Hawaii in June - need must-see recommendations

[channlluv]

Hi, all,

I've got an interesting situation here. DD is going to be attending a special cultural summer camp in Hawaii in June. She has already said that she wants her father to take her since I had her on that cross-country drive all last summer (which was a blast, btw). Since he and are sort of together but mostly not, I was figuring I'd be booking tickets for two and he'd stay with his family, enjoy the week off bumming on the beach, and I'd stay here and look after the pets. Well, he wants me to go. And not only that, he wants to extend her week by a few days to accommodate some quality family time on the island, just the three of us.

As far as I know, he still wants a divorce. I don't think that has changed, and maybe I'm putting too much into this invitation, but for heaven's sake, I don't know how to read this.

Okay, I'm just going to enjoy the trip as much as I can. I don't know much at all about where to go or what to see, though, aside from the really famous places like the North Shore of Oahu - he's said he definitely wants to spend a couple of half-days there.

Anyone have any local knowledge here? Our daughter will be at the Explorations program at the Kamehameha Ho'omaka'ika'i campus. I don't even know where that is to plug it into Google Maps.

I am not a crowded beach touristy kind of person. I would be very happy with a quiet cove and small cafes. I'm not averse to napping in hammocks and dinners at the beach by candlelight (he never did take me on a honeymoon).

Island hopping is okay, too. I've been to Maui and I didn't get to do the sunrise ride down Haleakala Crater then, and I've got an old Ho'okahuna friend who lives mauka (up country, above the clouds) in Kula - I think that's the name of it. I'd love to go check in with her.

I'd love to see Kauai, too.

I'm absolutely open to suggestions. Active stuff is okay, for people of moderate ability.

Thanks all!

channluv

[Ana]

Hanauma Bay!!! It was my favorite :) You have to get there before/at sunrise, though, for the best snorkeling and parking. It's heavenly!

One of my other favorites was the short boat trip out to Molokini :) The fish there were fantastic (and is also the only place we saw a reef shark...)

I would highly recommend Kaui--it's not as touristy as some of the other islands.

They also have a bike ride you can take down a mountain...I don't know the details but I opted out of that but now sort of wish I had done it. It's just all downhill and it's not "cycling" but it might be fun :)

[channlluv]

Thank you, Ana. Is that snorkeling in the bay a good family outing, or more a couples thing? She's only ten, although she'll be eleven in June. I'd hate for her to swim up on a couple, you know, enjoying the moment and all that.

I have been snorkeling before in the Bahamas and that was excellent. I'd love to do it in Hawaii. Aren't there whales migrating there in June? Or dolphins?

And I don't mind a downhill bike ride at all. Hook me up. To paraphrase Urlea's jersey design, "She loves the (down)hills. She loves them not. She loves the (down)hills. She loves them not. She loves the (down)hills." Will the TE jerseys be available then?

Is the Kona Ironman in mid-June? I'd love to see that up close.

I'm starting my spreadsheet with travel tips. Thank you all again in advance!

Roxy

[Bruno28]

Shame you're not going in May - you could have come to our wedding :D:D:D

[channlluv]

Now that would have been lovely. Are you getting Maui'd, or do you live there?

Roxy

[Ana]

Is that snorkeling in the bay a good family outing, or more a couples thing? She's only ten, although she'll be eleven in June. I'd hate for her to swim up on a couple, you know, enjoying the moment and all that.

I have been snorkeling before in the Bahamas and that was excellent. I'd love to do it in Hawaii. Aren't there whales migrating there in June? Or dolphins?

Roxy

Hmm...let me put it this way: how romantic is a chilly beach at 5:30am?

Yeah.

I believe there was a couple on the beach while we were there but they never entered the water. We mostly ignored them, as they were totally boring compared to what we found in the water! If your child is 10, she will love the snorkeling and probably won't even notice anyone else :) I am a natural "wanderer" (i.e. my mother was terrified a stranger would abduct me because I willingly walked up to strangers to talk with them without my parents noticing...) and discovered how easily it is to get far out of the bay and far from others with whom you are snorkeling :P

My family went in the morning and we all snorkeled :) It was by far the best snorkeling we did on any of the islands (I besides Molokini, which you have to take a boat out to)! The best places we found were off the beaten path :) We'd pull our car over and go down a path to see if the beach looked good. Be careful about the undertow though...scary stuff!

