Hawaii?

[tigeresss]

Just wondering if anybody here has been to Hawaii...if so what's it like? When's the best time to go? What are some "must sees/dos"? Anything to be aware of or any tips? Any and all info would be great. Cheers

 

[HobbsFarm]

Hi, I have been to Maui but it's been years ago. I'm sure it has changed/grown a lot since I was there. We went in April and it was not terribly crowded. I don't remember the name of the hotel, but it was a nice resort with a huge pool. It had a big waterfall in the middle with a bar right in the pool underneath the waterfall. Very cool back in the day...lol The black beaches and the Seven Sacred Pools are a couple of points of interest on the island.

IMHO, have you researched Bermuda? I've been there as well and I would go choose Bermuda over Maui. Have fun where ever you go! Shannon

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

I lovee Hawaii.

For me Pearl Harbor was a must see. We went in Oct right after 911 and it was like we had the place to ourselves. Waikkiki was not much in my opinion, I was told normally it is wall to wall people but when we were there a lot of places were closed.

You have to see the volcanos. We drove through the park and took a plane ride over them. We had mom and dad with us or we would have thought of taking the hike through the lava fields to where the lava flows into the ocean. On the drive to the volcanos we took a detour to the southern most point in the US. Not much there but it was interesting watching them fish off of the HIGH cliffs.

Rabbit Run Miniatures that used to be in Hadley MA, moved to the big island.

The Road to Hana was really nice. Lots of water falls. I suggest you take on of the small van tours and let some one else to the driving. There were only 6 of us in the van and we did get to see a lot. You can snokel off of any beach and see a lot. There are places were you can rent the mask and flippers for the time you are there.

There were some things that looked interesting that were did not do. A river like boat ride down a lava tube. A humve ride through the rain forest.

Depends on the time of year you go. This time of year the whales are there. Believe me there is so much to do you will not get to see it all.

 

[Marylou]

Am finally getting my dream trip in Oct. Am taking a Hawaian cruise. Have a great trip! I know I will!

 

[Aggravation Acres]

Hi

I was stationed at Wheeler AFB for 4 years. I really enjoyed my time in Hi.

I visited most of the islands while we were there. I enjoyed the big island the most.

But it sort of depends on what you like to do when you are on vacation. I mean. like do you like to do a lot of time relaxing or partying? You know everyone likes to do different thing so that would make a differance.

But then again I was there in 1982 to 1986 so a lot of thing might have changed since then.

You do learn more when you take the tours than when you go around on your own.

Deb

 

[Kim]

I've been there lots, and there is really something for everyone, and no matter what kind of vacation you want. Whether you want to stay in a resort, stay on a secluded beach, stay in a busy city, or have an adventure vacation, you can find it in Hawaii. Each island has its own charms. PM me with any questions, and depending on what kind of vacation you want, I can make recommendations as to where you should go/what you should do.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

My best friend lived in Honalulu for 4 years, when I was 12 years old. Her family wanted me to go over there for a full summer... for free. I didnt do it because I was afraid to fly. :new_shocked: Now I regret it, and think we should have chipped in and gotten me a cruise instead.

Another really good friend grew up in Hawaii. She is an Islander, as she likes to be called. She says that Hawaii is wonderful as long as you stay at the tourist areas. She said to be really careful if you venture inland, as there are a lot of "drug fields" there. Maybe something to keep in mind, if sight-seeing is a hobby.

 

[minimama]

In August of last year we took us and all of our kids (four) to Hawai'i. We flew to Maui and got on a cruise ship and then went island to island each day beign a new island. Each island we got off and took tours and did things. It was amazing!! I had been there before but it was a long time ago. Maui and Kaua'i are really beautiful. less touristy than the other islands. Can't stand Waikiki, way too comercial it is like San Francisco or Seatle or any other big city. Pearl Harbour is good to see once. Hilo is very old world and much like it was years ago so we enjoyed that a lot more. Anything you do, you will enjoy. It depends on ho wlong you will be there too. Here is a link to go see a bunch of different tours offered in the islands. many are only offered to the cruise ships, but there are similar tours offered to independant traverlers so it will give you an idea od what available to do. Shore Excursions

So, our favorites of the trip were Kaua'i, Maui and Hilo. anywhere at those places we were very very happy!!!

 

[JO~*]

I lived there for about 18 months back in the early 70's. I did not like it at all.

Of course I was not there by choice and I think that makes a big difference. My x husband was stationed there at Camp Smith and he was not high enough in rank for us to live on base so we really had a tough time of it , rent and everything was so expensive. We lived in Waikiki at first and the only thing I remember about that area other than the very crowed beach was some kind of a shopping place, can't remember the name of the place maybe "International Market Place"? I remember a restaurant in there called Trader Vic's I think it was and I had a drink called a My-Tie (sp?) and one called a ChiChi and they were really good.

From Waikiki we moved to Pearl Harbor. One thing that I will always remember is the US Arizona in Pearl Harbor.

I had a hard time getting used to the humidity over there. I used to put my cloths in the freezer for about 20 minuets sometimes and it would feel so good for about 20 seconds after I put them on. :lol:

 

[Valerie]

Wow, great subject...... we leave for our Hawaii vacation in just 33 days......yippee. This time around we are headed to the Big Island first, for 6 days I think, and then on to Maui for another 10 days........

In my own humble opinion, Hawaii has an island to apease everyone's taste....if you want more lush, green and don't mind rain, Kauai, if you want old world, very laid back, not as touristy, you want the Big Island....

if you don't mind commericalism, and of course there are some great monunments to see, (Pearl Harbor, is a must atleast 1 time)...then you want Oahu.....

Maui is also a lovely place to go & just enjoy your surroundings.....a little more crowded (but not bad) than the Big Island.....

I have yet to travel to Moloka'i, or Lana'i......but they are so close to Maui you can actually take boat or ferry trips over for day trips, etc...and I may try to do that this time around.

Now if I have a preference of Hawaii over the Caribbean (ok, mostly the US Virgin Islands) I would pick the Caribbean everytime (ok, maybe not during hurricane season)....but it's just so darn beautiful there and you have never seen blue water so blue or green water so green.....it boggles the mind.

Yes, Hawaii does have some spectacular scenery, waterfalls, snorkeling, etc....so I don't think you will be disappointed....and I can give you some great guide book ideas...the best we have used to date are all from the same authors...."Maui Revealed", "The Big Island Revealed", "Kauai Revealed".....you get the idea...

the authors are Andrew Doughty & Harriett Friedman. If you just look them up on Amazon.com or go to a bookstore you will find their books I am sure...and then just browse through & pick the one for the island you want to go to & I would get the book...and bring the book with you on your trip.......so worth it to have all the info at hand.

Also, if I can give you a bit of advice, a lot of people tend to try to cram too much into a trip & then don't enjoy it as much.....I told my hubby, go through the book (Big Island book) and mark what you want to do & then I will do the same with a different colored sticker.....then we can pick the items we both most want to do. That leaves plenty to see & do for our next trip to the islands.

I do know one trip we are doing is a trip to swim with dolphins........that is already booked, that is my b-day present to myself......I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. Also another must see for both of us is the volcano........ oh and I have to load up on Kona Coffee.......it's the best and that says a lot coming from someone in WA state, the coffee capitol of the U.S.....haha.

Anyway, I don't want to overload you, if you have any questions, please feel free to email or pm me, I am very glad to share info....... I have been to Hawaii several times.........but like I said there is always something new to see & do....it never disappoints......besides the worst day of vacation is often better than the best day at work. haha. Ok, just kidding......when we got caught out in the hurricanes in the Caribbean on our last cruise that wasn't fun at all, but we survived & learned valuable lessons of when not to cruise down there.

The best advice I can give is go and enjoy & try new things & take a lot of pictures....you will have so much fun & the people are so very friendly. :bgrin