and wet up in the mountains/volcano area.
Walking across the dried lava plains was really interesting and strangely beautiful.
I didn't bother with a heli flight near the volcanic area, as watching them from the ground I could see that they couldn't get near anything interesting (for your safety).
The lava flow is always changing, so you never know what you are going to see, if anything.
I avoided the busy hotels and instead stayed at B&B's, some of which where very good and private.
It was easy to take a drive and find a nice quiet beach.
My visual memories are of beautiful sunsets and fascinating scenery.
When can I go back?
Our heli actually landed on the side of the volcano.( it appears they've suspended that for the time being, unfortunately)
We then walked for a good 30 minutes across the 6 month old lava, looking at the lava tubes flowing beneath us.
Just as we stepped onto the lava there was an earthquake.... buttock clenching moment, I can tell you!
I really need to go back and do Maui, but also need to go to Kauai again - I just love it there.
OP - the other thing to consider is the stop off on the way to and from Hawai'i.
We stayed in Tokyo for 5 days going and San Fran for 3 days coming home.
3 holidays in one.
We then walked for a good 30 minutes across the 6 month old lava, looking at the lava tubes flowing beneath us.
Just as we stepped onto the lava there was an earthquake.... buttock clenching moment, I can tell you!
I really need to go back and do Maui, but also need to go to Kauai again - I just love it there.
OP - the other thing to consider is the stop off on the way to and from Hawai'i.
We stayed in Tokyo for 5 days going and San Fran for 3 days coming home.
3 holidays in one.
Went in 2007 - ended up only going to Oahu though.
Was a pretty cool holiday. Highlights were mountain biking (there's some good trails), Hanauma bay (awesome snorkelling) and the North Shore (make sure you stop at a shrimp truck). Cruising around in a Mustang convertible was pretty nice too.
That said, I was based in Waikiki, which to be honest, is a bit of a hole. On the plus side it has nightlife/restaurants though which was what I wanted. Also pretty good shopping - which when the US$ was at 2.1 to GBP it was pretty sweet - stuff can be expensive out there due to the geographic location.
Was a pretty cool holiday. Highlights were mountain biking (there's some good trails), Hanauma bay (awesome snorkelling) and the North Shore (make sure you stop at a shrimp truck). Cruising around in a Mustang convertible was pretty nice too.
That said, I was based in Waikiki, which to be honest, is a bit of a hole. On the plus side it has nightlife/restaurants though which was what I wanted. Also pretty good shopping - which when the US$ was at 2.1 to GBP it was pretty sweet - stuff can be expensive out there due to the geographic location.
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