Has anybody stayed at the Hale Koa hotel in Hawaii? If so, did you like it? What are some must do things.?

Answer 1

I am currently stationed in Hawaii. For the level of hotel it is, it is very cheap and beautiful. Right on the beach. If you come here, go snorkeling at Hanama Bay, tour the Dole plantation, Ala Moana mall for shopping, drive the North Shore of course, have lunch at Breakers in Haleiwa, and Waikiki has a lot of stuff to do at the harbor to (deep sea fishing, para sailing, etc.) Hope you have a great time.

Answer 2

I eat at the place and do some shopping there when I go on vacation to Honolulu. They have a private beach and a luau is held there at least twice a week. Add to that a lot of other events that are held on property (a large bandstand outdoors).
Must do things in Hawaii would take more space than available on this board. But, one thing you must take in to believe. Out near Ford Island is the Aloha Stadium. In the parking lot, on Wednesday Saturday and Sunday is the world's biggest flea market. Over four thousand stalls selling clothing and souvenirs at bargain basement prices. Another place to visit is the Dole pineapple plantation. They have a tour by train throughout the plantation that shows you how pineapples are grown.
If you can't get into the Hale Koa, you might consider the Navy Lodge on Ford Island in the Pearl Harbor area. I stay there because my retired rank makes Hale Koa a few bucks more per night than the Navy Lodge.

Answer 3

I did but it was a very long time ago when I was at Schofield Barracks. It is great at Waikiki and the Hale Koa is in the best area. It is not as fancy as some of the others but it is great. I liked Oahu for the outside things that can't be found any place else and never really got into staying in hotels. Hotels are just places to sleep while in paradise.

Go snorkeling at Hanama Bay near Koko head. Go to the north shore if the surf is up. Drive around the island. There is a waterfall on the north shore that was a very nice but long walk called sacred falls. It is not a touristy place but was one of my favorite places. The zoo is really a great place to relax.

Answer 4

Can't say as i've ever stayed at the Hale Koa... it's expensive and the waiting list is almost a year long (at least, for good seasons). I'd recommend saving some money and staying in Navy Billeting on Pearl Harbor naval base (or maybe AF Billeting if it's available at Hickam... Hickam is cheaper to stay at, if i remember correctly). Also, even if you aren't staying at the hale koa, you're still allowed to use their facilities (restaurants, bars, and such).

as for things to see:
~~go snorkling/SCUBA if you can
~~diamond head. Hike up the stairs to the top. Bring a camera
~~ the arizona memorial. Get there EARLY in the morning. Bring money for the audio tour. otherwise it's free to get in.
~~ Look up a restaurant called "Ono foods" or something like that. It's authentic hawaiian faire for a VERY reasonable price. some of it is pretty good, too
~~ drive around the southern and western edge of the island. Stop at beaches and scenic spots along the way
~~ as you drive around the west part of the island, you'll be on 72. This will hit 61 and you'll make a left on 61 (south). Stay on 61 to go back into honolulu, it's a short scenic drive with a couple of great vistas to stop and look at
~~Waikiki Beach
~~The polynesian cultural center (on the east side of the island) looked cool, but it's a bit of a drive and i didn't have time while i was there...
~~ hop a flight to another island for a couple days. Kuaii is reasonably affordable and offers excursions like tubing down the old irrigation system, waterfalls, helicopter rides, fast boats to snorkling sights, etc. DON'T stay in the basin of the crater on Kuaii... it gets hotter and more humid than hell down in there and the units don't have air conditioning.

Answer 5

one more word of advice.. don't let your friends puke on the patio at the barefoot bar. the waitresses get a little upset, and then the party is pretty much over.

the pool at the hale koa is kinda gross, seeing as you can't see the bottom and there's a billion little kids peeing in it.

you could always look into renting one of the beach cottages on MCBH kaneohe bay. it's on the other side of the island, but much quieter and the beaches on base are pretty much empty and the waves are great.

you should try to eat at Boot's and Kimo's in kailua. order the pancakes with macadamia nut sauce and a side of the sugar-cured bacon. i miss it already.

Haleiwa Joe's (in haleiwa or kaneohe) is a great place for a nice dinner and some wine. me and my friends always made up excuses to go.

(oh and if you're searching for a good snorkel place, it's spelled HANAUMA bay. but don't just jump in because if you don't pick the right channels to go out in, you will end up beached on the coral and that hurts a lot. a whole lot. i saw a turtle there and i think my bleeding scared him away.)

Answer 6

Drinks at the Barefoot Bar. Coffee underneath Gus the Banyan Tree. All the restaurants are pretty nice,and the Luau is VERY well done. There is a museum over across the park at Ft De Russy that is very nice.

Nearby, The Polynesian Cultural center is a great day trip(skip the luau though). Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation while feeding the koi in the pond after doing the maze. Shopping at Ala Moana and Hilo Hatties. do NOT miss the Flea Market thingy in the Stadium.

Answer 7

I love the Hale Koa hotel. It might be my favorite Armed Forces Recreation Center.

The must do list is snorkel at Hanama Bay, USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl, the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The list goes on -- I recommend getting a good guide book to Hawaii.

Also, inter island airfare is very cheap (in the 80's you could go from Oahu to any other island for $10-$30 round trip) -- you might consider taking day trips to other islands.

Answer 8

Awesome place, the back patio bar (Can't remember the name) was a hang out for singles back in the 70's and 80's.

Answer 9

why is this on the military page?