| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 11:23:30 AM | | Heading to the islands of Kauai, Hawaii and Maui - travelling solo, renting cars. Any advice as far as what to see/do, what isn't worth the time? I understand helicopter tour may be best way to see certain things. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 12:11:53 PM | | There's a "Travel" forum under Show ALL Forums. In case you didn't noticed. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 12:16:11 PM | ^^^OP
Im so envious If I was going to Hawaii i wouldn't want to miss a thing. I would probably hire a travel guide but seeing as we will probably never be able to afford to go i can only dream lol..
Have a fun trip and take lots of pics.
I found this site on the net for you.
When are you leaving?
http://www.gooahucard.com/hawaii-attractions.html | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 12:54:27 PM | I was in wikikki 2 yrs ago, if u feel like adventure a lot of people just rent scooters daily to tour the island with vs car rentals if u feel that u are capable of doing that. The bus system also offers great packages that let u buy a tourist pass for 3-5 days and u can tour the islands and go from point A to point B that way, u just show your pass and go very affordable that way, u are just restricted to the bus times a little.The cabbies are crazy but thats normal so just watch yourself. I found a lot of one way streets so be careful. Take a surfing lesson I was up in 15 minutes, just take your time and watch out for the coral it cuts like a knife. The 2 hr board rental will last for a couple of times, u can usually get a pkg with a lesson and surf board rental it take a lot of energy to stay out so 1 hour at a time is great and wear a tshirt over what ever u are wearing or the board will remove skin very easily. The night life is great so always leave time to roam the main streets to see the things going on. The islands will have adventure brochures to, so pick and choose from them, I did a rain forest and mountain bike tour and really enjoyed both. I also found a volleyball pickup court to play in the afternoon near a park which was great. The people are very friendly and really laid back and hopefully u will enjoy your trip the adventure is great!
PS, they have walmart so u can go buy essentianls u need at a good price, they have markets where i got 10 tshirt for $20. which was great because my lugage took 5 days to get to me after I arrived. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 1:55:27 PM | | Just out of curiosity how much does it cost for an all inclusive trip? Inquiring minds would like to know. Maybe just maybe someday we might get to see the most beautiful islands around. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 4:10:56 PM | In no particular order: I have also posted my question on the Travel Forum and in the Hawaii forum. Thanks for the website I'll check it out. I'm not in great enough shape physically to even think I could surf but thanks! I'm mainly going to see the natural beauty and take lots of pics. Usually as a solo female traveller, I don't venture too far at night regardless of where I am staying.
I am doing this independently - not as an "all inclusve".... that cost would be astronomical. Main airflight return Toronto was around $1,000.00Cdn taxes, everything. Interisland flights (4 connections) was another $225 approx. I probably could have saved on the car rentals had I shopped around but let my travel agent do that.
However, I am not staying at hotels/resorts. I had considered staying at condos so I could do some of my own cooking to save$$$...then I found www.vrbo.com. (Vacation rental by owner)....and am staying at private accom on each of the 3 islands. I think I've got the best of both worlds....no huge "condo complex" with tons of people, kids, noise,etc. in exchange for something more private,secluded - worth giving up a pool for. Private cottages or suites that still allow me to cook, do my laundry, etc. Prices range from $60 to $150/nite for me depending on the island. 4 nites each Kauai, Hawaii (volcanic island, not Oahu) and whole week on Maui so I can wake up there for my birthday. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 5:45:33 PM | @ OP......... check out the following site.... it's an online travel resource just for women.
http://www.journeywoman.com/\ | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 8:25:53 PM | I spent 14 days in Hawaii and split my vacation to two islands: the Big Island and Lanai. I stayed at the Manele Bay Resort and I forget the other. On the Big Island we stayed on the Kona side.
Lanai was nice because it is quiet. The Big Island was awesome and I definitely recommend it. We rented a car for 24 hours and drove the entire perimeter of the Island and went sightseeing to the volcano in the evening once the park rangers left. There was a man there, an engineer from Holland, who left his job and country to come to the big island and he guided about 6 of us very close to the mouth of the volcano. We were so close that the soles to my Nikes melted. I don't know if that is still possible to do. We would've gotten into a ton of trouble if we were caught. I have some awesome pictures somewhere in my storage of the sight of that. The Hilo side is very wet and tropical, whereas the Kona side was lava rock and desert dry. The entire Island was spectacular.
On Lanai the poverty and shacks were unbelievable considering that we were in the United States.
Those small planes are VERY wobbly. I recommend taking some gravol just in case. I needed it, and I don't get motion sickness. I think I was scared sick, lol.
