Any Hawaiian native or resident, who recommends where to go?

Question

My husband and I are planning our second honeymoon, we just took the kids on vacation, (6 total, from our prior marriages) so after that, now we are on a budget and we are thinking either the Main Island or Oahu, we would appreciate the insight of a native and/or resident from these two areas, in where to go and what to do. We are looking for 3 o 4 star hotel, and would like to spend a week there. Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Hi Esmeralda!

Oahu is a fantastic place to go on vaction and this post that I previously put together will def help you out too! II would also take advantage of an interisland flight if you can for atleast a day or so also to experience another island. This post ranges from Hiking,Hotels,Waterfalls all the way to clubs and were to get discount coupons on Oahu. I hope this helps you out! Have a great trip!
I love hiking Hawaii and this site is by far the most detailed. Manoa falls is one of my favorite falls to hike to and although not recommended the hike up past the first falls to the second, third and beyond are amazing. Many people go around the fence and up the banyan roots to the second falls and swim up above. I'm guilty of that too, but it is absolutely amazing and you can dive off the rocks into the water. This link http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ will take you to a site that explains any trail on all the islands and is an absolute MUST see if you’re going to do any hiking on the island. The rest of this post is stuff I put together for someone else and has other helpful or useful info for travelers to Hawaii. Def go and check that site out...you won't be disappointed. Hope this helps you out.

I am a nature nut and Hawaii is a great place to enjoy our beautiful planet! I put this together earlier but wanted to share it with you because there are some things here that will help you out! Hawaii is definitely worth it! I just can't get enough of that place! I have been 6 times and I have found enough on Oahu to do that I haven't even ventured out to the other islands yet! Here are some things in Waikiki and around the island to do; Dukes is def cool and right on the beach, and if you want to dance you can head over to Scruples. If you like to drink then do it in your room cause it is way way to expensive at the clubs. I suggest going to one of the 50+ ABC stores and grabbing your alcohol there for much cheaper! There is a ton of eating places down on the strip but the real Hawaii is out of town. Take the bus or drive up to manoa valley and experience the rainforest and a natural waterfall! Take a trip to the north shore and go to Waimaia Valley and see some of the most spectacular fauna anywhere! If you adventurous hike along the ridges and see paradise from 4000 feet! I did that and loved every second of it..Ok well it was more like 8 hours of it but anyway..lol. This link will take you to a site with very detailed info on hiking trails http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ Diving and snorkeling are pretty awesome too! Hanuama bay is touristy and with good reason. You are guaranteed to see tons of fish and have a nice afternoon at a beautiful beach! Diving can be done just off shore and runs around 100 bucks for 2 tanks and you don't need to be experienced. Not far out of town you can jet ski or parasail. Wouldn't really bother with the jet skiing because they have too many rules in Hawaii but the parasailing is something you should at least try once. After that it gets kind of boring. In town the international market place is def cool and worth strolling through...a tip..go to all the kiosks and then go back and don't be afraid to barter..that's how it works there! On the weekend a really cool thing to do it go to aloha stadium for a huge flea market!!! I mean huge the tents go all around the stadium and everything you find for souvenirs in Waikiki you will find there for way I mean way cheaper!! Oh one last thing, you have to go to a Luau and the Paradise Cove Luau is the best. oh crap...just thought of something else that will help you out. Go to www.Entertaiment.com and buy the book for Hawaii and it will give you so many discount coupons it will pay for it self right away. I did and it worked great. I just found another site that has coupons that you can print off the web so check this one out too http://www.ecouponshawaii.com/............. Don't forget that part..really do it and you won't be sorry. Many 2-1 coupons on dinners in the Entertainment Book. Waikiki is is really expensive so anytime you can save money it’s a good thing. I have been to Hawaii 6 times now and would love to live there. I hope you make it because you won't forget it! Aloha!

Some more stuff:

