# Questions about Vacationing in Hawaii **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 6, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711 "2011-03-06T23:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/21 "2011-03-07T20:12:53Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > We’ve done it twice. Once was rainy; once was glorious. > > Since we’ve done the downhill, the rules have changed due to several fatalities by bikers who weren’t paying attention. Now, the companies reportedly drive everyone to the summit to see sunrise. Afterwards, instead of departing from the summit, they drive back down a few thousand feet to right outside the national park gates. From there, you bike down. > > Like everything else, whether you think you’d enjoy it depends on the unique individual. I think I’d love this. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/22 "2011-03-07T21:24:13Z")
I’m going to second the recommendation for the Beach House on Poipu. Make reservations before you get to the island though, the best we managed on our trip was lunch since it was fully booked the entire week we were on Kauai. Blue Dolphin was the dinner cruise we did. The food is just okay, but honestly the only thing you’ll remember is the scenery. The most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen. It’s not a huge boat though so be sure you don’t suffer from seasickness before signing up. Also pick up the [Wizard guides](http://wizardpub.com/) for whichever islands you’re going to. The best travel guides I’ve ever used. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/23 "2011-03-07T21:43:45Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Most of the big ones (Alamo, Hertz) rent convertibles. I prefer an SUV on Big Island. Cool. Thanks! > [@PunditLisa](#): > > It was called the SuperFerry, but it’s been grounded by environmentalists since shortly after its maiden voyage. I think you are envisioning Hawaii like the Caribbean – where islands are grouped together and a short ferry ride away. Maui and Big Island are ~25 miles apart and I believe it’s almost 100 miles to Kauai. You can easily see, and take a ferry ride to, both Lanai and Molokai from Maui, but they’re minor islands and less than 10 miles away. It takes about an hour to get there via the ferry. Even if the SuperFerry was still operational, it woudn’t be quicker, or cheaper, than flying. Too bad. Oh well. I was hoping to avoid the TSA nightmare when going from island to island. > [@PunditLisa](#): > > You’ll run out of time well before you’ll run out of activities. I’ve been to Hawaii 4 times and still have activities on my “To Do” list. Excellent! > [@PunditLisa](#): > > 5 on Maui and 2 on Big Island sounds like a do-able itinerary. I’d fly into OGG and try to arrive in the early afternoon, if at all possible. Some flights arrive at 7pm or later, which basically means that you’re going to pay $350+ plus resort fees at a hotel where you do nothing but collapse into bed. And remember that 9pm on Hawaii is 2 or 3am Eastern time, so you’ll be too tired to much of anything. So if you can get in during the early afternoon, do it. > > If you can’t, note that most of Hawaii shuts down with the sun. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many restaurants open at 11pm, so plan your meals accordingly.) Gotcha. > [@PunditLisa](#): > > Here’s a sample itinerary: > > Day 1 - Fly into OGG – Rent a convertible and check into your resort. The main resorts are 15 minutes (Wailea) to an hour (Ka’anapali) away, depending on traffic. Eat dinner, wind down at the resort pool or hot tub and head to bed. > > Day 2 - This is an ideal day to do a bright-and-early activity, such as biking/sunrise at Haleakala, because you’ll still be on mainland time. The companies pick you up from your resort at around 3am so that you’re at the summit by sunrise (~5:45am, IIRC). Afterward, head back to the resort and enjoy the pool. > > Alternative: Road to Hana (Personally, I hated this, but I get car sick.) > > Day 3 - Snorkeling at Molokini or the all-day trip to Lanai. Or kayaking. Or ATV’ing. Or hiking at Haleakala. What to do? > > Day 4 - Ziplining, followed by Iao Needle State Park. Old Lahaina Luau or Warren & Annabelle’s at night. I prefer the latter myself, but if you want to do a luau, OLL is reportedly the best. > > Alternate Day 4 - Day trip to the other resort area, then sunset catamaran ride for your last night on Maui. Or dinner at Mama’s Fish House. > > Day 5 - Enjoy breakfast at the resort. Head to the airport for a noon or 1pm flight on Hawaiian Air, if possible. Arrive at Hilo and check-in to your B&B at 3pm. Head to Volcanoes National Park to view the glow of the volcano at night. Dinner at Kilauea Lodge (reservations). > > Day 6 - All day at VNP. > > Day 7 - Enjoy your last morning on Hawaii. Most mainland flights depart in the early or late evening, and most depart from Kona. If this is the case, feel free to use this last day to drive to Kona. It’s a beautiful drive and takes about 3 hours without stops. Just be sure to indicate on your rental car form that you need to drop off in Kona. Since most hotels have check-out at 11am, this is a nice way to use the time when you’re orphaned. Fantastic! Thank you so much for taking the time to work this up! I truly appreciate it. Thanks to everyone who posted and responded to my queries. You