Well, now I am leaning towards Oahu…from this side of the pond, you only hear rumors that you should “get away from Honolulu immediately!” But if I am hearing correctly, sounds like a pretty, safe, interesting place to go for Hawaiian first timers.
If I can ask one more BIG favor…I am not home at the moment, but when I get there tonight, or latest tomorrow, I will list a few of the time-share places and their locations. I don’t expect you to know them, but perhaps their specific areas/locations might help in giving me a better idea where I will be.
Ya know, you all you guys must work for the Hawaiian tourism dept because I am actually getting excited about visiting…I just got this freebie dropped in my lap and figured “why not.” But reading what you all have written, the idea of hacking a pineapple from the root, going eyeball to eyeball with colorful fish, balmy breezes and jungle foliage is starting to sound damned good! Especially when it is relatively cold here in Las Vegas in Feb. If I can ever return the fav with info re LV, or Berlin, or NY or LA, let me know!
Well, now I am leaning towards Oahu…from this side of the pond, you only hear rumors that you should “get away from Honolulu immediately!” But if I am hearing correctly, sounds like a pretty, safe, interesting place to go for Hawaiian first timers.
If I can ask one more BIG favor…I am not home at the moment, but when I get there tonight, or latest tomorrow, I will list a few of the time-share places and their locations. I don’t expect you to know them, but perhaps their specific areas/locations might help in giving me a better idea where I will be.
Ya know, you guys must work for the Hawaiian tourism dept because I am actually getting excited about visiting…I just got this freebie dropped in my lap and figured “why not.” But reading what you all have written, the idea of hacking a pineapple from the root, going eyeball to eyeball with colorful fish, balmy breezes and jungle foliage is starting to sound damned good! Especially when it is relatively cold here in Las Vegas in Feb. If I can ever return the fav with info re LV, or Berlin, or NY or LA, let me know!
Conceeded brondicon, certainly if he gets on in Ewa or Pupukea or Haleiwa he will need wheels to get anywhere. Most Time-Shares are in Waikiki in the tall buildings which are half hotal half time-share. At least that’s what I’ve been led to believe. But they probably are all over the island.
Boy, the HTA (Hawaii Tourism Authority, lovely name eh?) is not a much loved part of the government so I think I’ll stay away, but thank you. We do try to help people who visit enjoy their visit. We’d hate for you think stink about us. Here’s a vacation planner. Should have lots of coupons inside and ideas as well. Check out your local library system and see if they have a subscription to “Honolulu” magazine. If you’re around Vegas I wouldn’t be surprised I they did. It’s the most popular destination for locals.
So, here is a partial list I can choose from:
In Maui:
The Gardens at West Maui
Hono Koa Vacation Club
Kaanapaii Keys at Papakea Beach
Kahan Beach Vacation Club
Kahana Villa
Marriott Maui Ocean
Maui Beach
Maui Schooner
Royal Aloha
Village By The Sea
Sands of Kahana
Sunterra Pacific
Hololani
Papakea
Valley Isle
In Oahu:
Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach
Hawaiian Sun Holidays at the Waikiki Banyan
Imperial Hawaii
Marriott Ko Olina Beach
Royal Aloha at Waikiki
Fairway Villa
Royal Kuhio
Any of these locations pop out as better than others? I don’t need a complete rundown…just suggest a name/place and I’ll take it from there!
And you are right…a lot of Hawaiians seem to move to Las Vegas. Actually, I used to work with a woman from Hawaii, but I think she moved to Miami about a year ago and I’ve lost touch. Thanks again for any insight!
I don’t remember where I stayed on Maui so I wont review it. I will say the rooms and hotels are probably nicer and newer then the ones on Oahu. If you want a romantic vacation for 2 go to Maui.
In Oahu:
Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach Makaha is WAY out there. Pretty secluded and quite, definately the place for quite sunbathing all day long. And since there’s only 1 road in and 1 road out it is notorious for some hellacious traffic at rush hour. And when there’s an accident people can get stuck for hours. Although they are working to add a second road. But it will be awhile.
Hawaiian Sun Holidays at the Waikiki Banyan Actually the website says this one’s in Maui. Wierd
Imperial Hawaii **In Waikiki. Basically same as Royal Aloha but closer to the beach. **
Marriott Ko Olina Beach By old Barber’s Point and right around where my Mom works. Kinda residential. It’s just south of the Water Park so that’s a good afternoon of fun. A long way from town. But they’re trying to build up the area and there are some shopping places there. Good access to the middle part of the island, the pineapple fields, Pearl Ridge Mall and the great deal of stuff around it and the North Shore.
