Going to Hawaii, never been...

MikeWilkinson

MikeWilkinson

Veteran
Suggestions for places to go, things to do? Will have about a week.

I'm into hiking and bike riding, and will likely want to check out the volcanoes. I'd really rather get away from the busy beaches and find quieter, much nicer beaches with that stunning blue beach water I've seen in so many movies. Plan to spend a lot of time in the sun on the sand. Going with a friend, no family...
 
The GF and I took a first time trip to Kauai last year and we found The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook to be invaluable and this same company also makes books for the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. I can't recommend them enough. We hiked (a lot), snorkeled, power glided, kayaked, and hung out on beautiful, uncrowded, untouristy beaches for a week. It was fantastic.


-A
 
I lived there for a year. Can't wait to move back for good. What Island(s) are you going to? You mention the volcanoes, so I'm assuming the Big Island is at least part of the trip? Or maybe by Hawaii you mean the Big Island specifically? The volcano hike was one of my favorite things out there. Just get an early start, bring a good bit of water, good shoes and some gloves. That rock can be like jagged glass. It's amazing though. Especially walking back at night and seeing the lava glow up the mountain. Check out the black sand beach also.
 
Assuming that by 'Hawaii' you mean the Big Island...

...check out Kiholo Bay. There's this beautiful Balinese house on the beach, reportedly built for Paul Mitchell (of hair product fame) by violently underpaid Balinese craftsmen, then struck and shipped and reassembled on the beach. The Bay itself is protected by black rock/sand islands, and brackish water from the island flows out into the seawater bay, where due to differences in temperature and salinity the water layers in a really noticeable way, when you snorkel throught it. Plus it's a favorite hangout for sea turtles, so you can swim with the turtles (but keep your distance; they're a protected species).

Further up the beach is "The Queen's Bath." It's a lava tube that runs out to the beach from the center of the island; the roof has partially collapsed and the tube filled with fresh clear spring water. You can explore the chest-deep-water-filled cave a *long* ways back, if you bring flashlights (and sneakers; the rocks lining the bottom of the tube are very sharp). If you feel really adventuresome you can dive into the Bath; the locals we met there were doing it but in the interest of keeping our brains inside our skulls we just climbed down...

...the real joy of the place was hanging out with the local guys gathered at the Bath. Smiling, playing ukeleles, singing, telling us all about their families and friends, smokin' dope...definitely the life, if'n you're into that sort of thing.
 
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Thanks for the insight into your own experiences.

Assuming that by 'Hawaii' you mean the Big Island...
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We plan to Island hop a little, being on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. I'm still trying to learn the names and match them to the maps.

The volcano hike was one of my favorite things out there.
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I've been reading this quite a bit. I'm looking at a hike at Diamond Head State Park. I also read that a must do is riding a bike down Haleakala at sunrise.

The GF and I took a first time trip to Kauai last year and we found The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook to be invaluable
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I will look into this. Thanks.

Need some company?
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Only if you want to get lai'ed together! :thumbup:

I'm compiling a list of potential things to do and will fill everyone in on it in a couple days. Thanks a lot.
 
In O'ahu I'd definitely check out the north shore. Sunset beach, waimea, both really great. Haleiwa is a cool little beach town just up from the dole plantation on the north shore. There's a great thai place called 'Haleiwa Eats'. My favorite all time thai restaurant.

There's some great sea kayaking in Lanikai. You can rent kayaks about 100 yards off the water at Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks. I really like this spot because the water is really calm, it's gorgeous and there are a few small islands a few hundred yards off the shore. You can do the picnic thing out there.

If you're on O'ahu you definitely have to hit Pearl Harbor. Just get there early. Tickets are free but the lines can get pretty long. If you get there by 7:30 or so you'll probably be done around 10 and have a whole day ahead of you. Diamond head is a pretty cool hike, but you have to go to the Big Island to see flowing lava. Personally, I'd skip Waikiki beach. It's just a big tourist trap. That's just me though.

On Maui Haleakala at sunrise is definitely a great thing. I'd also check out the road to Hana. Super twisty turny and may make you want to hurl if you do it at night, but great scenery. Waterfalls every turn to stop and explore. Lahaina is a pretty touristy too, but it's a cool little town with shops and artists selling various things whereas Waikiki is bigger stores and more of a tourist trap vs. a quaint town. I had fun hanging out there.

Our bible living out there was Let's Go Hawaii and it looks like a new edition just came out. I'd definitely recommend that and at $13.59 you can't go wrong.

I really envy you man. I hope to move back there for good one day but for now I'm stuck in God forsaken Columbus Ohio. I guess I'm paying the price for a year in paradise with an indefinite stay in sub zero degree purgatory. What are you gonna do? I'll just live vicariously through you for the time being. :)
 
slimchrisp said:
Our bible living out there was Let's Go Hawaii and it looks like a new edition just came out. I'd definitely recommend that and at $13.59 you can't go wrong.
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Is this book about the entire island chain or just Hawaii island?

slimchrisp said:
I really envy you man. I hope to move back there for good one day but for now I'm stuck in God forsaken Columbus Ohio. I guess I'm paying the price for a year in paradise with an indefinite stay in sub zero degree purgatory. What are you gonna do? I'll just live vicariously through you for the time being. :)
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Yeah the temperatures have been a touch ridiculous lately... part of the reason why I'm going there. Why are you here and not there? Sounds like you really miss it...
 
Also on the North Shore of Oahu is the Kualoa Ranch, where several 'Jurassic Park' sequences were filmed. Hiking, horseback riding, gorgeous scenery. You can get there by bus from Honolulu. Chinaman's Hat, nearby.

Watch out for velociraptors.
 
arges03 said:
Is this book about the entire island chain or just Hawaii island?
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It's for the whole state. All of the Islands.

arges03 said:
Why are you here and not there? Sounds like you really miss it...
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It's the price you pay for being married. Somewhat of a source of contention lately. The Mrs. wants to be close to her family. And of all places they chose to live, it was Ohio. No offense to the Ohio lovers, but it's not for me. I grew up in Florida and then lived in Hawaii. With all the cold I've been cussing a lot lately suffice it to say.

On a positive note though, I at least had the chance to spend some extended time out there. Not everyone can say that. I've been all over the world and it's my favorite place. I wouldn't trade the time I had out there for anything. I'm just homesick for it because it really felt like home to me. Enjoy it bro! :beer:
 
I forgot to mention, if you like sushi you should check out genki sushi. It's a cheap sushi chain where items go by your table on a conveyor belt and you pick up what you want. Any where from under $2 up to $5 per item. We were there all the time.
 
Sigh. So after building a list of things/sights to check out, my friend got hit by a truck and broke her foot. That and she couldn't get more than a week free, so we are just heading to Miami (much cheaper!!!) for some quick sun. (I will still try to sneak away for a day to check out the Everglades)

After looking into everything and getting so many interesting opinions on Hawaii's Islands, I def will need to check it out at some point. Thanks again for the input, especially slim.
 
Hated! Well, I hope you're friend is ok. Plenty to do in FL too. You'll get out to HI one day. Have fun!
 
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