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02-07-2013, 11:56 AM
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#1 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 296
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Travel Guide for O'ahu
What is your favorite travel guide to O'ahu? I have never been to Hawaii and would like plan a trip so I need something for a knowledge base of zero. I would like to visit Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, snorkle at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and take in a Luau. Also, tips for getting around and transportation options. I really like the "Unofficial Guide" books but the Hawaii one did not get such good reviews. I am looking for one that has an edition date of 2010 and up. Thank you in advance for all your help!!
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02-07-2013, 12:21 PM
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#2 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 197
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We have been twice (1990 and 2010).
1. A rental car gives you a lot of freedom to set your own schedule 2. Waikiki is a big city with a lot todo. 3. Pearl harbor- go early. Be there early. My wife and inlaws left Waikiki for Pearl harbor at 7am and were on the first boat out to the memorial. 4. I was really amazed at the WWII submarine musuem (USS Bowfin). You pay extra to walk thru the sub but it is interesting. My wife could not believe they made 75+ guys live in the small space. 5. We went to Germaines Luau back in 1990. It was okay. The table next to us had a confrontation between some single girls flirting with a guy who had a girlfriend. Drinks were thrown, people got soaked with alcohol. 6. We were amazed at the traffic jam back to the airport. Leave early to allow time for the extreme traffic. 7. Check out the Saturday swap meet across the street from the Arizone memorial. 8. We prefer Maui for a more relazing vacation |
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02-07-2013, 12:55 PM
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#3 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: No. California
Posts: 315
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I prefer not using a guide book and more personal recommendations for Hawaii. I've been to Oahu 5 times and Kauai twice. I have used: virtualtourist.com to meet locals online for info and I've used the internet. I do different things each time I go.
- I agree with the above post about a rental car. There is a lot to do in Waikiki but there are so many beautiful places around the island. We like to drive to different beaches for snorkeling. There is a lot of traffic, be prepared. - USS Airzona and Pearl Harbor are must see's in my opinion. I am a veteran so I enjoy military history. I did an all day tour once that was phenomenal. - The bookze cruise right off Waikiki beach was really fun. - best Mai Tai's at the Pink Palace; cheapest Mai Tai's at the barefoot bar - LOVE Dukes for amazing fish tacos - LOVE Nicos on pier 38 for fresh gourmet fish deals - I did a boat out snorkel trip out of Ko Olina and it was amazing. - The windward side has a few great snorkeling beaches. - Love the North Shore small town feel Keep asking around and make your own experience from other's tips and your own things you happen onto.
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 Jenn &  DH  DD1 (7) & DD2 (3) |
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02-07-2013, 01:01 PM
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#4 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 5,479
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Quote:
We had a rental van so getting around wasn't hard. A lot of people complain about the traffic but being from the Chicago suburbs, it's was normal for us. If you rent a car, I suggest bringing a GPS. We stayed at the Hyatt on Waikiki Beach. There was a bar type restaurant in the basement that was really good and reasonably priced. They had great pulled pork sandwiches. There's a web cam aimed at the Duke Kahanamoku statue on the beach so it might be fun to set up a time with people at home to "see" you in Hawaii.  Hanauma Bay is BEAUTIFUL! Get there early because parking is a problem and you have to sit and watch a video before you're allowed to go down to the beach. Pearl Harbor was also very nice. We went there twice. DH and my other DD's wanted to do the tour of the MO so we went back a second day. Since it's not wheelchair accessible, I stayed at the memorial with DD. Laniakea Beach on the north shore is a great place to see sea turtles. They often come right up on shore or you can snorkel if you'd like. The beach is pretty short but it wasn't very crowded when we went. We stopped at Dole on our way up there. We went to the Paradise Cove Luau. It was nice but the food at the restaurant in hotel was better. They have a bus stop right behind the Hyatt so it was really easy for us. They did have an amazing drink called a Lava Flow. I still crave them! DD had a dolphin encounter at the Kahala Resort. Boy is that a beautiful hotel! If you rent a car, be prepared to pay for parking. I think it was about $35 a day at the Hyatt. Be sure to get any gifts you want before heading to the airport. We were shocked that most of the shops there were already closed by 3pm. I guess we're used to O'Hare. Lastly, have a GREAT time! |
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02-07-2013, 01:24 PM
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#5 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Southwestern PA
Posts: 558
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Perfect timing for this post. I'm planning our honeymoon for Oahu in October. We're staying at Aulani, or planning to, as long as we can get a reservation at the 7 month mark.
