Hawaii

[SezzySue]

I need all the knowledge you have. DH and I want to go in May next year but are considering going in December this year. SO I am looking now. But I don't know where to stay. We want to do all the tourist things like swim with dolphins, snorkle, parasail, and whatever else there is to do. Hikes would be awesome, and not too far from the beach amazing. However, he isn't much of a swimmer, so we won't spend a ton of time on the beach. I want to take pictures personally though.

So what info do you have?
Whats a good place to set it all up?
Is a cruise a good option?
How long is the flight from say LA, California?
What SHOULD it cost us per person? (I realize alchohol and meals make a difference)


Basically I need the low down from both people planning to go and people who have already done this.

Thanks.

[Shaky]

Hale Koa is where we stayed. When I first called it was full but I put our names in a waiting list and they emailed us with availability for us yayyy! by staying there we saved over $1,000!
The hotel is nice, beach front and right in Waikiki.
I think a cruise would be awesome if you have the money, you would still have to pay for flight which is one of the most expensive things from the trip.
From LA I want to say is about 5½ hrs?
I got in touch with ITT in Pearl Harbor and bought most of my tickets from them, wrote a CC authorization letter and picked up all my tickets the day after we got there.
We rented a car from priceline.com and it was pretty inexpensive.
I just went searching online for stuffs to do and called and emailed places for prices.

[SezzySue]

wel neither of us is active so I am not sure if that is on base or not but I am going to go look. A cruise won't be as expensive because we would leave from LA or San Diego which we can drive to. But I am having no luck in finding one.

[*Larz*]

Are you totally set on going to Oahu or are you looking at other islands as well?

[=Mrs.AiNokeA=]

Hmm sorry can't help you much since I've never had to stay in a hotel or anything when I went home. I hope you get all the information you need and have a wonderful trip. It's beautiful there so taking lots of pictures shouldn't be a problem.

[leftover]

Originally Posted by SezzySue wel neither of us is active so I am not sure if that is on base or not but I am going to go look. A cruise won't be as expensive because we would leave from LA or San Diego which we can drive to. But I am having no luck in finding one.

Did you check the eligibility page? http://www.halekoa.com/rooms_reserva...ligibility.cfm

[beachk]

So what info do you have?
Whats a good place to set it all up?
Is a cruise a good option?
How long is the flight from say LA, California?
What SHOULD it cost us per person? (I realize alchohol and meals make a difference)


Basically I need the low down from both people planning to go and people who have already done this.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

hikes - go to diamond head! it's right by waikiki and has some amazing views. it's one of the things i didn't get to do when i was there, but i've heard it's awesome. there is another place to hike called pali..about a 20 min drive from waikiki. it has an amazing view, and some pretty waterfalls

if you can, try to island hop, even if it's only for a day or two. waikiki is pretty, but also touristy. while you're on oahu definitely go to the north shore, it's such a different atmosphere, so laid back. i'm not sure about cruises, but i know some of the flights from island to island are like $10 if you book them at the right time..the big island is really nice and so is kaui.

if you want to do something sort of crazy but really awesome, go to skydive hawaii. it's on oahu, kind of near the north shore (i think like a 45 min drive from the airport). tandem jumps are (i think) around 150, and you'll get the BEST view ever. if it's a really clear day, you can see the tips of two other islands. it is hands down the best thing i did while in hawaii. the instructors are all really cool too and will help you relax if you're scared or anything. (if you do go, let me know and i'll tell you which instructors are way cool so you can request them).

there is also a lot of kitesurfing/kiteboarding stuff a little east of waikiki..i think like a 15 minute drive, and some really pretty places to take pictures there.

also, if you are on oahu and drive to the north shore..stop at matsumoto shaved ice. it's kind of on the way, and it's amazing. so much better than regular sno cones.

other cool stuff: luaus...i feel like most people go to one while in hawaii, but a lot of them are pretty touristy..but good food! there is a really cool place to go snorkeling, i forget the name though. you should definitely take a surfing lesson if you can/want. and enjoy the sun!!

it's about a 5 1/2-6 hour flight from lax. i'm not really sure about cost though, it all depends on when you book stuff, what hotel you pick, etc.


i'm so jealous !

[*Larz*]

Ok from reading everything it looks like you already decided on Oahu.

Beachk has really awesome info. Also, there's a shark cage you can do too! DB is trying desperately to talk me into it.

We're staying at the Hale Koa the first 5 nights I'm there. To fly there from Cali it'll take about 6 hours. My last connection is in San Fran and it takes 6 hours from there.

[beachk]

Originally Posted by Laura1224 Ok from reading everything it looks like you already decided on Oahu. Beachk has really awesome info. Also, there's a shark cage you can do too! DB is trying desperately to talk me into it. We're staying at the Hale Koa the first 5 nights I'm there. To fly there from Cali it'll take about 6 hours. My last connection is in San Fran and it takes 6 hours from there.

do the shark cage! i've heard it's awesome

[SezzySue]

Originally Posted by beachk do the shark cage! i've heard it's awesome

Thats big on our list too, but it was late when I typed this and I couldn't remember.

We have NOT decided on any one spot, taking all sugestions.