have all given me the foundation for a really good vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/24 "2011-03-07T21:44:54Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > I’m going to second the recommendation for the Beach House on Poipu. Make reservations before you get to the island though, the best we managed on our trip was lunch since it was fully booked the entire week we were on Kauai. > > Blue Dolphin was the dinner cruise we did. The food is just okay, but honestly the only thing you’ll remember is the scenery. The most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen. It’s not a huge boat though so be sure you don’t suffer from seasickness before signing up. > > Also pick up the [Wizard guides](http://wizardpub.com/) for whichever islands you’re going to. The best travel guides I’ve ever used. Thank you, **Moonlitherial**. Will do. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/25 "2011-03-07T22:14:32Z")
When you first get off the plane have your taxi take you to the Moana Hotel. Order a drink under the banyan tree and introduce yourself to Hawaii, one of my favorite memories from my first trip there way back when. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/26 "2011-03-07T22:55:03Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Too bad. Oh well. I was hoping to avoid the TSA nightmare when going from island to island. Having flown out of both Honolulu and Kahului (Maui) on our trip last year, neither were bad at all, from a time standpoint. In line for no more than 10 minutes at Honolulu, and maybe 3 minutes at Kahului. (If you fly out of Kona, man, that airport is _tiny_, so it’d be even less of an issue.) ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/27 "2011-03-07T23:20:56Z")
Your flight: On the way there, you will need to fill out a survey asking if you’re bringing any non-native plants into the islands. So don’t. 🙂 On the way back, you will need to take your bags through an agricultural inspection, which is just like a normal security x-ray machine. Shirokiya: Loved this place as a kid and I still do. The store is two floors: the first has Japanese houswares, books, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics; the second is devoted almost entirely to food, both packaged and fresh-made. I haven’t sampled the bentos in years, but I was always fond of the teriyaki and chicken katsu as well as the shrimp tempura. You could easily pick up food and drinks here and take them to the beach across the street. Hikes: Wear comfortable shoes that give you traction on wet rock or mud. If possible, keep your hands free. Restaurant recommendations: I guess it depends what you mean by exotic-- keep in mind that “exotic” is relative. Almost every major cuisine is represented, along with some fusion styles, so you should be able to find whatever you’re in the mood for. My recommendations: Italian: Assagio’s Japanese: Shirokiya, Gyokaku, Ezogiku (ramen), Coco Ichibanya (curry) Local: Rainbow’s Drive-In or Zippy’s Chinese: Hee Hing or Golden Duck Late night: Wailana Coffee House or Anna Miller’s. The SuperFerry: They went out of business, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/28 "2011-03-07T23:43:12Z")
> [@Geek\_Mecha](#): > > Your flight: > On the way there, you will need to fill out a survey asking if you’re bringing any non-native plants into the islands. So don’t. 🙂 On the way back, you will need to take your bags through an agricultural inspection, which is just like a normal security x-ray machine. One of the things we like to do is travel lite, and by lite I mean one small backpack with essentials, i.e., cameras, phones, chargers, some undies, and an emergency ration of a few feminine products… and that’s it. We don’t take any luggage at all. The only clothing we have is what’s on our backs. We usually buy everything, including toiletries, at the destination. We find this enhances the adventure aspect of the vacation. It also leaves us unencumbered, at least at the beginning of the vacation, to freely go from place to place without lugging tons of crap around, much of which, in our experience, we end up not using. Of course on the way home we’re luggage laden, but that can’t be helped. 🙂 > [@Geek\_Mecha](#): > > Shirokiya: > Loved this place as a kid and I still do. The store is two floors: the first has Japanese houswares, books, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics; the second is devoted almost entirely to food, both packaged and fresh-made. I haven’t sampled the bentos in years, but I was always fond of the teriyaki and chicken katsu as well as the shrimp tempura. You could easily pick up food and drinks here and take them to the beach across the street. I really want to experience Shirokiya. I miss the aromas and tastes of authentic Japanese fast food, which you just cannot find on the East coast, at least I haven’t, and I’ve looked. > [@Geek\_Mecha](#): > > Hikes: > Wear comfortable shoes that give you traction on wet rock or mud. If possible, keep your hands free. Hands free? > [@Geek\_Mecha](#): > > Restaurant recommendations: > I guess it depends what you mean by exotic-- keep in mind that “exotic” is relative. Almost every major cuisine is represented, along with some fusion styles, so you should be able to find whatever you’re in the mood for. > My recommendations: > Italian: Assagio’s > Japanese: Shirokiya, Gyokaku, Ezogiku (ramen), Coco Ichibanya (curry) > Local: Rainbow’s Drive-In or Zippy’s > Chinese: Hee Hing or Golden Duck > Late night: Wailana Coffee House or Anna Miller’s. Are these all on Oahu? > [@Geek\_Mecha](#): > > The SuperFerry: > They went out of business, sadly. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/29 "2011-03-07T23:50:30Z")
