Hawaii

[steve dave]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

[Kat Kid]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

I'm going in June sometime, will report back.

[steve dave]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

I'm going in June sometime, will report back.

What islands?

[hillwalking03]

First, if you have the option, fly first on the way back.  Every flight is a fracking red eye and it messes with you the next day.

On Kauai:

 1. Sheraton Kauai Resort - Best Beach on the island is right in front of it.  My favorite beach on all Kauai because its laid back, has a reef 50 yds off shore, and a decent break to surf.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=379

2. The St. Regis Princeville Resort - on northern coast of the island.  So green and tropical you wont want to leave

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=189

On Maui

1.The Westin Ka'anapali - the touristy area of Maui, although now pretty much they all are touristy areas.  Right on the beach, good night life, close to the old Lahaina Luau which is a must do.  Best luau on any island + free mai tais

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1028

On Oahu

1.) Moana Surfrider

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=374

2.) Royal Hawaiin

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=376

These are all starwoods.  I haven't stayed in the ones on Oahu, but did walk through/around them.  I would highly recommend Kauai, its laid back.  Maui is more active but can be relaxing, more to do than Kauai in terms of night life.  Oahu is big city in ways, but there is great dining, shopping, and the north shore is gorgeous.  Once I have an idea of your general itinerary I can give some better tips.

[Kat Kid]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

I'm going in June sometime, will report back.

What islands?

uhhhhhhhh,  I'll know more when I'm there.  My friend lives near Pearl Harbor.  Probably not going to go anywhere else because I will be on a budget.  Probably will not eat anything for two weeks before and do a bunch of sit-ups so I look like the situation on the beach.

[JMart]

Got married about 18 months ago on Kauai. Good times...

That is all.

[Kat Kid]

Got married about 18 months ago on Kauai. Good times...

That is all.

How good do you look in board shorts?  Because I am terrified about Hawaii for this reason.  It's ok, you can grade yourself on a curved scale for sports journalists with a 1 being fitz/whitlock a 5 being meek/manbeck and a 10 being Johnny Kane.  For the record, I would say I am probably a 5.

[steve dave]

Hillwalking is a wealth of Hawaii and airport knowledge.  Probably one of the most valuable message boarders out there.

Two possible itenerarys:

Fly into HON stay 3 nights followed by 6 in Maui
or
Fly into OGG stay 4/4 in Kauai/4 in Honolulu

Weird differences but flying out of OMA with British Air mileage is a pain in the ass.  Have even considered just getting ourselves to LA or Dallas and then using the British Air miles because there are unlimited flights with AA/BA from there.  But, don't want to deal with re-checking luggage, etc. so we are tying to make it work out of Omaha.  Will it be too much of a pain in the ass to only spend 4 days each and fly 4 times in that span?  Seems like it may be.  Plus would have the hassle of deciding if we wanted a rental on each island or only some.  Do I need one on Kauai and Maui?  I know I do on Oahu (the only island I've been to) but didn't know if everything we would want to do would be within cab or walking distance of the resort on the others.  Thought about staying at the Hilton Hawaiin Village in Oahu with HHonors and then the Westin in Maui with SPG.  Pete also had good things to say about the Westin.  Mrs. dave is enamored with the idea of renting a cottage or some crap on Kauai so I may be going that route if we do hit Kauai.  Would love to stay at the St. Regis if only to get or use SPG points.  I'm weirdly obsessive with airline miles and hotel points. 

[hillwalking03]

Hillwalking is a wealth of Hawaii and airport knowledge.  Probably one of the most valuable message boarders out there.

Two possible itenerarys:

Fly into HON stay 3 nights followed by 6 in Maui
or
Fly into OGG stay 4/4 in Kauai/4 in Honolulu

Weird differences but flying out of OMA with British Air mileage is a pain in the ass.  Have even considered just getting ourselves to LA or Dallas and then using the British Air miles because there are unlimited flights with AA/BA from there.  But, don't want to deal with re-checking luggage, etc. so we are tying to make it work out of Omaha.  Will it be too much of a pain in the ass to only spend 4 days each and fly 4 times in that span?  Seems like it may be.  Plus would have the hassle of deciding if we wanted a rental on each island or only some.  Do I need one on Kauai and Maui?  I know I do on Oahu (the only island I've been to) but didn't know if everything we would want to do would be within cab or walking distance of the resort on the others.  Thought about staying at the Hilton Hawaiin Village in Oahu with HHonors and then the Westin in Maui with SPG.  Pete also had good things to say about the Westin.  Mrs. dave is enamored with the idea of renting a cottage or some crap on Kauai so I may be going that route if we do hit Kauai.  Would love to stay at the St. Regis if only to get or use SPG points.  I'm weirdly obsessive with airline miles and hotel points. 

First of all, about flying into LA.  We have done this several times and if your airline out there has a luggage agreement, they will check the bags on through, just give the gate agent in Omaha your itinerary on the other airline.  4 days on each isn't a pain.  The flights between islands are 25 minutes max, so your travel time is negligible, lines for security on the inter-island flights are quick as well.  On Maui and Kauai cabs aren't really an option.  Most people rent a car, but Hawaii has the cheapest rates of any state in the country.  We rented a convertible on Maui for 7 days in July and it cost us $275 for the week.  Not bad.  Renting a cottage on Kauai would be great, but do it on the North shore.  Also, lots of outdoorsy stuff there like Zip Lining through jungle and water falls.  More later, gotta run to a meeting.

