My wife and I are planning a trip to Hawaii in or around May. Probably two weeks, one on Maui and the other on Kauai. Just wondering if any of you have been there and have any rants or ravs?
havent but have few buddys that are polynesian i can ask them! all have lived there at one time and love it, guess cause it is or is close to home! Ohana!
I spent 10 days in Kona back in about 2002 or so and toured the entire big island during that time visiting the volcanos on the southern end, as well as Hilo, and Hapuna Beach. I rented a 4wd vehicle and you can explore anywhere down there and even drive on the beaches. Hapuna beach was gorgeous, definitely the coolest tropical place I've been to. Hawaii is a great place, it's beautiful, etc.......but I'd never go back. It's terribly expensive for everything there, the flights are waaaaaaaaay too long, and there really isn't much you can get there that you can't get in the carribean for a LOT less $$$ and a LOT less flight time. Cabo, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, St. Thomas, Jamaica, etc..........all nearly as good and MUCH cheaper. Just MHO. I stayed at the "Onion House" in Kona. If you haven't planned everything yet but are set on Hawaii, I'd suggest you look this place up, it's beautiful and was reasonable in cost for the beautiful private spot that we got. It's actually been featured on the Travel Channel a few times.
I used to live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I have also been to the big Island of Hawaii and Maui. From what I remember of Maui it was laid back and had a bunch of stuff to do (more touristy than Kauai but still very peaceful). Kauai from what I have heard is VERY laid back. I remember taking a charter boat out with my dad and fishing around Maui and having a great time. I still have friends that live on Oahu. I moved to Virginia in 1990. In 1991 my best friend from Hawaii came and lived with me during the summer and trained for football with me. He was half Hawaiian and half Portugese and had never been off the island before coming to stay with me. Needless to say he had a lot to learn about the East Coast/redneck mentality of where I lived in highschool....hahaha. I miss my friend but have not seen him for 20 years.
While on Maui Go to eat at Momma's Fish House- Ungodly expensive but incredible and Epic seafood. Road to Hana- Rent a Jeep and drive the road, waterfalls, jungle, etc. See the Humpback Whales- Up until May the Humpbacks are visiting, being within 100 yards of one in a boat is amazing. Visit Lahaina- Great art galleries and a huge Banyan tree that covers almost 2 acres. Visit Molokai- There is a boat to the Island off of Maui (Molokai) which is a beautiful island.
I spent about a week on Kauai about 4 years ago. It was pretty amazing. I don't know if you could go wrong with Hawaii. I guess it depends what you want to do. I did a little research before the trip, picked up a rental, and penciled in anything I really wanted to do (helicopter ride, dinner cruise up the Na Pali Coast, attended a luau, a massage) the rest of the time was spent kicking back, visiting different beaches, and enjoying what the island had to offer. Feel free to pm if you have any questions. Mahalo C
My wife and I were there in December for our Belated (5 1/2 yrs) Honeymoon. 3 nights in Honolulu & 7 night on Kauai. Kauai- Rent a Jeep for sure you'll want to drive to: -Polihale State Park (17mi long beach ending @ the Na'Pali Coast) -Hanalei Valley. Eat at Bubba Burgers Then continue to the end of the road at Haena State Park. There you can Hike 2 miles to Hanakapia Beach. Then another 2.5 miles up the valley to the waterfall, the most beautiful place I've ever been! -Waimea Canyon State Park. Tons of hiking and 4x4 trails. We drove to the end (Koke'E St Pk). If you can, go on a helicopter tour. Such a great way to take in the beauty of the whole island. If you are a Sushi fan (or would like to try it) you have to go to Bushidos in Kapaa! So good it makes me want to cry! Sit at the Sushi Bar and BS with the Chefs. Another cool thing we did was a raft trip along the Na'Pali Coast. (Captain Na Pali Adventures) Got to see Whales and dolphins. Very cool We never fully adjusted to the time there, but that was ok. We got up between 4:30 & 5:30 every day, had coffee and got to see the sunrise. Then we'd go about our day. By the time we had dinner, we were ready to crash. Worked well for us. Over all we had a blast! It was expensive, but we knew it would be. We liked Kauai much more than Honolulu. Pictures don't do it justice... You'll have a blast!
Thank you for your input. I have heard similar things, but the wife wants to go and I don't disagree with her. Probably better to try it now and see if it is someplace we ever want to go back to. I tried to talk her into a cruise. That has to be the most laid back carefree vacation I have ever been on.
Thank you for the suggestions. Do you really think a jeep is required? I would love to see some whales, but didn't think they would still be around. Road to Hana and the art galleries are already on the list. I will have to look into Molokai a little deeper, I think I read that the island has dolphins pretty regularly??
I WISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did look into this, but just too much $$$ This and Australia are my dream vacations.
Thank you very much for the post and pics. I keep hearing you guys on the jeep thing, so I will have to plan for renting a jeep. Can you really drive on the beaches, well at least some of them??? The wife loves sushi, so we will have to put that on our list.
I drove on Polihale. There were local there fishing and they all drove on it so I figured why not. Of course I couldn't really air down my tires, but I only almost got stuck once on my way out. The jeep is an upgrade to a basic rental, but I'm glad we did. Rode with the top down most of the time, plus it helped me not miss my CJ so much
Road to Hana- Rea Jeep and drive the road, waterfalls, jungle, etc.nt I'll second this one. Went on my honeymoon 26 years ago. This is an awesome drive. Average speed will be maybe 25 MPH because of the twisty road. Allow plenty of time.
