Sending my parents to Honolulu

[AFC-911]

So, I helped my mom get 103k British Airways miles and think that sending them to Honolulu would be a great redemption on AA metal.

Right now, I'm seeing some flights for early December.

The only thing I'm sure they'll be doing/or planning on doing is the Byodi-In Temple and the beaches.

Any thoughts as to where they can stay without blowing all their (and mine) money? I'd prefer they spend it on activities and such.

On that note, any other must sees or dos you'd recommend? My parents are in their 60s and my dad had a stroke several years back (his left side functions, but isn't great). They've never been to Hawai'i...

Any other thoughts? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[azasadny]

Very nice gift!!!!

[island911]

Will they have a car?

[AFC-911]

Originally Posted by island911

Will they have a car?

Probably a rental...I'm still working out the details. Why do you ask?

[tevake]

That should be a treat for them. There is a place that I see adds for in the Kaneohe Bay area. I really like that part of Oahu. It may be the Schrader Family Inn, I'm just not sure of the name. I just looked it up, it is now called the Paradise Bay resort, Doesn't sound as cheap as I thought it would be. It would be far away from the Waikiki bustle.
worth a look.
Maybe some Oahu Pelicans can make some suggestions?

Cheers Richard

PS there is a good bus system there.

[island911]

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Probably a rental...I'm still working out the details. Why do you ask?

just wondering about mobility.

Waikiki is fun/busy/lots of high-end shops/food.... great if no car.

On the other end of the island is the north shore. Much more quiet, unless the big waves are there (surf comp's). Turtle bay resort is nice (right there, NE point of the island.)

I've also spent some time on the NW corner of the island cheaply at the Makaha towers -gated, nice property... condos, which many are for rent. they are high up in a dramatic valley side. Big pools with rarely a kid. Also a lot of peacocks and peahens on the property. But, you have to drive thru a bit of slummy parts to get there.

Ko Oliena is really nice (resorty) and almost always dry.

Oahu travel guide - Wikitravel

[look 171]

It depends if they want to drive? I say find a nice place near or in downtown, This way they don't have to drive to dinner and walk to some of the tourist attractions. Everything is right there. There's plenty to see and do for a couple of days. that place is busy for sure, but it will allow them a chance for a nice walk before or after dinner to see things, shop, or just walk to Waikiki beach before going back to the hotel. Driving in a strange place in the dark is hard for some older folks. They may not like that. A tour can be booked at their hotel to see other parts of the island. My folks like Pearl Harbor, and Honolulu, but not the North Shore so much. Just because there isn't much to do there. Polynesian Cultural Center is fun if they haven't been. A tourist trap, but still fun to see. That will take a day. They can have dinner there. A Luau is a must. You can get info on that at the hotel. A show and dinner if always fun with a bunch of other tourists. An island tour is save, easy, and enjoyable because they stop in many points of interest (my folks love Luaus). I would not do anything of those things, only because I have done it when I was younger. There are other things I like to see that requires a little jumping and climbing. Good luck and good for them to have you.

[Eric Coffey]

The common touristy stuff includes:

Arizona/Missouri memorials, Diamond Head, Sea Life Park, harbor tours/glass bottom boat, charter fishing, submarine tour, Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Beach (usually crowded, and dirty IMO), PCC Luau, etc.

Personally, I prefer the North Shore (and maybe why Island911 was asking if they will have a car?). Much less crowded, and much better scenery/beaches (Waimea Bay, the falls, Turtle Bay, etc.).

If surfing/surf-watching is your thing (December will be a great time): You can't beat the "7 Mile Miracle" of the North Shore. From west to east: Haleiwa, Lani's, Waimea, Three Tables, Log Cabins, Pipe/Back Door, Sunset, V-Land (plus a bunch more in between).

Either way, good on ya. I am sure they will love it.

[944Larry]

Do you have any friends over there in the military? They can get lodging for "relatives" cheaply.

[AFC-911]

No friends in the military that I know of.

And they certainly won't surf. Dad had a stroke & my mom doesn't really swim.

Right now, it's looking like they'll be there for 6 days. I personally think that's a LOT of time in just Honolulu/Waikiki. Which is why I'm asking for other stuff for them to see or do.

Perhaps, they can split their stay in different places on the island?

