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Going to Hawaii bruhs!

Hanalei Bay is amazing, and I could eat at the Dolphin restaurant every day for the rest of my life and be happy.

I went this this past June for a week, it was fantastic.

Book a Captain Andy boat trip up the Na Pali coast.
Do some hiking. Bring shoes that you don't care about if it's been rainy, the trails get real muddy.
There are a bunch of fantastic burger places that use grass fed beef from the island.
If you are around Koloa go to Pizzeta and get the Kalua Pork & Cheese pizza.
If they offer you a rental car upgrade to a convertible for free, TAKE IT (I'm still mad at my brother for this :p)

The Na Pali coast trail. There are two main hikes - one that can take you half a day and you see waterfalls, a couple of beaches, non stop amazing views and it's pretty easy. You can also do a longer version, which requires a permit for the overnight camping, and is a life changer if you're serious about it.


The Wimea canyon has some amazing hikes too, on the other end (horseshoe) of the Island, and at the top is the Alakai swamp, which is otherworldy, surreal and once you get a little way into the hike (which has a lot of boardwalk sections because it can be slippery) is incredible on a nice day. Hardly anyone does that hike and yet it's unlike anything else on earth.

Nice! Thank you. My wife and I chose Kauai because we're both big outdoors people (camping, kayaking, hiking, etc.). So this all sounds right in our wheelhouse like we expected.
 
We did 2 weeks last year - went to Maui, Kauai, and Oahu (to stay at Aulani).

We are going back in 2019 and doing Maui for the whole trip. It was by far our favorite island. Very relaxed and super gorgeous. I'm not much of a beach person, but holy shit:

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If you're doing Maui, do the bike ride down Haleakala if you like riding bikes. 30+ miles of barely pedaling and it's awesome. Also, snorkeling in Molokini crater is great, too. Whatever you do, do NOT overbook events. You want to mix in days where you're just relaxing and enjoying the sights.

Do the bike ride only if you dont mind a line of a dozen cars impatiently riding your ass the whole way down. 😅

Glad there is a thread about this. The lady and I are heading to Oahu and Maui from Oct 5 to 15. Gonna be a blast. First time to Hawaii. I plan on driving around Oahu, going to the farmers market. Definitely visiting pearl harbor, diamond Head, and Waikiki.

I have no plans yet for Maui. Any recommendations for restaurant and other places to visit for both Oahu and Maui?

How many of those days are you spending in Maui, and what town are you staying in?
 
Do the bike ride only if you dont mind a line of a dozen cars impatiently riding your ass the whole way down. 😅

That only really happens if you have a bad tour company. The tour van is at the rear of the line of bicycle riders with a walkie who communicates with the lead rider is employed with the tour group. If cars start lining up, the riders simply go to the bike lane/side of the road via hand signals and allow traffic to pass. Oh and if your bicycles don't have disc brakes, stop and get a refund before you kill yourself flying off the road.
 
My wife and I have just arrived in Waikiki for our late honeymoon. Staying at the Laylow in Honolulu to do touristy shit, visit the zoo and just relax before we head to the big island to stay at Waimea and Kona.

Strangely serendipitous, seeing this thread pop up! Recommendations for what to do for this particular leg are welcome, given we're spending 6 days here :)
 
That only really happens if you have a bad tour company. The tour van is at the rear of the line of bicycle riders with a walkie who communicates with the lead rider is employed with the tour group. If cars start lining up, the riders simply go to the bike lane/side of the road via hand signals and allow traffic to pass. Oh and if your bicycles don't have disc brakes, stop and get a refund before you kill yourself flying off the road.

Or a brake heat rim blow out.
 
Do the bike ride only if you dont mind a line of a dozen cars impatiently riding your ass the whole way down. 😅



How many of those days are you spending in Maui, and what town are you staying in?

We're spending about 6 days in Oahu and 4 days in Maui. We're staying airbnb in Wailuku for Maui and near Waikiki in Oahu
 
Gonna bump this solely because it's the most recent Hawaii-related thread around.

What is travel like between the islands for residents? I have a potential job offer on the big island, but am wondering how easy (or difficult) it is for people who live there to get to the other areas, like Oahu in particular.
 
Gonna bump this solely because it's the most recent Hawaii-related thread around.

What is travel like between the islands for residents? I have a potential job offer on the big island, but am wondering how easy (or difficult) it is for people who live there to get to the other areas, like Oahu in particular.
When I was there 4 years ago, on Oahu, there were flights for between $100-$200 round trip to the other islands. You could get deals on them for less than $100, but it wasn't that often. From Oahu there wasn't any cheaper or easier ways to go to other islands than that.

Don't know how it is now or from the other islands. Friend has started sailing, so hopefully when I go back I can do that every once in awhile to get to the other islands.
 
Gonna bump this solely because it's the most recent Hawaii-related thread around.