Must See Attractions

Paradise Cove Luau - Best on the Island (get entertainment coupon"
Polynesian Cultural Center - North Shore (can catch show here) Make sure you get the "entertainment coupon" At the 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center, you can experience the everyday adventures of Pacific cultures first-hand. Immerse yourself in the habits and customs of the real Polynesia, while natives demonstrate the art of dancing with fire, making jewelry from plants and climbing 50-foot trees in bare feet. And our new “Go Native” activities let you try your hand at authentic activities and games in our seven native villages. Try Tongan spear throwing or participate in the Haka war dance of New Zealand. Enjoy the Ali’I Luau, named “Most Authentic” by the Kahili Awards, and the “Horizons” night show, featuring over 100 native performers
Diamond Head - Cause everyone's doing it
Waikiki- Can't go to Hawaii and miss the strip
Manoa Falls - An easy hike with views and feel of the jungle and it's free!
Hanuama Bay - Best tourist snorkeling in the islands!
Drive the Pali Highway and go to the lookout
Pink Cadillac is where most Japanese gals hang out and is located in Waikiki on Ena Road!
Zanzabar in Waikiki it's in the Waikiki Trade Center on Kuhio Avenue.
Pipeline Cafe in Honolulu located behind Dixie Grill.
The Ocean's Club located in the Restaurant Row Shopping Center.
The Mai Tai Bar located in Ala Moana Shopping Center located across from Bubba Gump 2nd floor from Shirokiya. The food & drink menu is awesome!
Rumours nightclub is located in the Ala Moana Hotel.
The Galaxy Club located at 1739 Kalakaua Avenue across the street from the back half of Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu.

Have fun!
http://www.pinkcadillacwaikiki.com/html/...
http://www.zanzabarhawaii.com/
http://www.pipelinecafe.net/homepage.htm...
http://www.oceanclubonline.com/............
http://www.maitaibar.com/hawaii.html.......
http://www.clubvibes.com/listings/listin...
http://www.myspace.com/galaxynightclub.....
http://www.iflygo.com (cheap interisland flights)


Makiki Heights drive - Tourists don't find this gem and it's amazing! MUST SEE. Check your map to get to Makiki Heights. Great views of the island

Restaurants: There are tons of restaurants in Waikiki. If you are young and like to drink then drink b/4 you go out! The Pacific Beach Hotel has drink specials all week long and there a good deal. There are Mai Tai specials all over but DIXIES has the screamin Mai TAi which comes in a 32 oz glass and is about 6 bucks!!! Good Eats there too! For cheaper eats go outside of town over towards the Kaneohe side. If you do want to eat in Waikiki then I would highly recommend that you go to www.entertainment.com and buy the book for Hawaii. This coupon book will save you a ton on the island! Seriously every time I go I get the book and use all the 2-1 deals in it! Check ebay for it too sometimes you can get it dirt cheap!

Hotels; Best hotel for the money is the Ocean Resort Hotel on the east end of the strip. Very close to the beach, decent rooms, service is good and you will pay under a 100 a night for most rooms and the parking is much cheaper than the other hotels. Most parking isn’t included in the cost of your hotel and can be as high as 17$ per day to park. At the Ocean Resort they have limited parking but you can park across the street for 5$/day!

Answer 2

I was in the Navy at Pearl for 2 years. I would definately recommend any Island other than Oahu. Oahu is very nice but the other islands are 100 times nicer. If you're gonna chill on Oahu, stay on the beach in Waikiki. There are several great hotels there. The night life around Waikiki and Honolulu are fantastic, especially on King Street. As far as scenery, rent a car(a convertable) and drive around the island along the North Shore. The scenery is like nothing you've ever seen. Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove, Wamea Falls, Chinaman's Hat are all on the North Shore. Then there's Hanama Bay. The snorkeling there is unbelievable and gear can be rented right there on the beach. There's also a sweet cove at Barber's Point. It's an old Airforce base not in use anymore so most people who travel there don't know about it. And last but not least, check out the Arizona Memorial. Regardless of what you do, you won't forget your trip.

Answer 3

The Island of Oahu has the most things to do. Maui is getting to be kind of like southern california but still has some great attractions. kauai is the place to go and stay at the Prince Ville Resort if you can afford it. You'll never regret it. Absolutely beautiful. other wise.... here you go.

The cool thing about Oahu is that there is everything to do. You can go to Waikiki and take a catamaran booze Cruise for $10.00 all you can drink. Just walking the strip at Waikiki at night is fun with all the street performers and people watching. Good shopping. Great surfing and diving all over the island. Sea Plane and glider flights at reasonable prices. Hit the north shore and the Haleiwa area and see some of the best waves in the world. And if it’s flat the fishing and snorkeling is spectacular. There are water falls, parks, concerts, and an amazing area of Strip clubs. (Not to my taste but available). Try Dukes for cocktails at Waikiki on Sunday afternoon. Beautiful people watching. Go to the Hawaii Yacht club on Friday night and ask for a ride on one of the big sailboats for the beer can races. Right after the races there are Fireworks on the point at the Sheraton. Have Lunch at tropical licks. It’s a cart by the Chart House that serves some the best tacos in the world. Tell Jim that Randy said Hi. The list goes on and on. Absolutely one of the best vacations in the world. I am envious. It will be awhile before I get back there.

