Which island in Hawaii?

[ernie]

Went to Oahu for a week and big island for a week about 12 years ago.

Loved the big island. I'm not sure I'd go back to Oahu for much more than a visit to the North Shore.

We loved the big island for one simple reason....we could drive for a bit and find beaches that had no or very few people on them and this was over Christmas. One day in particular we arrived at a nice little black sand beach around 9 in the morning and left at 5 in the afternoon. We never saw another person. We did however have to share the beach with 10 or so sea turtles during the morning.

I also loved hiking around volcano national park.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by troutman

Meals are expensive. Hawaii imports most of its food (up to 90%).

I find this surprising in some ways. I have made the challenge to eat a meal that was 100% local and did it quite easily.

Beef is grown local on Maui and Big Island, and probably some of the best I have ever had. Fish is local. If you attend farmers markets they grow avocado, tomato, salad, pineapple, even tea in Hawaii.

I guess many of the home comforts are imports as their grocery stores have to stock dry goods, cheeses, and produce people are accustomed to.

You can fully live off of locally grown food though. I found the Big Island farmers markets to be amazing, both in variety and quality. Still remember the tomatoes grown in volcanic soil that were the redest I have ever seen.

[cracher]

Why do you have to choose 1 island? 65-80usd gets you a puddle jumper (can usually find a seat the day before too) to any other island.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I am willing to provide your wife a map of the islands if so desired.

Came for the Hawaiian islands joke. Left satisfied.

(TWSS)

[flamesgirl18]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

I find this surprising in some ways. I have made the challenge to eat a meal that was 100% local and did it quite easily.

Beef is grown local on Maui and Big Island, and probably some of the best I have ever had. Fish is local. If you attend farmers markets they grow avocado, tomato, salad, pineapple, even tea in Hawaii.

Ditto. We were pleasantly surprised by how many farm-to-table style restaurants we managed to find in Maui and we didn't find food to be overly expensive compared to other places we've been in the US. Unless you're eating at the 5-star hotel restaurants every day, the price of food is pretty reasonable.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

I find this surprising in some ways. I have made the challenge to eat a meal that was 100% local and did it quite easily.

Beef is grown local on Maui and Big Island, and probably some of the best I have ever had. Fish is local. If you attend farmers markets they grow avocado, tomato, salad, pineapple, even tea in Hawaii.

I guess many of the home comforts are imports as their grocery stores have to stock dry goods, cheeses, and produce people are accustomed to.

You can fully live off of locally grown food though. I found the Big Island farmers markets to be amazing, both in variety and quality. Still remember the tomatoes grown in volcanic soil that were the redest I have ever seen.

Yes, it is an interesting problem. Kona did have a great Farmer's Market, and all along the highways, people are selling fresh produce.

http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/agriculture/

Amazingly, Hawaii has less than a seven day supply of many foods, especially perishables. Some 90% percent of our food is still imported. Hawaii will never be totally self-sufficient - the goal is to produce food for the local market efficiently enough to replace most imports. Hopefully, it will be done based on a philosophy of self-sufficiency, sustainability and stewardship reflecting "Aloha 'Aina" - Love of the Land.

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sect...fficiency.html

“The legislature finds that Hawaii is dangerously dependent on imported food,” reads the introduction to Senate Bill 937, which would establish a new branch of the Department of Agriculture to boost Hawaii’s “food resiliency.”

“As the most geographically isolated state in the country, Hawaii imports approximately 92 percent of its food, according to the Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program. … The legislature further finds that Hawaii’s reliance on out-of-state sources of food places residents directly at risk of food shortages in the event of natural disasters, economic disruption, and other external factors beyond the state’s control,” the bill reads.

Such dependency on imports means that Hawaii currently has an inventory of fresh produce that would supply consumers for no more than 10 days. Meanwhile, a total of 90 percent of the beef, 67 percent of the fresh vegetables, 65 percent of the fresh fruits, and 80 percent of all milk purchased in the state are imported.

http://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/spb...Y_STRATEGY.pdf

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by troutman

Meals are expensive. Hawaii imports most of its food (up to 90%).

Definately more expensive than most of the main land US. However, compared to Alberta, I'd say its the same or even cheaper. Depending on the exchange rate of course. (now it probably would be more expensive).

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Definately more expensive than most of the main land US. However, compared to Alberta, I'd say its the same or even cheaper. Depending on the exchange rate of course. (now it probably would be more expensive).

Well I went to whole foods in Maui and prices were on par with Co-op here. Just ridiculous what we pay.

[BuckminsterFuller]

Big Island has more variety of things to do. Stay north of Kona. The winds bringing the fumes of lava hitting seawater wrap around Kona. Not good stuff.

Helicopter flight over the lava is worth the $$$$$'s.

