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Lalaith22
Registered User
Feb 22 2007, 5:26pm
Post #1 of 13
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Going to Hawaii! Any advice??
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Dad and I leave in a week to spend 10 days in Hawaii. Dad has a bank conference that he has to go to. I get to go as his "significant other" and get a free flight and hotel! The first 5 are in Oahu where we are staying on Waikiki beach for the conference. The last five are in Kapaa, Kauai. So has anyone been there and have any great suggestions? We are for sure going whale watching and attending the Smith Luau. We are more into nature hike type things rather than the tourist traps. Any locals have some hints as to what to do and what definetly not to do?
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NottaSackville
Valinor
Feb 22 2007, 5:32pm
Post #2 of 13
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Yeah, quick bragging about it! (just kidding!)
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Those of us who have gotten 90 inches of snow (and counting) so far this winter and have never been to Hawaii will just sit here and be jealous.
Notta
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Farawyn
Rohan
Feb 22 2007, 5:57pm
Post #3 of 13
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Book a day flight from Kauai to Maui and do the road to Hana and Haleakala at dawn. IIRC, the flight is about 30 minutes or so.
Sailing is always big. Oh, and go to the Halekulani and have a drink. It's a hotel in Waikiki and it's gorgeous!
"I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds."
- Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, NY, July 7, 1915
**************
Snark: The Other White Meat.
**************
Disclaimer: The author of this message does not guarantee correct grammar, spelling or English usage. No responsibility can be accepted for the use of this message as a guide to written English.
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Darkstone
Immortal
Feb 22 2007, 6:18pm
Post #4 of 13
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It’s been a while since I was there. On Oahu, the Dole Plantation maze used to be the biggest in the world, the Koko crater has some nice gardens and walks, the Byododin Temple has a very nice walk through a bunch of goldfish ponds, and the Sacred Falls trail is fantastic.
Never been to Kauai, though I think there is a black sand beach there. (None on Oahu.)
As for don’ts, a week after a full moon all the jellyfish go nuts for two or three days, so be careful swimming then. And you get socked big charges for cashing a mainland check, so bring credit cards or traveler’s checks.
"That's not right! That's not even wrong!!"
-Wolfgang Pauli after seeing TTT
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linkin-artelf
Lorien
Feb 22 2007, 6:44pm
Post #5 of 13
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Go to the north shore (most spectacular scenery) and do the trail that begins at Kee beach, the name escapes me at the moment. It's really long (several days if doing it all) but the first hour brings you to a great rocky windswept beach and the vistas along the way are fantastic. Alternatively you can see those gorgeous cliffs along the Na Pali coast by boat.
There's also Waimeia canyon and the famous lookout that looks down on the valley where a lot of Lost is filmed. In fact so many movies have been filmed on Kauai that you can take a movie tour and see all the famous filmed sights.
River kayaking is lots of fun there too.
Oh and feeding fishies at a beach on Oahu is popular but be warned, the fishies are hungry.
Luaus are over-rated, a real tourist trap, but if they include an authentic Hawaiian dance show then they're worth it.
Most importanty, bring a bathing suit and look out for sharks, seriously.
Have a super time.
There are a couple of TORn sibbies that live in hawaii who will probably show up and tell you lots more.
"I walk along the shore and I gaze
At the light that radiates down
Will it travel forth to you
Far across this shimmering sea?"
formerly linkinparkelf
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Daughter of Nienna
Grey Havens
Feb 22 2007, 7:30pm
Post #6 of 13
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Send me a personal message
There is a Tolkien group here in on Oahu. We are called Tol Andúnë. We have two events coming up on the same weekend: March 24 & 25.
Even if that doesn't work, I should be able to gather a few of us. There is another TORNie who joined our group recently. We could get together for...well, something.
Besides that I have lived her for 20 years and can tell you several things to do, free or not so free.
I don't have a car but if you will we could take a day trip to sightsee Oahu...there are some awesomely beautiful places that I love to show off....all free.
For starters:
The things to do when you come to Oahu —Sights to see:
Lookouts in town:
Pali Lookout, Punchbowl crater (right by my house), Tantalus lookout, Diamond Head Crater (an big climb but worth it: for the strong of leg),
Sights & Lookouts Out of Town:
Hanauma Bay: ("Ha-na-oo-ma": said quickly: Ha-na-ow-ma, but not too big an 'ow', it is really 'oo')
Waimaia Beach (Noth Shore: about an hour drive or so)
Haleiwa Town (North Shore town, very quaint place to eat, gift shop, by art or surfing/diving supplies)
Historical & Educational:
1- The Arizona Memorial: free, but you have to get there very early, the earlier the better.
2- Iolani Palace (reqires reservations: in town and takes less than half a day)
3- Poynesian Cultural center (reqires reservations and an entire day, a tad pricey, but includes a luau and totally worth it)
Other:
I agree about the Halekulani.
There are others but I don’t want to take too much time now.
Kauai
That is simply our most beautiful island; that is because it is the oldest island of the chain. The best things to do:
#1 - Napali Coast:
you can only see its breadth and beauty by boat of by plain/helicopter. You do not want to miss this so if you have to hock the jewels ot it. I would wager that it is the most beautiful place in the world, I did both plane and boat, and would not trade either.
#2 - Waimea Canyon
(like the Grand Canyon, only more beautiful and not quite as big) drive all the way to the end (free).
There is a restaurant with great sunset dining... make reservations to get a good table with a view.
There are one or two other things… info found in free books.
Hawaii has free booklets all over the place that advertise all kinds of things to do, most cost something. But these books have maps and coupons especially to restaurants. This is how I found out about that sunset dining, and the boat & helicopter. Hotels are also great resources for information.
