Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor are in completely opposite directions from Waikiki. Do them on different days as Hanauma Bay is east and Pearl Harbor is west, past the airport.

There was one shark attack off Lanikai Beach on the windward (east) side of the island, out near the Mokulua Islands. The surfer bitten off Waikiki was not bitten by a shark as first reported. It was actually an eel. You have nothing to worry about; there has never been a confirmed shark bite at Waikiki. It is like worrying about your plane crashing.

"The State Department of Land and Natural Resources said there has never been a confirmed shark bite in Waikiki waters. On Oct. 17, a surfer was bitten by what at first was believed to be a shark, but it was later determined that he was bitten by an eel."

That's all that's included. The narrated tour on the headsets is $6.50 per person. It's a self guided tour at the Arizona, and honestly, it's not that big and there are tablets with explanations of what you're looking at. If you take a bus tour I don't think the driver actually comes with you, but I may be wrong about that. It's been a very long time since I did the bus tour. I've gone twice on my own since.

That's probably the best place. I can't really help you with it, because I don't snorkel all that often.

Mornings for both. Hanuma Bay closes very quickly when it reaches capacity. If you want to do them both on the same day, do snorkeling first and get a reservation for a later time in the day for the memorial. Give yourself a couple of hours for the Arizona if you want to see the museums as well.

I wouldn't be concerned. If you're staying in the Waikiki area there haven't been any sharks reported there that I can recall.

The "string" you speak of may have been on other islands.

Wrong:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/b...l?id=336915081

2 non-agressive sharks 2 days ago? Color me wrong then, since I hadn't heard of those.

I give loads of credit to the life guards (or whoever puts up the signs.). They give excellent warnings of jelly fish, and I guess of sharks - though in all my trips to Waikiki I've never seen the later though plenty of the former.

It's not something you could really worry about, re: shark attacks (coming from someone who is paranoid of sharks because I watched one too many movies)...:D

That said, I would pay attention to lifeguards warnings/signs. I was in Waikiki back in May and swam in the Waikiki Beach (it was a really lovely beach/area, by the way). A few days after when I was in another island, I heard of a report of shark sightings at Waikiki Beach.

So yeah, no shark attacks that I am aware of in recent times, but there are certainly shark sightings there (and not surprisingly I guess what lurks underneath...it is their territory, after all.)

If REALLY worried about sharks, the beach area across from the Waikiki McDonald's is protected by a stone wall. (Which hotel are you staying at?)

Not sure why some folks keep on talking in a cavalier fashion about "non-aggressive sharks" in our waters??? Someone just got bit again. While not in Waikiki, it was on the southwestern shores of Oahu (Makaha), just a couple of caudal fin strokes away from Waikiki:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/b...in_Makaha.html

Meh. Obey the beach/lifeguard warnings and avoid swimming in the murk after a major rainfall flushes out the landscape and you're likely to be as fine as you can...short of not going in.

Unrelated, snorkeling is often great at Shark's Cove on the North Shore, and fortunately there are no sharks there.

I'm not sure why people take such pleasure in pointing out errors and making assumptions. I recognize that some people wandered into Omni and didn't like what they saw, but it's really not cool to take grudges to the other forums.

Agree. The really nasty attacks have been on the other islands. In most of the tourist areas, there really aren't very many incidents reported. As I said, the warnings are very visible and appreciated.

I'd be more worried about Jellyfish than sharks.

Gee, I thought the value of FT is to share relevant information. Which I did by sharing the article. Got a problem with that? Please don't be angry. Stick to the topic.

Thanks for all the replies.

So should I be worried about eels now?! :o

Moving on, does Haunuma Bay, and both Waikiki and Lanakai beach have places to store your valuables and personal belongings like lockers and such? Also, do these beaches offer towels or you bring your own?

I'm certain Waikiki does not have a place to store valuables. I would imagine Lanikai is the same. Haunuma Bay might.

For valuables, such as our phones, a cc, and some cash, we purchased one of those plastic water tight pouches that can hang around our necks. Tested it with my company phone (;)) and they work beautifully. However, most often, we don't bring very much with us to the beach.

Whatever you do, don't leave valuables in your rental car.

I wouldn't worry about any ocean creature unless you're going to beach with no lifeguard. If you stick to those, you'll be well warned of any hazards that may exist. IMHO, you're biggest worry is to be there when the jellyfish are in. I think they show up 2 weeks after the full moon. I would have to look it up. But even if they're around, you'll be warned.

RE: towels. Most hotels provide guests with beach towels. Check when you arrive to see if they do. I've never seen towels offered at any beach.

Hanauma Bay does not have lockers. I went and we took turn watching our belongings. Not sure about Lanikai, I doubt they have lockers.

Jellyfishes show up on south facing shores (Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach, Waikiki, Ala Moana) about 7 to 9 days after a full moon. If you go to a lifeguard staffed beach, there will be warning signs.

Lanikai is a very private, pretty much locals beach. Private in the sense that you have to know how to find it and it is not as well known as Kailua, but it still has public access and is open to all. No lockers, no lifeguards, no bathrooms, no nothing. That's why I love it. Just mostly locals with their kids and dogs. If you want a bathroom or lifeguards, go to Kailua Beach. No one at Lanikai to warn you about jellyfish or anything else.

Not even in the glove compartment? :confused: :eek:

So I guess as long as there is a large amount of people swimming at the beach then I'm safe?!

So for towels, just bring one from the hotel I assume?

And speaking of where to store your valuables, I have a tour booked at the Kualoa Ranch for an ATV tour. I was wondering if there is a place to store your valuables there since I would hate to lug my camera, wallet and other pocket items. I 'm afraid that it will fall out of my pockets. :p

Thanks again

Nothing, nowhere. I haven't looked lately, but there are stickers placed in the trunk of some cars saying not to leave valuables in the car. The state even has sign up in some tourist area parking lots.


