My dream trip has been booked!!
  We wanted to go there for our honeymoon 35 years ago but couldn't afford it. Still couldn't afford it for our 10th anniversary, our 15th, our 20th (I had a hysterectomy right before our anniversary), our 25th (son started college, so no extra $$ there), our 30th (daughter was in college so again, no extra $$ there - went on a cruise instead. It was very nice - but it wasn't Hawaii.). I have been telling Dale for over a year that now that both kids were out of college and financially on their own, for our 35th anniversary I wanted to find my rear end sitting on a beach in Hawaii. Fate interferred again. Dale and a co-worker quit their jobs and just started a new business together. Long story - suffice it to say that it was warranted and they did the right thing, but it's still a bit scary.  Then I was having work with a former co-worker last week and she mentioned they were going to Hawaii in January. Our former employer has an Activities Committee that plans all sorts of trips, day trips, local tickets, etc., so I asked if this was an Activities Committee trip. It is, and there was still room! Be still my heart!! When I got home I mentioned it to Dale and he said - book it!! Yippee!!  Our anniversary is in October, my birthday's in November, his is in December (and it's a big one for him this year - 60), so we decided this would be all inclusive for us - anniversary, birthdays, Christmas. Sold!!We'll be spending the first 3 days in Honolulu, then fly to Maui for another 5 days. With travel, it's a 10 day trip. I'm SO freakin' excited!!  SO - to any of you lucky ducks who have already been to Hawaii, if you have any favorite places to go or things to do in Waikiki or Maui, please pass them along!!    YAY!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Good for you!!!! That is soooooo great and what a great way to celebrate all the birthdays, anniversaries etc. I havent been to Hawaii but wanted to say have a great time! |
| Reread my post. Was so excited I missed this - "I was having lunch (not work) with a former co-worker..." Geesh! If this is what I'm like 4 months before the trip, what the heck will I be like after Christmas???  |
| Yay for you guys. We really like Maui. We stayed in Hana. Really liked Lahina (not sure if I spelled that right) We fell in love with an artist there. Wyland. We went in January and the Humpback whales are there oh my they are beautiful. Until you really see a whale breech. It's amazing. Our Favorite Island was Kaui. My husband won the trip when we were much younger. Didn't have any money to enjoy really. I can't wait to go back sometime. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy. Lisa and Frankie |
| Been there twice. My favorite place is the north shore of Kauai. But just getting to Hawaii is great no matter where you go! 1st time we cruised all the islands. 2nd time we went for my son's wedding. Stayed on Kauai, then "the big island" (Kona & Hilo) & last we spent 2 days in Honolulu so we could go to the Polynesian Cultural Center again. The "native" Hawaiian's LOVE to tell you about their island & their heritage. It's like no other place in the world. You can describe it all you want to people but you have to "see it to believe it". ENJOY! |
| We found the Big Island was really a thrill. Live lava flow, plane ride over the active vocano, stayed a couple of nights at a B & B right in Vocano National Park. It was spectacular! If you like seafood you will have the freshest seafood possible. I remember we stopped at a little local place and parked next to a pickup truck. The driver was unloading hia just caught Maui-maui. We waited a little longer since they had to clean it to get it ready,but it was great. Black sand beachs, coastal drive right through the area where Jurassic Park was filmed and last but not least, fresh Kona Coffee! Honolulu was really quite commercial, but still beautiful. Couldn't walk more than 2 blocks without seeing an "ABC" Store. They are everywhere, the 7-11 or WAWA of Hawaii. As an American, Pearl Harbor is mandatory for your agenda also. You are gonna love it! Try to avoid the poi, it's not very tasty. |
| Went on our honeymoon......41 years ago . Honolulu could be missed. Have heard wonderous things about Maui and Kauai....we went to big Island. Loved it. Yes, volcano, lava tubes, orchids, they didn't have the bicycle ride down Mona Kea then, what a blast that would have been! Whales! Wow! That would be great. |
| Since you're going to Maui, book a spa day at the Grand Wailea. I am not a spa person, but I absolutely enjoyed it. Even my husband did it! Book it now as it fills up quickly. My husband's company took 10 managers and their spouses to Maui ten years ago. We enjoyed the drive to the top of Haleakala, the volcano (bring warm clothes), some of the group did the day long bike ride down the mountain. The pineapple farm was so-so. Loved the scary drive to the east side (Hana) of Maui. The helicopter trip was fun, but there were several copter crashes right after we got back. Loved the drive to the Ioa Needle and the trails. Lahaina was fun, try to go to their Art Night. We stayed at the Grand Wailea, so we got to play at their water park. It has a waterfall elevator! While we were there, they kicked several famous people out - you have to stay there to go to the water park. We took a day and flew to Hawaii so we could go to Pearl Harbor. One of our best decisions. The boat we took out for snorkling was supposed to be known for it wonderful cinnamon rolls. They weren't cooked through and I got sick. Have fun and take sunscreen. |
