OT: Hawaii!

[titoav15]

Hey Guys,
My girlfriend and I are going to Honolulu, Hawaii for 1.5 weeks. First time there so just looking for some ideas here. Aside from hitting the beaches, we will be going skydiving, scuba and snorkeling. I have heard that there is a volcano that people also climb. What are some hidden gems that Hawaii offers? Keep in mind that this is for two adventures people but we are up for anything!
Thanks,
Alex

 

[titoav15]

comon guys im sure someone has traveled there before lets not be shy!

 

[Crease123]

Hi, my wife and I just went to Hawaii for our honeymoon back in February. We spent 2 weeks there: 1 week in Honolulu and 1 week in Maui. It was arguably the best vacation that we had ever taken.

The "volcano" that you are referring to is probably the Diamond Head crater. The mountain is visible from Waikiki beach, and is a nice and gentle 45-50 mins climb to the top.

To kickstart the mood for the trip, I suggest you arrange a Lei (the flowers that Hawaiians wear around their necks) greeting at the airport. I previously assumed that all visitors get a standard Lei greeting, but you need to pre-arrange them.

It goes without saying that Pearl Harbor is a must do. It's rather spine chilling as you walk through the sites, and get a feel of what history and what happened back then.

Since you two are adventurous, I would say definitely check out the North Shore (about an hour drive from Waikiki). There, they offer some of the best waves for surfing. If you don't already know, consider taking surfing classes (Sunset Suratt is by far the best surfing school up there). While you are up there on North Shore, you might want to check out the cage shark diving too.

In Maui, we also did whales watching (might not be in season now), as well as a helicopter ride. Also, be sure to check out a Luau. It may be touristy, but imho no trip to Hawaii is complete without experiencing a Luau.

Here are some pics from our honeymoon for you:

At Pearl Harbor. The ship was left where it was sunk. Depending on the tide level, parts of the ship protrudes from the water surface

Waikiki Beach:

My wife and I scuba diving. It was a first for her!

Shark cage diving:

Galapagos shark:

Horseback riding on the beach:

Surfing lesson at North Shore:

 

[titoav15]

Wow thank you for all the AWESOME info!! These tips are def great to know! Pearl Harbor is an awesome idea since both of us are into history! All the other stuff is now on the table, boy good thing we got an awesome deal on these tickets Did you skydive by any chance? It will be our first time and we thought there is no better place than Hawaii We are not going there for honeymoon just for fun, but will prob be back for that A lot of people say that she looks Hawaiian, we shall find out but here is a pic of us

 

[St.james of reefdom]

when my wife and were there about 6 years ago we took some time and spent it at honauma bay,, great snorkeling and diving ..

 

[Crease123]

Glad to help. No, we didn't sky dived while we were there. Our timetable is pretty packed most of the days we were there. Plus we wanted to spend time relaxing on the beach and pool too

The best thing about Pearl Harbor is.....its free! Well, at least the Arizona memorial is free. The Missouri and the Bowfin you have to pay. But the main attraction is the Arizona battleship.

When are you going? A friend of mine went to hawaii for his honeymoon too, and I loaned him my guide book. He's returning it to me by mail now, and if you are still around when I receive the book I can loan it to you. It's a pretty nifty guidebook.

p.s. As an asian myself, I don't think your gf looks particularly Hawaiian. They are usually pretty tan, and has that exotic polynesian look to them.

 

[titoav15]

free is the best price lol (we are not cheap, just to be clear ) we are going June 10th, if you get the travel book back by then and I am in Syracuse area I would love to borrow it
"p.s. As an asian myself, I don't think your gf looks particularly Hawaiian. They are usually pretty tan, and has that exotic polynesian look to them." LOL I guess some people mistake her for it, she is actually Korean (GOOD PART OF KOREA- South) lol I am Russian my-self what a combo right?

 

[Crease123]

I was guessing she's korean too. I don't blame people for mistaking her for Hawaiian though. Lot's of people can't differentiate asians lol. I'm from Singapore originally. So far no one has mistaken me for Hawaiian yet.

 

[titoav15]

yeah people are funny that way But thanks a lot for all the advice, I think I'm all set on this one I guess we should have went for a longer time! But then, there is always the honeymoon lol

 

[albano]

I have been to Hawaii 3 times in the past few years ( Oahu, Big Is. and Maui)... and done a lot of the 'tourist' things...in talking to other tourists there. I often noticed that the activities were cheaper (sometimes 1/2 the price) when you actually booked them there...as compared to the 'pre-trip' pricing!

 

[titoav15]

I have been to Hawaii 3 times in the past few years ( Oahu, Big Is. and Maui)... and done a lot of the 'tourist' things...in talking to other tourists there. I often noticed that the activities were cheaper (sometimes 1/2 the price) when you actually booked them there...as compared to the 'pre-trip' pricing!