Send me a personal message, and then I will give you my contact information and more touring information...and great places to eat as well.
Websites Directory, my drawings,Aloha & Mahalo
Nienna: “ those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope . . . All those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom." — Valaquenta
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Farawyn
Rohan
Feb 22 2007, 7:50pm
Post #7 of 13
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Very, very moving.
"I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds."
- Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, NY, July 7, 1915
**************
Snark: The Other White Meat.
**************
Disclaimer: The author of this message does not guarantee correct grammar, spelling or English usage. No responsibility can be accepted for the use of this message as a guide to written English.
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Sherry
Rivendell
Feb 22 2007, 8:56pm
Post #8 of 13
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Are you kidding? We can't go in there!
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Take suncream.
And have a good time :p Hope its a great trip!
''Pooh!'' he whispered.
''Yes, Piglet?''
''Nothing,'' said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. ''I just wanted to be sure of you.''
What I am listening to
New boards = new nick. Registered User formerly known as Arwenelf
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McGroovy
Registered User
Feb 22 2007, 11:09pm
Post #9 of 13
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Firstly, I'm jealous. I moved from Hawaii  in 05 and I miss it dearly.
Secondly, have fun!!
On Kaua'i: Go up to Koke'e State Park (it's past the road that takes you to Waimea Canyon) there has some really great trails up there. The Pihea and Alaka'i Trail takes you up above Kalalau Valley for a fantastic view. If you're adventurous go into the Alaka'i swamp (getting to the trail is muddy, but once you're there it's a boardwalk) I swear I saw hobbit holes there. If you go on the Awa'awapuhi trail it and the Nu'alolo loop you'll be above the tail end of the Na Pali trail. It's quite a trek, but what a view!
On Oahu - spend as little time in Waikiki as you possibly can. Drive out to the North Shore (Hale'iwa) and spend the day. Eat lunch at Cholo's (the best Mexican food on the island) and say aloha to Steve for me (I used to work there.) There are some good hikes if you head to Ka'ena Point. One that zig zags up the mountain. Also if you've got time to snorkel, Shark's Cove (past Waimea Bay, across from Foodland) is a great spot. Lots of turtles and fish. I never saw a shark, though. If you take the road that runs past Foodland up the hill, there's a magical Heiau (sacred place of worship) on the right. Terrific views of Waimea valley and the bay.
“I am an evil giraffe, and I shall eat more leaves from this tree then perhaps I should, so that other giraffes may die” ~ Eddie Izzard
(Elithraniel_M on the old boards)
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Annael
Elvenhome
Feb 23 2007, 1:19am
Post #10 of 13
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You don't have to go out very far - you'll see fish in three feet of water. It's amazing what you see - like being in an aquarium!
(We wore white t-shirts over our swimsuits because we spent so much time lying face down in the water.)
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Elizabeth
Half-elven
Feb 23 2007, 1:56am
Post #11 of 13
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The Sacred Falls trail *was* fantastic.
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It’s been a while since I was there. On Oahu, the Dole Plantation maze used to be the biggest in the world, the Koko crater has some nice gardens and walks, the Byododin Temple has a very nice walk through a bunch of goldfish ponds, and the Sacred Falls trail is fantastic.
It's been closed for a couple of years now, since some hikers were killed in flash floods. But there are really lots of good hikes here -- I hike a lot more than I swim. There are places within a 20 min. drive from Waikiki that are just breathtaking (in addition to Diamond Head, which DoN mentions and which is a must-do). There's a great bus system here, so you can get to a lot of places without a car.
Email me and we can arrange to go for a walk somewhere.
Queen Mary II approaching Honolulu harbor
February 9, 2007, 7:30 am
Elizabeth is the TORnsib formerly known as 'erather'
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Elizabeth
Half-elven
Feb 23 2007, 2:04am
Post #12 of 13
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Book a day flight from Kauai to Maui and do the road to Hana and Haleakala at dawn. IIRC, the flight is about 30 minutes or so.
The sun rises a little before 7 nowadays. I hesitate to think how early you'd have to be up to fly to Maui and get to Haleakala by dawn! That said, the Hana highway is a positively amazing drive, and Haleakala is worth seeing at any time.
Sailing is always big. Oh, and go to the Halekulani and have a drink. It's a hotel in Waikiki and it's gorgeous!
The Halekulani is without doubt the loveliest hotel on Oahu, and probably one of the loveliest in the world. It also has the best restaurant in town (IMO), La Mer, but it's breathtakingly expensive.
Queen Mary II approaching Honolulu harbor
February 9, 2007, 7:30 am
Elizabeth is the TORnsib formerly known as 'erather'
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Aragorn'sSexyScar
Rohan
Feb 23 2007, 11:54pm
Post #13 of 13
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Oh, you lucky thing I went to Oahu and Maui in November 05 and had an amazing time for the six days I was there.I did the road to Hana, drove up to the top of Haleakala(it was freezing) and went snorkling off Molokini.I also went to a Luau, which I really enjoyed.It was held at a large Marriott hotel and the food was out of this world.
I think the best meal that I had in Honolulu was at an eatery called 'Smorgey's'.For $12:99 I could just help myself from a hot and cold section then have dessert.It wasn't spectacular but it was decent food for someone with little time.After that meal I headed up to Diamond Head and climbed to the very top.There are plenty of steps to climb besides the dirt trail so be warned if you don't think you can, or want to, exert yourself too much.The views from the top were spectacular, though.
I would love to go back again and maybe try the Big Island or Molokai.I had to pinch myself the entire time I was there
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