Hawaii, recommendations and fun things to do.

[Juan Vancouver]

Hey all!

 

I am being asked to plan a trip to Hawaii but I have never been and have no idea what to do, where to go, what to see. For some reason that gorgeous area has eluded me so far.

 

Any first hand experience advise would be greatly appreciated. I should be there second half of October.

 

Mahalo!

[mike carey]

At last a subject on which I have some knowledge, even if it may be out of date. What to do depends on what sort of things you like, much as is the case everywhere.

 

Waikiki is the tourist area, bars, restaurants, hotels, the usual. The beach is pretty, some surf in summer, not so much in winter. There are great places to go to swim, Haunama Bay, east of Honolulu, and other places to the NW on the coast. Driving around the island of Oahu gives a variety of experiences. For naval history, the Arizona Memorial is worth a visit even if it is a bit jingoistic.

 

There are things to see on the other (outer) islands. Maui has sunrise on Haleakala, the 3000m volcano, and the bike ride down from watching sunrise, the big island has the active volcanoes. The other islands have their attractions as well (I played golf on Molokai, the island where Father Damian had the leprosy mission).

[marylander1940]

Hey all!

 

I am being asked to plan a trip to Hawaii but I have never been and have no idea what to do, where to go, what to see. For some reason that gorgeous area has eluded me so far.

 

Any first hand experience advise would be greatly appreciated. I should be there second half of October.

 

Mahalo!

 

I guess you have a client who'll fly you there but if you ever go there on your own try to go there after January you'll have more tourists available to hire you.

[+ Funguy]

I have been to the islands every 2-3 years since the 70's and have developed some distinctly personal opinions so please temper this with opinions from others. Also, don't short change yourself on the amount of time you have.

 

I hate O'ahu (the "main" island where Honolulu is located) - it is very crowded and commercial, especially Waikiki, and not much different from many other "tropical" destinations. Tons of hotels, remarkably few of them are beach properties! Nothing special. However, and I have not been there but I have heard wonderful things about the Aulani Hotel (don't shoot the messenger - a Disney Resort) and it is away from Honolulu.

 

I always spend about 8-9 days on the Big Island (island of Hawai'i) Kona Coast which has the best weather in the islands - it is drier, less rain, wonderful trade winds in the evenings. Most of the beaches/hotels at some point face west and have spectacular sunsets! It is also the most quiet of all the the islands and I use it to decompress from my workaholic ethic. The best places, however, are expensive BUT if you go to a well-known travel agency they use wholesalers for booking and outstanding specials can often be had. There are great restaurants, beaches, spas but not exciting nightlife if that's what you want. I'm up at 7:30 to the gym, 8:30 at the beach, 8:00 PM in bed!

 

Maui is where there is a lot of the action but I haven't been there for years and I can't give you any info. I did, however, do the sunrise downhill bike ride on Mt. Haleakala - SPECTACULAR and a lot of fun, starts at about 6,500 feet and down to sea level. I was 25 years younger but wowzer, was that fun!

There is nightlife as well, but I have no details.

 

I haven't been to Kau'i.

 

Once I land, I'm into my flip flops (with special built-in orthotics!), shorts, flowered shirt, sunglasses, a drink in my hand and I exhale with a very audible sighhhhhhhh!

 

Enjoy!

[mike carey]

Try to go there after January you'll have more tourists available to hire you.

I had thought that you were looking at a trip there with a client who wanted your advice, or a private trip with your partner. In either case you would be looking at places to go. Less so if you were going there, and looking for clients once there. I hope you have a good trip either way, it's a great place and not really America (be that a good or a bad thing). (I still have a Honolulu Symphony sweat shirt.)

[Rudynate]

I have made quite a few trips to Hawaii. I don't agree about Oahu. The north shore of Oahu is really spectacular. Great surfing, wonderful beaches.

