Hawaii travel destination - suggestions? (Plantation: where to stay, coupons, to rent)

[wille]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Hawaii for about 7 - 10 days. We will bring her parents, who are 83 years old and in good health. Her dad has some trouble walking long distances. We all live in Florida. I am looking for any tips and suggestions. What to see and do? Where to stay? How to get from island to island? What time of year to go? Thanks in advance.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by wille

My wife and I are planning a trip to Hawaii for about 7 - 10 days. We will bring her parents, who are 83 years old and in good health. Her dad has some trouble walking long distances. We all live in Florida. I am looking for any tips and suggestions. What to see and do? Where to stay? How to get from island to island? What time of year to go? Thanks in advance.

www.Fodors.com
www.TripAdvisor.com
www.LonelyPlanet.com

That should get you started. Also, I'd check MeetUp to see if there are any Hawaii afficianado groups in the area.

Good luck!

[wizrap]

I've been to Hawaii 4 times -- I've visited Maui, O'ahu, the Big Island (Hawaii) and Kauai-- I did most of my traveling around 10 or so years ago, so by all means please feel free to verify my suggestions via double-checking with other list members and/or the internet.

What to see and do? -- O'ahu: Arizona Memorial, Diamond Head, the North Shore, Hilo Hattie (have to get a Hawaiian shirt and chocolate covered macadamia nuts!), Dole Pineapple Plantation. I think the Arizona Memorial will be especially a moving experience for your in-laws; as for Diamond Head, they don't have to walk up the mountain, but they can certainly enjoy the view from below. The North Shore is beautiful -- crashing waves, pristine beaches and sea, and the tour of the Dole Plantation was very interesting and also the grounds are beautiful.

Maui -- Road To Hana (if you are scared to drive it, there are tour buses that will take you there -- a must see!!!), Haleakala Park (also a thrill to drive, from lush tropical forests at the bottom to cold chilling air at the top), and you must, must, must eat at Mama's Fish House -- fantastic!!!!!! I also don't know if you're a coffee drinker, but if you are, you must go to Bad Ass Coffee Company -- buy some Kona coffee to bring home too.

The Big Island (Hawaii) -- Volcanoes National Park -- like walking and driving on the moon -- also very lush where the older lava flows have fertilized the land -- very sparse -- black, with sulphur oozing in the air, at the recent flows -- you can walk on the volcano if you want to -- there are signs warning you to stay away from certain places and I certainly would do that. Also take a walk on the black and red sand beaches -- dark colored sand due to the volcano flows.

Kauai: Napali -- if you want to rent a tour boat to view the coast -- very beautiful -- lots of gorgeous scenery. Waimea Canyon -- it is just like the Grand Canyon, but in Hawaii!!! Great driving and touring -- beautiful vistas.

I did not go to a luau during any of my trips. If you want to go to a luau and see the entertainment and enjoy the eats, of course, feel free to do that. The luau thing just didn't appeal to me -- maybe too much Hawaii 5-0? Oh well.

Where to stay? I enjoyed each place that I stayed during my Hawaiian vacations. Here is where I stayed --
O'ahu -- Hilton Hawaiian Village and Queen Kapiolani Hotel (more budget-friendly)
The Big Island -- The Four Seasons (Kona) but make sure you also visit the Hilo side of the island
Maui -- The Westin
Kauai -- The Hyatt

How to get from island to island? Plane -- Hawaiian Airlines. When I traveled to Hawaii there used to be another, Aloha, but it only handles cargo now.

What time of year to go? I guess it depends on your thoughts on traveling and budget. It can be more expensive during the winter months -- less so during the summer. The weather is nice throughout the year. I went during the mid and late summers and would split my flight by stopping over for a couple of days and sight see in either LA or San Fran (because the thought of being on a plane for 11 or 12 hours straight was a bit much). Although it was hot in LA, it was more pleasant visiting CA during the summer than during the winter. I don't know if your in-laws will want to be on a flight that long -- I found it was so much better to have a layover, but that's just me. Hope this all helps.

[wille]

Thank you for all the detail!

[rusty78]

If you can...take a direct flight and leave as early as you can in the AM......reason being...it is a 12 hour direct flight from NY...and the clock is running backwards......a 10AM direct flight lands in Hawaii at around 4PM...this way...you can pickup your bags and check into your hotel by 6PM...have dinner...and be in bed by 10PM...when you wake up....NO JET LAG......

Unfortunately...direct flights are few and far between...as well as being over-priced......so you will probably end up with a connecting/layover flight...just try and pick one with a short as possible time on the ground...if you are using the same airline for your connection...see if they transfer your bags from plane to plane for you......otherwise you have to add that time in for your layover......

Since your in-laws are elderly...you might want to consider an escorted tour......we used Perillo on one trip and they were given preference at every attraction as we jumped to the front of the line at every stop......but does cost more...but their are numerous escorted tours available when you land as well...

On our last trip...and every trip before...on almost every street corner...they had free magazines "What to do in Oahu...Maui...Hawaii...etc..." they have discounted tours....coupons...etc...that you can use to help plan your trip once there...they also offer flight/hotel/car packages to the different islands that are cheaper than what you can find on line or through a travel agent...my wife and I took a 18 day trip to Hawaii one year and only booked the flights and first two days of our stay...after that we used those magazines to visit almost every island staying 2 or 3 days on each...

Stay at least 10 days...for when you consider a 7 day trip is really on 5 when you take into consideration that it is one day out and one day back.....have fun...

[wille]

Thanks! Do you like the tour idea better than a island hopping cruise ship?

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by wille

Thanks! Do you like the tour idea better than a island hopping cruise ship?

Never did the cruise ship...the tours offer you free time and if you don't feel like doing anything...you can still sit out on the beach and enjoy the water....kinda hard to do on a boat...especially when you have to be back on time before they leave the dock...but like I said those magazines "what to do in _______" give you so many options on every island that I think they would be hard to beat...

Being it is your first time...I would opt for a tour...or sign up for tours when you are there...no matter what you decide...the hardest part to do is to get on the plane to return home..

Remember...your trip only takes 12 hours or less with a good tail wind...but it will work out to 18 hours...no matter what you think...for your clock is now running fowards...so if you leave at 10AM your flight without a layover will arrive somewhere around 4AM...I usually try for an evening flight...does not seem to hurt as much...