Looking for tips on Oahu and Big Island
 

We will be visiting Oahu and Hawaii for the first time in September. Looking for reasonable accomodations (nothing fancy) in Kilo, Kona, and Oahu. Any suggestions? Would it be worth it to purchase an Entertainment book? Thanks for the help.

[This message has been edited by glitzy (edited 07-25-2001).]

There are lots of affordable accomodations in Honolulu and huge differences in Quality as well, what is your price target?

My suggestion on the Big Island (Kona) is the King Kamehameha Hotel which I think is run by Outrigger. It is very well located in Kona and I believe it was recently refurbished. It is located on the beach where they start the Ironman competition.

I've never stayed in Hilo, and I'm not sure that I would stay in both Kona and Hilo on the big Island. Hilo is the less expensive option but as it is the "wet" side of the island, most visitors tend to stay on the Kona side and drive over to Hilo for the day, It is an interesting place and has a much more "old Hawaii" feel to it then Kona.

[This message has been edited by Leisuremiles (edited 07-24-2001).]

Was in Kona in April, and we stayed at the Kona Tiki hotel. Nothing fancy. No phones. No Television. All rooms are approx. 20 feet from crashing waves. Very peaceful.

Family run operation, they don't accept credit cards, and only accept bookings by phone and mail (with a cheque). There's a small pool, and they throw in a continental breakfast pool-side every morning.

The rooms are a bit dated, but ours was clean and pleasant. It's about a 15 minute walk from downtown Kona.

This is not a resort property, and you don't get anything other than a clean, quiet room, so if you're looking for the big beach scene, don't stay here. There are lots of nice beaches about a 20 minute drive up the coast.

Total cost? The room was $60/US + tax. I will stay there again whenever the opportunity arises.

You'll love the big island - we went to the volcano (almost walked to the lava, but it was getting too dark), Waipea valley (sp?), green sand beach, black sand beach, etc. etc. Snorkeled, scuba'd etc. had a really great time. If you're there for a few days, buy "Hawaii - The Big Island Revealed" at www.wizardpub.com (no, i don't work for them) Great book.

We're regular visitors to the Big Island. I'd rate Royal Kona above King Kam; slightly more expensive but more open. I agree with "Hawaii - the Big Island Revealed" as the best guide to the Island. Candid assessments of restaurants, beaches, etc. It's the guide that locals recommend. Check out the farmers' market on Alii Drive; great fruit and crafts from local artisans.

What's your definition of reasonable, under $80/nt?

Outrigger & Ohana hotels give you 50% Entertainment discount on most of their hotels. My favorite is Ohana Reef Lanais; I paid $75/nt + parking last Sept.

Kona Tiki is nice hotel; nothing fancy but clean. Yup, no phones & TVs. It requires 3 nt min stay and recommend advance reservation. If you prefer to have phones & TVs, try Kona Seaside Hotel which should be under $70/nt with Entertainment discount. I haven't stayed at this hotel but stayed at its sister hotels in Kauai & Maui at Entertainment rate.

You can find other hotels at Entertianment website

As far as which edition of book you need to buy may depend on how long you are planning to stay at Oahu. Most of deals are offered in Oahu so if you can buy your local edition and just use it for hotel & airline discounts.

I recommend following books which use them when we vacation in Aloha state.
Frommer's Hawaii from $70 a Day I got most of money savings tips, hotel & dining recommendations here.
For Oahu, Driving & Discovering Oahu by Richard Sullivan this guide centered around driving. It doesn't cover restaurnts nor hotels etc.
For Big Island, Hawaii The Big Island Revealed by Andrew Doughty & Harriett Friedman.

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ValueConsumer.com Home of Tripple Dipping Online Shopping

[This message has been edited by DH (edited 07-27-2001).]

Thanks to all for the great tips. I've been able to make some great reservations on the big island because of your suggestions.

Now.......we want to fly into Hilo and rent a car and return it to Kona and fly out of there. Does anyone know of a rental company that does not charge a drop off fee. I've tried Alamo, Budget, and Avis and all have extra charge.

I was hoping to find a room for around $75 for the first nite arrive. My son is in the Navy and will return from a 6 month deployment the next day. When he is with us we can take advantage of the military facilities such as the Hale Koa and KMC over on the Big Island. So I'm just looking for something as cheap as possible for the first nite. Thanks again for all the insight.