Royal Aloha at Waikiki This one puts you right in the middle of Waikiki. A short walk to the beach. Ala Moana, our major shopping mall is about a half mile away. Lots of activities. Probably very difficult to find parking so it would make renting difficult but access to the bus is really convenient.
Fairway Villa This is where one of my friends used to live. It’s an ok place. None of the place in Waikiki will be as modern and as fancy as those on the Ewa coast since they were likely all built in the 70s like my building. This one’s about 1.5 miles from Ala Moana.
Royal Kuhio This one I can see by my window. Basically on the same street as the Royal Aloha and the Imperial but further from the beach.
If your main thing is convenience then I’d say to go Waikiki and with the one closest to the beach. They deal with so many tourists that thigns work fairly well. Nearly 10 different bus routes run through there and Ala Moana is a major transfer point. There are also car and moped rentals all over the place. Whether it’s a convertable, classic car, Lambougheni, or an electric car. If you want a little more opulence then I’d go with the Ko Olina.
See if they got one at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. That place is huge and supremely placed. And very very nice.
Well, Osiris pretty much answered it all. I just wanted to add that Ko Olina is really nice. It’s somewhat on my side of the island so if you go there, you’ll need a rental car (unless you like catching the bus to do stuff). Makaha is even further down the Leeward side (boonies)…if you like real-laid back, or fishing, etc… that may be a nice place. Too far from the hub-bub for me though. That’s the side of the island I go fishing every weekend, though, way past Makaha…Kaena Point side.
I can’t recall clearly, but isn’t the Maui Beach that semi-ratty hotel? I’d steer clear of that one, unless you research it more. :o
I’ll agree with Osiris, Hilton Hawaiian Village isn’t smack dab in the middle of Waikiki, so it isn’t too bad…it’s a little more near the edge, and close enough to Ala Moana Shopping Center.
[hijack]AudreyK, thanks for wondering…your house is fine. They had a mall-sponsored BBQ the other weekend in that field next to your house. Didn’t look too crowded, though. [/hijack]
No one came, 'cause everyone is too lazy to walk around that damn wall.
Assuming it’s part of the chain I’m thinking of, the Sands kinda sucks. It felt cheesy there, and everything had a weird feel to it, like there was a layer of stuff I don’t want to think about right now on it.
The one I stayed in was the Hilo one, but I thought I’d warn you anyway.
I’ll echo LolaBaby’s comment about needing a rental car if you choose the Ko Olina or Makaha sites. It’s about an hour’s drive from town, and traffic can be unpleasant. By bus it takes at least an hour and a half, very likely more. My own ride home was maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the route, and it took two hours for me to get home sometimes. The CityExpress buses help reduce that time, but not nearly enough, IMO. I’d stick to Waikiki locations, and avoid the commuting stress.
I’ve also heard that Las Vegas has a lot of Hawaii people. My uncle, in fact, owns a house there. I think his plan was to retire there.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village rocks, but I may just be thinking that because I spent Christmas there without paying…
I think Waikiki and Honolulu are very walkable-- but I don’t shirk from walking for an hour or 3 to wander around while on vacation. You could always rent a bicycle for $15 a day if you want. Getting around the island on the bus is also very easy-- and lets you sit back, admire all the lush greenery, and forget about directions.
I found it very simple to bike to Diamond Head, and I caught a bus to … uh… the beach on the East side of the island near the Mok’u’puaas to go kayaking.
Lots of surfing teachers on Waikiki too…
I’ve stayed at both of these. About the same, and they’re time-share type condos. Pretty nice, close to stuff, but nothing special as far as accomodations go. You’ll have to walk for about three minutes to a decent beach, as they’re both on a close-in coral reef that makes swimming tricky.
If you’re planning to be there in February, well, that’s prime whale watching time in Maui. I was there in February three years ago, and I swear, after a week, you almost got blase about whales! They were everywhere?
We DID do a whale watching tour, but really, we didn’t have to. Just sitting on the beach, we’d see them breaching on a regular basis.
THANK YOU ALL!
I have narrowed the choices to:
Marriott Ko Olina Beach
or
Royal Aloha at Waikiki
In my timeshare book, there is no picture of the Marriott as it is “either under construction or being remodeled” and the Royal Aloha looks ok, but it is three high rises, and…well, sort of thwarts any fantasies about leaping over balcony and dashing down to the beach - but I’ll get over it.
I have decided to stay in Oahu…I figure as a first timer, it will be a good home base, I can take a boat tour to one or more of the other islands to check out for my next visit.
You guys have been great. If there is anything I can bring you from the mainland, lemme know. Also, the offer stands - if you need any info about Las Vegas, Berlin, LA or New York - my email is in my profile.
You know what else will be going on in February? The Pro Bowl. And last year they held the NFL Experience just a few blocks from the Royal Aloha over in the park they made out of Fort DeRussy (not Shafter). If you like football you might want to plan around that.
