Hawaii - Help me out - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

drewboy12 · 08-01-2009, 11:21 AM

OK... Going to Hawaii September 5th, Backpacking for 2 weeks, so I just want some tips of places to see, things to do.

First off, Not sure where I am going to fly into yet, but more then likely will try and see three islands while I am there.

Second, its more or less a budget trip as I will be staying in hostels the majority of the time, so im not looking at dropping a huge amount of money to do the tourist things. I am open to all options and opinions tho, would just like to gather some info before I go and wing it.

Thanks

awildermode · 08-01-2009, 11:24 AM

too bad DESS is gone, he knew the layout of Hawai'i pretty well

bradster57 · 08-01-2009, 11:33 AM

I went there for the first time last year: Oahu & Maui and we did touristy stuff and non touristy stuff but here are the things that stuck out for me.

Oahu: leave Honolulu. We stayed in a guesthouse near the rainforest on the east side of the island. Just north of Kaneohe. We rented some ATVs and drove them up the coast. If you are in Honolulu definitely do the Manoa Falls hike. If you're into history or even if you're not- go to Pearl Harbor. It's really cheap if I remember correctly but go early in the morning as the lines start around 6:30am. (It's easy to get up early in Hawaii because of the time zone difference!)

On Maui we did this awesome day trip if you're into snorkelling tours. Crystal clear waters... www.bluewaterrafting.com is the site where I booked. Of course the Hana highway is something else to experience on Maui. As long as driving slow doesn't bother you. But there are many stops along the way including a black sand beach if I remember correctly.

Haven't been to any of the other islands but I'd love to someday.

drewboy12 · 08-01-2009, 11:43 AM

I am for sure going to see Pearl Harbor, I cant go and miss out on it. I also looked into renting a scooter to drive the coast in Maui already.

I am going to check out the Manoa Falls hike, thanks.

awildermode · 08-01-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewboy12

I am for sure going to see Pearl Harbor, I cant go and miss out on it.

you should try to get ON the pearl harbour memorial. take a tour boat out there, not just view from land. well worth it!

bigtmac19 · 08-01-2009, 12:08 PM

Check out Lumahai Beach on Kauai

Peanut · 08-01-2009, 01:22 PM

I have to say... avoid Honolulu.

On Maui, I loved the Haleakala volcano - definitely worth a trip up there for either the sunrise or the sunset. (see my avatar!!)

Yeah_Baby · 08-01-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awildermode

too bad DESS is gone, he knew the layout of Hawai'i pretty well

I have a feeling he still may be around. In disguise that is.

Old Yeller · 08-01-2009, 02:11 PM

Echoing the avoid Honolulu. You've seen one big dirty American city, you've seen Honolulu.

drewboy12 · 08-01-2009, 02:51 PM

Ya I here Honolulu is pretty dirty, lots of hookers hanging around the tourist areas... I may be there for a couple days, it might be the city I fly into or out of, all depends. But is the night life in Honolulu?

bradster57 · 08-01-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewboy12

Ya I here Honolulu is pretty dirty, lots of hookers hanging around the tourist areas... I may be there for a couple days, it might be the city I fly into or out of, all depends. But is the night life in Honolulu?

Most of the nightlife is in Honolulu, the Waikiki area.

wooohooo · 08-01-2009, 03:30 PM

Depending what you like. I enjoyed waikiki for about 2-3 days... anymore it gets boring. But it's definitely nice to drive around a bit, go to the beach, surf... and go shopping/eat at some nice places if need be.

Other Islands are a lot nicer but for me, it got a bit boring after a while.

drewboy12 · 08-02-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Depending what you like. I enjoyed waikiki for about 2-3 days... anymore it gets boring. But it's definitely nice to drive around a bit, go to the beach, surf... and go shopping/eat at some nice places if need be.

Other Islands are a lot nicer but for me, it got a bit boring after a while.

This is a backpacking trip, I wont be driving around, other then renting a scooter in Maui most likely for a day, no need to go shopping, and I don't plan on blowing a lot of cash on good resaturates. Ill only spend 2-3 nights in a hotel to relax, those nights ill eat good, other then that its hostel and cheap eats.

P.S. Im early twenties,

wooohooo · 08-02-2009, 09:50 PM

Well for the party life which I assume you want to do... Honolulu is pretty good. In terms of everything else it kinda sucks. There's some snorkelling and surfing to do. But go to pearl harbor... it's just nice to see a huge piece of history for our own eyes.

Oh yeah... skip the polynesian cultural center or whatever it was. It was expensive, boring and not worth it. Others might say otherwise, but everyone I went with said it was dumb. Sad part was... it was one of the most expensive parts of our trip besides the helicopter trip and renting a car.

Other than that... go island hopping. Maui is probably my favorite but I've only been there once so I don't have much to say.

wooohooo · 08-02-2009, 09:53 PM

I also just remembered there was a Hawaii thread a while back ago.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ghlight=hawaii

This has some good insights

mykalberta · 08-02-2009, 10:42 PM

Cheap Tickets and Tours is your friend. Dont pre pay for any tours.

They have a location across from the Post Office in Waikiki. Orange pamhplet, low budget asian operation. It will look really shady but no placer cheaper for tickets, air, car, tours etc.

BuzzardsWife · 08-04-2009, 08:08 AM

I stayed at the Sheraton Moana in Honolulu, nice beachfront property and very central to everything. Maui is nice too. My sister said she loves Kuai, and I've heard its beautiful too. We stayed on the north side of Maui, but I think it's better in Lahaina.

SeeGeeWhy · 08-04-2009, 08:26 AM

Pick up the blue books from wizard publishing http://www.wizardpub.com for the islands that you're going to visit.

We got Maui Revealed and we were able to have a great trip on a low budget because of all of the advice... it was like having a personal tour guide.

After my time there, it seems that doing guided tours is an expensive way to have experiences that are often available for free.

If you really want to see Oahu (Pearl Harbour was cool), visit it first. We did Oahu after Maui and were really disappointed with it, especially Honolulu.

Sounds like you'd have more fun on the less touristy islands - Maui, Kauai, Big Island (Hawaii) - exploring the jungles, terrain and beaches.

yads · 08-04-2009, 09:28 AM

Definitely go to the north shore on Oahu, there are some great guest houses there. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a scooter on Maui, rent a car if you can. The roads are terrible and the locals drive like crazy.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 08-04-2009, 01:36 PM

Go to the Big Island, visit Volcanoes National Park and hike the active volcano. One of the coolest things I've ever done.

http://www.gohawaii.com/big_island/

11 different climate zones, world's tallest mountain (Mauna Kea), definitely very cool.

Kilauea Volcano:

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/

And info on the hike:

http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/volcano/hiking.html