Glitzy, has he booked the Hale Koa? It gets very busy. Just a tip.


Paul

Along the same lines as Paul Palmer - have you booked at the KMC? We stayed there last month and booked several months in advance to assure a cabin.

We have stayed there twice - this year and the year before. It is a great place in a wonderful location if you have not been. They have done a lot of refurbishing in the past 12 months or so. New dinning hall is open and a new commissary replaced the old hole in the wall that existed before.

The best thing about the KMC though is being in Volcanoes Nat. Park in the evening and having the place basically to yourself.

Yes we have booked both Hale Koa and KMC. I have booked 2 nights at the Royal Kona and 2 nights at KMC. Do you think that sounds right? Should I have allowed more or less time at either place? We are flying into and out of Kona and would like suggestions on 2 different routes to take.

Also, have either of you stayed at the Inn at Scholfield? I wondered about staying there when we check out the North Shore.

We waited too long to pick up a Hawaii Entertainment book. The 2001 are all gone and the new ones aren't out yet. If anyone has one that expires in November that they don't need let me know. Thanks again for all the help.

Glitzy-

Did you try asking at the Hale Koa (I loved that hotel) if you could check in the day before your son? Maybe they would take a fax copy of his Military ID. Or if he has friends stationed there, they can get you a room and check you in the first night. Entertainment books expire in Sept, so if you are going in Nov..you should be able to get one before then. And if its not around Thanksgiving you should be able to get a deal even without the Entertainment book.

Also, have you thought of Bellows AFB rather than Schofield for your northshore trip? They have cabins ON the beach. Or at least they used to when I lived there 3 years ago.

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Have a great day!!
~~Missy~~

Our usual route on the Big Island when going to Volcanoes is to circunavigate the island. We typically go Kona-Waimea-Hilo-Volcano Nat. Park. We return around the southern part of the island back to Kona.

Two nights should be plenty, but there is a lot to do if you wanted to stay longer.

I did check with the Hale Koa and they wouldn't budge on us checking in without my son. He is new to the island so the only people he knows are those that are on deployment with him.

We are staying at Bellows for 5 nights. They just opened up 7 new cottages and we were fortunate enough to get one of those. However we still have one extra night in the middle of our trip (which is in September) that I don't have a room yet.

Thanks for the Big Island driving ideas. I think that sounds great.

What about using Priceline for a hotel in Waikiki?

Over on the priceline boards someone got a 4* in Waikiki for $68

http://pub4.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...icID=101.topic



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Have a great day!!
~~Missy~~

My last reply was a bit short as I was running out the door to see the Rockies-Braves game last night. However, please do circumnavigate the island and by all means pick up a copy of the Big Island Revealed. It is far and away the best guidebook for the Big Island.

Use the guidebook to plan your stops as you drive around the island. On the way back from Volcanoes National Park be sure to stop by the black sand beach (Punaluu, I think). The area is a great place to see the green sea turtle. There were many in the water this year; last year there were 10-12 lounging on the beach - a great sight. If you have time also make the trip down to South Point. It is an interesting drive and if there are big swells comming in, a great place to see waves crashing on shore.

Unfortunately there are no REALLY good beaches in Kona. We always stay north of Kona in Kohala at the Hapuna Beach Prince Resort. It is by far the best beach on the island, so head there if you want to see a great beach.

I think you will really enjoy KMC. Too bad all of those "regular" tourists (i.e., non DOD) will not get to experience the place. You may want to spend your extra night there if possible. I would certainly spend the extra night on the Big Island rather than Oahu, but that is just my preference. Or maybe you would want to spend the day on Maui and do Oahu-Maui-Hawaii. There are almost hourly flights between the islands, so that could easily be done.

Anyway, have a great trip.

Aloha from O'ahu. For inexpensive, centrally located accommodations try the "Hawaii Polo Inn", 808-949-0061. Within walking distance to shopping, beaches and on the bus line. I think it is a 2 star property, affiliated with Aston properties.

Entertainment 2001 books expire Nov. 1st. Many attractions offer military or AAA rates. Your sn should be able to purchase attraction tickets/packages throught any MWR
location.