 

I've been to the big island just once. We stayed at the Kilauea Lodge, in the town of Volcano. It was an old boy scout camp bought by a Swiss hotelier and turned into a comfortable mountain lodge, great food, rain forest climate . ... it was wet nearly all the time. I really enjoyed Hilo on the big island - it felt like stepping back into the 50s. There's a little old sugar town called Pahoa that's really cute but we were besieged by aging stoners needing money.

 

As a matter of fact, that is one thing about Hawaii, everywhere you go, you see aging stoners missing half their teeth hitting you up for cash. Also lots of chickens and feral cats.

 

I'm most familiar with Kauai. We've been there I don't know how many times. It's kind of a small island and you run out of stuff to do after four or five days. You can drive up Waimea Canyou, take helicopter rides around the island. There are some great gardens to see. You can hike the Napali coast. Kauai has wonderful beaches. I always to go snorkeling there. It's fun to go snorkeling - the fish are so used to being fed that they surround you and nudge you with their noses asking to be fed - gorgeous tropical fish.

 

We always stay at the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu. Nice units, beautiful grounds, great beach. One time, feeling flush, we rented a beach house, which was really plush.

 

Some of the boat tours around the island are pretty nice.

[marylander1940]

I had thought that you were looking at a trip there with a client who wanted your advice, or a private trip with your partner. In either case you would be looking at places to go. Less so if you were going there, and looking for clients once there. I hope you have a good trip either way, it's a great place and not really America (be that a good or a bad thing). (I still have a Honolulu Symphony sweat shirt.)

 

Yes, but he might stay on his own for a few days after the client is gone.

 

Up to him, the locals will welcome!

 

@Juan Vancouver

[mike carey]

No he has to put the ad before going there, it's called canvassing and go there IF there's any interest unless he already has a client for an overnight or someone who will fly him there.

That is only if he is going there and looking for clients. Juan hasn't said that is what he is doing, he may already have his reasons for going there sorted, be they personal or business, and his time already allocated. Any further speculation would be impolite.

[marylander1940]

That is only if he is going there and looking for clients. Juan hasn't said that is what he is doing, he may already have his reasons for going there sorted, be they personal or business, and his time already allocated. Any further speculation would be impolite.

 

I'm aware of it, it was just a recommendation besides in HNL he'll be closer to you.

 

Would @Juan Vancouver would like to jump and go to Kangaroland?

[Rudynate]

That is only if he is going there and looking for clients. Juan hasn't said that is what he is doing, he may already have his reasons for going there sorted, be they personal or business, and his time already allocated. Any further speculation would be impolite.

 

It didn't occur to me to wonder why he was asking. If he's planning for a client, our experience is still relevant. He's a smart man. I doubt whether he would have asked if he didn't think we would have valuable information.

[maninsoma]

I went to Kauai every year for quite a while. I love that island. The first time I visited it, as the plane was descending my first reaction was how beautiful the landscape was. Maybe there isn't much to "do" there but it's a wonderful place to just enjoy natural beauty. My first visit to Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) remains one of the peak experiences of my life; I was just awestruck with its beauty.

 

Apart from the north shore of Oahu, there isn't much there that appeals to me. My feelings about Maui are similar. I do like Hawaii quite a bit (aka The Big Island), but only visited it twice because it just didn't cast a spell over me like Kauai did.

[Rudynate]

I went to Kauai every year for quite a while. I love that island. The first time I visited it, as the plane was descending my first reaction was how beautiful the landscape was. Maybe there isn't much to "do" there but it's a wonderful place to just enjoy natural beauty. My first visit to Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) remains one of the peak experiences of my life; I was just awestruck with its beauty.

 

Apart from the north shore of Oahu, there isn't much there that appeals to me. My feelings about Maui are similar. I do like Hawaii quite a bit (aka The Big Island), but only visited it twice because it just didn't cast a spell over me like Kauai did.

 

Kauai is really something, isn't it?

[+ bashful]

Aloha. Hawaii is a wonderful place. It, and it's people have such a unique history.