| All the suggestions sound SO wonderful! DEFINITELY going whale watching, and definitely going to see Pearl Harbor. We can't skip Honolulu, as that's where the trip is taking us for the first 3 days. But since we haven't seen it before, I'm sure it will be interesting, in the least. REALLY looking forward to Maui. Most of the time we can go and do what we want, so keep the suggestions coming!! Bring warm clothes? What's the average temp in Hawaii in mid-January? |
82 dsegrees year round! Why do you think they call it paradise?  |
| Ah! I guess the suggestion to "bring warm clothes" means to bring clothes for warm weather, right? Keep 'em coming!! |
| The warm clothes are for the top of Haleakala - you stop at the Ranger station to change on the way up and own. there is an observation building at the top, but you will want to walk to the lip of the valcano - and it is windy. Sunrise is supposed to be stunning, but I missed it. there are trails in the valcano if you chose to walk them - take water! From the Haleakala National Park website: Weather in the high-elevation areas of the park is highly unpredictable and changes often. Cool temperatures, intense solar radiation, and rapidly moving clouds are characteristic. On average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000 foot rise in elevation (or approximately 5°C for every 1,000 meter elevation rise), making the 10,023 foot (3055m) summit of Haleakala about 30°F (or 17°C) cooler than the coast. Year-round summit temperatures range between below freezing to highs of 50°-65°F (10-18°C). The outside temperatures can feel much colder because of wind chill and damp, overcast conditions. |
| Try a Puka Dog in Honolulu. Puka dogs are Hawaiian-style hot dogs: http://bakingbites.com/2010/04/tropical-flavor-and-hot-dogs-at-puka-dog-poipu/ |
| I go to Oahu once or twice a year for business. I don't go to the other islands so I can only tell you about my favorites on Oahu. Honolulu is not my favorite because it's so congested. But there are some wonderful restaurants and beaches, and definitely some serious high end shopping to be found. Do you know where you'll be staying? For an extra-special dinner out in Honolulu, I recommend Michele's. http://www.michelshawaii.com/ As for activities IN Honolulu: Of course climbing Diamond Head in Honolulu is worth the effort for the view but it's definitely not an "easy" climb so don't let anybody tell you it is. There are a lot of areas that are straight up!  But you see people of all shapes, sizes and ages make it so remember it is doable, it's just not an easy trot as I hear some describe. Pearl Harbor is certainly worth the time - I recommend getting there when they open. It will take 2-3 hours total from when you get there. But my favorite place to take a little side trip - I think it's only about 10 miles from Honolulu - and spend a morning in Hanauma Bay: http://www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com/ Get there when they open, rent your snorkel equipment and spend a few hours. You might want to invest in an underwater camera for this one.  Beautiful corals and fish of every color and lots of sea turtles. For the last few years, we've been able to catch the Shanghai Circus at the Hawaii Theater in January, but I don't see them listed on the even calendar yet - maybe they're not going to be there. But it's worth keeping an eye on because if your trip coincides, it's a GREAT show. http://www.hawaiitheatre.com/ You're going to love it no matter what you do. I'll be in Oahu in January too, but this time I get to take a side-trip to Kauai, which I'm really excited about. |
| You guys are GREAT!!! Thank you SO much, and keep the suggestions coming! Raquel - I doubt I'll be climbing Diamond Head, as beautiful as it may be once you reach the summit. I have a bad back and bad knees, unfortunately. Pearl Harbor is on my list, and thanks for the tip on snorkeling on Hanauma Bay. We both LOVE snorkeling!! Mom of 3 - thanks for the clarification. We'll be sure to pack some warmer clothes because I definitely want to go up to see the volcano. Do you walk up there too, or is there another way to the top? Or do you just see if from a copter? |
| LOL ...I loved all the emoticons you used!! GLAD you guys are finally going!!! Sounds like it will definitely be something you guys don't forget!! You guys are staying a good amount of time too... sooooooooooo jealous, but it sounds like it's well deserved!!!!! Please post lots of pics!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Ya gotta eat saimin noodles! I have to look up the name of the place for you. |
| Awww drat! The place I was thinking of is in Lihue, Kauai. It is called Hamura Saimin. But I'm sure you should be able to find some excellent local saimin noodle places on Honolulu too! Get a book on local eats before you go! |
| Rent a car. Gas is expensive, but the island is small. The road goes to the top edge of the volcano. There is a Ranger station halway (or so) up the mountain. Add clothing there.  There is a small fee, $5 or so, for each person. At the top edge, there is another building, a great wind block, with a wonderful view down into the volcano. the trails are visible, though I didn't have a clue which one was which. We were there the end of April/first of May - did I mention bring lots of warm clothes?http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/maps.htm |
