Hawaii: recommendations?

[topcat]

I have checked the archives already, but I would appreciate any recent information and views on where to go/where to stay/what to see in Hawaii.

 

It's our first trip there, and we plan to go in early August. I like plants and landscape, while my boyfriend likes swimming and all sports.

 

We're not sure where to go, and had thought to spend 3nights in Honolulu/Oahu and 3nights in Kauai. We like to stay in smart, boutique hotels rather than big chain luxury places...but most important to us is that they are gay-friendly. So far, using the net, I have only found quite big hotels with sports-facilities....but we really don't mix well with lots of straight golfers.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

[guyinsf]

My personal bias, given what you have written, is that you should spend the entire time on Kauai. It is a beautiful island with more than a week's worth of things to do. It really doesn't have a gay "scene," though, if you want that to be part of your vacation. I don't know of any gay-friendly hotels but there are some gay bed & breakfast places on Kauai, if you are interested in that type of setting.

[dick_nyc]

If you check Devon's Diaries from about a month or so ago he did a series of columns on Hawaii and what he did there and what he found there. You might want to look that up or email him and ask.

[topcat]

Thanks for the info and the reference - I hadn't read Devon's Diaries before.

 

But is it really not worth visiting Honolulu? I thought the city and Oahu itself might be interesting.

[Guest Mikel]

I agree that Kuai is the place to stay. I don't think three days would be enough. Kuai will deliver on what you dream about when you think of Hawaii...definitely more remote and quiet compared to Oahu.

 

Whatever time you spend on Kuai, make sure you take the raft ride along the Napali coast. The scenery is spectacular! Take the longer trip option. You'll spend some time on a seculed beach, be served lunch, and have great snorkeling. The departure point for the excursion is Kee Beach which is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world...so plan on spending some extra time there.

 

Also, be sure to do some hiking along the canyon on the island. Further, you will not regret it if you take the helicopter tour of this island.

 

There was a gay beach when I was there. It was called "Donkey" beach. You had to park up on the road and walk down a steep hill to access the beach. Totally nude beach with action in the bushes. A wild surf so not too safe for swimming, however.

 

There is a reason they call this the "Garden Isle"...it is exactly what you picture when you think of "paradise". No wonder so many films have been shot on this beautiful island. It is the one place I actually felt depressed when it was time to leave...and I have been there more than once.

 

Enjoy!

[ted]

Honolulu is a big city, just that. If that's where you want to spend your time go for it. Hula's, moved from old location a year or two ago, is still the major gay club. There are a lot of things to do, but not a lot of gay things to do. Kauai deserves its name as the Garden Isle and fits your desires to a tee. There are a lot of condo's around too if none of the major hotels suit your fancy. I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency and the Marriott and enjoyed them both. Tourism is down there and deals should be available wherever.

[guyinsf]

"Donkey beach" is no more. The last time I checked it out, the land above the beach was being bulldozed in preparation of condos going in. I heard that the new owner of the land was having the cops regularly bust nude sunbathers who still attempted to use the beach below. I don't know whether that part was true, but someone I knew who lived there had gotten a ticket for public nudity at that beach just a few weeks before I arrived.

 

Secret Beach is still there, though, and is more beautiful than Donkey Beach because of its dramatic setting. This is one beach that I hope doesn't get ruined by development. It's difficult to imagine the steep trail down being developed, but if the land up above gets condo-ized I suppose access could be curtailed.

 

I've been to Kauai on almost every vacation I've taken over the past decade. That's how much I "fell in love" with that island.

[+ glutes]

Try Maui, and the north - side (over the rocks) of Makenna Beach.

Lots of Friends of Dorothy, all nude sun bathers.

[Guest Ryker]

I have been to Hawaii once or twice per year for the past 12 years. Each vacation has been for two weeks. My preference is to find a condo rental, particularly on Maui and Kauai. There are thousands of them. Do an Internet search: just key in "Maui vacation rentals" or "Kauai vacation rentals" and you will have unlimited choices. They are far cheaper than hotels; you have a full condo with kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. They often have high-end stereo and television and kitchen equipment. They are usually much more private than hotels. You can find a one-bedroom condo right on the beach for $600 - 700 per week (not per person, total price). A piece of advice: there is a difference between "ocean front" and "beach front." Ocean front may have no beach, just lava rock. If you want to step out of your building and be on a sandy beach, get "beach front."

 

Some of them are gay-friendly and websites sometimes say so. There are websites devoted to gay hawaii. Search around; they're easy to find. I think one is gay-hawaii.com.

 

Waikiki is a totally different world from all the outer islands. If you like tens of thousands of tourists all around you (the majority from Asia) and you like shopping, lots of restaurants, crowds, packed beaches, water that isn't all that clean (compared to the outer islands) then you will like Waikiki.

 

The outer islands provide water that is crystal clear: I love being up to my neck and looking down and seeing my toes. Kauai in particular has beaches where you can find beaches where you will be the ONLY ones there (having sex under a palm tree listening to the waves and feeling the tropical breezes is a favorite of mine).

 

By going in August, you have the advantage of being in the dry season. The prettiest part of Kauai is the north shore, but it can be very rainy in the winter. The north shore is a bit more expensive, but incredibly lush and picturesque. The south side of Kauai is very dry (we were surprised to see a lot of cactus). The island is small; you can drive around the whole thing in less than 2 hours (you can't go ALL the way around, because the Na Pali cliffs are impassable). There are several nice condo complexes on the north shore in Princeville. I've stayed at Pale Ke Kua, which has its own beach down the hill. Nearby are two other nice ones: Puu Poa and Sea Lodge condos.

 

If you go to Maui instead of Oahu, I recommend the Kihei area, near the Kamaole Beaches (I. II, and III). My favorite condo complex is the Royal Mauian, on the ocean side on a grassy promontory with private balconies and sandy beaches on both sides.

 

By far the best guide books are by the same authors: Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman. Titles: "the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" and "Maui Revealed." Buy them NOW on Amazon or somewhere and they will tell you everything you need to know to find a good condo or hotel (they visit each one and rate them and tell you CANDIDLY about them) and they give you very specific directions on how to find the best beaches. They also rate all the restaurants.

 

There is very little gay life in Hawaii. It is the one time that I focus far more on nature and the outdoors and forget about gay life for a few days. For me, since I prefer masculine men in leather, even Waikiki has nothing for me (just some WeHo type bars).

 

But in Hawaii you can relax like no other place I have ever found!

[LovesYng]

Thanks A lot guys, you gave me a lot of "GOOD" information on Hawaii. I'll be travling their in late August and just did some changing in plans after reading the post on here. Taking one of my boys with me for about a week and a half for some badly needed R&R:P

 

When in doubt I whip it out:+