Let's talk Hawaii...

[Sinister]

Never been.  May want to go.  Maybe in June.  Looking for low-key.  Good for families (will have 1-year old).

Whatcha got?

If you got nothin', talk to me about other semi-tropical, domestic vacation spots.

[teddy037.2]

regardless, your trip must include a stop on oahu to drink w/the desmotropic fellas.



waikiki can be a bit hectic, but the majority of hotels are out there (on oahu, anyway)  obviously beaches aplenty no matter where you go.

the big island is nice, the volcano national park is pretty pregnant dogin' if you're into that sort of thing.

ummm... what else?

[Sinister]

Gotcha on the drink; no problem.

What about the smaller islands like, Molokai, Lanai, etc.?

[hbliam]

Oaho is the least "Hawaii" of all the islands. On the other hand it has some cool stuff to do (Arizona Memorial, North Shore) and is usually the cheapest island to go to (more direct flights, more hotel rooms). Molokai and Lanai don't have much going on which is either what you want or not what you want. Big Island is diverse and tied for my personal favorite with Maui. Maui is big dollar (waliea end) to more moderate (kannapali end). Family friendly is  one thing. Taking a 1 year old on two 5-6 hour flights is another. Make sure you have something to help the kid pop his/her ears on descent.

First timer would be fine going to Oahu. You can drive around the whole island, do the Arizona, Hanauma Bay, check out the North Shore (maybe stay at Turtle Bay Hilton for all or part of stay),etc,etc. If you are a diver Maui is much better. If you want to check out the volocano you need to be on the Big Island. I haven't been to Kauai yet and hear it's the most beautiful of all.

So I guess the question is what do you want to do while you are there?

[Sinister]

Taking a 1 year old on two 5-6 hour flights is another. Make sure you have something to help the kid pop his/her ears on descent.

So I guess the question is what do you want to do while you are there?

The wife has already taken her on a couple flights; she's got it wired.

Do?  Not much.  Chill.  Sip a few.  Swim a bit.  See a sight, or two.  That's what got me thinking about some of the smaller islands.  Get a condo on/near the beach and set up.  With a young one, we aren't going to be taking helicopter trips and snorkeling all day, etc.  I just want to take a run on the beach, read some books, drink a bit, and just chill.  I haven't taken a vacation that didn't involve hunting or family, in quite a while.

[NAKID]

Oahu is what most people think when they hear "Hawaii". I've been there 3-4 times for a few days each. If you go to Oahu, you HAVE to do the USS Arizona Memorial. It's very humbling. Diamond Head Park is cool as well, but June with a 1 year old may not be the best time to hike to the top...

[hbliam]

The wife has already taken her on a couple flights; she's got it wired.

Do?  Not much.  Chill.  Sip a few.  Swim a bit.  See a sight, or two.  That's what got me thinking about some of the smaller islands.  Get a condo on/near the beach and set up.  With a young one, we aren't going to be taking helicopter trips and snorkeling all day, etc.  I just want to take a run on the beach, read some books, drink a bit, and just chill.  I haven't taken a vacation that didn't involve hunting or family, in quite a while.

Then do Oahu as it would be cheapest, leaving you more dough for booze, books, and sights. If cost isn't an issue I'd go to Big Island or Maui (for not much more) and do the same things without the Waikiki crowd. Sheraton at Black Rock on Maui is family friendly, good beach, good snorkel off said beach, good food in Lahaina, etc. Also tons of condos to rent in Maui. Just stay away from Kihei.  

[Sinister]

Then do Oahu as it would be cheapest, leaving you more dough for booze, books, and sights. If cost isn't an issue I'd go to Big Island or Maui (for not much more) and do the same things without the Waikiki crowd. Sheraton at Black Rock on Maui is family friendly, good beach, good snorkel off said beach, good food in Lahaina, etc. Also tons of condos to rent in Maui. Just stay away from Kihei.  

Hmmm...alright, I'll do some looking.  Although, the prices are sick (as in, affordable) on Molokai. 

What's up with Kihei?  Me get my white ass killed there?

I do sorta feel bad thinking about going to Hawaii and not seeing the Arizona...or BJ Penn.

[hbliam]

Hmmm...alright, I'll do some looking.  Although, the prices are sick (as in, affordable) on Molokai. 

What's up with Kihei?  Me get my white ass killed there?

I do sorta feel bad thinking about going to Hawaii and not seeing the Arizona...or BJ Penn.

To see Penn you have to go to Hilo (Big Island) which is actually a very cool place. Kihie is just kind of nasty. Cheap but not my idea of a nice place to stay. There is nothing to do on Molokai. That may be what you want but not having been to any of the islands you kinda need to get some of the touristy stuff out of the way. The Arizona Memorial is as Nakid said, humbling. I would not hesitate to go there again.

How many days you going? A couple trips back we went with friends that had never gone. We flew direct to Maui, stayed for 6 days and then hopped to Oahu and stayed for three at Turtle Bay. Did all the touristy stuff with them. 

[Triple J]

Molly and I have been to Maui 3 times and Kauai once. We liked both, but Maui has more to do (non-outdoor). Kauai is great for hiking and such. Both have great beaches to just sit back and relax. Hawaii will be our next stop so I can see the volcanoes.

I don't really have any desire to go to Oahu...we live in a big city, so why go to the island that has one?

Keep in mind, Alaska airlines flies to some of the islands non-stop from Seattle...otherwise you most likely have to go thru LAX, which really sucks. Last time I checked they only flew to Kauai and Hawaii, but they may have expanded.

[herm]

Caribbean.

hawaii is over priced and very, very far away

[Triple J]

Caribbean.

hawaii is over priced and very, very far away

Not from where he lives.  Caribbean is far for us!

[NAKID]

Not from where he lives.  Caribbean is far for us!

Doesn't Sinister live in NY?

[hbliam]

Doesn't Sinister live in NY?

I thought he lived in the Seattle area.

[DaniD]

[quote   I haven't been to Kauai yet and hear it's the most beautiful of all.


[/quote]

I have family on Oahu and while we were there a few years ago we met a girl from Kauai...she said she couldn't wait to get home cause it's so pretty and she missed it so much!!  It's definitely an island I would like to go to.  I think Oahu has a lot to offer...get to see Honolulu where it's busy and tons of fun...then you have the North Shore where it's more laid back.  

Seriously though...it's HAWAII...any island you go to will be amazing!