Subcultureoftwo_small
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Any vacation advice for (maybe?) going to Hawaii?

Six months ago, I asked you guys for general advice on going to France, and you came through admirably. I printed out the whole damn page and took it to Paris when my Mom and I finally went on our trip in May, and we had an AMAZING time. Thank you so much!

Now I am back for more.

Mr. Sacrelicious and I are getting pretty tired and burned out, and we need a break. We never had a honeymoon, and we've always talked about going to Hawaii. He's never been. I went to Honolulu by mistake for 11 days in 2005 and had fun, but the big city's not really my thing. I'm thinking I'd just like to go to the big island and hang out there. I may want to hit Molokai and visit the leper colony if we have the time and dollars.

We like: botanical gardens, volcanoes, scuba and snorkeling, laying on the beach.

We don't like: big city, nightclubs, Kona coffee, shopping.

Time frame: November-ish?

We're hoping to make it as low-budget as a trip to Hawaii can be.

Any particular advice of things to do and see, places to stay, ways to get around, things to bring, crap to avoid, guidebook recommendations/de-recommendations, or deals to look for?

Yes, I know I can find a ton of this stuff online. I'm mostly asking for opinions based on personal experience.

Sacrelicious asked in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report

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  • Spaceship_small
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    O my captain

    There's an earlier thread about visiting Hawaii.

    I recommend "Lonely Planet" guide books. They seem to be kept up to date, and have extrodinary detail about each of the islands. Most folks who come back hae a guidebook to spare or loan, and tales of getting off the beaten path.

    When we've visited, we did a three island tour, and I understand your aversion to Honolulu. Unfortunatley, I think you MUST fly into Honolulu, but can Island hop from there on Aloha airlines. You should plan on visitng the Big Island to see the Volcano National Park (free!) and Macadamia Nut farm (free!) with samples and tourist shirts, nuts, sweets for sale, and an orchid farm (free!) on the Big Island.

    I LOVE the big island and it's mix of hotels, resorts, lush green, parched grasses, volcanos, agriculture, farms, and blue skies, sand beaches, and variety of land forms.

    I could spend my days exploring that island and not get bored. May I suggest renting a car and poking about, including the artist colony on the northwest corner ("H'wai" I think) and driving north not along the west shoreline, but across the center of the island.

    Stop at the black sand beach on the SE corner, where turtles come up to sun and lay eggs. Theres the southern-most bakery on the island with sweet bread.

    Turtle scuba near KONA, an Ironman competition bar (Drysdales II?) in the KONA shoping center, and numerous little whale watching beaches up the western coastline (though Nov. is NOT the whale watching season.)

    Never been to Kuaii nor the leper colony, but would love to explore more than tourist driven Maui and Oahu.

    There's also a Sunday night drumming circle on the clothing optional beach at Little Man Beach on Maui's SW corner. Hear that it's a great counter-cultural time, not to be missed, if you're into that vibe.

    Just a few ideas for you...

    O my captain answered in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report
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  • 186039_616585641_2311953_n_small
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    We rented a car on our 8 day Maui trip. I suggest a white rental car as the black ones get too hot if you have to park in the sun. We then drove the figure eight main roads around both volcanoes stopping where ever seemed nice and not too crowded. Swam at the black sand beach near Hana. Also the Oehoe (sp) Pools by Hana. We stayed at a B&B in Hana as well. 6 day advance notice got us a room that was simple and not expensive. This was 2004. Most of the big hotels have an open door policy for their beach. We took the bus and got off at one of them near Lahaina and just read books on the towels we brought from the condo 3 miles away. All the music stores on Maui are amazing. Google for one close to where you are staying. We bought some slack key guitar music that was playing in the store. Some of the gift shops sell photo albums made of reeds from Fiji I think. Turtles or dolphins on the cover. Just perfect for the photos you will take. (^:=

    Jonathan Melusky answered in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report
    2 comments by Sacrelicious and O my captain…
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  • Eagle_small
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    I'm sure you are thinking more about hanging out on the islands, but I'm attempting to plan my honeymoon and thought you might be interested that Princess Cruises is having an urberdooper deal for cruises in November to Hawaii.

    http://www.princess.com/sundrencheddeals.page

    Have fun!

    ThatEagleonthe520 answered in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report
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  • Photo_on_2012-01-03_at_17
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    When I went to Hawaii, I went to Kauai and it was AWESOME! I highly recommend it. I didn't do all that much, just relaxed a lot! lol It is not really urban at all. It is mostly just beautiful and peaceful. There are places to snorkel, lay on the beach, etc. I don't even think there are nightclubs there. At least I didn't see any. I don't even know why, but I just loved it there. The breezes are amazing and I didn't even mind the sun. (I'm not a fan of heat and sun. lol) There are mountains/hills to explore too.

    Anyway, I don't see how anyone could not love Kauai. :)

    Kristin Bell answered in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report
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  • Labcoat_small
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    I've been to the islands a couple of times and for a more chill (an more interesting than Honolulu) experience I recommend forgetting about O'ahu altogether, especially if you've been. There are many nice places on that island outside the city, of course, but there are some overlooked islands.

    My favorite is Maui. It does have a bit of reputation for partying and wealth, but if you can find a decent place to stay, there is a lot to do there and it is beautiful everywhere. And the weather is always perfect.

    I would also highly recommend Hilo on the big island. It is very chill, good farmers markets, less touristy, great botanical gardens and hiking/volcanoes/snorkeling/etc./etc. It's a pretty neat place.

    Danger answered in Long Distance Travel 10 months ago | Report
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