[Johnny Wichita]

I wouldn't recommend going there and not hitting Kauai if you have the option. 

[EllToPay]

ETP is going to Maui/Oahu in June for his honeymoon.

Flying out of MCI to OGG via DFW. Flying back out of HNL.

6 days in Maui at the Westin, 3 days in Oahu at the Westin on Waikiki Beach.
 

[steve dave]

ETP is going to Maui/Oahu in June for his honeymoon.

Flying out of MCI to OGG via DFW. Flying back out of HNL.

6 days in Maui at the Westin, 3 days in Oahu at the Westin on Waikiki Beach.
 

I'll meet you at the airport for DFW Pak! 

[EllToPay]

ETP is going to Maui/Oahu in June for his honeymoon.

Flying out of MCI to OGG via DFW. Flying back out of HNL.

6 days in Maui at the Westin, 3 days in Oahu at the Westin on Waikiki Beach.
 

I'll meet you at the airport for DFW Pak! 

pfft, check pm

[mcmwcat]

fuckers.  i'm going to scuba in cozumel 

[cas4ksu]

went to maui last december. what do you need to know steve dave?

[ChiComCat]

Kauai is the only one I've been to and I would love to go back.  Like Hillwalking said, lots of outdoorsy stuff to do.  I did a kayak/hike to a waterfall that was pretty cool and not too difficult.  There was a boat ride/snorkel of the Na Pali coast that was cool.  My fav was a discovery scuba dive I did there.  It encouraged me to get my scuba license.  Saw giant tortoise and octopus .    within 24 hrs of a flight though because of pressure, so plan accordingly if you want to do it.  Ziplines were booked up when I went over a summer, so those you might have to get in advance.

[steve dave]

went to maui last december. what do you need to know steve dave?

everything 

[cas4ksu]

went to maui last december. what do you need to know steve dave?

everything 

well. first thing. are you going to stay at a resort type thing or rent a condo?

[steve dave]

went to maui last december. what do you need to know steve dave?

everything 

well. first thing. are you going to stay at a resort type thing or rent a condo?

resort

[cas4ksu]

went to maui last december. what do you need to know steve dave?

everything 

well. first thing. are you going to stay at a resort type thing or rent a condo?

resort

ok. well we got a condo when we went to lahania. we def. recommend a resort. however, in lahania there were these resorts and the area around them was the worst smelling sewage scent ever. hopefully you don't get stuck with that.

anyway. hawaii is beautiful. def. go whale watching if that's your kinda thing. i'm pretty limited to lahania though.

[Beeper]

If on Maui, make sure to drive up Mount Haleakala.  When we went, we drove through clouds until we were driving above them, stopped at an overlook where we were actually making shadows on top of the cloud within a circular rainbow, then drove to the top to watch the sunset.  True story.  Couldn't see the crater very well because of the clouds, but the sunset was brilliant.  Just remember it gets cool up there.

Kauai is amazing, though.  I'm a big hiking guy, so I would recommend the short/solid hike that goes to the top of the Waimea Canyon waterfall.  Pretty sweet action there.  Also, make sure to drive and see the Kalalau Valley Lookout.  If you have the time, the Awa'awapuhi Trail to Nuopolo Trail loop is solid as far as getting a cool/lesser seen view of the Na Pali coast.

Lastly, try shave ice, and try it with ice cream in the middle.  Both Halo Halo and Jojo's on Kauai are good.  Lastly, a car is essential for Kauai and Maui.  The only decent bus system is on Oahu.

[Pete]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

My advice is to fly first class on the way BACK.  On the way their, you'll be psyched and it won't matter.  On the way back you'll be tired and a the extra comforts will be awesome.

The Hilton in Kauai is in a strange spot...it's this weird inland bay....kind of a shitty location, but a nice facility.  Good spa.    The Poipu area on the south shore is nice.  Close to Waimea canyon and good beaches.

[SleepFighter]

Loved Maui, could have done without most of Oahu, but I'm not a shopping/dining kind of guy when I vaca. 

Somebody got bitten by a shark about just up the beach from where we stayed on Maui.  Think they lived.   

[JMart]

Hill, need more info on Hawaii.  Lost the last stuff you sent me which was all gold iirc.  Going in Sep/Oct and either doing Oahu/Kauai/Maui or just Oahu/Maui.  9 to 12 days.  Flying American with British Airways miles.  Prolly first class one direction and coach the other.  Need to stay at Hilton/Starwood mostly but would be willing to stay somewhere boutiquey if we do three islands.  Ok, GO!

My advice is to fly first class on the way BACK.  On the way their, you'll be psyched and it won't matter.  On the way back you'll be tired and a the extra comforts will be awesome.

The Hilton in Kauai is in a strange spot...it's this weird inland bay....kind of a shitty location, but a nice facility.  Good spa.    The Poipu area on the south shore is nice.  Close to Waimea canyon and good beaches.

Yeah, the Hilton there blows. That's where we stayed. Should have opted for the Marriott, but such is life. Poipu, as Pete mentioned, is legit. Good eats everywhere, though.

[EllToPay]

For Maui goers, is the Road to Hana worth it? Heard it takes a while?

What about luau's? Fun?