Generally yes, but if you are that concerned, I would stick to beaches with lifeguards who will put up signs if there's anything out there.

Yes.

Sorry, I wouldn't know, but you should be able to call and ask what to do with your valuables.

FWIW - Pearl Harbor HAS locker storage, since you can't carry a bag in with you. Cameras are fine, but no purses or backbacks allowed.

It's not renting "per se" but I'll be using a "carsharing" kind of rental.

So my trip is less than a month away and still have to figure out some activities.

Anyone recommend and water type of activities? Like jet-skiing, canoeing, or any other type of water sport?

Curious to know if the Dole Plantation is worth going to.

I was just there with first-timer friends. We spent the bulk of our time on Maui, but had 3.5 days with them on Oahu. They were going to take the Pearl Harbor tour that also included circle-island, which included the Dole Plantation.

When we were finalizing plans, we decided to do a similar tour with them in our car ;), but to have more time to explore on the North Shore, we bypassed the Dole Planation.

It's a pretty big tourist trap - lots of buses stop there - and all that's really there are expensive trinkits and the corn maze.

So you be the judge :)

So my trip is in a few weeks time and I think i'm all set.

Just curious to know if anyone here has been to the Aloha Stadium swap meet. Looking forward to buying some souvenirs there.

Thanks everybody for all your contributions.

I have. Plenty of parking. Open on certain days. Not a must-do but it's relaxing activity for a morning or afternoon stroll especially if you were looking for souvenirs. Souvenirs are generally cheaper than elsewhere. If I do it all over again, I'd get a few more souvenirs there.

Took us a while to walk through all the vendor tents. Not a must do, but it's a relaxing thing to do if you got the time. I enjoyed it for my part. :D Have fun!

Thanks for the tip! Any specific souvenirs I should go for?

So I'll be travelling at the end of this week. Thanks everybody!

Any specific souvenirs I should go for? I'm looking at some T-shirts, and such but I'm really looking forward to the Macadamia Nuts! :D

I'm not much on souvenirs, so my only thoughts are: For young folks, plastic leis. For adults Kona coffee. The best coffee price I have found is at:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/don-quijote-...se+Supermarket

I don't know if they are available this early, but maybe a Chinese new year tee shirt. I usually get ours in Chinatown in a "shopping" area back through a walkway at the Chinatown bus stop going toward the airport. Hawaiian calendars are available, including one with females that will please most men. Sometimes this one is behind the counter at the ABC store.
Of course shopping at the stadium may locate all the above at better prices.
Have a great time! :)

re: Macadamia nuts.

If you can belive it, we found the best prices at Costco in the BAKING aisle - not the souvenier aisle. We buy 2 lb bags intended for baking. Most of them are broken in half, but for personal use they're more than just fine.

The upside is there is no salt added ^^

What would be the best Kona Coffee I can get? I'm looking to get it for my friend.

Actually, I liked the flavored ones better especially the Kona Coffee. Unfortunately, I don't have a Costco membership.

Sorry but I don't know the best brand. For gifts I just get a 100% Kona. Never had a complaint. Long's Drugs in Ala Moana Center or just before Chinatown also have frequent sales on this (and booze). Slippahs would probably be the expert.

PS Please give a report!

My Coffee Rant :-)
 

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention something about coffee BLENDS. A 10% blend is 90% filler coffee. That other coffee is from overseas, perhaps Viet Nam, Pakistan, China or wherever. One of the two big blenders here does not pay more than $2 per pound delivered for that overseas coffee. That added coffee might also be Robusta (bitter) rather than Arabica (milder) coffee. They cover up the foreign coffee taste with flavors.

I am not personally against blends per se, as long as the public knows what is in them.

Many restaurants and resorts get "Kona" coffee from the company that owns the blending company. The servers think all coffee with the name "Kona" in it is pure Kona coffee. Often it is a blend. McDonalds and Jack in the Box had "Kona Coffee" on the menu but when the public found it was really a blend the companies had to change their signage.

If a package says 100% Kona it will be. If it doesn't say 100% it will not be and is probably only 10% Kona if that. Some companies choose the font for the 10% carefully. The first part of the percent sign can look like another 0 on the 10.

The same holds true for "Oahu", "Molokai", "Maui", "Kauai", "Kau" and other location-branded coffees. For a locational-named coffee, the product must at least 10% of that coffee to be called a blend from that region. If it says 100%, it must contain 100%.

A coffee labeled "100% Hawaiian" must contain 100% coffee from the state of Hawaii, but may be a blend of coffees from around the state. Hawaiian may also be coffee from a specific region that did not meet the strict grading for that region. Thus a 100% Hawaiian might all be from one farm in Kona but did not meet the strict grading to be called Kona coffee.

If you have an opportunity to visit any coffee farm I suggest it. You will learn how coffee came to the islands, how it grows, is picked, processed and roasted. Each farms coffee will taste a bit different just as wines do. It is fun to visit multiple farms to taste them.

Believe Lavarock7 about coffee. He owns a coffee plantation:)

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.

Uiii and where? I am a big coffee fan and very interested visting a friendly coffee farm during my Big Island visit.
Thanks
W

Easy to fulfill. On your own or in tour. Once in Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa, grab a
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.

From an Urban POV Bondi may have parallel to Waikiki/Honolulu on Oahu.
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.

Bondi is nice. So is Pearl Harbor.

You ask us to market it to you: What do you want out of a holiday?

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.

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.

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! :p :o) 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 ^

Glad to hear you enjoyed!