Hawaii Here I Come!

[Guest jaighbos]

Taking My first ever trip to Hawaii: Oahu, Maui and Kauai. And in that order of decompression. It seems everyone I've talked to who have been to Hawaii have had a deep, visceral reaction to the place. Not once have I heard an "eh, it was OK". Anyone care to share any of their experiences or suggestions of things not to miss while I'm there?

[doitb4ugo]

Hey Jaighbos,,,,,Don;t miss the plane or you won't see much....LOL.

 

sorry for the humor. I am seriously jealous man. That sounds like a trip to remember....have fun and send me some sand for my private beach....

[Guest greatness]

oh my

 

How exciting~~ Have fun... How long are you going for~~. Each island takes several days to fully explore~~~ It's a good thing that you are planning ahead. Kisses and hugs~~

 

Taking My first ever trip to Hawaii: Oahu, Maui and Kauai. And in that order of decompression. It seems everyone I've talked to who have been to Hawaii have had a deep, visceral reaction to the place. Not once have I heard an "eh, it was OK". Anyone care to share any of their experiences or suggestions of things not to miss while I'm there?

[Steven_Draker]

Anyone care to share any of their experiences or suggestions of things not to miss while I'm there?

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time in Hawaii. A few things I'd recommend: In Oahu the Kahala Mandarin Oriental hotel offers a nice alternative from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki beach. If you chose to stay there you may try a swim with the dolphins in their private pool. While in Oahu, take a trip to the North Shore to see the world famous surf (and the sexy surfers). In Kauai you can take a helicopter tour and see this green island from the air at its best. In Big Island take a walking tour and go down to the volcano crater. In Maui I went scuba diving, but I'm sure that other posters would recommend some fun things to do and see. Enjoy!

 

Cheers, Steven ~

[Kevin Slater]

Waimea Canyon in Kauai is amazing. A short hike takes you to one of the most gorgeous spots on earth, a longer hike fills a day wonderfully. Stop by for Jo Jo's shave ice on the way to the canyon. Kauai is less manicured than Maui and makes for a more rugged vacation if you're willing to get dirty exploring.

 

Hawaii is one of those fun places where even the stupid touristie things are great. Take the catamaran tour around one of the islands, go to a (commercial) luau. Gay life in Honolulu is fun and easily found, but not so much in either Kauai or Maui. You have to bring it with you as you won't find it there. And to state the obvious, wear plenty of sun screen.

 

Kevin Slater

[Luv2play]

I went to Hawaii with my first real live-in lover 26 years ago and it was in effect our honeymoon. Two weeks over the Christmas and New Years. The weather was great and we went via San Francisco and returned via Los Angeles and had a couple of nights in each of those cities as well.

 

We did the first two islands you are going to, Oahu and Maui and you are right about the decompression. Oahu is very urbanized and Maui less so. But we stayed right on Waikiki Beach and did all the touristy things.

 

Not mentioned here yet is the site of the sunken USS Arizona, the Pearl Harbour Memorial which we went to. Even though I am Canadian, I was deeply moved by the experience and after all that event in 1941 is what made Canada and the US allies once again in the fight for freedom.

 

The surf is incredible and much too scary in places for me to venture into it. Waikiki was fine, very gentle. The sunsets there are gorgeous, try to have a room facing west and you can sip champagne as we did on your balcony and watch the sunset. Very romantic!

 

I loved the flight to Maui from Honolulu as the small plane flew us directly over Molaki, the old leper colony. The views looking down on the sheer cliffs of that island are breath-taking. I don't know if it's still around but we went to Hamburger Mary's in both Honolulu and Maui. In the latter place, we ran into old friends and it was really the only gay place there that I recall.

 

I hope you have a pleasant trip and come back with the sort of memories I have. They will last a life-time.

[Poolboy21409]

On Maui, definitely drive the Road to Hana and back. Out there you can enjoy the seven pools with waterfalls. Also, get up early one morning and drive to the top of Haleakala (sp.) the dormant volcano. Both sound a bit hokey but well worth the time- especially Haleakala. 10,000+ feet high, cool but not cold and unbelievable scenery and fauna.

 

Are you going by yourself or can I come along too!

[+ blondeq]

I agree with poolboy on both suggestions. I spent at least 2 weeks on Maui every year and just can't get enough. Remember to bring a jacket for a pre-dawn trip up Haleakala; I didn't on my first trip and about froze my nipples off. The road to Hana is an all day event but don't let that discourage you. The Old Lahina Luau is probably the best on all the islands. The Marriott may still do a Luau that was reported as being very good as well. Finally, don't forget a day at Little Beach while on Maui. This is the gay/nude side of Big Beach; it's a little bit of a trek but well worth it for ocean views and beach views. Where are you staying while on Maui? Have a great time.

[playwrestler]

Beaches

 

Years ago when I was there you could pick up a guide at the bookstores that directed you through the roads of the cane fields -- they're unmarked dirt roads so the guide read like "take the cane road left at mile 3.5 on Hwy 5, go past three more cane roads and then left for two more cane roads then right for four more cane roads" These directions led you to unbelievably wonderful remote beaches! I'm hoping this is still around.

[azhiker]

I love this thread. I used to go to Hawaii alot when I was younger and the June "gloom" in southern California got to me. Most recently I did a spur of the moment trip in Dec. '07 and had one of the best times there. The first night there Hula's had their Xmas show, "mele kalikimaka" which was so campy good fun. The next morning I hired an escort vacationing from LA and he was great fun, we did Hula's catamaran later that day and I saw him a couple more times. I really lucked out that trip. Sometimes the unplanned vacations are the best ones.

[Guest greatness]

oh my

 

You are so spontaneous and adventurous! I sometimes take unplanned trips. Just buy a plane ticket and go to anywhere I want without any planning~~~