Seeking the advice of those much more familiar with Honlulu than I am. Will being staying at the Kahala Resort and am looking to minimize as much frustration as possible in making our way down to Aloha Stadium for the 7PM concert time.

Originally, I had planned to go by towncar but am starting to rethink. Coming off Pearl Harbor Day, with the Marathon on Sunday and the 10's of thousands who will be attending - would someone be willing to recommend a favored approach to the stadium? Parking area? How long will it take and more importantly how long will it take to get back to the Kahala.

Thanks in advance.

Seeking the advice of those much more familiar with Honlulu than I am. Will being staying at the Kahala Resort and am looking to minimize as much frustration as possible in making our way down to Aloha Stadium for the 7PM concert time.

Originally, I had planned to go by towncar but am starting to rethink. Coming off Pearl Harbor Day, with the Marathon on Sunday and the 10's of thousands who will be attending - would someone be willing to recommend a favored approach to the stadium? Parking area? How long will it take and more importantly how long will it take to get back to the Kahala.

Thanks in advance.
Wow, that all depends. When we went to the Janet Jackson concert a few years ago at Aloha Stadium, all I remember was being stuck in traffic trying to exit. Not to mention all the various football games that are close to sell-outs. Aloha Stadium just doesn't have the capacity to handle parking for a full stadium, but from what I've seen on the seating charts, only roughly 2/3s of the stadium will be used for this concert... The problem I see with a town car is having it find you for a pick-up after the concert. If I were you, I'd rent a car and just try to get to the concert early (to find parking) and park near a parking exit (to avoid as much traffic as possible).

Driving to Aloha Stadium is easy. Straight shot H-1 Ewa Bound all the way to the Stadium off-ramp. Then reverse on the return. Google maps can help you with that one.

HPD won't start closing off roads around the Kahala Area until the early morning of the 10th, however, I would call the Kahala Mandarin and see if they know exactly what time. The worst thing would be getting back from the concert and being stuck from getting to the Mandarin (since the Mandarin is right on the marathon route).

And, Pearl Harbor day shouldn't be much of a problem for you... It's the Marathon I'd be more worried about...

The problem I see with a town car is having it find you for a pick-up after the concert.

Drop off/ pick up in front of Aiea Elementary School. Walk the overpass over the H-1 directly to the stadium back entrance. Piece of cake. We do this every Pro-Bowl. See you Feb. 10!

Drop off/ pick up in front of Aiea Elementary School. Walk the overpass over the H-1 directly to the stadium back entrance. Piece of cake. We do this every Pro-Bowl. See you Feb. 10!
I don't think the North stadium entrances will be open for this concert (since the stage faces South), so that would mean an increase in the walk to get all the way to the Mauka gate (albeit not much, but still).

Is there a place for a towncar to wait at Aiea Elem?

Is there a place for a towncar to wait at Aiea Elem?

They park on the street fronting the school.

Thank you all for your quick responses. Definately have helped me get a feel for the evening. We were in Honolulu last April when this concert was originally scheduled and can't wait to jump over for the weekend

Thanks again

I am dropping off 3 of our party to the concert. What would be the best drop off and pick up point. Also any ideas for me to do during the concert as I will have the rental car.:cool:

I am dropping off 3 of our party to the concert. What would be the best drop off and pick up point. Also any ideas for me to do during the concert as I will have the rental car.:cool:
Well, per kaukau's post above, the best drop-off point may be the Aiea Elementary school which is across the pedestrian bridge over the portion of the H-1 closest to the stadium.

It might also be a bit farther for a walk, but you can also drop them off at the K-Mart complex that's South of the stadium. That would allow you to actually pull in and pull out of the Kmart lot rather quickly.

What are you interested in to keep you busy on a Saturday night? :)

Well, per kaukau's post above, the best drop-off point may be the Aiea Elementary school which is across the pedestrian bridge over the portion of the H-1 closest to the stadium.

It might also be a bit farther for a walk, but you can also drop them off at the K-Mart complex that's South of the stadium. That would allow you to actually pull in and pull out of the Kmart lot rather quickly.

What are you interested in to keep you busy on a Saturday night? :)

I am thinking a nice dinner... and not look like a lonely guy at dinner.:D Since its my wife and friends at the show, and I have to go back and pick them up I can't get in to much trouble.:cool:

We do not know Honolulu/Waikiki at all, we always go to Maui or Kauai. So any ideas are welcome for late 30 somethings.

I am thinking a nice dinner... and not look like a lonely guy at dinner.:D Since its my wife and friends at the show, and I have to go back and pick them up I can't get in to much trouble.:cool:

We do not know Honolulu/Waikiki at all, we always go to Maui or Kauai. So any ideas are welcome for late 30 somethings.
Any idea on what type of food you're looking for?

