Just Whipperwhirl 24 Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 We are planning the trip of a lifetime for when my daughter turns 16. so we have 4 + years to plan and save. We live in New England - we are probably going to go for three weeks. We do have some family there and they have provided some insight -but I am interested to find our what other people think about the islands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BRDof3...Rob 40 Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 We are planning the trip of a lifetime for when my daughter turns 16. so we have 4 + years to plan and save. We live in New England - we are probably going to go for three weeks. We do have some family there and they have provided some insight -but I am interested to find our what other people think about the islands. My wife's cousin and her husband retired to Hawaii. What are you looking for, and I can try to tap into their experiences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just Whipperwhirl 24 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 I think I am looking to hear other peoples experiences - the good, the bad, the must do's, the best islands. I know - not real specific - but we are just getting started - I would be interested in most any thoughts at this point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Auntie 17 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Just one thought...PLEASE...take me with you! ;D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SCTigerCock 171 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Just one thought...PLEASE...take me with you! :DI was going to say that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntsammy5 7 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 We went a few years ago and my advice is - DON'T COME BACK! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HillBillyWhisperer 20 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Been there about 6 times. Have stayed at all 4 of the "main" Islands. They each have places to spend your cash so other than bringing about $100,000 in Cash...what do you want to know? I can tell you the "Must Do's" on each Island if you want to know. You can view some of my pics, of Maui anyway, on my Facebook Page. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just Whipperwhirl 24 Posted January 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 Been there about 6 times. Have stayed at all 4 of the "main" Islands. They each have places to spend your cash so other than bringing about $100,000 in Cash...what do you want to know? I can tell you the "Must Do's" on each Island if you want to know. You can view some of my pics, of Maui anyway, on my Facebook Page.Nice - Jealous.Can you list the must do's by Island? Any stand out hotels that wont cost me a boatload? We are thinking we are going to Island hop - Is that really practical or just a daydream? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HillBillyWhisperer 20 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I will get something together and get it here in a few days or so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntsammy5 7 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 As for Island hopping - we went for 12 days - stayed on Oahu (Waikiki Beach) and went to the Big Island for a couple of days to see the volcano. It was great. We stayed at the Hale Koa which is a military resort for $99/night right on the beach. There are lots of cheap - very nice places to stay with the military. Here's a picture of it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LONE-STAR 370 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I went to the big island it was a high school graduation gift. The only problem was we stayed at a honey mooner's resort. We plan on going in 2 years and staying at the new disney resort. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just Whipperwhirl 24 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 As for Island hopping - we went for 12 days - stayed on Oahu (Waikiki Beach) and went to the Big Island for a couple of days to see the volcano. It was great. We stayed at the Hale Koa which is a military resort for $99/night right on the beach. There are lots of cheap - very nice places to stay with the military. Here's a picture of it...My husband was in the army / national guard - I wonder if we can do that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingdawgs 4 Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 We went to Maui last July for 11 days. It was awesome! We rented a condo in Ka'anapali through VRBO and also rented a jeep. The condo was great because 1) most hotels won't allow 5 in a room, 2) food is expensive there ($6 for a gallon of milk!) but less expensive than taking 5 people to a restaurant. The condo had a great view, but no sandy beach in front of it (just rocks), but most people drive to the beach they want to go to for the day and take a picnic. My kids loved the huge waves.We drove all around the island - saw the sunrise on Haleakala, drove the road to Hana (twice!), saw all the high-end resorts, and snorkeled to our hearts' content. We also took a dolphin watching cruise that we all loved. We loved Maui so much we are saving up to go (hopefully) next year. The cost to get 5 of us to other islands was too high, so we only saw Maui - but it was the best vacation we've had! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 Stay away from the big convention hotels. I stayed on Maui (Ka'anapali Beach) and Oahu (Waikiki Beach) with groups of over 2,000 people each time. I wouldn't have wanted to pay good $$ to stay at the hotel with our group there. My friend wanted to drive the Road to Hana. We got part way there when I got car sick. Not fun. Next time I'll take my motion sickness patches.Make sure you daughter sees and understands Pearl Harbor. Too many younger folks don't understand its importance in our history and don't care to learn: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Just Whipperwhirl 24 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 @ Judy - thanks for the Pearl Harbor reminder - my daughter is the intellectual type - Ill add that to the list - we definately wont want to miss that. @ Campingdawgs I never thought of renting a Condo - thats a really good idea - thanks for that tip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H in SC 85 Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 Lived there for 5 years, (1978-83) loved it. Some places and things in life are overrated, Hawaii is not.IMO Do not do tours, rent a car, get a map and enjoy. Save money on ocean view rather than frontto extend your time on the Island. Should be a trip of a lifetime. I?m Happy for you. :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MLM5.. aka Judy 97 Posted April 17, 2011 Report Share Posted April 17, 2011 Hey Whip, I lived on Oahu for 10 years, I worked for Aloha Airlines (no longer in buisness) for 6 of those. I moved to Alabama from Hawaii 2 years ago, I'd be happy to help you in anyway I can. Alot just depends on how long your going to be there and what's "must do's" for your family. When you start planning again hit me up! There is so much more to Hawaii than than the touristy places can offer, I highly recommend Turtle Bay Resort unless Waikiki is more your speed, again depends on what your family is looking for. Me and mine like to take the path less traveled :0) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrincessNana 15 Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 We went to Hawaii about 10 years ago and as far as we were concerned it lived up to all the hype. We absolutely loved it. We spent a few days on Oahu and then went to Maui. If its still there, you should eat at Mama's Fish House. We tried to drive the road to Hana, but we all got carsick about 5 minutes into the trip. Turned around and recuperated at Mama's Fish House. We rode bicycles down Haleakema (sp?)...you looked over the clouds. Spectacular! We did a helicopter tour and still have the video of our friend crying through the whole thing. We even went to the nude beach! We had a great trip. Wish we were going too!!! Have a great time! :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim5055 120 Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 Old post, but I just saw it (and I think I'm still within the 4 year planning window)We are planning the trip of a lifetime for when my daughter turns 16. so we have 4 + years to plan and save. We live in New England - we are probably going to go for three weeks. We do have some family there and they have provided some insight -but I am interested to find our what other people think about the islands.We did almost 3 weeks a few years ago. Here are the highlights/suggestions.Minimize time on Oahu, Do the Arizona memorial and any other "tourist" spot you may be interested in and get the heck off the island. It's a big city with lots of traffic!! If/when we go back Oahu is off the list of places to go. Been there, done that!Maximize time on the big island and MauiLook into Vacation Rentals by Owner for places to staySave your money and spend it on flying Business/First class - It's a long flight!!Plan your stays on different islands and book inter-island flights early. For our trip we booked all air about 6 months early. We flew into Oahu, spent 4 days jumped over to the Big Island (it really is a BIG island) for a week, then on to Maui for another week. The flight home was out of Maui. Each inter island flight was about $40 per person because we booked early. The closer to the flight day the more expensive.Costco in the islands sell liquor!!!! We had a VRBO house on the big island right on the water. First stop out of the airport was Costco for steaks & drinks. Held us for the week. We tried to drive the road to Hana, but we all got carsick about 5 minutes into the trip.I probably have never been so scared inmy life as the road to Hana :o PureTcrazy...rita 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim5055 120 Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I know this is an old post, but I just found the listing for the place we rented on the big islandClick link to see it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Hmm, tempting - I know this was an old post, and I'm not sure if Whip is still going or not.But some other New England family (ahem - me and the DW) will be celebrating a 25th wedding anniversary in 2014. Maybe this would be the place! Was thinking Disney, but WDW is getting pricey and we have been there multiple times. I like the idea of renting a condo in Hawaii. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drafthorsecrazy 10 Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Have you considered the 7 day cruise around the islands? That's what we did several years ago. It's a different cruise line today......I believe its Norwegian now. It was a great way to experience 5 different islands without a lot of plane hopping or hotel switching. Rent a car on each island and see the sights. Second Mama's fish house after the road to Hana. Yes, I got car sick going to Hana but was ok coming back and the sights (waterfalls) were amazing. On the cruise ship we went by the volcano's after dark and seen the red lava flowing into the ocean. I would do the cruise again in a heartbeat. But.....please know that this cruise ship is no frills....it's basically just room, food, and transportation to the islands. You cruise at night and in the morning you are in port for a day of sightseeing. Good luck planning!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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