I am trying to plan a trip to Hawaii with my daughter. I would like help in planning this trip.?

Question

I would like suggestions on the best time to go. I am planning for August. I would like to plan an ecomonical vacation, but classy.We would like to be near the beach and experience the true Hawaiian experience.

Answer 1

Well if you want an economical vacation, then you need to go in the winter months. The weather is just as nice, and everything is a lot cheaper.

I seriously would suggest going to Maui or Kauai. Maui if you want to do all the touristy thing, or Kauai if you want to relax and enjoy the Hawaiin beaches. Kauai even is the only island with actual rivers you can kayak up and really enjoy a green and peacefull Hawaii.

Most of the movies are filmed in Kauai, and sorry if I am not spelling the island name right. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Virus, 40 days and 30 nights or whatever that movie was, Jurassic Park, and so on.

Answer 2

If you want what a lot of Americans think is the "true" Hawaiian experience, then go to Oahu, specifically Waikiki beach or Lahaina, Maui. Hotels may be cheaper on other parts of the island than right in Honolulu or Lahaina.
If you want to really know what Hawaii is about and get what I think is the true Hawaiian experience, go to Molokai or Lanai. There are a lot less tourists to get in the way, the Hotels will be cheaper, and these islands have a lot slower pace, which is really the true Hawaiian way.

Answer 3

Hi Diane,

August is still in peak travel time, but you need to travel when your daughter is out of school. I highly recommend that you check with a Hawaii travel specialist, preferably a resident who knows Hawaii really well.

By talking the specifics of your trip over with a professional -- your city of origin, budget, sightseeing and activity preferences, and all the possible options which fall into your description of economical but classy -- you'll great advice and service with no additional cost, so why not use the professional?

Check with my source. E-mail and/or call. You will be really glad that you did.

Answer 4

First either go to library or bookstore and look at travel books.There are 8 major islands. Travel books are put together after talking to thousands of people who have been there. Second start getting web sites from HI there are a lot of them so you will have to narrow down which island.

Don't let some idiot who made a one day trip there spoil your vacation by leading you astray.

Answer 5

I have been to Oahu in the month of May, and in the month of September.
I have stayed at the Pacific Beach Hotel four out of six times, and it is on the island of Oahu. It is right across the street from Waikiki Beach.
Very near transportation, shopping, restaurants.
Any and all of the islands of Hawaii share in the "Aloha Spirit". It is just everywhere you go!
Just smile and set your mind at ease!!

Answer 6

It relies upon on what you opt to do, Oahu has a very good kind of events for the whole kinfolk, you are able to constantly stay interior the north shore in case you do in comparison to how busy Waikiki is. Maui on the west area is suited too yet much less busy, you are able to stay in Kaanapali or Lahaina or on the South shore in Kihei. Kauai and the enormous Island are extra laid returned too in case you basically opt to loosen up and such.

Answer 7

There is a grate book called lets go Hawaii try finding the 2007 one and here is a web site why they call it this i don't know but its the best info web site on travel.

Answer 8

I am familiar with Oahu - Waikiki. Never get tired of it. Very expensive in summer months. Airfare can be double. Know some great places to eat, see.Younger or older child?

Answer 9

Just go to your nearest Triple A (AAA), join and they will help you set this up. They are really great at vacation/travel plans!
Good luck, and Have Fun!
Even though you can/t drive there, they will still help you set this up.

Answer 10

August is consider peak, therefore, airfare and hotel will be on the high side.

Personally, I don't think there is such a thing call true Hawaiian experience if you don't live here. For someone who come to visit, you probably not planning to work here either. So, one cannot experience other's life without living/working with them. Been a tourist isn't bad here too. Just enjoy what the islands have offer.

Here is one iternary that I share with friends and Yahoo user on Oahu.

Day 1 - Mon ~ Waikiki
Arrive this day, check into hotel and check out Waikiki beaches or areas (like the zoo, aquarimum, Kapiolani park) in the morning.
Then, go to Ala Moana Shopping Center (just outskirt of Waikiki) for lunch.
Opposite of Ala Moana Shopping Center is Ala Moana Beach Park.
Magic Island, part of Ala Moana Beach Park, is an enclosed area, great & safer for younger kids.
Be sure to take a great picture of Diamond Head view from the park.

Keep the first day around your hotel as you might be tired to go farther.

Check out Todai resturants for dinner. They have great seafood (mostly Japanese style) buffet.