Any idea on what type of food you're looking for?

We live in Oregon... Seafood or Japanese preferably a local joint.

We live in Oregon... Seafood or Japanese preferably a local joint.
On Japanese, are you looking for something like a sushi bar or more like a local-sit down type of place? Take a look at the "Ono Kine Grindz" blog here:
http://onokinegrindz.typepad.com/ono_kine_grindz/japanese/index.html

Some of the most notable favorites are Makino Chaya (I personally don't like it, but there are a lot out there who do) and Shokudo (we ate there last week and it was pretty good--different, but good).

I don't know of very many seafood places that are cheap, but there are a few out there (e.g., Fook Yuen, no not a swear word ;) , over at the McCully Shopping Center.

Here's something for a little Haw'n food: http://www.willowshawaii.com/dinner.htm (since it just came up over on the NW forum)

I'm trying to figure out if there is going to be public transportation from Waikiki to the stadium? Does anyone else have a low cost alternative? I'm fly down for the concert alone and am staying in a hostel..... I have an extra PIT/GA ticket if anyone is interested.

I'm trying to figure out if there is going to be public transportation from Waikiki to the stadium? Does anyone else have a low cost alternative? I'm fly down for the concert alone and am staying in a hostel..... I have an extra PIT/GA ticket if anyone is interested.
They have something called the "Football Express" for the UH Football games, but I don't believe there's anything scheduled for the U2 concert.

You can explore TheBus' website for more information, as there are several routes that pass by Aloha Stadium:
www.thebus.org

So how many FTers will be going to the concert? I'll be there with a couple of friends. :D

I'm leaving Friday from EWR with my wife to see the show, then we're off to Maui. Nothing like a 11 hour flight before a general admission concert.

They have something called the "Football Express" for the UH Football games, but I don't believe there's anything scheduled for the U2 concert.

You can explore TheBus' website for more information, as there are several routes that pass by Aloha Stadium:
www.thebus.org

So how many FTers will be going to the concert? I'll be there with a couple of friends. :D
If it was in fact U2 I might fly over just for that, but Pearl Jam?
Have Fun

I saw that someone mentioned a place on McCully Street, so I'm going to chime in with McCully Chop Suey. It's not scenic, but I enjoyed it. Mostly locals were in there when I went (ages ago.) The food was good--NOT nouvelle cuisine--and inexpensive. Here's a link to some reviews: http://www.anytimegrinds.com/restaurantreviews.asp?ID=1841

I went home to San Diego to see U2 kick off their Vertigo tour in 2005. They were doing two shows, with one day between them, so on their day off, Bono was running around Ocean Beach mingling with the locals and generally having a good time. Keep an eye out, you may see him out and about.

Have a GREAT gig.

If it was in fact U2 I might fly over just for that, but Pearl Jam?
Have Fun

Actually, PJ is opening. They may already be in HNL as I heard they did a special show last week. U2 is doing a makeup show for the cancelled concert.

I will also be going to the concert and looking into the bus option...

I will also be going to the concert and looking into the bus option...
IIRC the 19/20 (the Airport routes) will take you out past the Airport and to the Stadium...
http://www.thebus.org/Route/maps/rm8-19-20.pdf

So how many FTers will be going to the concert? I'll be there with a couple of friends. :D

Well, my husband and I will be in HNL from 12/7 to 12/11. We won't be at the concert, but one of my brothers will be. He's one of those who had tickets to the previously cancelled U2 concert.

Nice to see so many FlyerTalkers will be in town, too bad we didn't realize further ahead of time--maybe we could have all planned to meet up at some point.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy the concert! :)

slippahs,

thanks...looks like the #20 will work for getting there...donno about the way back though.

slippahs,

thanks...looks like the #20 will work for getting there...donno about the way back though.
IIRC, #20 makes it way back past the Stadium. Does the route map not reflect this?

Since I live in Ewa Beach I will probably drive to a restaurant/movie area and park there, then walk or bus it to the stadium (maybe park at east Pearlridge). Going back I may walk since I'll probably be moving faster than the bus to get me back to Pearlridge or Pearl Kai or wherever. Then I can have a real late dinner. I'll be going by myself - seat JJ (orange section), Row 1, which would have been much better had the stadium been in baseball configuration. Now that it's in it's football configuration my seats are two sections further away from the stage. I'd rather have a reserved seat so I can actually see something. I'm not as young as I used to be!

