Hawaii Travel Vacations

I want to find a good all inclusive vacation package for 4 single girls, but there are so many travelsites that it's a little overwhelming. Can anybody recommend a good website? Thanks.

If you really want to find a package, I suggest going through a travel agent. The fee they charge is small and they will not only plan everything for you (including airport transfers), but there are some that specialize in Hawaii travel and they get good deals so by the time you're done, even with their fee included, you spend less than if you did it yourself.

With that said, Hawaii is a pretty easy place to do the planning yourself if you want. It depends on what island/s you're going to and what kind of vacation you want and how much you want to spend. Aside from Expedia (which I like and has always worked for me even in other countries), you might consider buying a guide book on Hawaii from a book store. They list the best hotels for the type of vacation you want and you can then call them directly. All the contact info will be in the guidebook and you can use it when you get there to decide other details – like which restaurants to try, shopping areas, etc.

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We'd love to stay at some of the small bed and breakfast or lodge areas we've researched, but if we go this route we cant use at travel agent since they only deal with the big name places they get kickback from. I dont know how to go about finding deals myself though for flight, transfer to Kauai from Honolulu and finding a car without spending a fortune. Anyone do this themselves have the insight?
We would be flying from Chicago – O'Hare. When I went through Expedia and those the flights and car alone was going to be around $2000 – does that seem right? My husband is totally against doing it this way and is afraid we'll be lost, confused and stressed if we try this ourselves. What would we do about transfers too?
The B&B we found are here:
Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono (Maui; tel. 800/305-4899; www.mauiinn.com)
Pineapple Inn Maui (Maui; tel. 877/212-MAUI (6284); www.pineappleinnmaui.com)
Victoria Place (Kauai; tel. 808/332-9300)
Kauai Country Inn (Kauai; tel. 808/821-0207; www.kauaicountryinn.com)

either a travel agent, or on line

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I'm wanting to plan a trip for my guy-friend and I to Hawaii for around September (or June if money permits.. but I heard September is a better time to go). We're both students so we have a limited budget and we've never been to Hawaii before so I was wondering if anyone had any tips. Good places to eat, where to stay (hotel, etc), fun things to do, best ways to save money. Are there any good vacation packages that are all inclusive? I don't mind booking everything myself and searching for deals. Anything to save some money! I just want us to have a nice, FUN time in Hawaii and I want it to be cost-effective.

Ok, I left Oahu in July of last year, and am planning on going back in June. I lived there for 3 years almost, but due to a deployment had to make the most of it in only 12 months there. These are my recommendations for things to do:

1. Hike Diamond Head- Great view of the island from inside an extinct volcano's crater. This is the signature postcard image from Waikiki's background. On a clear day you can see Molokai, and the view is just beautiful. Costs only a few dollars to park, the hike is free. You hit the top of the ridge and there is an old coastal artillery position that you get to have your vantage point from.

2. Walk the stores along Kalakaua avenue. The international market place is along this strip, and the beach is just a few feet to less than 100 at any one point along the path.

3. Enjoy Kamehameha Statue when it is adorned with lei. I can't remember if it's Kuhio Day on 14 June, or in January. It's definately worth the trip to downtown. Besides, the I'olani Palace is there along with Honolulu Hale and the historic churches and chinatown.

4. Take a happy snap at Da Kine Bail Bonds on Queen Emma street. You may get lucky and see the Dog or Beth et al.

5. Visit Pali Lookout. A battle occured here that solidified and Kamehameha's rule and united the islands. Many of Oahu's warriors perished on the cliffs that separate the Windward side from the nu'uanu valley. On a clear day you can see the crystal clear waters of the Windward coast and Kaneohe Bay.

6. Hit the North Shore. Visit Matsumoto's, Hale'Iwa Joes and Rosie's cantina are definately worth the trip. A deep sea fishing trip is not too expensive for a half day if you can rustle up 4 people or more from Chupu Charters and the Foxy Lady. (I caught a 40 lb Mahi Mahi in April last year..what a rush!).

7. Visit the US Army museum at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. Lots of military history about the Army's presence in Hawaii.

8. Visit the USS Arizona memorial and USS Missouri. USS Arizona is free, but you have to get there early (7am) to reserve a ticket. The Missouri is a nominal fee, and its everyone's responsibility to learn abou the beginning of the war and the end of it.

9. Go to Ko'olina lagoons. They are free, and they offer gentle wave pools with white sand beaches. You can choose from any of 4 lagoons on any given day. Snack bar is nearby and the Waianae coast is not far away.

10. Take a dinner cruise on the Star of Honolulu or a submarine cruise on the star of atlantis. The honolulu dinner cruise departs from aloha tower and the atlantis departs from Hilton Hawaiian village.

Thats my top 10. Most are free or low cost, with the cruises being most expensive. Stay at one of the hotels on Kuhio avenue to save a few bucks, or even just a few blocks off waikiki. Good Luck

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My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Hawaii over our Easter vacation. We haven't decided between Honolulu or Maui and are trying to cost efficient. We are looking for a week long package sort of deal or at least suggestions on where to do and what to do while we are there. For us it's kind of a trip of a lifetime and we are open to any suggestions and ideas ….. we're excited about planning this trip and look forward to your responses! Thanks

I have been to Hawaii 5 times and each time I have gone we have planned our trip to include two islands. So you do not have to pick between Oahu and Maui, do both. It will add maybe $100 per person to the cost of your trip. I suggest 3 nights Oahu and 3/4 nights Maui.

