Instead of dealing with cabs, why don't you rent a car & drop it off at one of the many locations in Waikiki? You probably will pay the same, or slightly more than a cab. The upside is that you will have use of the car if you choose (& pay for parking at your hotel) for 24 hours. That means you could make runs to Kmart & the like for beach chairs, etc, that cost a fortune in Waikiki.
There aren't any drop of charges that I'm aware of.
Mary
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slippahs: Yes, if you're taking a cab, make sure to instruct the cabbie to take the H-1 to Waikiki rather than Nimitz/Ala Moana Blvd, which is considered the "senic" route for tourists. There's nothing so senic about it except for Honolulu Harbor, Downtown... err... just take the freeway.
Unless of course, it's during rush hour. Now that's a different story... and a day-by-day case-by-case exception.
Aloha</font>
Slippahs, of course you're right, but I just wanted to mention the last two times I flew into HNL, I took a Sat. flight from LAX and arrived at about 1 p.m. and both times, the traffic on the H-1 interchange at Middle St. was backed up onto the airport viaduct, so I wonder if Nimitz would not be a better choice, like you say, for anyone arriving during the week during the normal rush hours and on the weekends.
I also must say that passengers using the FlyinHawaiian shuttle service are always transported to Waikiki via Nimitz, where all of the local landmarks are pointed out - "See this Costco over here? Well, imagine a huge water tower that was painted like a pineapple over it..." Before arriving at their final destination, people should expect to know the lyrics and hula for "Hukilau" and the words one should not speak (or think) near a Samoan.
PremEx, I hope you had a pleasant stay in the islands.
[This message has been edited by FlyinHawaiian (edited 06-09-2003).]
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyinHawaiian: I also must say that passengers using the FlyinHawaiian shuttle service are always transported to Waikiki via Nimitz, where all of the local landmarks are pointed out - "See this Costco over here? Well, imagine a huge water tower that was painted like a pineapple over it..." Before arriving at their final destination, people should expect to know the lyrics and hula for "Hukilau" and the words one should not speak (or think) near a Samoan. </font>
I have been driven both ways, and sometimes the H-1 traffic is horrendous, and actually results in a zig-zag to get into Waikiki and to your hotel. If you are staying more toward the HHV / Prince, etc., Nimitz Hwy can be cheaper and quicker. My overall sense of things is that the cabs just want to get you there as quickly as possible so they can get to the next fare.
I have found the inbound van services to be frustrating and very time consuming, and actually once just said "let me out here" (at another stop) and the driver insisted "I'll take you to your door" and I quickly explained how I was one block away from my hotel, but heard the other hotels we'd be stopping at and knew we still had a long way to go that one block (the other direction).
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyinHawaiian: I think you might find some usefull information in this thread:
Good referral. Once again, I highly recommend the Airport-Waikiki shuttle operated by Robert's Hawai`i. If not, I'll grab my Accord and meet you at your baggage claim... just kidding, of course
I get into HNL at 11pm, and have to leave at 1pm the next day, anything I can do shopping wise before i head off? will there be any shops open in the evening when i arrive? kmart, etc?
i am flying UA from HNL-LAX-JFK on an award ticket, any chance I could speak to them nicely at the airport upon arrival to see if they can change me to a flight the subsequent day so I can enjoy HNL for a little longer?? I have *G.
by the way, has anyone considered the $1.50 bus? does this go past or near the ohana waiki surf hotel? (formerly outrigger). As I travel light, i'll most likely just have a backpack.
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We use HOKULE'A TRANSPORTATION. The man's name that we deal with is Tiki Espinueva. Their phone number is 808 487-5771. We paid about 16.00 + tip and it was worth every penny. He was the nicest man and not because he wanted a tip. He told us great stories about some of his fares he picks up and just generally had us laughing the whole ride. We will always call him first because he was so nice. We told him we were frequent visitors and would call him next time we came in. Give him a try. I think you will like him. He also picks you up in a Lincoln rather than a shared van.
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Take one of the Oahu Gold brochures at the airport, go to the back pages where you fill find several coupons for airport transportation for $6. One of these companies is "Reliable Shuttle". This is actually cheaper and less time-consuming than taking the $8 Waikiki bus shuttle which has a lot more passengers, making the trip much slower. Taxi is about $24.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kawoh: by the way, has anyone considered the $1.50 bus? does this go past or near the ohana waiki surf hotel? (formerly outrigger). As I travel light, i'll most likely just have a backpack.</font>
The bus goes down Kuhio Avenue, so the routes are centrally located in Waikiki. Kalakaua Ave is the closest one to the beach (the one-way street with the Sheraton Waikiki, Moana Surf Rider, Hyatt, etc.) and Kuhio Ave is the one Mauka (or mountain-side) of it.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kawoh:
I get into HNL at 11pm, and have to leave at 1pm the next day, anything I can do shopping wise before i head off? will there be any shops open in the evening when i arrive? kmart, etc?</font>
There's a 24 hour Kmart about 2 miles from HNL toward town on Nimitz Highway. Cross street is Sumner St. Nimitz is split into one way streets there and Kmart is on the side going toward HNL.
There's a few 24 hours places to shop. What are you looking for? Groceries, souvenirs, general items? Will you have a car?
Daiei (Japanese chain) is a big department store/supermarket open 24 hours. Located two blocks north of Ala Moana Shopping Center at the corner of Kaheka and Makaloa Streets. Huge selections of everything.
Longs Drugstore (Dept store/drugstore) has a branch on King St near Isenberg St that's 24 hours. About 2 miles from Waikiki, close to Univ. of Hawaii.
Safeway supermarket has a 24 hour store on Beretania St between Piikoi and Pensacola Streets about 3 miles from Waikiki.
There's a bunch of ABC Stores (convenience stores) in Waikiki. Depending on each store, they close either 12 midnight or 1:00 AM. Prices might be higher here though.
Best bets when everthing else is closed is the Daiei or Longs. Don't know if you have enough time the next day to shop at Ala Moana Shopping Center as most stores there open around 9:30 AM.
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