 

I'm in the Maui is my favorite camp. To me, it seems to offer most of what Hawaii has to offer (good, and not so good too). Scenery, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, vegetation, views, activities, nice resorts (some very expensive), great restaurants (some expensive, many reasonable), and also nice affordable condos for rent. You'll find many of your fellow Canadians like to rent condos in Kihei (southwest side of the island, just north of Wailea). Kihei has my favorite beach in Hawaii (Kamaole Park #1). Nice firm, smooth, soft sand for walking the beach, and you can walk straight out into the ocean, and not experience a drop off, and still see your feet before it's up to your waist. Lifeguards are on duty. Obey the swimming warning signs. Great place to watch the sunset.

 

I'm not crazy about the Kaanapali area because I don't like the sand on the beach. Too loose, and too gritty. And that side of the island has become very built up over the years, all the way up to Napili. But a Friday night in Lahaina isn't a bad diversion. Shops, restaurants, art galleries, and some history too.

 

Some areas people seem to overlook are upcountry (may need warmer clothing there), and Paia (was known as a "hippy" town). If not for Mama's Fish House (consistently rated as the best seafood on the island), I doubt many tourists would think much about the north shore, except as being on the way to Hana. Hookipa is where they do a lot of windsurfing.

 

It's been 20 years since I've been on Hawaii, or Kauai (always sunny in Poipu). You've been given good suggestions, and I echo Volcanos National Park (it was steaming when I was there), and Waimea Canyon. I have not seen, nor do I now feel any need to see, the Grand Canyon after seeing Waimea Canyon. Kauai has such natural beauty. I finally was back on Oahu 4 years ago, and Honolulu is still just a big city to me. North Shore still on my bucket list. Waikiki is nice to visit, but I don't like the beaches, and pools are crowded. Never went to the Cultural Center, but The Arizona Memorial should be seen.

[+ stevenkesslar]

Kauai is one of my favorite places in the world. Any of the Hawaiian Islands is great, but Kauai is the most exotic, beautiful and diverse. There is less to do in the sense of no Honolulu, but more romantic and way more to do outside. Gorgeous beaches.

 

I lived there for two months with an ex and it was two of the most romantic and magical months of our lives together. I've also traveled there about a dozen times.

 

The Waimea Canyon is beautiful and is packed with hiking trails. It is a must see.

 

The Kalalau Trail goes along the Napali Coast and is insanely lush. The full trail is a daylong, rigorous hike that ends at a gorgeous beach. It takes planning and supplies and a permit and overnight camping. Or you can do it as a day trip as the first beach is a few miles in along the trail. I've done the full hike several times with partners and the two mile hike several times with clients who were in good shape. They loved it. There are also some good river kayaking options.

 

I've stayed in Kauai a number of times with clients and they loved it. The tropical environment lends itself to all the "romantic" things that clients looking for more than a nice dinner and fuck are looking for.

 

You are just going to love it. The only place in the world I've found that feels better to me as a home away from home or fantasy escape is Puerto Vallarta.

 

Depending on how much time a logical thing is fly to Oahu and spend a few days in Waikiki and then go spend 3-4 days in Kauai.

[Rudynate]

Kauai is one of my favorite places in the world. Any of the Hawaiian Islands is great, but Kauai is the most exotic, beautiful and diverse. There is less to do in the sense of noHonolulu, but more romantic and way more to do outside. Gorgeous beaches.

 

I lived there for two months with an ex and it was two of the most romantic and magical months of our lives together. I've also traveled there about a dozen times.

 

The Waimea Canyon is beautiful and is packed with hiking trails. It is a must see.

 

The Kalalau Trail goes along the Napali Coast and is insanely lush. The full trail is a daylong, rigorous hike that ends at a gorgeous beach. It takes planning and supplies and a permit and overnight camping Or you can do it as a day trip as the first beach is a few miles in along the trail. I've done the full hike several times with partners and the two mile hike several times with clients who were in good shape. They loved it. There are also some good river kayaking options.