THANK YOU!! I was not sure about that one, but it always seems that pre paying online is almost a scam. Thumbs up for awesome people here!! :thumbsup:

 

[TheRealRuk]

I've been to Maui 3 times, we'll be going to Oahu early next spring (wife's brother moved out there a couple years ago..) I love Maui, but have watched it get more and more developed over the years; although I still highly recommend it. Besides not having to pay for anything (brother in law) I'm most excited to go to the Waikiki Aquarium... (I don't think anyone mentioned it an any of the previous posts, am I on the right island?) I don't know anyone who has ever been, but I've seen pictures in my Coral mag... Thats where I'll be spending most my time... We used a book called Maui Revealed... I wouldn't go to any of the Hawaiian Islands with out the corresponding Revealed book! (Oahu Revealed). Book was spot on!

 

[albano]

Waikiki Aquarium is great (small, but great)...I have many pics from there...their Giant Clams in the reef/surge tank, must be 5' long! Walking distance from hotel/beach area... I'm pretty sure that a member of Manhattan Reefs is a researcher at the aquarium...
BTW...personal reef tanks/live corals are not allowed in Hawaii...but right by the jetty in front of the hotels, you can see moorish idols, damsels, blue box fish, and many others.

As mentioned before...the 'local' deals on activities are cheaper there...on every street corner, there are 'promoters' handing out brochures, with deals on activities...check them out...the savings are major!

 

[SkiFletch]

Just went to Maui this winter and it was freaking amazing. Not a cheap vacation, but MAN was it fun. The diving/snorkeling was quite spectacular for someone who'se never dove the Pacific . Swimming with most of the fish we keep in our tanks was pretty sweet. I would also reccomend a guidebook. We took the Lonely Planet Maui with us and are SOOOO glad we did. It had a little more of an "off the beaten path" writing to it and would flat out say what was a tourist trap, what wasn't, and things that were tourist traps but worth it anyways. I'm not sure that the specific guidebook you get matters, just bring one, even if you have to barnes and noble it at the last minute. We also brought our GPS with us and that was key if you want to explore on your own. If you have your own, make sure it has maps for Hawaii, not all do. And if not, consider getting one with your rental.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Been to Maui twice. I'd second the recommendation for a luau. Is it kitchy, corny, touristy, etc? Yep! But after 6-7 fruity cocktails its a blast! A lot of people from the east coast say its not worth it, with the Caribbean so close. I LOVED it! 2500 Miles from anywhere. Deep blue waters. Abundant reefs and easy access snorkeling, like Mike said, with many of the species we keep in our tanks.

I was confused at first, thinking you were going to the big island, not Oahu. Wife's BFF, my daughters God parents, live on Oahu. A lot busier than Maui.

 

[shroutk3]

My wife and I scuba diving. It was a first for her!

Just wanted to note the cancerous growths on the neck of this sea turtle. This is becoming much more common- these growths are though to be caused by a virus that is quite similar to herpes. Some think increased pollution may be weakening turtle immune systems to these viruses. If growing around the eyes/mouth these can be fatal.

Some aquariums treat these turtle by surgically removing the growths, then releasing the turtle after it heals.

 

[pascal32]

Enjoy, went 8 years or so ago, wonderfull vacation! Relax and enjoy!

 

[titoav15]

Thanks Pascal and all Will do! I just made a confirmation with hertz and got a compact car over the weekend 4 days for only $138! And I am 22 thanks to the surcharge promo code Got a deal on hotel too right near the Waikiki beach! This is turning out much cheaper than expected! I think the most pricy thing will be skydiving, I can't wait

 

[Capt_Cully]

Just for giggles, do a search on gas prices in The 808 right now. I bet its a bit higher than Da Mainlan Bruddah!

 

[kingfisherflesh]

Hawaii is pretty awesome. I had the opportunity to stay there for almost two weeks three years ago when I was taking a football tour there for college.

Diving/snorkeling everywhere is good...especially if you havent done much in the past. I will tell you this, Hawaii blows the Caribbean and florida out of the water. Even Waikiki beach is 10x anything I have ever seen before. As a spearfisher, this was a dream come true.

I dont shark dive, natives find it offensive. Mano are the spirits of the ancestors...and plus I dont think it is good to get sharks to associate boats and people with free food via chumming etc.

Enjoy it, pearl harbor is a must I feel once in everyone's life (well US citizens most likely) try some fresh sushi...lots of good Vietnamese restaurants as well.

I went diving almost everyday. Hanauma bay has cool structure...but getting in takes forever, and you have to watch a totally asinine video (granted, a lot of tourists are probably that stupid)

This probably wasnt much help, but you just took me on a trip down memory lane. Have fun.