Anyone in Hawaii?

[Rae Vynn]

So, DH and I are going on a cruise to Hawaii in March...

Our itinerary is that we'll be docking at Honolulu on Friday, April 1st, Kauai on Saturday the 2nd, and Maui on Sunday the 3rd.

We're also at Hilo on Thursday, but we have a tour booked for that island.

Question: Does anyone on here live there? What would be the advice you'd have for those (3) islands? Or, just any one of them that you are familiar with?

On Honolulu, we do plan to spend part of the day at Waikiki beach. We know all about the Memorial, of course, and I really don't want to spend that much time crying while on vacation. It's our long day, though - from 7am to 11pm (I would be back on the ship by 10pm, as that's how I am), and we aren't sure what to do with ourselves for that long.

Wait, that sounds... nevermind.

Well, see, the thing is, I sunburn easily, and though I'll be using mass quantities of Green Screen sunblock, I still can't be out in the sun that many hours.

So, is there some sort of short tour, evening place to hang out, or natural beauty we Cannot Miss? The ship's own tours all sound overpriced and boring as can be.

Oh, hey... at Waikiki - are there lockers? public showers or something for changing to/from swimsuits?

Thanks

[macmaster05]

Rodney (HAWAIIANBUILT) might be able to help you.

Eat lots of spam. Sounds fun.

[dustoff003]

Howzit Rae,

I live on Oahu, The Port of Honolulu is closed for cruise ship passenger debarkation on April 1st. Maybe you can get off the ship on Maui or Kauai, or the Island of Hawaii. Just kidding about Honolulu being closed, had to get the April Fools' Day joke in there while I could. Let me ponder your questions and I will get back to you later. You mentioned a Memorial I am going to assume that you are referring to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is this correct? May I ask which line your sailing and who is DH, it will aid in planning? It might be helpful also to know what are you interested in doing or like and what you have no interest in doing or dislike?

There are many Priuses here in the Islands, but I don't think there are many active PC members I have only seen a few so far.

Feel free to PM me any particulars, or questions you don't want to post here.

Glad your coming out to vacation we (The State of Hawaii) need the money.

[hyo silver]

I thought 'DH' was Priuschat code for 'Dear Hubby'

If it were me, I'd be looking for a black sand beach, a trimaran to crew on for the day, a mountain top to watch the sunrise from, a bicycle to ride down the steepest, twistiest paved road I could find, and a night view of molten lava flowing straight into the sea.

But that's me. What's on the shore tour itinerary?

[Rae Vynn]

"DH" is, indeed, Dear Hubby - JavaJunki here on PC.
I saw a tour that was a long down-hill bicycle ride - looked like a lot of fun! Too bad neither of us could actually survive that at this time.
I was just hoping for something sort of like "tourists usually miss this one, but it's really beautiful/historic/interesting/fun..."

No spam, please. Unlike a lot of people, I actually know what is in those cans. Ewww.

[airportkid]

Get in the air by helo or plane, and if you can afford it not a packaged tour but a personal tour. The islands look wonderful from any angle but absolutely stunning from above. If you book it through a flight school the cost will be for plane & pilot at a flat hourly rate, with no additional charge for both of you.

[koa]

There's La Mariana within a couple of miles from where you dock so it would be a cheap cab ride. It's an old style tiki bar and restaurant. Maybe hit it for a beer on the way back to the ship. Annette in the video has since passed away, but the place continues on.

YouTube - Last Old-Style-Hawaii Restaurant on Oahu, La Mariana

YouTube - Last Old-Style-Hawaii Restaurant on Oahu, La Mariana

Twenty minutes from Waikiki there's Tantalus/Round Top Drive 10 mile mountain loop that goes through a rain forest and has some great views over looking the city and Diamond Head. There are tours that take people up at sunset if you aren't renting a car. There are easy hikes right off the road and parking.

YouTube - HD-Sunset @ Tantalus Hill, Hawaii Time Lapse -dotcube-

YouTube - HD-Sunset @ Tantalus Hill, Hawaii Time Lapse -dotcube-

There's also The Contemporary Museum in the same area/loop.

The Contemporary Museum

Same area as Punchbowl Cemetery, just so you know.

I'll add things as I think of them.

[dustoff003]

Originally Posted by macmaster05

Rodney (HAWAIIANBUILT) might be able to help you.

Eat lots of spam. Sounds fun.

If I recall correctly I think Rae is a Vegan? But I love SPAM as they say It's Crazy Tasty. It is rumored that Hormel has a secret SPAM warehouse here on Oahu.

