Hawaii

[iowagrad]

I'm heading to Hawaii in two weeks for a long weekend, flying into Honolulu, staying with an old college friend that I haven't seen in several years. Anyone have any great ideas about what to do while I'm there (other than revel in the fact that I won't be in Wisconsin, there won't be any snow, and the temperature will be above freezing)? Thanks in advance!!!

[Flybye]

Wow! Have some fun!!!

I went to Hawaii (Maui) in February three years ago. You will be there during whale calving season (perfect timing, imo) so I would suggest a whale watching tour.

Make certain you have a decent camera with enough memory on your card for lots of pictures. You may not have a way to dump them if your card gets too full.

The very best advice that I have is to get your own snorkel at a diving shop before you leave for the islands. You can rent them once you get there, but if you are going for two weeks, you will most likely come out ahead if you purchase your own. Ask for a snorkel that allows you to dive without filling up with water. You want a dry top snorkel, not a dry snorkel.

There are some good suggestions on this forum if you search "Hawaii" as someone else went last year.

Take sunscreen - the weather is mild there because of the trade winds and the time of year, but the sun is closer to the globe and can really fry you if you aren't careful.

ABC stores are the best places for inexpensive souveniers. If you are hoping to find shells, you will most likely be disappointed. The reefs there break the shells before they can make it to the beach in tact. We did find a few shells on the north beaches, on beaches that weren't as popular. We ended up purchasing shells at their Wal-Mart and found the same package of shells at our Wal-Mart in the states for cheaper. Go figure!

Don't miss out on coconut ice cream. Eat all the pineapple that you can.

Also, we got a nice travel guide from the library.

Enjoy your friend and you time!

[Kimmyt]

Rent a bike and ride up that big volcano.....




and then ride down it WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[smilingcat]

I used to have a friend whose family lived on the big island. Every year they went to Hawaii. While there, he always rode his bike up the volcano from sea level to the observatory. He was crazy enough to do paris-breast-paris race. I think that was the one...

Always commented that there were aliens coming down the road on a cheap road bike wearing bright orange outfit and with bright orange bowling ball helmets. must of been a very strange sighting.

defnitly lots of pictures. snorkel, hiking, biking...

smilingcat

[shootingstar]

If you are from Wisconsin, would suggest you visit a local farmer's market. Some produce and the (tropical) flowers would be different from your area.

We vacationed and cycled for 3 wks. in Hawaii (in June) a few years ago. On islands of Big Hawaii and Kauai. And yes, the local market had CHEAP huge fresh papaya..and we gorged on that stuff.

The history of Hawaii is cool (to me) which is another reason I did want to visit Hawaii...because the history and cultural groups that make the islands....make it different from the rest of the U.S.

We visited a number of outdoor botanical gardens while biking. Got enough sun, that I had zero interest in lying out in the sun on the beach just to get a tan. I tan very fast even with sunblock.

WE stayed at bed n' breakfast places..which was better for us to get more island feel.

I was surprised by the number of wild hens and roosters running around. Never expected it, but it is an island ....and they have no other place to go, if they escape from a farm...

Make sure you taste and buy Kona coffee beans,...it's very difficult to buy in North American mainland. And try the macadamia nut products that are all over the place.

[SandyLS]

It sounds as if you will be visiting only Ohau. In a long weekend you will not be giving your body time to adjust to the 5 hour time difference before you head back to the snow. Are you sure you can't stay longer? Because of the time change you will most likely be up very early your first morning or two. As far as sight seeing for a first time visitor I would recommend the Pearl Harbor complex, The Polyinasian Culture Center including the lovely night time Luau and show and touring the North shore where the big waves are. There is a public bus that you can ride all the way around the island for very little money. If shopping is on your list of must dos, Check out The Aloha Bowl Stadium swap meet on Saturday, lots of cheap T-shirts and other goodies to bring back home. Whale watching is wonderful this time of year. If you enjoy being in the water try to leave some time for snorkeling.
After enjoying all of that, sleep soundly on the plane on the way home to Wisconsin, then start planning your next trip to Hawaii to visit the rest (and best) of the Hawaiian Islands.
Have fun. Nothing better than a trip to Hawaii.

[Zen]

Watch lots of TV.

[Jenerator]

For Oahu, everything SandyLS wrote. The north shore is an amazing place to be when the surf is really up. If you don't have time for the Polynesian cultural center, the Bishop Museum is great for Hawaiian natural history & culture. The walk/hike up DiamondHead is nice. A trip to the Punchbowl National Cemetery is a good addition to the Pearl Harbor military history stuff. Waikiki beach is great for people watching, but very touristy. Kailua is a nice option if you want quieter beach time.

[MyLitespeed]

Definitely take the helicopter ride, it's expensive but well worth it. I am terrified of heights and had a GREAT time. We were in Maui but I'm sure they have Blue Hawaiian Helicopters on all islands, they are the best. If you can, go island hopping, staying a couple of days on each island. You will have a wonderful time!