Never been to Hawaii, any tips? (Honolulu, Poipu: 2009, rentals, condo)

[emmywuvsya]

My husband and I have been wanting to go to Hawaii for a while. He will be graduating Dec 15, 2009 and so for a graduation/birthday/anniversary/Christmas (all within a month of each other) present, we were thinking about spending a little extra money and taking our dream vacation!

For sure travel dates are still up in the air, but we are thinking of coming anywhere from December 16th on...staying possibly through New Year's (depending on when we actually get there).

There is a basketball tournament December 22-25 in Honolulu we would like to attend and need suggestions of places to stay that might not be TOO expensive.

He has extended family that lives in Kuaui that we might stay with for a few days, but what other places might be good to stay on Kuaui?

Depending on the prices we might stay for a week and a half to 2 weeks. Are there any good places to rent a condo or house on the beach? This is a while in advance but I figured the more time to ask, the better the information I could get!

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[KonaKat]

It is not too early to be planning a trip to Hawaii for that time of year. December is the beginning of high season, plus you're coming during the Christmas/New Year holiday when typically many vacation rentals are booked pretty full by now. On Oahu if you're only going to stay 2 or 3 days, check out the various hotels such as the Outrigger. I know they have been quoting some pretty good rates. On Kauai or elsewhere, for longer stays you might want a condo w/ full kitchen so that you don't have to eat out every meal. Just google "vacation rentals" Kauai (or whatever island) and see what's available.

[hothulamaui]

try to stay for as long as you can. hawaii is a wonderful place. I would for sure go to kauai it is the most beautiful island IMO you can check the hawaiian forums on tripadvisor.com and get all kinds of reviews for all the islands for the hotels, places to eat and things to do. very informative. have fun

[Pheidippides]

vrbo.com also has some nice cottage/condo rentals.

[wati]

If he has ohana on Kauai then why not stay with them and if too crowded the house then simply pitch a tent in the backyard. Instant hotel.

1. Use their car just pay for gas. No rental fees.
2. Buy local groceries and let the family cook. Its always nice to have some local island cooking instead of restaurants plus cheaper.
3. While going to the beach take along the family. Free security guards.

As all I get for now ... but you get the idea.

[bresdo]

During that time of the year in Kauai most people are in Poipu because the weather is better. It will be raining a lot more on the north shore and not nearly as sunny.

[linicx]

My daughter is in Hawaii on holiday. She just told me that when it is Christmas season in California the professional surfers are on the north side of Oahu catching the BIG waves.

[stan4]

I am not a fan of Hawaii in the winter.

You're hitting the start of the rainy season, and you may also notice the seas are rougher, especially on the west and the north coasts. Stay with the calmer waters.

Make sure you hit Hanauma Bay for a day - totally worth it. We really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center, as well. What a fun, educational day.

The Dole Plantation tour can be skipped, but just stop by and get some pineapple ice cream. Wander the gardens, too - very pretty.