Hawaii Getaway

[Superman]

My smokin' hot Norwegian lady friend suggested I ask you cretins for advice and I immediately recognized a good idea. She and I would like to plan a week, at least, in Hawaii. We'd be looking for a humble (not wildly expensive) bungalow to rent for that time, with amenities nearby. Perhaps a grocery/liquor store for provisions and/or food truck, with an accessible beach nearby. We'd like to just hang out and relax. Perhaps do some snorkeling. I'm an amphibian.

I've got a dive card of sorts, and would like to do at least a little SCUBA diving. I'd also like to try surfing. It looks easy. How hard can it be?

Oh....and I'd like to see a black sand beach. But mostly....just hang out and decompress in a tropical environ. Maybe go to a Luau. Do any of you guys have ideas or suggestions for us?

[island911]

Maui checks all of those boxes. Although it's expensive. (popular)

The whales are their now. Pretty cool.

[BeyGon]

We stayed at this place, on the beach IN Lahaina, just about the only one in town. Walk everywhere. These had kitchens if you want them. We didn't care. Can't remember the name but if you care you could find it. Lots of expensive places up out of town, this wasn't bad.

[stealthn]

We prefer Kauai, much less crowded and good stuff to do. Great hidden beaches.

[Skip Newsom]

I'd also say Maui... if you like it a little quieter (it used to be at least) Kauai is very hard to beat.
Great places to just hang out on both islands and some great drives/beaches/hikes too.
Damn, now I wanna go.

Kauai, mid December 2016

[Skip Newsom]

[Superman]

Thank you.

What are the best dive sites in Hawaii?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Superman

My smokin' hot Norwegian lady friend suggested I ask you cretins for advice and I immediately recognized a good idea.....

I'm an amphibian.

I have no advice...but I'd love to be able to use both hands equally well

[Superman]

Nevermind. I Google'd the dive sites. Just planning. I certainly appreciate the input.

[Holger]

Originally Posted by Superman

My smokin' hot Norwegian lady friend ...

WAIT!
Noone asked for pics yet?

[tevake]

There are nice private accommodation offerings in most areas on VRBO etc. once you decide what area offers what you are looking for, check out those places. Most resorts are not humble or inexpensive.
Each island has a different feel. For natural beauty and low key fun in nature Kauai is hard to beat.

The big Island can be a bit more affordable and a bit more room to move around in and the active volcano, plus the most dependable mellow clear water for diving and snorkeling year around. This is where the black sand beaches are found.

Want a mix of nature and developed activities/ entertainment. Maui has both, and some good diving waters.

Getting into surfing may take more time than you think, not as easy as surfers make it look. But big fun once you start getting the hang of it.

Hawaii is quite seasonal as far as water sports are concerned, winter brings the big north swells that impact north and western shores.

Hanalei Kauai comes to mind as meeting most of you desires, if you can find a nice rental space available. A short drive will get you some good choices of snorkeling spots in Haena or Anini beach, rent bikes and you can enjoy all of Hanalei town and beaches. Some good learning spots for surfing along the bay beaches, the river there for some relaxing kayaking. But can be rainy there too.

So many good choices, Kailua Kona, Kihei Maui? have fun!

Cheers Richard

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The snorkeling in Pupukea (Oahu north shore) is amazing. I’ve yet to do it but supposedly the hammerhead shark dive off of Molokai is bucket list material. You’ll need AOW cert. for that AFAIK (working on that one myself, right now I’m “just” OW certed...)

I’ve done a few off of Maunalua Beach Park (Koko Craters, Turtle Canyon, etc.) all good. Want to do the Corsair but that’s also an AOW requirement so will have to wait.

I’ve heard from an instructor that the manta ray dive off of the big island is other-worldly. I’m hoping to get over there later this year perhaps...

In general you can’t do too badly in the islands. Lots of good stuff around.

You’ll need less weighting here than you’re probably used to as well. Warm, salty water...

Look into Airbnb’s (although they’re sorta under attack by the big money hitel industry and often need to be done on the down-low). You’ll save hundreds over the big rip-off resort hotels and get to meet some cool people, usually.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by tevake

Hanalei Kauai comes to mind as meeting most of you desires, if you can find a nice rental space available. A short drive will get you some good choices of snorkeling spots in Haena or Anini beach, rent bikes and you can enjoy all of Hanalei town and beaches. Some good learning spots for surfing along the bay beaches, the river there for some relaxing kayaking. But can be rainy there too.

^^^^ This times ten thousand! Hanalei is walking distance to a magnificent beach and walking distance to a small town with a small market, restaurants and shopping.
Sorry, no black sand on Kauai that I know of (and I have been there about a dozen times.)
The small town of Hanalei has a lot of rentals on VRBO

[Pazuzu]

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5326506?location=Ewa%20Beach%2C%20HI%2C%20United%2 0States&s=c8Dp6i91

Nice rental house in the historic Ewa neighborhood on Oahu. Access to the normal local stores for food and drink, waterfront house with a beach 1/4 mile away, snorking off the backyard if you want. The big house might be too much for 2 people, but they have a smaller "honeymoon" type studio as well.
Super friendly owners, super helpful and have everything you might need right there. Windows on 3 sides of the great room open wide so you feel the Hawaiian breeze all the time.

From there we traveled all over the Island, it's quick access to the main freeways. Great Luau is about 20 minutes away.

[Tobra]

If you go to Maui, seeing the sunrise on Haleakala is awesome, as is hiking the crater. Be advised, sunrise at the top of a mountain is going to be butt ass cold, even if it is in Hawaii. If you have your dive card and your gal does not, snorkeling might be a better choice. Do NOT leave anything visible in the car or it will get broken into.

[john walker's workshop]

The wife went to Maui 2 years ago with friends. Compared to what it was like in 1976 when we last visited, she said it's totally built up with condos and hotels and highways now. No urge to go back. Kauai should be more relaxed.

[LakeCleElum]

Been 6 times - I agree with Stealthn, Tevake and JW...

My vote: Kauai. Relaxed, not built up but has a Walmart and Costco for you. Nice beaches and rural areas.

Maui - Like John said, built up, congested, traffic and all that stuff you're trying escape....Enjoy.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I’ve heard from an instructor that the manta ray dive off of the big island is other-worldly. I’m hoping to get over there later this year perhaps...

In general you can’t do too badly in the islands. Lots of good stuff around.

The manta ray thing is on my bucket list (saw a video of something like that)... to you need to be dive certified for that?

[JavaBrewer]

The Manta ray night dive can be done Scuba (need your OW diver) or snorkel (anyone). When we were in Maui only our son was certified so we did the snorkel option. Boat takes you out and at dusk you jump in and hang off of large windsurfing/paddle boards that have down facing underwater lights. The divers at the bottom release the food and have flood lights that point up. The manta rays swim up feeding then break just inches below the surface and the snorkelers. It should be a bucket item for anyone in Maui. If we ever return to Maui we will do it again this time as divers.

[Khal]

You won't find liquor stores within walking distance unless you're in a resort with an ABC store with double the prices.

Kauai is like a small town and at 10 PM its lights out for pretty much the entire island. If you stay up past that you'll likely get yelled at by somebody. Also most places there other than resorts don't have AC its too expensive. There are some great beaches up around Princeville.

Maui has awesome beaches and lots to do. Since you a diver look into snorkeling the Molokini crater the water is so clear you can see 200 feet away. I'd stay away from Makena they have a shark there that eats people.

Oahu is all over the map price wise, great beaches that are easy to visit Monday - Friday. On weekends when the locals have time off you might find it very hard to park at some of the best beaches. Whatever you do, never book on the west side of Oahu unless you want to risk getting into a fight.

There was rumors on the island a nuclear attack happened recently and the missile was shot down and they covered it up or word of that got out it would kill the tourism industry.

Don't bring snorkel equipment since you're probably limited to 50 pounds of luggage just rent it from one of the snorkel shops. You'll want to stay atleast 10 days because 2 days alone are blown travel to and from. You'll save big bucks if you book your rental car, place to stay many, many months in advance. Infact some of the best rentals on the islands are well known by repeat costumers and the best rooms for the best prices are typically booked 10 months in advance. Sure you can find something say next week but you'll pay a fortune.

Also for a free ticket go to https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/ and both you and your better half sign up for there credit card. After you're approved you'll get 15,000 miles for signing up. Have your partner do the same and forward the 15,000 miles to your account. I believe with 30,000 miles that will qualify you for 1 free ticket round trip that will save you about $700.00

There are lots of free or almost free things to do. Pearl Harbor is cheap and a must see. The beaches, hiking, sight seeing, people watching, whales at this time of the year are free.

DON"T pay a boat to go out and whale watch. By law they have to stay half a mile or so away. Just hike up some trails and you'll see whales all over for free. There are said to be 10,000 whales in the area at this time of year.

Believe it or not there are not many good places to eat on most of the islands. Forget a good burrito it can't be found there, nor can jumbo shrimp unless you go to bubba gumps. Good steaks are hard to find, places like Kauai only have a handful of places like that to eat and it won't be cheap.