| OMG - I can't believe the trip is NEXT WEEK!!! We're getting SO excited!! The past 8 weeks have been challenging, to say the least. We won't be hiking up any hills (I'll be lucky if I can walk a lot on flat ground!! ), but we do have a car reserved in Maui. The tour has booked a trip to the Pearl Harbor Museum, so we don't have to worry about booking it separately. I definitely want to go snorkeling and go on a boat for whale watching, and Dale wants to take a copter ride to see the volcano. I'll just go and go until my leg tells me to stop - which probably won't be as far as I'd like to go!  But at least - I'LL BE IN HAWAII!! Not being familiar with each island, I'll risk sounding dumb by asking - which is the "Big Island"?  |
| It is the island of Hawaii. It is also the biggest and youngest island. I was raised on Oahu and my brother still lives on Maui. You will have a WONDERFUL time! |
| I LOVE Oahu, I think it's one of my favorite places I've ever been too. I agree that Honolulu is very congested, and wouldn't spend more than a day there. Pearl Harbor is a must, it's the coolest/most beautiful memorial I've ever visited. I recommend doing the whole tour. Otherwise I would suggest spending at least a full day up on the North Shore. They have the most beautiful beaches, and they tend to be way less crowded than anything in Waikiki. Waimea Bay is beautiful and very calm, plus there are some waterfalls right by there that you can visit (not as impressive as theyw ill be on Maui, no doubt). There is also Shark's Cove that has excellent snorkeling, and a little hamburger spot called Sharks Cove Grill right across from it. Go there and eat a taro burger for me!!! Lastly there is the Bonsai Pipeline that is a big stretch of beach. I would go there on some days and be the only person there. You can also watch the surfers, which is very cool. There's a little touristy spot on the north shore called Haliewa as well. I swam with the sharks there and they have tons of other little tours. They're really fun and I recommend taking a boat out there to do something! It will be a cooler/more remote experience there than in Waikiki. There's also restaurants and shopping in Haliewa. They have good quality local artisan stuff that they sell in the street there, opposed to the mass produced junk you'll find in Waikiki. There's a little jewelry shop there that sells gemstones and pearls and some really pretty stuff as well. If you go down by turtle bay youll find lots of people selling fruit on the side of the road, I recommend stopping and trying some If you can make it out by the Dole fields, my favorite memory from there is driving down that stretch of road with the windows wide open and smelling the pineapple. Oh! And we went to Kualoa ranch and did an ATV tour. It was crazy! We were speeding ATVs down mountains and through valleys. They have other tours there too, as they have shot a lot of films there. Have fun, I'm jealous!!!! |
| Thanks, Heather! Sounds wonderful, but we'll only be in Oahu for 2 days, then on to Maui. We're doing the Pearl Harbor museum the morning of the 20th - can't wait for that. My head is swimming with all the stuff I want to do!! |
| I went to Hawaii when I was 19 and in college the 1st time. It was a trip through the college and primarily a botanical tour (yes, I was kind of a geeky person, even then ) Fabulous trip that included 4 islands and access to botanical things that regular tourists don't get to see. 2 things mentioned that still stick in my mind as especially memorable - the Pearl Harbor museum - that was just incredible and a definite need to see place. And the 2nd is like Heather said - going out to the Dole pineapple fields. We stopped to watch a crew of ladies on the harvest bars (they rode on long arms of a special attachment device behind the tractor and hacked off the ripe fruit). They stopped and one lady came with a pineapple and her big machete knife and whacked it in pieces for us to eat - all warm and juicy right out of the field! While we were a group and really had a schedule, of course some of the other best time was just relaxing and hanging out at the beach and other beautiful natural (and manmade  ) sights! |
got sheep wrote: of course some of the other best time was just relaxing and hanging out at the beach and other beautiful natural (and manmade ) sights!It sounds like you weren't comletely geeky, you could appreciate the manmade sights. |
Mim wrote: got sheep wrote: of course some of the other best time was just relaxing and hanging out at the beach and other beautiful natural (and manmade ) sights!It sounds like you weren't comletely geeky, you could appreciate the manmade sights. darn right! |
| Oahu is so congested anymore, even the North Shore, glad you are getting out of there and onto Maui. Pineapple harvest is seasonal, so that may be a bust. Pearl Harbor for sure. You realize you'll have to go back soon and visit the other islands. Hawaii, the big island, for the bicycle ride DOWN the volcano (on the highway of course ) Freeze your touchie up top like tundra and end up in tropical jungle when you finish. Stars on top of volcano observatory are INCREDIBLE!!!! (see already planning your second visit) |
| Hawaii is fabulous--all the above is worth doing--Turtle Bay is one of my favorites! |
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