What is travel like between the islands for residents? I have a potential job offer on the big island, but am wondering how easy (or difficult) it is for people who live there to get to the other areas, like Oahu in particular.

Depends on what islands you're wanting to travel between. Traveling between Kaua'i, O'ahu and Maui, flights are available from about 5-6am to 10-11pm daily and don't quickly get full except on holidays. Travel time is between 30-60 minutes and is the easiest flight you'll ever make (especially on Hawaiian but on the smaller airlines as well). Lots of people commute weekly from the smaller islands to e.g. Maui for work.

Prices vary but are usually between $60-150 one way regardless of destination, with flights to and from the big island being the most expensive presumably due to distance and less demand (especially Hilo side of the island). I personally wouldn't make a habit of it but day tripping between any of the islands is entirely doable, even on short notice.
 
Depends on what islands you're wanting to travel between. Traveling between Kaua'i, O'ahu and Maui, flights are available from about 5-6am to 10-11pm daily and don't quickly get full except on holidays. Travel time is between 30-60 minutes and is the easiest flight you'll ever make (especially on Hawaiian but on the smaller airlines as well). Lots of people commute weekly from the smaller islands to e.g. Maui for work.

Prices vary but are usually between $60-150 one way regardless of destination, with flights to and from the big island being the most expensive presumably due to distance and less demand (especially Hilo side of the island). I personally wouldn't make a habit of it but day tripping between any of the islands is entirely doable, even on short notice.

Interesting, thanks! Should I find it odd that there isn't a boat or ferry system between all the islands?

There's a chance I might be flying to Kailua-Kona in a few weeks to check out the job, so I'll have to ask more about interisland travel then.
 
It was pretty warm inside but very tolerable, likely because September is a cooler month. We also got there around 10 to 10:30 am each time to beat the traffic and the heat so that played a factor as well.

Otherwise yeah it can be brutal esp with buncha body heat inside lol.

edit: Also I had the cold noodles, so that helped! It was amazing!

Isn't September generally one of the hottest?
 
Interesting, thanks! Should I find it odd that there isn't a boat or ferry system between all the islands?

There's a chance I might be flying to Kailua-Kona in a few weeks to check out the job, so I'll have to ask more about interisland travel then.

Hawai'i Superferry attempted to start a ferry system between the islands and failed for various reasons. It's unlikely any kind of a ferry system will be established anytime soon, the state is currently preoccupied with other public transportation projects on O'ahu. So that only leaves flying as a realistic means of commuting. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions later on, I mostly travel between O'ahu, Kaua'i and Maui if anything, but will offer any advice I can!
 
Don't judge me but does anyone know if McDonalds in Maui still have the portuguese sausage, spam, and rice breakfasts?
 
I'm going in December. Trying to decide if I should go to Maui or Oahu. I've spent a lot of time on the Big Island and Kauai. I'm thinking about doing a few days on the Big Island and then several days on Oahu. Maybe going to Maui another time. I prefer the laid backness of the Big Island, so I'm really debating between Maui and Oahu. What are the top things to do in Maui?
 
Haleakala downhill bicycle ride and Molokini crater snorkeling are fun.

Disagree about the crater. Spent most of my time looking at the seafloor. Saw almost no sea animals at all.

Nice place though.

Better off, getting a private snorkeling instructor for a group of 4 or so, at Mekena.
 
Anything else unique they have currently?

I'm going on the 21st of this month.

I'll tell you what most don't have, and that's a value menu. Just skip McDonald's as you're going to pay waaay more than you're used to for it and you can get the same thing for less and better quality at a local breakfast coffee shop. Do yourself a favor and do your Yelp homework now. I keep a list of places to eat for most of the Hawaiian islands at my disposal for our annual trip.
 
I'm going in December. Trying to decide if I should go to Maui or Oahu. I've spent a lot of time on the Big Island and Kauai. I'm thinking about doing a few days on the Big Island and then several days on Oahu. Maybe going to Maui another time. I prefer the laid backness of the Big Island, so I'm really debating between Maui and Oahu. What are the top things to do in Maui?
Road to Hana, look it up.
 
March might be too far out for booking? I just booked some from STL to different airports around hawaii and they're all about 4 hours to the west coast + 6 hours to hawaii

It is not too far out. I booked Alaskan on the way there and American on the way back. I was even able to score exit row there and back.
 
I'll tell you what most don't have, and that's a value menu. Just skip McDonald's as you're going to pay waaay more than you're used to for it and you can get the same thing for less and better quality at a local breakfast coffee shop. Do yourself a favor and do your Yelp homework now. I keep a list of places to eat for most of the Hawaiian islands at my disposal for our annual trip.