Since I live in Ewa Beach I will probably drive to a restaurant/movie area and park there, then walk or bus it to the stadium (maybe park at east Pearlridge). Going back I may walk since I'll probably be moving faster than the bus to get me back to Pearlridge or Pearl Kai or wherever. Then I can have a real late dinner. I'll be going by myself - seat JJ (orange section), Row 1, which would have been much better had the stadium been in baseball configuration. Now that it's in it's football configuration my seats are two sections further away from the stage. I'd rather have a reserved seat so I can actually see something. I'm not as young as I used to be!
I agree. It's a shame that Aloha Stadium won't be moved ever again. Concerts are just much better when in the baseball configuration than in the stadium configuration.

IIRC, #20 makes it way back past the Stadium. Does the route map not reflect this?

Yes, but I think the schedules to allow for return travel via thebus. Unless there is a shuttle of some sort.

Yes, but I think the schedules to allow for return travel via thebus. Unless there is a shuttle of some sort.
Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean in your first statement. :confused:

AFAIK there is no public shuttle service scheduled for the concert.

Woops! I meant to say that the schedules don't allow for return travel after the concert. I took the #20 at about 10:50 am or so and ended up at the venue around 12:20pm. After the show, a group of six of us ended up hailing a van taxi back to Waikiki and splitting the bill. I also took #19 to the airport the next day and driver didn't bar me from bringing my 21" rollaboard along!

Woops! I meant to say that the schedules don't allow for return travel after the concert. I took the #20 at about 10:50 am or so and ended up at the venue around 12:20pm. After the show, a group of six of us ended up hailing a van taxi back to Waikiki and splitting the bill. I also took #19 to the airport the next day and driver didn't bar me from bringing my 21" rollaboard along!
Ah, there we have it. I head the concert was great for sensory overload. A report forthcoming? ;)

First, thank you to Slippahs and others for providing such great transit / driving assistance information for those of us coming over from the mainland. Being prepared took whatever stress may have existed out of the evening.

My wife and I stayed at the Kahala and again had a fabulous stay. Upon check-in, we were told that no upgrades were available due to the marathon. At first this seemed plausible due to the expected crush of runners - but no more than 45 minutes later I found myself face to face with Adam Clayton in the elevator and knew that the boys from Dublin had taken up residence on Kahala Ave. The rest of our stay was filled with band sightings from both U2 and Pearl Jam - I understand Bill Gates and other celebrities attending the concert were down at the Halekulani. The Kahala has such a lad back vibe, security was toned down and members of the band were out and about. No Bono sightings, but we did run into Larry, Edge and the before mentioned Adam. No pics or autographs, again most of the folks were just happy to coexist with their favorite band.

The limos started to line-up in front of the hotel around 3PM and my wife/I left at approx 4:45 to beat the reported rush to the stadium. At 5:15, I backed into a parking space outside gate 8 at Aloha Stadium wondering where all the traffic was. We enjoyed the atmosphere and headed inside only after hear Rocko and the Devils start their set at 6:30.

Within 5 minutes of leaving our SUV we were in our seats (sec. HH) and realized we were a few sections further away from the stage than originally thought. When purchased in January, the concert was to be in the baseball configuration. Still, the seats were great, the crowd incredibly friendly and one of the best nights to come.

Set List

Rocko & the Devils - does anyone care?

Pearl Jam - Interstellar Overdrive, Corduroy, Life Wasted, Do The Evolution, Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town, Big Wave, Even Flow, Hawaii 78, Better Man, World Wide Suicide, Given To Fly, Crazy Mary, Alive, Baba O'Riley

U2 - City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In A Little While, Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's - Blackbird, Angel of Harlem, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, The First Time, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, With or Without You, Window In the Skies, The Saints Are Coming (w/Billie Joe Armstrong), Rockin' In the Free World (w/Pearl Jam), All I Want Is You

Pearl Jam absolutely tore up the stadium. They started playing to about 60% of the stadium and by the end of their set, the stands were rocking. If the U2 crew did not tear down the stage so quickly they surely would have had to come out for an encore.

U2 - what can I say. Still my favorite band and imo the best band in the world. The setlist was heavy on Vertigo tour standards (would have preferred the setlists played in AUS/NZ which included Walk On and Bad) but Bono was in great voice and we were under the stars in Hawaii. A truly magical evening.

The encores for U2 were unbelievable as well, including a return of PJ to the stage.

Having visited Honolulu for the first time in April when the concert was orginally scheduled, we cut short that trip to head over to Maui. This time we truly explored Oahu (North Shore included) and loved our time there.

Thanks to all again and please let me know if you have any questions

Glad you enjoyed the concert, cfarring and more of Oahu! :)

I dropped my wife and friends off at the stadium without to much difficulty... picking them up was a different story though. I gotta say that Oahu/Honolulu drivers are some of the worst I have ever seen !!! We had a great time!!!!