[p911dad]

Here's a few: National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific, which we find more moving and much less touristy than the Arizona monument. Also called Punchbowl, it's just north of downtown Honolulu. free
Iolani Palace, in downtown, not far from Punchbowl. free
Bishop Museum, downtown area, large collection of Hawaiian objects. $15.00
Dole Plantation, kinda touristy, but it can take up some time, in the center of the Oahu. Good stop on a trip up to the North Shore. free
Saturday Farmers Market, at Kapiolani Community College out on Diamond Head Road, near downtown. Lots of local stuff, flowers, beignets (like in New Orleans), on the way to Diamond Head Crater (the Crater involves a lot of walking and can be really hot in there). The college has a really cool cactus collection ( I mean LARGE cactus, all varieties). free
Yokohama Beach, way up on the west or leeward shore at the end of Farrington Highway. A truly large and unspoiled beach, no development at all. Park at the lifeguard station. Kinda lonely up there, take a box lunch. You might see Navy Seals practicing assaults on the beach. Lots of whales, turtles and seals on the leeward shore. NASA has some kind of tracking station on the mountain above. free
Crouching Lion Restaurant, east shore, about half-way up. $$$ Nice spot. Old school.
Polynesian Cultural Center, on the east or windward shore, this takes most of a day. Admission fee, I think it was $20.00 There is a nice McDonalds right there if they have an urge.
Mormon Temple, in Hauula out on the Kamehameha highway (near Polynesian Center) on Leeward Shore. free
Kualoa Ranch (leeward side) is a tourist trap, don't stop there. Instead stop at the Macadamia Nut ranch near Kualoa. Lots of free samples, a nice, no pressure stop. In the shade of some big trees
Further up the leeward side, have lunch at Romy's Prawn stand. Very simple place, outdoor tables.
Turtle Bay resort, great restaurant on the shore. $$$
Making the corner onto the north shore, do not miss the shave ice store called Matsumotos, in Haliewa Village. This is near the surfing spots.
Waimea Botanical Garden, worth a stop, involves walking. Not far from Matsumotos Store. There is an admission fee here.

That's a few of our favorite spots, and when we are the tour guides for our visiting family is where we usually go. Perhaps they will see a few of these attractions. Since the Byodo-In Temple is on the east shore, a lot of the above attractions lie to the immediate north of there. My only suggestion-take a GPS, as some of the street names, etc., may be a little (or more than a little) confusing.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by p911dad

Here's a few: National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific, which we find more moving and much less touristy than the Arizona monument. Also called Punchbowl, it's just north of downtown Honolulu. free
Iolani Palace, in downtown, not far from Punchbowl. free
Bishop Museum, downtown area, large collection of Hawaiian objects. $15.00
Dole Plantation, kinda touristy, but it can take up some time, in the center of the Oahu. Good stop on a trip up to the North Shore. free
Saturday Farmers Market, at Kapiolani Community College out on Diamond Head Road, near downtown. Lots of local stuff, flowers, beignets (like in New Orleans), on the way to Diamond Head Crater (the Crater involves a lot of walking and can be really hot in there). The college has a really cool cactus collection ( I mean LARGE cactus, all varieties). free
Yokohama Beach, way up on the west or leeward shore at the end of Farrington Highway. A truly large and unspoiled beach, no development at all. Park at the lifeguard station. Kinda lonely up there, take a box lunch. You might see Navy Seals practicing assaults on the beach. Lots of whales, turtles and seals on the leeward shore. NASA has some kind of tracking station on the mountain above. free
Crouching Lion Restaurant, east shore, about half-way up. $$$ Nice spot. Old school.
Polynesian Cultural Center, on the east or windward shore, this takes most of a day. Admission fee, I think it was $20.00 There is a nice McDonalds right there if they have an urge.
Mormon Temple, in Hauula out on the Kamehameha highway (near Polynesian Center) on Leeward Shore. free
Kualoa Ranch (leeward side) is a tourist trap, don't stop there. Instead stop at the Macadamia Nut ranch near Kualoa. Lots of free samples, a nice, no pressure stop. In the shade of some big trees
Further up the leeward side, have lunch at Romy's Prawn stand. Very simple place, outdoor tables.
Turtle Bay resort, great restaurant on the shore. $$$
Making the corner onto the north shore, do not miss the shave ice store called Matsumotos, in Haliewa Village. This is near the surfing spots.
Waimea Botanical Garden, worth a stop, involves walking. Not far from Matsumotos Store. There is an admission fee here.

That's a few of our favorite spots, and when we are the tour guides for our visiting family is where we usually go. Perhaps they will see a few of these attractions. Since the Byodo-In Temple is on the east shore, a lot of the above attractions lie to the immediate north of there. My only suggestion-take a GPS, as some of the street names, etc., may be a little (or more than a little) confusing.

The GPS is a must if they are driving.

[p911dad]

Correction to my post above, Kualoa Ranch, Macadamia Nut ranch, Crouching Lion, Mormon Temple and Romy's are all on the east or windward shore(to the north of Byodo-In Temple), and Turtle Bay resort is at the eastern-most end of the North Shore. All are fairly close to each other. I even confuse myself!