I'm going to the Big Island (KOA) for 6 nights and am debating whether to stay in Honolulu for one night since my flight back to mainland is in HNL.

Is there enough time to "explore" the city?
Option 1:
I was thinking of flying from KOA to HNL at noon the day before and rent a car to explore the HNL. However, I would have to return the car at the latest at 3PM (with grace period), but my flight back to mainland is on CO at 7:50PM (too much time at the airport).

Option 2:
If I take a later flight back to HNL (at 3PM), I can return the car at a later time which is closer to my CO departure time, but I'll end up with less time in HNL compared with option 1.

Option 3:
Or should I just skip HNL altoghter and spend all my time in KOA?

Aloha from Honolulu.

I don't know you like Honolulu or not.
However, have you concerned the charge of your rent car too much? I guess that it costs only $40-50 per day for MID or FULL size car. If 2 people, only $25 per person/per day. Since you come from far from Hawaii, I recommend to spend some extra for your Rent Car, and enjoy much more in Honolulu.

You can enjoy in Honolulu or not is different issue. Many people just walk around expensive and busy Waikiki and its famous beach. Some people go up to the Diamond Head and see nice view from there. Some go to Pearl Harbor to see its musium and warship - Arizona.

There are something which you can't see at Big Island. Big Island is volcano and Lava island. You can enjoy ocean, sky and stars, mountains and golfing/
fishing. Or just simply staying the resort hotel and relax.

Honolulu is 800,000 population with a lot of high rise building, shops and restaurants. But it still has natural beauty such as Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Nuanu Pali.
If you come in winter, just go to north shore and see the high wave. It is really high.

If you have never been Honolulu, you might stay one night, but arrive Honolulu earlier and spend almost 2 days there.

Anyway, pleae enjoy in Hawaii!!!

You're right. Since I'm not going to visit Hawaii that often, spending anther $40 isn't that big of a deal.

Could you suggest some sightseeing places and restaurants to go to?

I'm staying at the Doubletree (free night).

I don't know what you like and your budget is.

So this is just my recommendation:

You should try some Pacific Rim Restaurants.
Pacific Rim is like EuroAsian food. European display, but Asian taste. I thinks it is pretty good.

As a full course, price should be between $50-70 without wines. It is not cheap as the honolulu standard, but recommended.
It's like a little version of Nobu in NYC & LAS.

1. Alan Wong on South King Street-10 minutes
2. Hoku's at Kahala Mandarin Hotel(view as well)-15 minutes
3. Roy's at Hawaii Kai(View as well)-25 minutes
4. Uraku on Kapiolani Blvd.-5 minutes
5. 3660 on the rise on Waialae Avenue-15 minutes

(The time is from your hotel by car)

If you have a car, I don't recommend to have dinner in Waikiki.

View restaurants:

1. John Dominis near Ward Center-10 minutes (Seafood, American)
2. Michels at Colony Surf hotel-5 minutes(French)
3. La mer at Halekulani hotel-5 miutes(French and most expensive in Honolulu)

However, above restaurants are expensive($50-100).

Sightseeing

This is tough questions.
Since you also stay at Big Island, you don't need to drive around just to see Ocean.

1. Hike at Diamond Head
2. Pearl Harbor
3. Stroll around Waikiki(people watching)
4. Hanauma Bay (this bay is different from any other bays in Hawaii)

[This message has been edited by Tak (edited 01-09-2003).]

Will you be travelling by yourself or with someone?

What about shopping? Need gifts for friends back home?

May I suggest that beautiful sights and good food will be everywhere, but the experience of being at the Arizona Memorial, of being in touch with what happened on that fateful day, of acknowledging those that were lost, is something you will never forget. A few hours there will be a well spent morning that will live in your memory forever. Don't pass it up.

I will second Michel's at the Colony Surf; ate there with family when I was 15, went back a few months ago and was not disappointed! Next door is the W Hotel which has a good bar. The Sheraton Waikiki has a restaurant at the top (38th floor or something) with panoramic views of the ocean/city. The Sunday brunch is fabulous, so I assume the regular menu is also good. A drive from Waikiki up the windward (eastern) coast will show you some great beaches & views. Pearl Harbor is very near the airport so that's also a good option.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to Hawaii with Mrs. FFSaver.