 

I've stayed in Kauai a number of times with clients and they loved it. The tropical environment lends itself to all the "romantic" things that clients looking for more than a nice dinner and fuck are looking for.

 

You are just going to love it. The only place in the world I've found that feels better to me as a home away from home or fantasy escape is Puerto Vallarta.

 

Depending on how much time a logical thing is fly to Oahu and spend a few days in Waikiki and then go spend 3-4 days in Kauai.

 

It used to be that you had to change in Honolulu to travel to Kauai, but there have been direct flights from LA and SF for years.

[marylander1940]

In Honolulu: Pearl Harbor, the Missouri ship and the Royal Palace, plenty of other things to do in the other islands.

 

 

[mike carey]

TRIGGER WARNING - Insensitive Humour

 

There is a story, no doubt apocryphal, that the first time the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force took part in Exercise RIMPAC, the USN personnel at the opening reception were, uncharacteristically, paying little attention to the admiral commanding the Japanese contingent. Finally someone came up to talk with him and asked, 'Well Admiral, have you been to Hawaii before?' He allegedly replied, 'Yes, but last time I didn't land'.

[+ quoththeraven]

TRIGGER WARNING - Insensitive Humour

 

There is a story, no doubt apocryphal, that the first time the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force took part in Exercise RIMPAC, the USN personnel at the opening reception were, uncharacteristically, paying little attention to the admiral commanding the Japanese contingent. Finally someone came up to talk with him and asked, 'Well Admiral, have you been to Hawaii before?' He allegedly replied, 'Yes, but last time I didn't land'.

 

Awkward!

[Rudynate]

TRIGGER WARNING - Insensitive Humour

 

There is a story, no doubt apocryphal, that the first time the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force took part in Exercise RIMPAC, the USN personnel at the opening reception were, uncharacteristically, paying little attention to the admiral commanding the Japanese contingent. Finally someone came up to talk with him and asked, 'Well Admiral, have you been to Hawaii before?' He allegedly replied, 'Yes, but last time I didn't land'.

 

 

A long time ago, I knew a German doctor who had been a hospital commander in the Wehrmacht. When he talked about the war, and Germany having lost, it was in a matter-of-fact way, as though it could have turned out differently, that seemed so odd compared to our view that Germany losing the war was the only possible just outcome.

[Juan Vancouver]

Hey guys,

 

Thank you so much for your detailed posts. There is so much to consider! I always tend to trust first hand experience whenever planning a trip and you guys gave me enough to ay least have an idea of what's what.

 

For those of you who are curious, Thor and I will spend a week with a client. After that it is possible Thor and I will stay a little longer. My guess is that our client might want something a little less adventurous, but I will try to tempt Thor to try out the other stuff. I always feel a little tempted to work whenever I am in a foreign place that might be a good market, but I may in the end not do it. Hard to predict.

 

Thanks again! You guys rock!

[LADoug1]

Go snorkeling wherever you are. Take a guided tour to a reef and enjoy looking at all the beautiful fish!!

[+ TylerandAce]

Rent a car and eat at one (or several) of the shrimp shacks on the North Shore of O'ahu finishing with pineapple upside down cake at Ted's bakery!! My favorite trip every time I'm there!!

[Juan Vancouver]

Rent a car and eat at one (or several) of the shrimp shacks on the North Shore of O'ahu finishing with pineapple upside down cake at Ted's bakery!!

 

You had me at Pineapple! Thanks!

[+ stevenkesslar]

You had me at Pineapple! Thanks!

 

Hmmm. You're a little bit slow today, Juan. They had me at "Tyler and Ace."

[Guest]

Where you go/what you do depends on the island. My personal favorite is the Big Island (lots to do include great scuba), then Kauai (great hiking, scenery), then Maui, then Oahu (most urban, if you're more into doing specifically gay things). If you specify which island, we might come up with better suggestions. The Andrew Doughty series of books have good recommendations on what to do for each island.