Oh, one other thing: we stayed for 2 weeks and after a lot of snorkeling, I developed some sort of rash on the parts of my body that were uncovered (mostly my chest, shoulders, back). I do not know what caused it because I never touched the fish or any of the rocks. We made a stop and got some shirts like the surfers wear and the rashes disappeared. I wonder if it wasn't the salt and sun combination. I do have relatively sensitive skin, but something to keep in mind :)

We also got our own snorkeling sets from Costco so we could carry them around with us and there wouldn't be the weird using-rented-equipment thing which poses two inconveniences: access to the equipment over time and cleanliness issues :)

Oh yes, and the saltwater is torture on your hair so bring or buy a REALLY great moisturizing conditioner!!!!

One more thing: make sure your suit is tight enough to withstand the snorkeling. Because we wore flippers, we were able to swim much faster than usual and the water distributes your fat more evenly over your body, changing the shape. I found a couple times that the water caught my bottom piece and I had to readjust. I know it's not flattering on land, but make sure it is secure :)

I don't think we saw any dolphins (definitely none up close) but we did see some porpoises from the beach :)

[Bruno28]

Are you getting Maui'd, or do you live there?

Roxy

Ha ha - very good. I live in Scotland, my partner is Canadian and lives in Canada. For some reason getting married in Hawaii seemed like a good idea :D

We're still trying to decide which island.

Thanks for the tip on the snorkeling equipment Ana

[ilima]

She'll be based at the main Kamehameha campus in Honolulu (on Oahu); the Kapalama campus.

Do check out Hanauma Bay. It's a little tedious because you have to watch a little movie before going down to the bay, but it's worth it. Time your visit to high tide because the coral is really close to the surface at low tide.

The North Shore will be flat in June. Go snorkeling at Shark's Cove.

Another option is to hike out to Kaena Point, the extreme NW point of the island. Don't leave anything in your car, though! [While violent crime is quite low here, petty theft is rampant.]

If you've never been to the Arizona Memorial, it's definitely worth a visit.

[channlluv]

Thank you all so much for these tips.

Snug suit. Check.
Super conditioner. Check.
Leash for the kiddo while snorkeling. Check.
Leave nothing in the car. Check.

I'm making a spreadsheet of must-see, must-do stuff.

I'm a little sad to hear that the North Shore will be flat in June. D*H is really looking forward to going there to watch the pro surfers. Maybe if it's flat, he'll get a chance to surf it himself. He's not bad, but not a pro by any means. Then he can say he did it. (Is there a t-shirt for that? ha!)

I love the idea of hiking out to the farthest edge of the island.

Where is that place where the lava is spewing into the ocean that they show on TV all the time?

Roxy

[ASammy1]

Thank you all so much for these tips.

Where is that place where the lava is spewing into the ocean that they show on TV all the time?

Roxy

I'm pretty sure that is on the Big Island. I was just on the Big Island in January and had a blast!

[dsosa]

Hi there!
So, you're going to Hawaii. Good for you!!
I've been twice, to Oahu, Maui, and Kona for the IM World Championship, last October.
For Oahu, do the Diamond Head climb. Was really neat. And not a difficult feat at all. Hanauma Bay snorkel is the best for safety, too. If you can take your own snorkel mask, is better than renting. And, don't forget the aqua shoes. You'll need those for safety on beach and in the water.
On Maui, don't miss the Maui Ocean Aquarium. Was the best I've ever seen!
Best luau in Lahaina, called the "Old Lahaina Luau". Also, in Lahaina, go see the theater production "Ulalena". Is the story of Maui's beginnings done like a Cirque de Soleil show. Was fantastic!! Buy the music CD, too!

Last tidbit, go to your library and get the book "Hawaii for Dummies".
Is what I used to plan our trip. Knew exactly where we wanted to go, and had reviews and phone numbers and websites. You should book your luau before you go!!

Have fun!!

PS Check out my new line of handmade Triathlon jewelry, just for Tri Women! Very unique! I think you'll like what you see! Go to http://beadbewitched.artfire.com

Deb

[MauiRockHopper]

I've been on all the islands, lived on the 3 largest. I like Big Island the least because of the volcanic smog, coqui frogs, and traffic (in Kona). If you do go Big Island I'd stay in Volcano B&B.

Maui No Ka Oi!!! Great cycling here, the best walkable beaches which aren't full of people. I wouldn't feel safe riding a road bike on Oahu in most places. Oahu has good shopping and eating.

My sister went to Hanauma Bay in Nov. The reef has been so trampled on and polluted all you will see are parrotfish. Instead go to Kailua Beach to relax, then there is awesome snorkeling around Lanikai point, more pristine reef & fish, calm clear waters.

There will be waves on the south shore (waikiki) where they rent long boards and give lessons. drive up Tantalus Road and Maunawili even the H3 is exciting.