If I could, I would move there. In a heartbeat. It is definitely a trip to take. You are going to love it! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/4/2007 9:41:39 PM | Thanks for the info. I'm staying just south of Hilo for 4 days....yeah, you would've been in big trouble with the Rangers for sure! Usually small planes don't bother me but I never travel without Gravol. A week on Maui so might fit in a ferry ride over to Lanai or Molokai. I'm hoping to do the volcano trip by car myself, and probably by helicopter as well as my research says that's the best way to really see it. Same for Kauai with possibly a catamaran cruise, and through the canyon sitseeing via car.
Maui will be driving the Hana Road, canyon, general siteseeing, Old Lahaina Luau for my birthday...and maybe the sunrise at the crater/bike down the volcano tour! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/6/2007 5:34:55 PM | | It rains a lot on the Hilo side, from what I remember. Still, it's a tropical paradise! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/7/2007 12:15:15 AM | | Wanted to be close to Volcanoes national park and the airport...and with a rental car and 4 days at my leisure - I'm sure I'll find some sun! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 12/26/2007 1:38:48 PM | Hi Mallardjusted,
I am hoping to take my daughter to Hawaii before she heads out into the world for herself. We have never had a vacation and I have heard Hawaii is the place to go if you think you'll only ever go one place in your life.
Looking at the web, it appears it's possible to arrange an 'ad hoc'? trip the way you did. Did you have any troubles? Do you have any suggestions? I am a 48 year old woman with a 19 year old daughter.
Thank you so very much for any help you can provide! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 12/26/2007 4:29:56 PM | You Can stop: I think I've removed enough restrictions on my email so you can write me privately if you like.
Do a lot of research before you go - start with how long you can go, and realize that you will lose one whole day of travel going down and probably 2 coming back. Then decide what you really want to see and/or do. For me, it was the natural beauty/scenery/volcanoes/beaches. I had no desire to see the island of Oahu - had to fly into Honolulu but did not stay. If this is on your "must do" list, then you have to fit it in. I really wanted to see Kauai, big Island of Hawaii (active volcano) and wake up on Maui for my birthday.
There was apprehension at every new airport - would I find my accommodation ok,etc. but within a few minutes it was very easy to navigate my way around every island. I never made it to the Kona side of the big island, so perhaps an extra day there and less on Maui. Flying out of Maui coming home was horrible... I never expected such long lineups that never moved at the airport.
Hawaiian Air Lines has a great website that lets you see various sites/activities available on each island - and you can save ones you're interested in and see them on a map - helped me a lot when I was driving around.
You know the language, currency and drive on the same side of the road - what else do you need? Go for it and enjoy. Mahalo! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 12/27/2007 5:26:56 AM | | i loved hawaii... i spent 2 weeks in honolulu earlier this yr in feb and i didnt wanna leave..i wish i couldve seen the other islands but im sure ill make it back there..i learned alot about what to do there as well as getting away from touristy waikiki and seeing the other side of the island..its def another world once ya get away from the tourist part of the island..soooooo much more to see as far as scenery went..im thinkin i might go back to honolulu or i may check out the other islands next time i go....though at the time i went..i spent $1300 tax and all for non-stop airfare and 1 week hotel..other week i stayed with a friend..only thing i found expensive out there was payin at restraunts and stuff like that.. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 12/30/2007 10:12:10 PM | OOOOOOHHH take me OOOOOHHH  Hawaii is awesome..if I had the $ I'd live there part of the year (stay away from Ohio winters) | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 2/7/2008 5:59:55 PM | I have been to a few of the Islands with Maui being my fav. Yes the copter tour is a must, we have video of it, very cool to watch. I would also suggest doing a whale watch. Typically this time of the year the humpbacks are there. They will often ring bells at the resorts when a pod of whales is spotted from the beach. It is so magical to watch!!
Take a day trip into Lahaina....pretty cool touristy place. Tons of bargains, don't forget to get a photo of yourself under the worlds largest banyon tree!!
If you get a chance to go up in the hills, do it! It is awesome to see the real Hawaii verses the tourist part. Visit some farms and eat at the locals places. Better food and conversations!!
