Anybody been to Hawaii?

[Thurston Fluff]

Sorry accidentally posted this in major league forum

 

We're going in January and I have a couple questions about Island hopping I hope someone can answer. We are staying in Maui and intend to spend most of our time on the beach, snorkling ect. Our only firm plan is to check out the Kaulaupapa national historical park. If we do get bored and feel like checking out another island is that something that can be done spur of the moment? I'd also like to know if they have boats/planes that run 24/7 or are they scheduled where the same one that took me to the island takes me back at a certain time? In essence I'd like to find out ahead of time how flexible transit is from island to island.

[stoops17]

I went when I was younger with my grandparents, they took care of the arrangements. But I remember flying from honolulu over to kona to do a helicopter tour of the volcano (really cool by the way) and we flew on a small prop airplane with no assigned seats so if it is still that way it should be somewhat flexible, I remember it only being a quarter full.

 

Have fun while you are there, its a beautiful place

[trwi7]

I wouldn't plan on doing island hopping too much because it costs about $70 IIRC to go one way. Depending on the island they have planes departed up to every half hour.

[homer]

Yeah there are plenty of flights between islands and you can usually get one the day before but once in a while they all fill up - granted this was pre-9/11 so maybe things have changed. I don't believe there are that any boat services between islands but I could be wrong.

[RobertR]

Maui should keep you plenty occupied. Whale watching is well worth the money. The boats will take you right up to the whales.

 

I've heard good things about the Old Lahaina luau, with the caveat that you should get reservations well in advance.

 

Robert

[Chio151]

I've been there a couple times, and if you plan to island hop skip the Big Island and Oahu -- Maui has everything you need and more. However, if you do get a chance, go to Kauai. It is by far the most beautiful island.

[MarquesJohnson2000]

I was in Maui a couple years ago; we spent about a week there and were never bored. The luau was very good, we also took a horseback ride down into the volcano (Haleakala or something like that), did some hiking, etc. The only problem was that our snorkling excursion was cancelled because they had some kind of problem with the boat.

[VeggieBadger]

I can't figure out how to log in now, but anyways . . . I was in Maui this past January. I was there for 11 days, and there is more than enough to do just on Maui. There are two smaller islands that you can take boats to for day trips. I think that they are Moloka'i and Lanai, but I didn't go to either. I would recommend doing the bike ride down Haleakela. We didn't do the sunrise one; it's less busy during the day. I would also recommend doing the snorkel cruse out to Molokini-this doubles as a whale watching trip. On the cruse, they also stopped at turtle bay, and I did 'snuba' diving there. Snuba is a lot of fun because it lets you experience breathing underwater without a scuba license. You are attached to a tank that is on the surface of the water; the tube goes down about 25 feet.

We also did the Feast at Lele, it's the sister luau to Old Lahaina. This one is a sit down dinner opposed to buffet and has fire dancing. This one was great, but I've heard only good things about Old Lahaina as well. Let me know if you want some more suggestions.

[gypcasino]

I was in Maui as part of a Hawaiian cruise three years ago. It was nice because the ship docked overnight as opposed to the nine or ten hours you usually get in port. We rented a jeep and drove to Hana. Also did the Old Lahaina Luau. I haven't been to any other luaus so I really can't compare it to anything. I think the experience was slightly overrated but it was definitely worth going to.

[Thurston Fluff]

However, if you do get a chance, go to Kauai. It is by far the most beautiful island.

 

Is that the one they call the garden Island?

 

On the cruse, they also stopped at turtle bay, and I did 'snuba' diving there. Snuba is a lot of fun because it lets you experience breathing underwater without a scuba license. You are attached to a tank that is on the surface of the water; the tube goes down about 25 feet.

 

That sounds awesome. I've got a saltwater tank at home and I'm interested in seeing the natural environment my fish were froced to leave for the opportunity to live in my livingroom. I know snorkeling is one way but it'd be cooler to get further down.

 

Thanks for the tips. It's appreciated.

[Team Canada]

I've been there a couple times, and if you plan to island hop skip the Big Island and Oahu -- Maui has everything you need and more. However, if you do get a chance, go to Kauai. It is by far the most beautiful island.

 

I would agree that you don't miss much with Oahu, but Volcano Nat'l Park on the B.I. was pretty cool.

In any case, Maui's definitely the best (although Kauai's gorgeous), the road to Hana is an absolute must. We did the Lahaina Luau, seemed fine, like what you'd expect a luau to be.

[bobbledude25]

I'm going to Maui and Honolulu in February '08. I've been there once before. PM me if you want

[bobbledude25]

I can't figure out how to log in now, but anyways . . . I was in Maui this past January. I was there for 11 days, and there is more than enough to do just on Maui. There are two smaller islands that you can take boats to for day trips. I think that they are Moloka'i and Lanai, but I didn't go to either. I would recommend doing the bike ride down Haleakela. We didn't do the sunrise one; it's less busy during the day. I would also recommend doing the snorkel cruse out to Molokini-this doubles as a whale watching trip. On the cruse, they also stopped at turtle bay, and I did 'snuba' diving there. Snuba is a lot of fun because it lets you experience breathing underwater without a scuba license. You are attached to a tank that is on the surface of the water; the tube goes down about 25 feet.

We also did the Feast at Lele, it's the sister luau to Old Lahaina. This one is a sit down dinner opposed to buffet and has fire dancing. This one was great, but I've heard only good things about Old Lahaina as well. Let me know if you want some more suggestions.

I did the bike ride down Haleakala. It has since been cancelled due to safety concerns...apparently there have been a few deaths which I can see w/no railings basically flying down a mountain on an unsteady bike

[whizkid]

The tours have been suspended in the park. Many tours have always started at the entrance to the park at 6700 feet and those are still operating.

[bobbledude25]

The tours have been suspended in the park. Many tours have always started at the entrance to the park at 6700 feet and those are still operating.

I guess I should have clarified. The ones that start at the top of the mountain have been cancelled. Starting from any lower would not be worth your time, you wouldn't get the full experience imo.

[jhart05]

I've been there a couple times, and if you plan to island hop skip the Big Island and Oahu -- Maui has everything you need and more. However, if you do get a chance, go to Kauai. It is by far the most beautiful island.

I'll second that. The big island besides Pearl Harbor is a waste, IMO. I didn't fly all that way to be in a big city.

Maui and Kauai are the places to be.

I hope you're going for at least 10 days. Next time I go, it's going to be at least that much, hopefully two weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[homer]

Pearl Harbor is not on the big island - it's on Oahu. The Big Island's biggest city is Hilo and I believe that's where most of the volcanic activity occurs.