First timer to Hawaii
 

I am planning my first trip to Hawaii in December from the 7th till the 12th. I will be travelling alone and will be renting a car. Will there be a shuttle to take me to the rental car and where do I get the shuttle if there is one? I would assume right outside arrivals but I just want to make sure.

I intend to stay in the Waikiki area. What would be a nice mid-range hotel to stay by the beach with a nice pool? I assume the weather will be similar to The Philippines since Hawaii is pretty much right on the same longitude. Would staying in a resort be ok or it might be too much?

I am looking as well for some good eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'm interested in the local sutff like BBQ's, Hawaiian pancakes, saimin noodles, seafood, loco mocos, plate lunches, Hawaiian desserts and stuff like that. Sam Choy is on my mind.

For things to do, I am looking to go to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. How do I get tickets, is there parking, etc? Besides that, I would like to do other stuff as well like Snorkeling, ATV's, etc.. Maybe someone has recommendations on things to do.

I would also like to bring some Hawaiian food back home like nuts, coffee, etc. So maybe some can recommend places to get those.

How much pocket money should I bring?

Lastly, when would be a good time to book the hotel and car?

Tips and suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Go to Nico's Pier 38 for a tuna steak. :D It's amazing.

If arriving at HNL airport, there are rental car shuttles immediately outside Baggage Claim. Depending on the Terminal, and if you had only light luggage, you might ask Airport Staff on walking to car rental on-airport sites.
Waikiki-area has a great selection of hotels. Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc. Most have fine pools. My favorite, not too expensive, is the large Hilton Hawaiian Village (ocean front location).
Hotel information desk will provide large list of local "good eats".
Again, hotel information desk will provide tourist site information. On "Pearl Harbor Memorial" visit, there is only ONE approved boat access to step onto memorial (as compared to boating around it).
If you are a Costco member, they have many Hawaiian food items that are very reasonable.
In addition to credit cards, cash use should be similar to your personal experience in most cities you have travelled to. Hawaii is expensive, partly because most items need to be shipped in from elsewhere.
Now is a good time to book hotel and car.
By the way, do ask hotel tour desk about choices for a LUAU.
Reat assured...you should have a fine visit to "Paradise".

The three major car rental companies are right outside and across the street from baggage claim. They all have shuttles but it is just so much faster and easier to walk. Just turn right as you exit the terminal and walk down almost to the end of the terminal building to the pedestrian lights and cross the street. You'll see signs directing you to Budget, Hertz, Avis. Advantage is also right there.

Some of the other companies, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, Firefly, A1, all require a shuttle as they are farther away up on Nimitz and are not easy/are too far to walk to. All of the shuttles pick up in the same place - on the centre island right across the street from the terminal building.

The best snorkeling is at Hanauma Bay just beyond Diamond Head. It's often very crowded but it's terrific. I've been kayaking on the other side but I don't remember the name of the town. There's lots to do and see. Pali point is a nice trip. Lots of folks look down on Oahu but I love it

For your rental car, check out discounthawaiirental.com They have great rates, as does Costco. The site to get tickets to the Arizona Memorial is recreation.gov, use it to book your tickets in advance. For all other Pearl Harbor exhibits you can just turn up.

For the rental car, I was thinking of going with RelayRides. I have used them before and didn't have a problem. I'm not sure though whats the earliest I can book with them. My trip is not for another 11 months!

OP: In order to help you, it would be great to have more information: What is your budget, what do you like to do?

If you want to stay on the South Shore (like Waikiki), but don't want to deal with crowds, check out The Kahala Hotel, which is a short cab ride to Waikiki.

Car rental? You might be better off not renting at the airport. Get a cab to your hotel, chill for a day or so, and then rent wherever you are for your daily ride. You will save hotel parking rates, which can easily be $25 per day.

If you do rent a car at the airport, be advised that there is now construction ongoing for a new car rental facility, and some of the previous locations have been removed. Check with your rental car agency.

Realize parking is very expensive in Waikiki, so I would recommend you figure out how many days you actually plan to be driving to other parts of the island, and see whether it would be cheaper to rent a car by the day from your resort to avoid the parking charges. The bus system is very good and very cheap, and easier to use to get from one end of Waikiki to the other and to the Ala Moana mall area than dealing with a car.

Thanks for the reply.

My budget - Well, the rental car and hotel will be separate from the pocket money I bring. I'll use my pocket money for food, souvenirs and fees for activities. I'm not sure how much pocket money I should bring!

Car rental - Like I've said above, looks like I'll be going with RelayRides.

For the hotel - Are there any hotels with some form of valet or free parking or all of them I have to pay for it? I heard The Modern is nice but I still have to take a good look at it. What would be a nice mid-range hotel to stay by the beach with a nice pool? Would staying in a resort be ok or it might be too much?

For things to do - I am looking to go to the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Snorkeling, ATV's, etc. Looks like I'll be snorkeling at the Hanauma Bay.

Waikiki area hotel/resorts with best pools, are imho:

Hilton Hawaiian Village (as mentioned above) (5 different pools on property)
Sheraton Waikiki (Infinity adult pool and larger pool with water slide)
Waikiki Beach Marriott (two pools on their deck area)

HHV and Sheraton Waikiki are beach front. Marriott is across the street from beach.

The Modern does not have a beach.

So what would you recommend? I would like the hotel to have good food and has fast free reliable Wi-Fi. As far as the pool goes, probably the nicest pool I guess!

I guess The Modern is out then. I'm sure its pricey as well for a solo traveler.

A nice beach view would probably be best as I don't have plans to go to the beach. I'll most likely do that with Snorkeling.

My friend recommended Ko Olina. I'm not sure if I should consider that as they went as a family of 4 whereas, I'm going solo.

Would a staying in a resort be too much or I should be fine?

.

My friend recommended Ko Olina. I'm not sure if I should consider that as they went as a family of 4 whereas, I'm going solo.

Would a staying in a resort be too much or I should be fine?[/QUOTE]

KoOlina has beautiful grounds with many native plants, nice walkway around lagoons. But, hotel will be closed for renovation although timeshare is open. Very nice rooms, either efficiency 1 or 2 bedroom units with full kitchens, washer dryer. You would need to rent a car there. Mostly families stay there and I think a solo tourist might want to stay in Honolulu instead.
Agree, take cab from airport to hotel and only rent for days you want to tour island. We have stayed at both historical hotels, Moana Surf and the pink palace the Royal Hawaiaan. Both right on beach , Waikiki, lovely but with small pools. One day trip we love is to just travel around the island from Honolulu out to north Shore, stop at sightseeing turn offs, go to little town of Hawai for lunch and stroll, the n back passing by pineapple fields. Just relax in Hawaii, don't worry too much about arrangements and enjoy the beauty. Also the Hawaiian people are just absolutely lovely!

I have no idea what you are trying to discern :confused: