Hawaii advice.....Takin' the fam mid-August....

[skyking]

On Kauai, make reservations for captain sundown Na Pali tour.
(his name is Bob, but Captain Bob is a snorkel gear franchise on the island so, ....)
https://www.captainsundown.com/
His was the only Na Pali trip to leave from Hanalei.
It is a custom built sailing cat, with a pair of 50 HP honda outboards. We did 3/4ths of the trip with the engines out of the water. They take you to the cat on a small boat, and he sailed off the anchor. It was as cool as it gets.
The other Na Pali tours leave from the south end and motor for an hour and a half; he sails about 30 minutes and you are on the Na Pali.
Do make reservations early, it sells out.

 

[Stopsignhank]

We stayed at Honua Kai also and it was excellent. Large rooms and great view of the ocean, depending on your room of course.

For Molokini we did the Pride of Maui, which as someone said is a larger boat. Which we appreciated. My wife got sea sick and it would have been worse on a smaller boat. They also have the SNUBA which was a blast.

 

[HendrixFan]

http://www.hawaiigaga.com/

I found this site to be very helpful when researching travel to Hawaii. It should be able to help you narrow down which island you want and what you'd like to do there.

 

[Xstatic1]

I've only been to Oahu and absolutely bummed I didn't get to hike Diamond Head, but these are the must-see/do/eat:

1) Pearl Harbor -- definitely buy your tickets online, http://www.recreation.gov/tourSearchResult.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72369, as soon as you know which date(s) you'd like to go; it's an all-day thing if you want to see as much as you can, start your day early

2) Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts, http://www.macnutfarm.com/ - they offer free macadamia nuts + macadamia coffee; I was pretty surprised how awesome their tour was compared to Kualoa Ranch's (http://www.kualoa.com/oahu-tours/), where a lot of movies were filmed

3) Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp (it's a food truck in Kahuku) - best Shrimp Scampi ever! There was a nearby BBQ corn stand (Uncle Woody's), and it rocked too!

4) Best beach - it's pretty secluded and involves some walking after you find parking along the residential areas....but Lanikai Beach is beautiful, http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/travel/tripadvisor-best-beaches/ (click on slide #8)


Kids may also like:

1) Laniakea Beach, AKA "Turtle Beach" (North Shore area) - there was a 25-year-old turtle about 5 feet long (weighing 170 pounds) on the beach; there are signs that you must stay behind a roped area (so like 6 feet away), but it was cool to see a huuuuge turtle

2) Dole Plantation (in Wahiawa), http://www.dole-plantation.com/ - you get to learn all about pineapple! Get the Dole Whip (it's way better than the ones they sell at Walt Disney World)

3) Matsumoto Shave Ice (in Haleiwa) - there may be a long line, but it'll be worth it

4) Kahuku Farms (in Kahuku), http://kahukufarms.com/farm-cafe.html - omigosh, I enjoyed their ice creams moreso than Lappert's, http://www.lappertshawaii.com/

 

[Fingolfin269]

Have any of you guys actually done the entire circle around Haleakala for your Road to Hana trip? Think we're going to do that this summer. In the past we've done the standard drive out to Hana, turn around and drive back. With some stops along the way of course.

 

[purbeast0]

Have any of you guys actually done the entire circle around Haleakala for your Road to Hana trip? Think we're going to do that this summer. In the past we've done the standard drive out to Hana, turn around and drive back. With some stops along the way of course.

back when i was there in 2008 the bridge was out so it wasn't even possible to do that. no clue if it's repaired at this point though. driving up haleakala though for the sunrise ... a must see!

 

[SamQuint]

Have any of you guys actually done the entire circle around Haleakala for your Road to Hana trip? Think we're going to do that this summer. In the past we've done the standard drive out to Hana, turn around and drive back. With some stops along the way of course.

I took a tour bus 15-20 people size and the tour went all the way through Hana and back around the other side. Past Hana there is a good stretch of road that is not paved. It is lots of gravel and potholes so slow going. (you shouldn't need a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I think it is faster than driving back on the road to Hana. Not a whole lot to see on the back side of the Island. When you get back around there is a vineyard that makes pineapple wine. (tip; if you buy any bottles have them ship it back to your home)

 

[Fingolfin269]

back when i was there in 2008 the bridge was out so it wasn't even possible to do that. no clue if it's repaired at this point though. driving up haleakala though for the sunrise ... a must see!

Never done the sunrise but have done the sunset. May try to make it up there for sunrise the first night we arrive this time around since we'll be jet lagged anyway.

 

[K1052]

Do you think the beauty of the Road to Hana is more significant a vacation experience than Pearl Harbor for a family vacation??

(I know that's a pickle but my conscience can appreciate both venues)

I'd probably go with Pearl Harbor for this having done both. Were it me I'd spend two days on Oahu doing the sights (Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, etc) then hop over to Maui for the rest of the vacation...best of both worlds.

 

[Paladin]

If you decide on Oahu also, just do 3 nights, then head to Maui for 7+. You can hit the main WWII tourist destinations one day, and the north shore the next. Waikiki itself is way overcrowded and can be majorly frustrating to deal with.

 

[Paladin]

On Maui I highly recommend staying on Kaanapali. Look for a condo to rent at the Whaler. It's right in the middle of it all. You can walk down to Black Rock every morning before breakfast for an early snorkel.
VRBO The Whaler

 

[JeepinEd]

If you go to O'ahu, I would recommend North Shore Shark Adventures. It's a different feeling when you're the one in the cage and the sharks are swimming around. The family and I loved it.

 

[redgtxdi]

Wow!! I mistakenly hadn't opened my e-mail til right now & find a lot of GREAT replies!!!

Thanks gang!!!

Dang..........you guys got me splitting hairs over Oahu & Maui......(grrrrr!)

I really didn't want to island hop as I know that means more airfare, but might have to anyway.

Or maybe I can convince the fam to swim it!

 

[mizzou]

kauai is the shit. If you go there and you are limited on time, rent a car and just take in the scenery. Not much else to do, but a must if you love nature.

I spent a week there on my honeymoon.

 

[skyking]

we loved it. It was cool to drive up to the park lookout and look down on the Na Pali from above one day, and from the catamaran trip from below on the next day.

 

[Paladin]

If you're only going to do one island go to Maui. It has the most to do, and greatest variety. It also has the most beaches where you can snorkel, and just be happy beach hopping.

 

[redgtxdi]

Ok, so after talking to the old man, apparently he likes the Pearl Harbor idea for my kids too. He also thinks highly of the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel in Waikiki. I know reviews are a mixed bag so wondering if anybody's got suggestions on how to get the most out of the hotel. (i.e. Stay at this tower, that tower, only this view, only this above the 4th floor, etc. etc.)

And if ANYBODY can suggest a way to get in as cheaply as possible (No, I won't do their "construction discount", however) I'm game to hear any suggestions.

As it is, I'm probably looking at a couple grand for a weeks worth of hotel PLUS a couple grand just to get us there. That's $4K out the window before we eat bite #1!!!!

(Married w/ kids has rewards but dayum, they're expensive!!)

 

[justoh]

Bah bah bum bah BAHHHH buhhhh... bum bum buh BAH bahhhhhh

 

[RossMAN]

Ok, so after talking to the old man, apparently he likes the Pearl Harbor idea for my kids too. He also thinks highly of the Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel in Waikiki. I know reviews are a mixed bag so wondering if anybody's got suggestions on how to get the most out of the hotel. (i.e. Stay at this tower, that tower, only this view, only this above the 4th floor, etc. etc.)

And if ANYBODY can suggest a way to get in as cheaply as possible (No, I won't do their "construction discount", however) I'm game to hear any suggestions.

I would highly recommend setting aside a few hours for some intense research on Tripadvisor.com and Yelp.com.

Most importantly, read Tripadvisors 1,600+ room tips which can be invaluable advising which tower to stay in, which rooms to avoid, etc.

As it is, I'm probably looking at a couple grand for a weeks worth of hotel PLUS a couple grand just to get us there. That's $4K out the window before we eat bite #1!!!!

(Married w/ kids has rewards but dayum, they're expensive!!)

Dang for that much $$$$ I'd consider a cruise visiting several islands.

 

[mrrman]

Look into condo rentals. Should be cheaper than a hotel, you will have more room and the overwhelming majority of them will have a pool.

vrbo.com....we are going to Honololu in Sept...11 days in a condo, $100 per night...Ive been many times to Maui, Kona, Hnl

 

[Exterous]

As it is, I'm probably looking at a couple grand for a weeks worth of hotel PLUS a couple grand just to get us there. That's $4K out the window before we eat bite #1!!!!

Ouch - you weren't kidding about the flight costs. Cheapest I found was $528pp and that was from San Diego to HNL on United.

I don't know if you have a costco membership but they have a fair number of Hawaii deals and have the best price I've been able to find for our rental cars in Maui and Oahu for the first week in August. They often partner with the Hilton Village in Oahu for some sort of offering. There is always the condo rental route as well (vrbo.com etc)

Other than that use a good cashback or rewards card for your bookings.

I can let you know more when I get back August 6th

 

[Scarpozzi]

Kauai
Gotta do a helicopter tour of the Napali coast and canyons. You can spend a lot on the snorkel tours. If you go to the protected beaches in the parks, there's some low-key snorkeling to be had for the cost of a mask.

Smith Family Luau is awesome.
http://www.smithskauai.com/

 

[RossMAN]

I don't know if you have a costco membership but they have a fair number of Hawaii deals and have the best price I've been able to find for our rental cars in Maui and Oahu for the first week in August. They often partner with the Hilton Village in Oahu for some sort of offering.

Great suggestion, they usually have awesome deals:

http://www.costcotravel.com/

 

[redgtxdi]

Ouch - you weren't kidding about the flight costs. Cheapest I found was $528pp and that was from San Diego to HNL on United.

I don't know if you have a costco membership but they have a fair number of Hawaii deals and have the best price I've been able to find for our rental cars in Maui and Oahu for the first week in August. They often partner with the Hilton Village in Oahu for some sort of offering. There is always the condo rental route as well (vrbo.com etc)

Other than that use a good cashback or rewards card for your bookings.

I can let you know more when I get back August 6th

Great idea!! Totally forgot about Costco. And, yes, I have a membership. I'll definitely check it out.

And, yes, again did the helicopter tour of Kaui back in '95. Very nice, indeed! For the kiddies, though, it's definitely Pearl Harbor!

P.S. I might splurge & do 2 islands (did I really just say that?) and the Costco way has us staying at the Outrigger Royal Kahana which appears to be 2.75 stars but w/ a better Costco member rating. That Honua hotel is upgradeable but another $700 and that seems a little steep. There are lots of "Kaanapali" hotels to upgrade for just a couple hundred, but which one? Kaanapali Beach? Resort? Villas? There's also Royal Lahaina which I vaguely remember is supposed to be good??

TIA, again

 

[Scarpozzi]

I stayed in the Outrigger at Waikiki Beach. It was pretty decent.

It's not too bad doing multiple islands becuase flights between islands are pretty affordable. If you don't overpack, it'd be easy to travel light and island hop without having to unpack. With kids, I don't see that as being feasible.