If you think of any questions about Honolulu/Hawaii in general or need further recommendations or directions, just ask. For me at least, it helps the homesickness.
Thanks again…I just heard there is a new Hawaiian restaurant a couple of miles from me…on Eastern north of St. Rose with $15-25 entree’s…not exactly cheap (for Las Vegas), but I might stop by to see what they have to offer.
As long as so many Hawaiians are reading this and being so helpful, and having never been there, is there really “island fever” in the sense that you have to leave every once in awhile?
How long have you guys lived there without ever leaving?
“Rock Fever” is what I’ve heard it called the most. I’ve never experienced it. It tends to strike mainlanders who suddenly realize they can’t drive 10 hours and be in Toronto and stuff like that. Heck you can’t even drive out of the county. And 2 counties are spread over several islands and there are no ferries to be had. (sorry) But I think we just have grown to realize that if you want to travel anywhere you fly. If I want to go to Toronto I just hop a jet and get there in … 8 hours.
Right now is the longest I’ve ever spent on 1 island without leaving, about 1 year. We’ve got family on various islands and in various places on the mainland so we travel quite a bit.
I’ve had friends who couldn’t wait to leave the islands for college. They either wanted to leave all their lives and their first opportunity was college, or when they started thinking about college the urge to leave struck. The desire to leave can be suddenly inspired, too. One of of my friends started talking about leaving just after he arrived in a foreign country and was amazed by what he saw there.
As for me, I never wanted to leave until several things happened. First, all my friends started leaving. Within a three year period, I think four close friends left. Second, an opportunity (and a potential roomie) popped up. Third, the teaching position I had didn’t need me anymore, so I had nothing to do. Fourth, my boss/former professor told me about his trips abroad and encouraged me to explore the world, since I was at the time in my life where college was done and I didn’t have a family of my own that relied on me. All of that was great food for thought, and the more I thought about leaving the more appealing the idea was.
Prior to my move, I’d only left Hawaii three times, each trip lasting about two weeks. Trip one happened when I was four, trip two when I was 12, and trip three when I was 16. All three times I never felt like I had to get away. The first two were family vacations; trip three was a sucker’s guilt trip (literally!) to visit an aunt.
I lived there, without leaving (an odd week-long vacation or three notwithstanding) for 18 years, until I went off to college in L.A.
Honestly, I don’t know what all the people who grew up there are complaining about. If anything, I’d imagine they want to move out of their parents’ homes more than anything else, because it’s not as if Hawaii has any fundamental deficiencies as far as I can tell.
Hell, HI has some stuff that L.A. didn’t, and L.A.'s supposed to be the entertainment capital of the world!
It also doesn’t help that L.A. is a really ugly town.
When I was in high school (mid 80s–ack!) I had a serious case of it. I just wanted to go to school on the mainland. Anywhere. It didn’t matter. Dad said no. I was the last of 5 girls and no $$$. So I stayed and went to UH. Sometimes I wonder how different my life would have been had I been able to go.
Instead I was a party animal at UH and fell into automotive. I think that had I gone off to the mainland, I would have taken my studies much more seriously and stayed with whatever I took up (at the time it was either journalism or law).
I’m happy right now though. I have not been off of this island since 7/2001. After 9/11, I haven’t been near a plane and I think I still would feel a little oogee.
The things I miss (at least I think so, is that if I got to live on the mainland), I’d get to see a lot more rock concerts than I get to now. So you see, it’s not much of a high priority for me if that is all I feel I am missing.
Everytime I read about a high-profile criminal case from the mainland, I always feel “Lucky I live Hawaii”, but then again, there’s a lot of scumbags that live here too. Just less of them.
This may sounds wierd but one thing I miss about the mainland are the Indian Reservations. I had some friends who were Hopi and … I don’t know. I Mean the Hawaiians are cool and all it’s just that Kamehameha and his imperial ways really ended the culture. Really they are almost completely assimilated. Well it’s not all one way rather we all became part of this Anglo-Poly culture that is real beautiful but the same over all the islands. It was just neat living near reservations having friends who’s cultures were different from yours and who went ahead and did these very different things like having a huge powwow where they danced and ate deer and stuff. I guess you should throw in the Mexicans too although they weren’t that different from the Americans.
There’s nothing really like that in Hawaii. After Kamehameha came along Honolulu because a bustling city and the islands really went into business selling first lumber and then really getting into the whale trade. Even Niihau, mentioned in GQ, was almost 50% Japanese back in the early part of this century.
Actually I wouldn’t say the Hawaiians assimilated rather we all evolved into a new culture that is not just dominant but basically complete over the islands. Eh, this is hard to explain but I think you get my gist.