Day 2 - Tue
Drive around the island. Visit North Shore, Dole Plantation (see the world largest maze), more beaches at Sunset Beach, Sandy beach, Bellow Beach, Ko O lina. Make this a drive day and visit as many places as you can.

Find a beach you like and come back another day.

Day 3 - Wed ~ Aloha Stadium/Pearl Harbor/Might Mo Battleship/Pearlridge Shopping Center
Go to Aloha Stadium Swap Meat/Flea market in the morning (like 7a.m is the best time). This Swap Meat is only available on Wed, Sat & Sun morning. Large selections of Hawaii gifts to take home for family & friends. Be sure to negiotiate when buying large quality.

A small fee required to enter the stadium (50 cent per head currently).

Spent about 1-2 hours in this place.

Then, process to Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, which locate across from Aloha Stadium.

Free admission to watch the World War II documentary (about 20 min) on Pearl Harbor attack and a free boat ride to the Memorial after documentary., a donation will be helpful to the center. Surroundings are plates of history.

The documentary & boat ride is about 1 hours. However, on Wed/Sat/Sun, it is very crowded. You might have to wait a few hours before you can into the movie.

If you have a ticket for a late show, go & visit Might Mo Battleship (next door to Arizona Memorial) or do it after Pearl Harbor.

Fee required. A trolley will take you to the battle ship. Please join the guide tour as it is very informative. Went with a few friends and the history the guide told was very helpful.

Spent about 3-4 hours on the ship.

In the evening, proceed to Pearlridge Shopping Center. It is about 5 min drive from Pearl Harbor. Turn left at the traffic light at Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial exit. Right turn at Pali Momi road and into the Shopping Center. You can do great shopping there or just have dinner there before going back to hotels.


Day 4 - Thu
Take a hike to Diamond Head. Great city view. But fee required to go in. At the end of the paved path, there are a lots of stairs to climb.

Spent about 1-2 hours.

[If you want free hike and great view, proceed to the East for Makapuu. Also paved hike path, but mostly ocean view, not city view. Another free city view will be at Punchbowl National Cemetery (see Friday).]

For lunch, stop at Koko Marina. There is a Zippy Resturant which is a local delight.

After Diamond Head, go to Hamauma Bay. Closed on Tuesday. Great safe snorkeling place.
Fee required.

Spent whole afternoon.

Head back to Waikiki for dinner. There is a place called Palama Market, outskirt of Waikiki, is famous for great Korean food. Prices are very reasonable.


Day 5 - Fri
Visit Punchbowl National Cemetery in the morning. Varies wars history can be read on the wall displays. Also, take a short walk to open area. Great city view.

Free entrance. Please be respectful to the dead bury there.

Spent less than 1 hours.

Drive about 10 min down to Iolani Palace. This is the only Hawaiian Palace here. Take pictures outside the palace only. Join the Grand Tour for interesting Hawaiian history. You can watch a film too.

Fee required for touring inside the palace.

Spent about 1 - 1 ½ hour if joining tour.

Across from the palace is the famous King Kamehameha Status.

Next to the left of the palace is the Downtown Business District. Walk down Hotel Street (this street only allow Bus to drive thru, no cars allow) towards Chinatown.

Chinatown only 2-3 blocks away. Visit Little Village resturant for delicious Chinese food. Or go to Chinese Culture Plaza for good dim sum.

If you like art, visit Honolulu Art Museum which is outskirt of Downtown, towards Waikiki. Fee required.

Head down to Kakaoko Park for a great sun set view. This was once a dump site. But now a nice park area.

Find a L&L Plate Lunch for dinner. Local favorite eat out. There is one in Wal-Mart (near Ala Moana Shopping Center).
Then, head to Tantatus Mountain for a great city night view. Driving required to get up there. Free.


Day 6 - Sat
If you find a beach worth second visit (from Day 2), spend another day at this beach. If not, visit Waikele Shopping Outlet for some last minutes gifts. There are also places like Pali Lookout (great view also has hiking trail), Bishop muesum, Hawaiian Water Park (theme park for family), Kualoa Ranch Horseback riding, etc. Just a note, some locals do visit these places, so it might get crowded during weekends.

Note, Swap Meat at Aloha Stadium available in the morning.

Day 7 - Sun
Fly home.

If you have a longer stay at Hawaii, I would suggest that you visit other islands.

My favorite recommendation is Big Island (also known as Volcano Island or the island of Hawaii).

Big Island is worth at least one day trip to the Volcano. You can do a early morning flight & jump on the latest flight back to Oahu. Fly to Hilo if you want to visit Volcano Park.

Otherwise, spend another 3 day there is great.