PS there is a great old restaurant on Sand Island. La Mariana. It is this Great Tiki bar and it might be the last Real Tiki bar in the Islands. Sand Island is kind of Isolated and La Mariana serves a small Yacht club there. The Place is all Bamboo and blown up Puffer fish. Gorgeous waitresses and the old Lady that owns the place comes down, holds court and greets her guests. The food is just spectacular. With thick and hot Juicy steaks, Ice cold beer and great cocktails. There is a small piano bar and I swear that the same guy has been playing that piano for thirty years. The place was built at the beginning of WW2 and really hasn't changed that much. The old Bamboo has a kind of inner glow that only comes with age and care. It’s really great. Most tourists never find it because it’s off the beaten track. Check it out. You won't regret it and the price is right.

Answer 4

Aloha!

Oahu is considered the "main island." You may be thinking of the Big Island, which is actually known as Hawaii. I know, it's kind of confusing. :)

Where you go really depends on what you want to do. Are you explorers, hikers, snorkelers, relaxers, diners, shoppers, adventurers...? Each island is a little bit different and they range vastly from crowded and populous to rural and unpopulated. Your main choices are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (the Big Island), but you can also visit Lanai and Molokai. I've never been to the last two islands I mentioned, but I really want to! Molokai is known as "the most Hawaiian island" because it's very rural and there are only two hotels/resorts on the entire island. Same with Lanai. Both of these islands have limited things to do in terms of shopping, dining, clubs, shows, etc., but are supposed to be very romantic and scenic.

Oahu is busy and has tons of things to do! A lot of people compare it to California but having lived in L.A. for 35 of my 38 years, I can tell you it's *nothing* like California. :) Oahu is much prettier, smaller, and friendlier. There are a lot of shopping and dining options as well as all of the boat rides, luaus, hiking trails, etc. that you would expect.

Maui is my least favorite of the four 'main' islands. It's pretty but crowded and has a lot of traffic. Much more than I would expect on an outer island. Kihei is a nice little town with good beaches and lots of shops and restaurants. I would skip Lahaina as it's just a tourist trap now. Nothing special about it anymore like it was in the 1970s and before.

The Big Island (Hawaii) has Volcanoes National Park, which is exceptional! The island itself is huge (larger than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined) and very diverse. Beautiful scenery and many activities, mostly hiking and water sports.

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle because it has the wettest spot on earth, Mt. Wai'ale'ale, which gets upwards of 420" of rain per year. All this rain in the center keeps the rest of the island green and lush, but not necessarily rainy. We have water sports here too and the helicopter rides are the best in the state. Not much in the way of shopping and dining and there are only a few late night spots, but I like it that way. I can go to Oahu if I want to party! :)

Answer 5

It depends on what you're looking for......

If you're going on your second honeymoon, I would suggest you visit Kauai. There isn't as much to do as far as touristy activities but sunsets and romantic moments are galour on Kauai (the Garden Isle).

Oahu is home to the capital of Hawaii (Honolulu) so I'm a bit confused about your comment regarding the main island or Oahu. Perhaps you're talking about Hawaii island.......

Since Oahu has the capital, it's going to have more things to see and do such as tourist destinations, nightclubs, and places to eat but where you should go really is heavily dependent on what you want to do.

Regardless of which island you decide to go to, a room in a 3 - 4 star hotel will be in the range of $150 - $180/nt so a budget will be hard to stick to in Hawaii for a week.

Good luck....happy travels!

Answer 6

Aloha!

Oahu is actually the main island. The Capitol of Hawaii, Honolulu, is on Oahu. There's a lot to do on Oahu such as sightseeing. You can see all the famous sites such as Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the world famous "Banzai Pipeline", Lanikai Beach (rated top beach in the world at one time), Hanauma Bay for snorkeling, Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor), Iolani Palace where the last reigning Monarch of Hawaii lived, and the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can get a glimpse of the Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific just to name the most popular places to visit on Oahu.

You would probably want to stay in Waikiki since it is a central location on the island. There's a wide range of hotels in Waikiki to choose from. There are lots of activities in Waikiki such as surfing lessons, shopping, dining, night clubs, lei making, hula lessons, the Honolulu Zoo and the Aquarium. You could also hike Diamond Head!

Rent a car and take a drive to the Windward side to walk on the beautiful Lanikai Beach where the sand is like fine powder and the water is clear blue. Then head out to the North Shore to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center or see the world famous surf spots like the Bazai Pipeline, Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay. You could go horseback riding at Kualoa Ranch or Turtle Bay Resort. Be sure to have some shave ice (snow cone) from Matsumoto's or Aoki's in Haleiwa!

You'll find a lot to do in a week on Oahu. Visit the GoHawaii site for more information!

http://www.gohawaii.com/

Enjoy your stay! Mahalo!