Advice on Hawaii

HardDrive · 10-01-2005, 09:09 PM

My wife and I are thinking about going to Hawaii. We will have our 2 year old in tow.

We know next to nothing. From what little I have read, I was thinking Maui would be nicer than the main island. Assuming we have a decent budget ($250+ a night would be ok), what do you recommend? Any 'all inclusive' resorts that are kid friendly?

We want to mix relaxation with a bit of site seeing, and truth be told we are science geeks, so all things volcanic will be of interest...

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Joeaksa · 10-01-2005, 09:14 PM

Luhue is nice, and the north part of the island is not too crowded. Just about anywhere you go is going to cost a bit but you can find deals...

JoeA

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Kauai is my favorite. I really don't like Oahu, although going to the North Shore once in your life is important...well, if you're a surfer.

If you want volcanic, then the Big Island. If you want an all inclusive you can do the Hilton at Waikoloa. It is pretty kid friendly (was there at a conference this January). It kind of scares me though...a bit too theme-parkish. http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com I stayed at the Marriot and it was a bit more "sane".

HardDrive · 10-01-2005, 10:01 PM

"Hilton at Waikoloa"

Yikes. Looks like a great place if you want to see the Disney version of Hawaii. If Steve Wynn had build Hawaii..... "WE GOT HULA DANCERS UP DA' YING YANG BABY!!!"

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

Having been to Hawaii many times, I think Maui makes a great "first time to the islands" destination. I would recommend a different route than the resort. Here's what I would do:

Find an airfare/car rental combo, get a Jeep.

Rent a Condo, there are tons. A search on "Maui Condo Vacation Rental" will yield tons of options, with the money you'll save going this route you should be able to find a ocean front condo for the same price.

Upon arrival, pick up your Jeep and head to Costco (right near the airport), and stock up on food and supplies.

Things to do:
Make the trip to Hana, from the west side of the island cut across to Kahului and continue around the north side of the island. After Hana, continue on to the 7 sacred pools. As you continue around the south side of the Island there is a great black sand beach. The Jeep is great for this trip as there is a good chunk of the road that is unpaved, it's drivable w/ a car but nicer in a Jeep or Truck.

Since you mentioned Volcanoes, I'm sure your already scoping out a trip to Haleakala National Park - good choice. The bike tours can be pretty fun.

If your into diving, there are many options Molokini (gets pretty washed out after about noon, go on a morning dive), backside of Lanai, Molokai, there is a ton.

There is a company called Club Lanai, that shuttles people across to Lanai for the day at their private - all inclusive beach. They have mountain bikes, sea kayaks, hammocks strung between palm trees in the sand just feet from the water, and most important, an open bar

Helicopter tours can be fun, although not for everyone.

Lahaina for bars and nightlife.

Hope this helps

tabs · 10-02-2005, 01:46 AM

FKIN A ...sign me up.....

Rufblackbird · 10-02-2005, 02:52 AM

don't bother coming to Oahu; it's way to freakin' crowded as it is. Waikiki isn't really that special. North Shore, on the other hand, is something you have to see once in a life in the winter months when the waves hit 20' +. Maui and Kauai are great islands...Kauai is more of a "country" style place, at least that's what I've been told as I haven't been there yet. Maui is supposed to be really nice as well, when you take the backroads to Hana, trek up Haleakala, and check out the view at Iao Valley.

For science freaks/nerds/geeks who likes volcanoes, the Big Island of Hawaii would be your best bet. While Haleakala is beautiful (I've yet had the chance to go) it is dormant while Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Pele are active as ever. If you want to see both towns, Kona and Hilo, I would suggest landing in Kona, check out the Ellison Onizuka museum, then driving over to Hilo on the other side where you'll get the opposite weather from Kona (hot and dry where Hilo is cool and wet). $250 a night can get you a LOT in Hilo...let me know if you need help finding a place. Gas is probably around $3.50 a gallon on Hilo, as it's $3.31 for 92 octane here on Oahu.

sorry if it seems like I'm rambling on...it's almost 1 am and I'm about to fall asleep at the computer.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
"Hilton at Waikoloa"

Yikes. Looks like a great place if you want to see the Disney version of Hawaii. If Steve Wynn had build Hawaii..... "WE GOT HULA DANCERS UP DA' YING YANG BABY!!!"

it is packaged "Hawaii" at its finest...or worst depending on your viewpoint (I vote worst). The HICSS conference was held there this year in January, but luckily I chose to stay at the Marriot next door. I had a great time sitting in the hotel bar (which of course is outside), sipping a shot of Sauza, listening to the surf and watching the world go by at a nice slow pace. And get hit on by a very coiffed 40-something woman from Valencia. That was pretty funny...

1973911s · 10-02-2005, 12:53 PM

I want to retire on the North Shore, shaved ice everyday at Aoki's!!!

Michael

LeeH · 10-02-2005, 02:08 PM

We just got back from Maui on Friday. We did a lot of research before heading out. Pick up the book Hawaii for Dummies. It does a great job of describing the ups and downs of each island, as well as suggesting lodging, dining, sightseeing locations, etc.

Kid friendly? Well, at two he or she's not going to remember a thing about the trip so I wouldn't go too far out of the way in planning for the kidlet. Grandma came into town and took care of our daughter and I as much as I missed her we were able to do many more fun things child-free than we would have otherwise. We spent many hours snorkeling and went on a scuba trip that just would not have been an option had our daughter come along.

Once we arrived, it was interesting to finally see all the different condos we had considered. Many that claimed "a short walk from the beach," would have required 1/4 mile one way hike and a hazardous crossing of a busy street to get to the sand.

We ended up staying in the Mana Kai in Kehei at a rate of $1096 for six nights including our rental car. We went all over Maui and if I were going back I'd book the exact same place. It was closer to the water than any other lodging we saw. We liked it because it wasn't in the thick of the shops and restaurants, but they were still convenient. Our unit had a full kitchen which saved us quite a bit. I don't know if you have any affiliations (AAA for example) but there are a lot of discounts available when it comes to lodging.

The restaurant prices were shocking. We found this out when we went to Denny's and paid $25 for a breakfast that would have cost $12 at home.

http://www.crhmaui.com/maui-condo-mana-kai.html

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-02-2005, 05:57 PM

My brother and I rented Harleys on Maui and spent the majority of our time there getting tatted up, drinking, "sampling" local produce, and camping out on the beach. Great times.

if you are looking for something less touristy, go north on Maui. Kauai is very nice as well

alf · 10-02-2005, 07:08 PM

I went to the big island twice with the kids. Hilton Wilaloa is a little bit of a zoo but kid (5+) friendly.

The last trip, we decided to hop hotels. Couple nights at the Shearaton, a night at Volcano house and several nights at the Mana Lani. They all had their + and -. With a rental car, i really did not mind moving about abd it kept the kids anticipating the next thing with glee.

alf