Honestly, the best breakfast I usually have when I go to Hawaii is fruit and a small side of eggs. Granted, this is usually because I have a kitchen to work out of, but even just stopping and getting a fresh papaya or something is better than 80% of your breakfast options out there. The other 20% are all dim sum. ;)
 
I'm going to Hawaii in 8 days, Maui more specifically. We are camping in Hana for 4 days and spending the rest of the time at an Air BnB. This is my first time going to Hawaii so I'm pretty excited.
 
No offense OP, but 6 pictures of food and 2 pictures of palm trees and a beach that could literally be any beach in the world makes me think you didn't explore at all and see the real Hawaii. But you loved it so that what counts. Anyways, here are some of my pictures of Oahu and Kauai.

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I can't swim and I'm thinking of going to Maui for a week at the beginning of November. Anyone have an estimate for average daily expenses?
 
I'm going in a week and a half!! Big island for three days then oahu for seven. I pretty much have most of it planned out. Landing in Kailua-Kona and traveling north around the island to hilo and then volcano national park. Doing that for a day then island-hopping to Oahu. How should I rent a car in honolulu btw? Zipcar or priceline? We'd only need it for a day.

So completely stoked. Never really though of vacationing to hawaii before since it's an expensive flight form Chicago.

Anyone flying there on Alaska Airlines don't drink the the free "Mai Tai" they offer on the flight. It's not actually a Mai Tai and it's disgusting. Wait til you get there and have the real deal.

That's good to know haha.
 
I'm going for 10 days in a week and half. Big island for three days then oahu for 7. I pretty much have most of it planned out. Landing in Kailua-Kona and traveling north around the island to hilo and then volcano national park.

So completely stoked. Never really though of vacationing to hawaii before since it'd be so expensive from chicago.

i get depression from not being there.
 
No offense OP, but 6 pictures of food and 2 pictures of palm trees and a beach that could literally be any beach in the world makes me think you didn't explore at all and see the real Hawaii. But you loved it so that what counts. Anyways, here are some of my pictures of Oahu and Kauai.


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Kalalau trail?
 
Doing our honeymoon there at new years. Will be visiting Oahu for the first time and Maui for the 3rd time. Hope to get some good hikes in this time.

As I live abroad in Asia people keep saying "why don't you just do Thailand? You still get great beaches for way cheaper" but I don't believe it can compare. You can't know how incredible Maui is until you've been there.
 
I'll tell you what most don't have, and that's a value menu. Just skip McDonald's as you're going to pay waaay more than you're used to for it and you can get the same thing for less and better quality at a local breakfast coffee shop. Do yourself a favor and do your Yelp homework now. I keep a list of places to eat for most of the Hawaiian islands at my disposal for our annual trip.

thanks for spoiling my dreams :(
 
Gonna bump this solely because it's the most recent Hawaii-related thread around.

What is travel like between the islands for residents? I have a potential job offer on the big island, but am wondering how easy (or difficult) it is for people who live there to get to the other areas, like Oahu in particular.


Almost as easy as taking the bus. I had an instance were I flew roundtrip from Oahu to Maui for a service call, stayed only on Maui for a litle over an hour, and flew back to Oahu.

Only advice I can give to the other gaffers on visiting Oahu is, be prepared for the shit traffic.
 
If you love sushi you'll love poke. I felt the same way as you until I tried it

Maybe. I'm pretty picky with sushi. I'm very ummm American about it. Soy sauce and wasabi and spicy and etc etc

I don't even like fish outside of sushi, battered with tartar or tuna really.

That said I guess I would give it a taste test but makes my stomachs churn thinking about it lol
 
I do have to qualify that you need to try REAL POKE, not the fast food cut up raw fish then housed in various sauces. It's all the rage here in california right now and it's just SMH.

Real poke is marinated for at least 24 hours if not 2-3 days before you eat it. AND you don't need extra sauce or anything else added.
 
I do have to qualify that you need to try REAL POKE, not the fast food cut up raw fish then housed in various sauces. It's all the rage here in california right now and it's just SMH.

Real poke is marinated for at least 24 hours if not 2-3 days before you eat it. AND you don't need extra sauce or anything else added.

I'll second this, but the California style poke is still pretty damn tasty.
 
Wife and I are going to Hawaii first time next year! We both love backpacking camping. Where is the best spot to spend 4-5 nights hiking/camping? We're there 2 weeks to multiple suggestions would be awesome.
 
Wife and I are going to Hawaii first time next year! We both love backpacking camping. Where is the best spot to spend 4-5 nights hiking/camping? We're there 2 weeks to multiple suggestions would be awesome.

Def Maui or Kauai then!
 
Wife and I are going to Hawaii first time next year! We both love backpacking camping. Where is the best spot to spend 4-5 nights hiking/camping? We're there 2 weeks to multiple suggestions would be awesome.

Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali coast of Kauai is hands down the most life-changing hiking/camping experience.
Gotta get a permit though.
 
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