Rent a car, agreement says you are not allowed to drive over the Highway to the observatories, risk and ignore. Visitor centre at ~9000ft asl is good, They deter anyone without 4wd from going beyond mainly because of the steep decent they like folks to use low range. Careful of overheating brakes on the way down.

Walmart has a policy of same store pricing. Prices in Kona are same as the mainland. Stay far, far, far away from grocery stores near hotel complexes.

[fatso]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I am willing to provide your wife a map of the islands if so desired.

came for this (pun intended). Well done.

[djsFlames]

Took a 2.5 week trip to Maui several years ago and drove the entire island around, as well as visited the crater, the aquarium centre, helicopter tour, plantation, luau, world famous surf on the south east side, rainforest tour. It was ahh pretty great if I do say so. Although I was much younger then so I didn't appreciate much of the things I do now when traveling. Great restaurants (my god, the food) and the PGA level golf course looked amazing too, though didn't get a chance to play. As may have been mentioned already, the tropical rainforest on the southwest side, or Hana rainforest, is the lushest and most serene place I've driven through to this point in my life. Wish it wasn't like 8 vacations ago so it was a little fresher in my memory, but I do very much remember that.

But you want a condo/resort close to the beach. Had to do a fair amount of walking each day just to enjoy a bit of sand and surf. Definitely not like mexico where you'd just walk 100 feet form your hotel room. Getting around and walking was probably the only thing I didn't like about Hawaii as compared to other tropical vacations.

[vanisleflamesfan]

**EDIT** Sorry... children are a blessing from GOD and every screeching decibel out of their lips is a blessing from the lord and I would feel blessed to vacation in the same place as you and your two *BLESSED* **GIFT FROM GOD** CHILDREN!!!

[cral12]

Had the same dilemma last year; research, many inquiries from friends/colleagues and a two week trip later revealed tough to go wrong with Maui as a first to visit island in Hawaii. Looking forward to further exploration though!

[edslunch]

We’re going to Kauai with a side of Oahu for our anniversary in January. I know we’re taking our chances with rain but we’re not total beach bums. We’ve been to Maui twice and loved it but wanted something different and wilder (nature-wise).

For those of you who enjoyed Kauai - where did you stay? The north seems to fit what we’re looking for nature-wise but I’ve heard it is the rainiest. West is a bit isolated so we’re looking south or east. Any particular properties you’d recommend?

[djsFlames]

Definitely kaho'olawe.

[Locke]

Have you considered the Johnston Atoll?

[redforever]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We’re going to Kauai with a side of Oahu for our anniversary in January. I know we’re taking our chances with rain but we’re not total beach bums. We’ve been to Maui twice and loved it but wanted something different and wilder (nature-wise).

For those of you who enjoyed Kauai - where did you stay? The north seems to fit what we’re looking for nature-wise but I’ve heard it is the rainiest. West is a bit isolated so we’re looking south or east. Any particular properties you’d recommend?

Most places down south in the Poipu beach area are nice. It is also VERY easy to drive to the north, can easily get there from the south in 1 1/2 hours. So it is very feasible to stay down south for the nice weather and drive up north to your activities.

Kiahuna Plantation is nice, a bit more expensive, and some units do not have air conditioning, although you do get a nice breeze. The beach is spectacular by Kiahuna Plantation.

I have also stayed just a bit west from there, at Poipu Kapili, very nice 2 bedroom up and down condos. Beach out front is not nice (across the road and is volcanic rock) but it is a 5 minute walk at most to the great beach at Kiahuna Plantation.

If you want to snorkel and see tons of turtles, look for condos in the Whaler's Cove area. Brennecke's Beach is a popular boogie boarding and body surfing spot. It is close to Poipu Beach.

I forgot to add that if you have little ones, Baby Beach is a great area, very safe protected cove. It is a tiny crescent shaped beach with rocks as breakers. The water is very shallow. There is a picnic and playground there as well.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We’re going to Kauai with a side of Oahu for our anniversary in January. I know we’re taking our chances with rain but we’re not total beach bums. We’ve been to Maui twice and loved it but wanted something different and wilder (nature-wise).

For those of you who enjoyed Kauai - where did you stay? The north seems to fit what we’re looking for nature-wise but I’ve heard it is the rainiest. West is a bit isolated so we’re looking south or east. Any particular properties you’d recommend?

We had previously stayed at the St. Regis in Princeville, but that has gone through a renovation (it was already spectacular) and turned into a 1Hotel resort. Should be incredible if you can afford it.

https://www.1hotels.com/hanalei-bay/gallery

[bigtmac19]

Kauai. Absolutely gorgeous

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

We had previously stayed at the St. Regis in Princeville, but that has gone through a renovation (it was already spectacular) and turned into a 1Hotel resort. Should be incredible if you can afford it.

https://www.1hotels.com/hanalei-bay/gallery

dude this is the rate for the ghetto room in January