Going To Hawaii Next Week!

[Hot Rod]

The Mrs. and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage and heading out a week from today. We've been planning a lot of activities so we don't miss doing what is offered out there. Of course, we're planning on checking out Pearl Harbor and other things on Oahu. I've got more things to try to fill in our schedule, so any tips/advice would be helpful.

[Sparky]

Check out Hanauma Bay for the best snorkeling. It is like a state park and fills up early. Once the lot is full, it is difficult to get in that day. Also, check out Waikiki Beach and the Pali Lookout. Boots and Kimo in Kailua has the best pancakes with Macadamia Nut Sauce! It is a tiny little restaurant, so be prepared for a slight wait. And, try some Li Hing Mui. It is a dried plum that is sweet/salty. They also make it into a powder and put it in and on everything, including margaritas! I hope you have lovely vacation. Mine was the best 14 days of my life; I truly picked up the Aloha spirit, if you can't already tell....

[skycat]

Are you going to be spending all of your time on Oahu, going to some of the other islands or playing by ear?

One thing on Oahu I'd check out is the Byodo-In Buddhist temple.

[Hot Rod]

We're staying in Lahaina on Maui and flying over to Oahu to check out the sites for a day or two.

[SoonerStormchaser]

At least you didn't book tickets on Aloha or ATA!

[StormySooner-IN]

We went to Kauai last year. It sucked.















NOT! :D


It was the awesomest thing ever. Check out the wettest place on earth mountain or whatever its called.

[skycat]

I had a thread on here a year or so ago with some pictures from our trip but I can't seem to find it anywhere, so I'll repost some of them.

The Buddhist temple I mentioned previously:
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4122_4_3.jpg

On Maui:

Drive up Haleakala. The classic time is sunrise, so you can see the sun come up over the volcano, but I did it at sunset, and it was pretty spectacular:

http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4322.jpg
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4335_3_4_TRY2_plussharp.JPG
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4355_1_2_3_4.JPG

A helicopter ride can cost some scratch, but I highly recommend it. We took one out of Maui, that covered the Western half of the island, and then went over to Molokai:

http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4415.JPG
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4507.JPG

Taking the road to Hana is something that a lot of people that I've talked to didn't seem to get a lot out of. I think to make it worth your while you need to accept that it's going to take all day, and be ready to stop, and get out of your car and look around at every opportunity.

http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_5041.JPG

And lastly, while I don't think I'd do it again, I'm glad I went to one luau. I think the one we went to was at the Mariott in Wailea, but I can't remember for sure:

http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4589.JPG
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4722.JPG
http://www.machafamily.org/Albums/Hawaii/slides/DSC_4866.JPG

[BlondeSoonerGirl]

Here you go:

http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96344

[skycat]

Here you go:

http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96344

I searched for my name and Oahu, and Haleakala and couldn't find squat.

You Search Mods must just be hoarding all the links. :mad:

[JohnnyMack]

Search feature = succs

[BlondeSoonerGirl]

I just searched for all threads you started.

Heh.

[oklaclarinet]

Some other places:

On Maui:
The Iao Needle and Iao Valley - some nice views, especially back out of the valley to the center of the island
Also make sure while in Lahaina to check out the large banyan tree in front of the old courthouse
Besides the beaches on the western side of the island, there is a nice one at Hookipa on the northern side between Kahului and the Road to Hana
BTW I highly recommend the drive to the top of Haleakala

On O'ahu:
I second the Pali Lookout on the north of Honolulu. It has some nice views, and some very strong winds.
A hike to the top of Diamond Head crater is fun, and it provides some of the best views of the Honolulu area
If you enjoy history or Hawaiian culture, check out Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu
Warning: beware of the traffic in Honolulu, it can get quite bad

[Sooner98]

Here was my view from the top of Diamond Head (it's kind of a tough hike, especially once you get to the 168 steps you have to climb after 30 minutes of hiking uphill):

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jhilldds/Hawaii%20Trip/Hawaiitrip-March05037.jpg

[Sooner98]

Kauai is highly recommended, if you can make it there.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jhilldds/Hawaii%20Trip/Hawaiitrip-March05080.jpg


The Na Pali Coast is a MUST SEE - this one is from a hiking trail, but to get the best view, you should book a helicopter tour:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jhilldds/Hawaii%20Trip/Hawaiitrip-March05094.jpg

[Hot Rod]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. There's a luau at our hotel (Royal Lahaina) every night I believe and I'm definitely going to want to find a nice place to learn to surf as well. I'm writing/copying all these suggestions on my "to-do" list. The better prepared I am, the more I'll get to see...hopefully.

So, Skycat, did you drive the road to Hana? I'm sure the sights are great and all. I just didn't want to use a whole day up on one adventure. Although, the experience may be worth it. I don't know.