First timer to Hawaii
#152
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFF Bronze, EK Skywards Blue
Posts: 94
I was momentarily seduced by sub-1k return fares syd-Honolulu.
Then I googled it a bit and Honolulu looks just like Bondi beach.
So, market it to me a bit....what's there that will justify a trip?
I'm interested in seeing pearl harbour.
Then I googled it a bit and Honolulu looks just like Bondi beach.
So, market it to me a bit....what's there that will justify a trip?
I'm interested in seeing pearl harbour.
#153




Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beautiful Switzerland
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 511
#154
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Big Island; Hawaii
Programs: HawnAir
Posts: 13
101 things to do magazine (everywhere, outside stores,lobby, etc) find the farm that most appeals to you. Most Coffee farms world wide are small/family run.
Theres the museum/on Napo'opo'o Road, or family Farms like Mountain Thunder, Rooster, and others open to the public normal business hours- (early). You will want to head into south Kona Coffee Country, about 20 minutes from Ali'i Drive water front of the small Harbour town thats Kailua-Kona. A nice "day" is coffee hunting for your fav. from Holualoa Town south to Honaunau (City of Refuge National Park) makes a nice end to the day and as a National Park, if you've been to Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor or Volcanoes National PArk you'll have entry from your pass. enjoy.
#155
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Big Island; Hawaii
Programs: HawnAir
Posts: 13
Thats as far as the line can be drawn, as each Island in Hawaii is as varied as
coasts of AU. Culturally pretty different. Waikiki is separated from the rest of the island naturally by a canal, the locals find it amusing-keeps all the tourism on one side of the canal?
Depends on how much time you have. Pearl Harbor can be planned and done in
a day from Honolulu. enjoy. The Islands flavours are worth the trips for the adventurous at heart. Winter trips try staying leeward/dry- Kona, Molokai, Lanai.
#156




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: HA, UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,811
You ask us to market it to you: What do you want out of a holiday?
#157
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
Venturing up to NorthShore may be fun. A lot of big waves this time of year. Heck, they could even have the Pipe Masters Competition going on while you're down there. Definitely grab some breakfast and fried rice at Ted's Bakery. If you do go, get there early though.
#158
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFF Bronze, EK Skywards Blue
Posts: 94
Thank you and ipster for your input.
I like (surprise, surprise) adventure. I seek entirely different stuff to my humdrum office life in Sydney.
My best memories are of dirt roads, horse-drawn carts, no electricity, sleeping under the stars in the desert....
I'll probably skip Honolulu.
A price war on US-AUS fares is predicted for 2016. Circa 1k-return to mainland USA.
For the same coin, I'd probably rather do NY + California + Southern USA + Disneyland.
I like (surprise, surprise) adventure. I seek entirely different stuff to my humdrum office life in Sydney.
My best memories are of dirt roads, horse-drawn carts, no electricity, sleeping under the stars in the desert....
I'll probably skip Honolulu.
A price war on US-AUS fares is predicted for 2016. Circa 1k-return to mainland USA.
For the same coin, I'd probably rather do NY + California + Southern USA + Disneyland.
#159
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
So I recently wrapped up my holiday and had a great time. There were some acitivities that I couldn't do such as the Pearl Harbour tour because of the anniversary and snorkeling but overall I had a great time. Food was great, weather was nice (except the on and off rain where I had to fiddle around with my wipers every few minutes!
) and locals were way friendly than the ones you meet back in the mainland.
Looking forward to returning soon.
Thanks everybody for all your suggestions and contributions ^
) and locals were way friendly than the ones you meet back in the mainland. Looking forward to returning soon.
Thanks everybody for all your suggestions and contributions ^
#161

Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA, B6, UA, HH, WoH
Posts: 455
So I recently wrapped up my holiday and had a great time. There were some acitivities that I couldn't do such as the Pearl Harbour tour because of the anniversary and snorkeling but overall I had a great time. Food was great, weather was nice (except the on and off rain where I had to fiddle around with my wipers every few minutes!
) and locals were way friendly than the ones you meet back in the mainland.
Looking forward to returning soon.
Thanks everybody for all your suggestions and contributions ^
) and locals were way friendly than the ones you meet back in the mainland. Looking forward to returning soon.
Thanks everybody for all your suggestions and contributions ^
How about all your other wanted to do's?
Did you have Mac nut pancakes? Try poke and shave ice?
Make it to North Shore to see any big surf at Waimea or Pipeline?
Go to the Swap Meet? What hotel did you end up at?
Last, I hope you met some of the local wahini that you had asked about.
#163
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
Sorry for the late reply as I've been trying to catch up on sleep from all that flying!
Unfortunately, I couldn't do them all. For the Pearl Harbor museum, I forgot that it was the anniversary during that time and it would've been a mess to go. I was thinking of Lanikai Beach and visiting North Shore but driving would be too much and there were days I just didn't feel like driving.
Didn't get to try any Mac nut pancakes but did try the Guava chiffon pancakes at Cinnamon's Ala Moana. Heavenly! Yes, I got to try poke at Ono Seafood and it was cheap but yummy. Probably, the cheapest meal I had during my stay. And yes with the shaved ice. I had it at Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha. Even had a chance to meet one of the owners! ^
Yes, I did go to the swap meet. I purchased mostly tshirts and bags. Good deals. And I ended up staying at the Outrigger Waikiki. Great location, fantastic staff and descent rooms. Probably will be my choice of hotel whenever I'm in Honolulu.
Met a couple of nice ones but being the shy person that I am, only said hi to them, thats about it. There was this nice one I met at one of the ABC stores near my hotel. I got her name but wish I asked her out though.
Anyways, happy holidays.
Mostly food with some shirts, keychains, bags and some fridge magnets for my mum. Mostly did my food shopping at Walmart with some at the ABC stores. For the shirts,bags, etc. went shopping at the swap meet.
Unfortunately, I couldn't do them all. For the Pearl Harbor museum, I forgot that it was the anniversary during that time and it would've been a mess to go. I was thinking of Lanikai Beach and visiting North Shore but driving would be too much and there were days I just didn't feel like driving.
Didn't get to try any Mac nut pancakes but did try the Guava chiffon pancakes at Cinnamon's Ala Moana. Heavenly! Yes, I got to try poke at Ono Seafood and it was cheap but yummy. Probably, the cheapest meal I had during my stay. And yes with the shaved ice. I had it at Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha. Even had a chance to meet one of the owners! ^
Yes, I did go to the swap meet. I purchased mostly tshirts and bags. Good deals. And I ended up staying at the Outrigger Waikiki. Great location, fantastic staff and descent rooms. Probably will be my choice of hotel whenever I'm in Honolulu.
Met a couple of nice ones but being the shy person that I am, only said hi to them, thats about it. There was this nice one I met at one of the ABC stores near my hotel. I got her name but wish I asked her out though.
Anyways, happy holidays.
Mostly food with some shirts, keychains, bags and some fridge magnets for my mum. Mostly did my food shopping at Walmart with some at the ABC stores. For the shirts,bags, etc. went shopping at the swap meet.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 5, 2016 at 4:14 am Reason: multi-quote



PS What souvenirs did you settle on?