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02-07-2013, 01:36 PM
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#6 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC area
Posts: 6,144
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A good place for free travel information is tripadvisor.com.
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02-07-2013, 01:57 PM
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#7 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,571
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Oahu Revealed is probably the best guide out there. I couldn't find my copy, so I just ordered another one for our trip this summer.
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02-07-2013, 02:10 PM
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#8 |
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RIP Sweet Abigail 4-6-13
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 12,592
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I also suggest the Revealed books.
Luau - we did Germaines on our first trip and Paradise Cove on the second one. I liked them both equally. I like the pre-dinner festivities and Paradise cove a little better though. Snorkeling- find somewhere other than Hanauma Bay. It's very touristy and crowded and the coral is not pretty at all. Pearl Harbor - agree with get their early. Be there at opening preferrably. DD17 loved the Bowfin. Shocked me actually! If you go in the winter, definately make time to go to the North Shore to see the huge waves. You can also go to Turtle Bay Resort and wark around. Duke's Canoe Club in the Outrigger on O'hau - Must go even if just to have the Hula Pie. We swam with the dolphins at Sea Life Park. You get a decent amount of water/dolphin time. They also have a Sea Lion enounter and some others. We stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki on our first visit and had a great ocean front room. Last Christmas we stayed at the Hilton Hawaiin Village. I liked the Sheraton a lot but I LOVED HHV! Also, make time to go visit the PunchBowl Cemetary. Oh, the Lava Flow drink is at every bar and restaurant. It's a pina coloda with strawberry stuff in it. |
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02-08-2013, 12:32 PM
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#9 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,186
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Quote:
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1999- Fall College Program 2000-Summer College Program 2001-Coronado Springs Resort 2004-Carribbean Beach Resort 2005-Silver Lake Resort 2006-Pop Century 2008-Polynesian Resort 2009-Port Orleans French Quarter 2010-Coronado Springs 2011 - Port Orleans Riverside 2012- Sheraton Vistana Resort |
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02-11-2013, 09:09 AM
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#10 |
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Earning My Ears
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 37
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We have been to Oahu 8 times. Oahu Revealed is absolutely the best source I have found. I ordered mine from Amazon. WalMart in Honolulu sells Oahu Revealed in the tourist section in case you lose yours like I did. Have a great vacation.
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02-08-2013, 11:08 PM
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#11 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Oregon
Posts: 891
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What time of year? Definitely recommend north shore to watch big wave surfing, hit Matsumoto's for shaved ice and the shrimp truck. Polynesian Cultural Center was really interesting-though if you aren't LDS, you might want to skip the "free temple tour"
 -the center is an LDS site. the Arizona had me in tears-my grandpa was working for the Navy at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed so it felt really powerful to me. We had fun on Oahu for a week, but I do have to say that was plenty. We do two weeks or so in Maui every other year and I never get tired of it-so relaxing.
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Sara
 : , married to David  , Mom to Mary, age 15  , Else, 7  , and Cader, all of 3!  |
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02-17-2013, 08:54 PM
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#12 |
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Earning My Ears
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
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We went two years ago for our 10 year anniversary. Best decision we made was to stay on the North shore. Waikiki was too busy for us and we were able to get an affordable home rental on Laie Point street right on the beach. Was cheaper than staying at a resort and we had the beach to ourselves most of the time.
For us we loved: - Macadamian Nut farm. So fun and the tour is entertaining and cheap. - Kualoa Ranch -Rent a car and take the Tantalus drive - Laie Point. My favorite spot in Oahu. - The Banyan tree at Turtle Bay - The shrimp trucks in particular Giovanni's - Pearl harbor - Lunch in Chinatown - Aloha swap meet - Haleiwa |
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