Originally Posted by hyo silver

I thought 'DH' was Priuschat code for 'Dear Hubby'

If it were me, I'd be looking for a black sand beach, a trimaran to crew on for the day, a mountain top to watch the sunrise from, a bicycle to ride down the steepest, twistiest paved road I could find, and a night view of molten lava flowing straight into the sea.

But that's me. What's on the shore tour itinerary?

I should have thought of that DH. Sounds like you have visited the Islands before? The crazy downhill bike ride I think you all are referring to is going down Haleakala on Maui. Every so often there is a death there due to a bike either going off the road and down the mountain or colliding with a vehicle going up hill.

Originally Posted by Rae Vynn

"DH" is, indeed, Dear Hubby - JavaJunki here on PC.
I saw a tour that was a long down-hill bicycle ride - looked like a lot of fun! Too bad neither of us could actually survive that at this time.
I was just hoping for something sort of like "tourists usually miss this one, but it's really beautiful/historic/interesting/fun..."

No spam, please. Unlike a lot of people, I actually know what is in those cans. Ewww.

I have been to all of the Islands because of work, but I was on the ground usually long enough to get fuel or pick up someone, with the exception of the Island of Hawaii. I have spent allot of time on the Big Island for work, her natural beauty abounds. It may be the only place in the world where you can start at sea level on a black sand beach and by lunch be at almost 14,000 feet atop Mauna Kea with snow on the ground. Driving through a rain forest and a high desert area with ancient lava flows surrounding to get there. I shall post some ideas for you all in addition to what Koa has posted.

DH got it so is what would I call my wife? DW?

Originally Posted by airportkid

Get in the air by helo or plane, and if you can afford it not a packaged tour but a personal tour. The islands look wonderful from any angle but absolutely stunning from above. If you book it through a flight school the cost will be for plane & pilot at a flat hourly rate, with no additional charge for both of you.

I definitely second that, I have had the opportunity to see all of the Islands from the air it is Awesome, especially Kauai and the Big Island. Here on Oahu there is Dillingham Airport there you can find gliders and skydiving, and air tours in biplanes.

Dillingham Airfield - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dillingham_Airfield

I have not been soaring in a while but it is great being up there only hearing the wind rush by the canopy, no engine, transmission or rotor noise. I have a pilot buddy I could have him look in to the flight school tour route or ask him if he would take you all up if your interested.

The bad thing about Dillingham is it is quite far from the cruise ship terminal.

[dustoff003]

Originally Posted by koa

There's La Mariana within a couple of miles from where you dock so it would be a cheap cab ride. It's an old style tiki bar and restaurant. Maybe hit it for a beer on the way back to the ship. Annette in the video has since passed away, but the place continues on.

I have called Hawaii home now for 13 years and have never heard of La Mariana until today. Now I want to go.

Twenty minutes from Waikiki there's Tantalus/Round Top Drive 10 mile mountain loop that goes through a rain forest and has some great views over looking the city and Diamond Head. There are tours that take people up at sunset if you aren't renting a car. There are easy hikes right off the road and parking.

Great views!

There's also The Contemporary Museum in the same area/loop.

The Contemporary Museum

Have not been there yet either.

Same area as Punchbowl Cemetery, just so you know.

Very somber and beautiful place, great city views also.

I'll add things as I think of them.

There is also the Pacific Aviation Museum located on historic Ford Island. Ford Island is in Pearl Harbor and very near all of the Historic sites there like the Arizona Memorial, Bowfin submarine, battleship Missouri. Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor

I don't know much about them but I see them on base daily there is a tour company called Home of the Brave Tours, they go to most of the historic military sites and bases around Oahu. Pearl Harbor Headquarters | Pearl Harbor Tours, Arizona, USS Bowfin, USS Missouri, Pacific Aviation Museum, Home of the Brave Museum

I shall also add new ideas as I think of them.

[Cactuscoug]

Kauai is our favorite island. We were married there in 1990, and return often.

You need to rent a car. The cruise terminal is essentially mid-island. If you drive clock-wise, you will be at Waimea Canyon (The Grand Canyon of the Pacific) in one hour. If you drive counter-clock-wise, you will travel through Princeville, Hanalei (Puff the Magic Dragon) and the beautiful North Shore. The road dead ends where the Napali Coast begins.

If you have the time and money, a helicopter tour of the scenic Napali cliffs is a must.

Aloha!!