Ah, one last thing. I know there’s a large Japanese population in Hawaii, at least that’s what I’ve read. How prevalent is the use of the Japanese language? Will I have the opportunity and, I’m hopeful, necessity, to converse in Japanese with people I meet, or should I not get my hopes up because everyone speak English? ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/30 "2011-03-08T01:23:05Z")
If you’re planning on visiting the Big Island, you might want to keep an eye on things at the park (closed) due to a [recent new lava flow](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110308/ap_on_re_us/us_hawaii_volcano_eruption;_ylt=AkJyEBo5SppNqQwoVNOVlAUPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJyNjYxM200BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMzA4L3VzX2hhd2FpaV92b2xjYW5vX2VydXB0aW9uBGNwb3MDMwRwb3MDNQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNsYXZhc3Bld3MxMDA-). Thanks for starting this thread - we’re heading to Kauai for the first time in May, and I’ll take note of Kauai-related advice! We’ve been to Maui a few times and loved it. I’ll try to think of specifics. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/31 "2011-03-08T01:45:25Z")
Some great advice in this thread already, especially about not trying to island hop all over the place (you only have 7 days!) We’re back to Maui shortly for 10 days, and I know we won’t run out of things to do. Sounds like your interests (shopping, fine dining) are not exactly the same as ours. But if you want advice on where to snorkel on Maui or the Big Island, let me know here or via PM. We’ll be snorkeling every day, probably in a couple of locations. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/32 "2011-03-08T02:15:02Z")
I believe all bags, carry-on and checked, are subject to inspection. For carry-ons, they just combine it with the normal security inspection. You shouldn’t have any problems and should zip right through, except for the five minutes it’ll take to fill out the survey (on Scantron forms!). Japanese: You’ll see the occasional crowd of Japanese tourists-- there are buses and trolleys that Japanese tourists charter to travel around the island. Many shops and restaurants, especially ones at Ala Moana (where Shirokiya is) and Waikiki will have Japanese-speaking hosts and waitstaff. There are also many Japanese-language guidebooks free in newstands aloong the streets of Waikiki. However, the majority of your interactions will be in English. You’ll encounter locals who speak pidgin English, which is like a foreign language, though, and it gets thicker and more old-school the farther away from Oahu you go. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Hands free? So you can grab rocks or handrails. Some trails are hilly, rocky, the ground twined with tree roots, mud, and puddles. > [@](#): > > Are these all on Oahu? Yes, though Zippy’s can be found on the other islands. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/33 "2011-03-08T14:31:26Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Some great advice in this thread already, especially about not trying to island hop all over the place (you only have 7 days!) We’re back to Maui shortly for 10 days, and I know we won’t run out of things to do. Yeah, I’m leaning toward spending most of our time in Maui at this point. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Sounds like your interests (shopping, fine dining) are not exactly the same as ours. But if you want advice on where to snorkel on Maui or the Big Island, let me know here or via PM. We’ll be snorkeling every day, probably in a couple of locations. Unfortunately, we won’t be snorkeling. My wife tried it and didn’t care for it; viewing a world below the water line makes her a little uncomfortable. I’m not sure I get it, but based on her previous reaction, I’m sure that’s something she won’t miss. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/34 "2011-03-08T16:19:31Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Yeah, I’m leaning toward spending most of our time in Maui at this point. > > Unfortunately, we won’t be snorkeling. My wife tried it and didn’t care for it; viewing a world below the water line makes her a little uncomfortable. I’m not sure I get it, but based on her previous reaction, I’m sure that’s something she won’t miss. Maui is great - you will have plenty to do, and you’ll have a great time. Too bad about the snorkeling. On the one hand, it’s sad that folks sometimes have one bad experience, and/or don’t really see what the fuss is about. On the other hand, more room in the ocean for me! It’s like Dave Barry once said: “Going to the ocean and sitting on the beach is like going to the circus and sitting outside looking at the tent.” One thing I’d suggest for those who don’t want to get wet - the aquarium in Maui is very nice and a great place to get a sense of what is happening on the reefs right outside your hotel/condo. Have a great time! ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/35 "2011-03-08T19:47:19Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Maui is great - you will have plenty to do, and you’ll have a great time. I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Too bad about the snorkeling. On the one hand, it’s sad that folks sometimes have one bad experience, and/or don’t really see what the fuss is about. On the other hand, more room in the ocean for me! > > It’s like Dave Barry once said: “Going to the ocean and sitting on the beach is like going to the circus and sitting outside looking at the tent.” > > One thing I’d suggest for those who don’t want to get wet - the aquarium in Maui is very nice and a great place to get a sense of what is happening on the reefs right outside your hotel/condo. > > Have a great time! Don’t get me wrong, she loves the water, and will frolic around in it all day. There’s just something about looking down on an expanse that she finds uncomfortable. She doesn’t look outside of plane windows before we’re above the clouds for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![T.Slothrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@T.Slothrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Slothrop)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/36 "2011-03-08T19:52:56Z")
I enjoyed Germaine’s Luau at Kapolei. Arizona Memorial has lockers so your wife could lock up the stuff she won’t go out without. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/37 "2011-03-08T20:05:31Z")
Sadly, Hawaiian waters aren’t really great for frollicking. First of all, there are tons of lava rocks in and out of the water, so water shoes are a must. Secondly, it’s a volcanic island and the shelf drops steeply, which causes a rollicking surf. Getting in and out of the water gracefully with flippers on is a trick that I can’t say that I’ve mastered yet, though I’m sure I’ve provided entertainment for my fellow beach goers. The water is pretty cold, even in the summer. We wear surf shirts to help us keep warm. Add in a constant wind that really picks up as the sun rises…and you’ve got some drop-dead beautiful, though not very hospitable, water. The first time I went to Hawaii, I was expecting to spend all day at the beach, like I do when I go to South Carolina. In reality, I ended up spending much more time in the hotel pool, and just viewing the ocean. I was only in the ocean when I was snorkeling. For frollicking, I much, much prefer Florida or the Caribbean, with its gently sloping beaches and lapping waves. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/38 "2011-03-08T20:50:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > One thing I’d suggest for those who don’t want to get wet - the aquarium in Maui is very nice and a great place to get a sense of what is happening on the reefs right outside your hotel/condo. Agreed! We enjoyed it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/39 "2011-03-08T22:57:57Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > For frollicking, I much, much prefer Florida or the Caribbean, with its gently sloping beaches and lapping waves. Although not really the Caribbean, we absolutely loved Horseshoe Bay beach in Bermuda. The sand was soft and fine, and the water was warm and wonderful. Best beach I’ve ever been to actually. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711/40 "2011-03-09T03:55:29Z")
Several years ago, I did the Big Island and Oahu with the Divemaster, who already had a dozen visits under his belt. He knows from the islands. The scuba diving is not great in Hawai’i. Too much particulate in the water because of the current. Lousy viz. Go to the lower Bahamas if that’s your thing. I loved the Big Island for Volcanoes National Park, which is a must-see at night - especially right now with the escalated eruption going on. Definitely worth your time - especially if you’re a hiker. Be aware though, that after a certain hour AND a certain point in your hiking , the park service declares you are on your own. They shut down. The park itself doesn’t. If you get into trouble out there, you’re going to have to get out of it on your own, and yes, people have died out there, so **be careful**. If you decide to hike on the lava flow, wear comfortable shoes with good support, and be prepared to junk them before you fly home. The lava tears the hell out of anything it comes in contact with. I left a fairly-new pair of New Balances in the hotel trash can before we checked out. Bring a light cover-up too. It gets surprisingly cold at night. Do keep your hands free in case you lose your balance and fall. Better a few scrapes to your hands than deep lacerations to your legs. I actually brought home a piece of lava embedded in the back of a knee when i slipped on the lava fields around Kilauea! Pele was NOT amused that I took one of her children from the site. 😉 Take plenty of water. There are no places to buy it after sundown. We had our dive lights to see where we were going (no artificial lights anywhere, period) and allowed ourselves all night and part of the morning to hike out to the flow. Awesome - and exhausting. Do go see the Mighty 'Mo (WW2 history afloat) and the Arizona Memorial. Very moving. If you’re into subs, the USS Bowfin tour is neater than heck. Have fun! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-vacationing-in-hawaii/573711.md?page=3)