I'll definitely check-out Pearl Harbor, but Mrs. FFSaver is not very interested in sightseeing/historical sites. She would rather SHOP. Are there any shopping near Pearl Harbor to drop her off while I go and learn about history?

Pearlridge Mall is in Pearl City, relatively near the Arizona Memorial. But it's a relatively standard, suburban mall. If you're coming from Waikiki, I'd drop her off at Ala Moana Center, which is just past the Ewa (west) end of Waikiki. It's by far the best shopping center in the state. The only problem is, to pick her up you'd have to backtrack quite a bit to go to the airport, and traffic can get quite heavy. Perhaps she could take at taxi and meet you there.

The largest shopping opportunity near Pearl Harbor is the Stadium Flea Market - open in the morning on Wed, Sat, Sunday. It is just down and across the street from the Arizon. Depending on the sort of shopping that interests your wife this may suit her. It is a good place to buy t-shirts, souviners, etc. (This isn't a flea market with used stuff or a garage sale section - just vendors with new merchandise). Otherwise Ala Moana would be the next best choice. Pearl Ridge is a much smaller mall - although there are a few unique shops with Hawaiian crafts. Pearlridge is a small mall - Macy's at one side, Sears at the other (JC Penny just closed) otherwise mostly the usual mall type stores (Gap, See's chocolates, Kay Jewelers, etc.)

If you are going to be near the Ala Moana Shopping Center, have dinner at a Thai restaurant called Singha. It is right on Ala Moana Blvd opposite the Hilton Hawaiiain Village. Very good food, not too much $$$, go between 7 and 9pm when they have the beautiful Thai dancers.

Definitely do Oahu! You won't be disappointed.

Here's my recommendation for a sensible scedule to maximize your enjoyment and appreciation of the island.

When you arrive (at noon or 3 pm), rent your car and immediately head to Pearl Harbor to check out the very moving USS Arizona Memorial. Pearl Harbor is close to the airport.

Then quickly check in at your hotel, drop off your car, and take a nice sunset stroll on Waikiki Beach. Grab a cocktail at the Royal Hawaiian. The pina coladas are great.

Go back to your hotel to freshen up and change into dinner wear. Then drive over to Roy's, which has the best food IMHO (albeit nowhere near the best view) on Oahu. It's about a 20 minute drive from Waikiki.

Return to Waikiki for a night of drinking, shopping (this will keep the Missus happy; the shops are open late), and/or strolling.

The next morning, get up at the crack of dawn and head to Hanauma Bay for some spectacular snorkeling (the water visibility's the best, and the park's the least crowded early in the morning). Just check to make sure the park's open (the are closed either Mondays or Tuesdays; can't remember). Hanauma is about a 25 minute drive from Waikiki.

After spending a few hours there, head back toward Waikiki, stopping at Diamond Head (about 15 minutes from Hanauma). Climb Diamond Head and enjoy the spectacular view (bring a camera, of course). Count on 45 minutes to get to the top, 15-30 there, and 20 minutes back down.

By then it will be close to noon. Drive back to Waikiki (10 minutes) and check out (or get extended check out). Since your flight's not 'till the evening, you have several options.

I'd probably drive up to the North Shore (if it's winter). It'll be one hour each way. Spend an hour there watching the incredible surf at Waimea and/or Pipeline. Then head back to the airport (give yourself one hour for the return drive; it's a straight shot and the airport is north of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki so traffic shouldn't be too bad).

Anyway, hope this helps. The extra rental car hours are absolutely worth it. You might even be able to get a decent rate by notifying the rental car company in advance of your plans.

If the Missus is absolutely dead set on shopping in lieu of seeing the sights, she will have plenty of opportunities to do so in Waikiki or you can drop her off at the Ala Moana shopping center.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 01-21-2003).]

I am doing a mileage run and flying into HNL on a Thursday evening and flying out the next night after 11:00 p.m. local time. What are suggestions for a full day in HNL with a rental car?

Thanks!