Most important? Have fun!!! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 2/13/2008 3:23:18 PM | | By far the cheapest rentacar on maui is Maui Cruisers. Look it up on google, they are less then 20 bucks a day with EVERYTHING included. Places to stay on maui, just go to a hostel. your not there for the room, your there to enjoy the island. speaking of the island, on Maui go to Twin Falls, and Hookipa Beach. Also ask around Paia for the windsurfing beach i forget what its called. Go to swinging bridges hike and the blowhole on west maui. Check out the 7 sacred pools and go to the black sand beach. TONS OF STUFF ON MAUI! i dont know any other islands but i've been to maui 4 times and lived there for 2 years off and on so i have a pretty good idea of where to go without being from there originally. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 2/22/2008 1:43:52 AM | | mallardjusted, I have a question. If you care to, please send me a place I can ask. The question is regarding Hawaii and not inappropriate. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 2/22/2008 7:21:23 AM | | I've heard that one of the best ways to see the islands is to take a cruise that starts/ends on the big island. You don't need a rental car or to take plane hops. The good thing about the ship is that transportation, food, and room are included so you don't have to shlep your luggage around, and the time between islands is short versus three days on the ocean getting to an island as some other cruises are. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 2/22/2008 7:34:52 AM | Bring a lot of money...or a have a good balance on your card.
Hawaii is EXPENSIVE.
One good thing is Hawaii is one of the few places in the US where you can hitchhike safely.
That can get you around Maui, the Big Island and Kauai pretty easily.
AAA had some good deals over there when I went...so if you're member, you probably want to use your discounts.
IMHO, the best time to go is in the summer.
Less crowded (a little warm) but overall better than the other seasons.
Crime is pretty low (other than property crimes) so it's also very safe to be over there.
I think that you'll have a great time.
Good Luck!! | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/16/2008 12:00:50 AM | | I've been to Kauai, Maui and Waikiki. You don't have to worry about planning your own sightseeing because there are tour operators everywhere promoting day tours. You have to be careful because the quality of the tours vary greatly so make sure you do your homework before booking. Usually the more reputable tours can be booked in your hotel lobby. Another option is to use the local transit in Waikiki. For example, there is a bus route call the "circle island" route (if my memory serves me correctly) that will take you around the whole island in about 4 hours. The local transit system is excellent in Honololu and they take you virtually everwhere so stop off at the transit office and get the schedules and guides and buy a fare ticket that will cover the entire day. The fares are also very reasonable. Some great places to see are Pearl Harbour, Hanama Bay (sp?), the Polynesian centre, the Palace, atlantis etc. Have a great time. Also, Hawaii is fairly safe for women travelling alone. I've been there 5 times myself and never had any problem whatsoever just use your common sense and you'll be fine. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 3/16/2008 4:04:02 AM | I found renting a car much more enjoyable than booking a tour...most of the natural beauty I wanted to see was easy to reach by car and I could spend as long as I wished...not rushed on/off bus to meet someone's schedule. I had looked into booking one tour on Kauai to the Fern Grotto - it was $55.00 approx. for the tour and only went once a day - returning by 1:00 pm. When I checked it out on the web, the actual operation opens at 9am and has regular boat tours leaving every 1/2 hr til 4 pm for $18.00; they also offer a Luau twice a week at nights.
Going the cruise route also gives you limited time in each port and most people feel compelled to pay the high prices of the tours offered on board. Lahaina is pretty on Maui but very busy - I've seen up to 3 cruise ships moored off shore on a single day... I never did have a chance to wander around... perhaps next time. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 6/30/2008 6:49:22 PM | Theres a really good travel book, one for each of the islands actually, cant remember the name but its blue lol they are full of all the info you need. Many of the towns have city parks right on the beaches that you can camp at for free.
I rented an SUV and did most most of the camping in the back, seems to be 2 or 3 small showers every night no matter where you camp, its nice to have the solid roof over your head. My favorite sights were the walk to the place where lava is entering the ocean, go at dusk. Also the place of refuge was pretty cool, and on Kauai the Na Pali coast hike was spectacular. The helicopter ride on Kauai was well worth the cost also. | |
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| Hawaii Travel Info anyone?
Posted: 7/2/2008 7:54:28 PM | I can only tell you about Oahu as that was the only island I stayed... for 5 weeks, a number of years ago.
The flowers and vegetation are amazing. The breezes take the edge off of hot. My friends and I took the bus when we wanted to travel out of Waikiki -> north shore to watch the surfers on the really huge waves. Mostly we walked and walked and swam and swam.... seriously.... we did not even miss using a car. Hawaiians are very laid back and charming.
My closest friend bought a boogie board to try his hand at surfing.... but I found it more fun to walk along the shores away from Honolulu, Diamond Head where you can look out.. interesting landscape....rocks, sea creatures....
We ate at local places.... lots of fish. I think I was in the best shape ever while there and it was sooooo easy. My trip cost me very little other than the flight.
I left my heart in Oahu..... | |
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