Hawaii wedding - suggestions needed

[Bruno28]

Okay - so we are planning to get married in May in Hawaii and naturally are completed unorganised

Having done some internet research - after deciding Hawaii sounded like a good idea but knowing nothing about the place it seems a that gigantic resorts are something of the norm. Does anybody know any small hotels/ appartments that will provide good quality accomodation, close to some local restaurants/amenities? we would prefer one of the smaller islands and are open to suggestions about which is the best island. Any advice/views welcome.

[Selkie]

Congratulations!

No advice to offer. Never been to Hawaii although I intend to get there and surf some big waves before I die!

Look forward to hearing all about your Island wedding, though.

[Duck on Wheels]

I went to Hawaii with DS as one stop on our round-the-world ticket (from a holiday back home in Norway, to California to finish up his school term and my sabbatical, then Hawaii, Japan, China and home again). We made our Hawaii arrangements via a travel agent in Santa Cruz (CA) who specialized in Hawaii. She found us a condo to rent for the week. It was lovely and, aside from ds getting second-degree sunburn on day 1 that also had him kinda feverish and shivering during our snorkeling outing on day 2, we had a great time. Lesson learned: Use the high-digits sun factor!!!

But back to your question. There are certainly lovely small places with ditto condo or house rentals where you can live like a local and still have access to touristy things to do, such as that snorkeling day, or the surfing lessons ds had later in the week, or our drive around the Big island and up the volcano. I suggest you look for a Hawaii booking specialist, or do some virtual tripping on-line to look for what you want. I could also ask my brother who had his wedding on Maui, but I think they stayed with friends.

[ilima]

What island are you staying on? If Oahu, a lot of people rent out parts of their homes over in Kailua and Kaneohe. Some are legal, some not. But Kailua is the total opposite of Waikiki and resorts. There are actually no hotels. You can rent places that are in walking distance of the grocery and restaurants. The Bike Shop rents bikes on Oahu and has a shop right in Kailua. Kailua is also a very nice beach (it's where Obama stayed recently). And your close to famous Lanikai beach. And there are a couple kayak rental places right near the beach.

VRBO has a lot of listings for Kailua.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/region/usa/hawaii/oahu/east-oahu/kailua

Now, when you say you prefer one of the smaller islands, well, are you aware that Honolulu is on Oahu, which is one of the smaller islands? The Big Island (Hawaii island properly) is my favorite island. It is the biggest, but also the least densely populated. In Waikoloa, which is north of Kona you can rent a condo. But--you're not going to get that living like a local feeling you could get in Kailua.

Maui has some neat stuff but overall I find the island too crowded. Molokai and Lanai don't have a lot of people. And they also have almost nothing for stores and restaurants.

Some folks love Kauai, and I like it quite a bit too. I don't know much about biking over there, although there is considerable hiking.

[Veronica]

We had plans to stay here for my 40th birthday. We didn't get to, (stupid burglars) but will when we go back. It just looks so relaxing.

http://www.volcanovillagelodge.com/?gclid=CNCD88O7m5gCFRo-awodC2zVng

Veronica

[Bruno28]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone (and the good wishes mickchick and duck).

I am very much liking Veronica's suggested location.....but keep those suggestions coming!


Actually - I like the acommodation V suggested but not sure about the volcano setting. Anyone know of something similar beside a quiet beach. I suppose I'd favour a quite place but one with local ammenties - particularly good places to eat.

We are going to get a travel advisor to look at this for us but there's no substitute for local experience and the women on this forum are always a good source of info/ recommendations.

[Duck on Wheels]

Oooh! That does look gorgeous! rain forest, volcano, beaches nearby, quiet shady cabins ... what more could one ask for? I may have to divorce and remarry so I can go there too. Or ... maybe I'll just suggest to DH that after 33 years it's about time we finally took a honeymoon. :rolleyes:

[ilima]

Just a warning: Volcano is cold! It's worth staying a day or two and going into the park. But it's dang cold there, not the beach.

[michelem]

ilima,

Is it cold year-round? What's the weather like from mid-June to mid-August (the only time we have available for a trip like this, as my dh works for a school district). I'm thinking this might be a nice place to go for our milestone anniversary next year. We've never been to Hawaii and dh has recently mentioned wanting to go there someday . . .

DH has skin cancer issues, so it's not like he'd want to be out there baking anyway. On the cool side is better for him since he has to stay covered up when doing outdoorsy stuff like hiking, cycling, etc. He likes the sound and look of the ocean, but is not a big fan of in-the-water sports.

[Veronica]

I've been to Volcano in February, December and June. None of those times has it been what I would call cold. It's true, it's not as warm as it is down on the coast and it rained for part of each winter trip - while I was biking. :D

I wore quick dry capris and sleeveless tops while we were there and I'm a cold weenie.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=35

Here's a link to our pictures from our June 2004 trip. It's all lava pictures.



Veronica

[ilima]

I would consider Volcano (the town) to be cold (okay cool) year round. Now the park is lower in elevation and goes down to sea level, so places in the park are considerably warmer.

Keep in mind that I live in Honolulu so cold is relative term. The last time I was there was in August and it was definitely long pants weather for me. Today, for example, the high was expected to be 65 F and the low 47 F. August temps average about 10 F higher. Fifty-something at night is cold!
http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:USHI0086&q=Volcano%2c+Hawaii+forecast:averagesm

[Veronica]

Yep cold is definitely relative. I'm in California, 50 at night is nice. I grew up in Maine, 50 at night is a heatwave. :D

That's only a slight exaggeration.

Veronica