When I have gone I fly from the East coast US to Oahu on American Airlines, we had a flight to Maui on Aloha Airlines and then flew back from Maui. Aloha is a partner with AA so you can get all of your flight options at one time. The flight between islands run about every 30 minutes so you can go most any time of day. When I have flown from the east coast the fare has been in the range of $700 to $750 per person; you get the best fares by booking months early.

WHAT TO DO:

The top things to do in Hawaii are:

1. Oahu Island: Go to Pearl Harbor to see history at the US Arizona Memorial. You can drive or take the bus there; no need to book a tour. But you need to go early because the site is popular and the wait for your free tour can be about an hour. In Waikiki you can browse around the International Market across from Waikiki Beach, go on a sunset dinner cruise on Waikiki bay, try an outrigger canoe ride on Waikiki, go for a sail on a catamaran on Waikiki Bay, or visit Diamond Head park. If you like to snorkel go to Hanauma Bay which has perfect flap water for snorkeling on a reef.

2. Oahu Island: If you are on the island of Oahu go to the other side of the island to see the great deserted beaches (get a rental car for a day or two). Take highway 99 north toward Waimea and stop at the Dole pineapple plantation for a tour.

3. Oahu Island: The Polynesian Cultural Center is a great place to learn about authentic Hawaiian life. But understand that its run by the Morman church and there are NO alcoholic beverages served there, not even beer. You can buy tickets to tour the place, and another type ticket that allows you to stay for the evening luau.

4. Maui Island: If you go to Maui, you gotta do the downhill bike ride. I don't recommend the sunrise one because you have to get up at 3:00 AM to get started up the mountain and its cold up there that early. If you are a romantic do it, but otherwise no. There are different bike companies and some don't take you all the way to the top, and some don't guide you back down. You can come down by yourself, there's only one road with just a little traffic, but if you are squeamish about riding in the street, a company that accompanies you down will help watch the traffic for you. I have been twice and prefer Maui Downhill to the others. These companies have web sites They will pick you up at your hotel, take you to their shop to pick out a wet-suit (for the cold and mist/rain shower maybe) and gloves and helmet; then take you up the mountain; then follow your group down so they can block traffic for your ride; then afterwards take you back to your hotel. Expect this activity to take 75-80% or more of the day.

5. Maui Island: The Road to Hana is a great drive (you need a rental car). It’s a 45 mile winding road that takes 4 hours to drive. Its like driving through the jungle; has a bunch of one lane bridges. Then drive past Hana to the Seven-Pools attraction and go for a swim.

6. Big Island of Hawaii: go to the Volcano National Park. Also go see Akaka Falls. If you like horseback riding, go to the Parker Ranch and go for a guided ride. Drive to the south end of the island and see a black sand beach. For information about tours and things to do, click on the link below for Roberts Hawaii. They do tours on all of the islands.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotel rooms in Hawaii are very expensive, in the range of $250 to $300 a day for the beach front hotels. BUT, you can get less expensive rooms if you stay at hotels a few blocks from the beach. You can still go to the main beaches like Waikiki Beach on Oahu from the hotels that are just a few blocks from the beach. Same for Maui, stay in the town of LaHaina where there are garden style hotels and then just drive to the big name baches.

Parking in Hawaii is very expensive and the hotels, even the big resort ones, charge about $15 a day for parking. So do not rent a car for any more than the time or day that you will need it. So, for example on Oahu you may want to get a car to see all of the island, but do that on one or two consecutive days and then turn the car back to the rental company.

Below are some web sites for the islands and hotels. You can also use hotels.com, Travelocity, and/or Expedia to look for hotels taht are not so high a price.

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At school we are going on a trip to Washington DC. I live in Oahu, Hawaii. We are sending out donation letters asking people to donate. I need help thinking of who to send to. So far I know I'm sending to Linda Lingle, Boys and girls club, and a foundation something or other.

Businesses, grants and invididuals, large and small, are overwhelmed with requests from young people wanting money for trips. Most of them do NOT give money to individuals for such — instead, they give money to nonprofit organizations focused on helping the community.

A better approach is for your class, as a whole, to send out letters, on your school letterhead. This letter needs to say why this trip will benefit your community (not just you), how much the student themselves are going to contribute to the trip (are you babysitting or engaging in any activities to raise money?), and how much are the families going to contribute to the trip.

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Hi,i m planning a trip from 18 sept to 28 sept for me and my girlfriend.
We are from italy but i have some parents in La,so we was interested on a trip from italy to La and than from La to hawaii,but the problem is that the travel agencies do not have browser to find cheap packages from La to hawai.
i found a site http://www.valuetravelHawaii.com/ but i really do not have experience to book from this,price are ok but does anybody have more site or info or package that could suggest me?
My budget is not too much but 800-900$ each is ok,also cause we have to book a flight from italy to La and that cost me a lot too.
Any help is really glad

Just to let you know it is cheaper to fly out on a thursday and come in on the weekdays. if you are looking for a package for them from LAX TO HNL with that budget um……… i looked on orbitz.com and i found this package that is a nice hotel with the beach not to fard down the street http://www.orbitz.com/App/shared/pagedef/results/hotelDetailsStandalone.jsp?z=15e3&r=1rp&z=15e5&r=1rr&lastPage=interstitial

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I want to spend a week's vacation in Hawaii and I need to know a good source to purchase tickets online.

As far as airfare goes…..I LOVE SideStep.com . It compares and automatically gives you the rates for most all internet travel sites. ( priceline, expedia, travelocity and several others ) That way you do not have to go to several sites to compare. When you find the rate you want you click and it will take you to that particular site and you can book directly from them. Saves a lot of time.
I own timeshare and rent out my unused vacation time in Hawaii, If you need a good deal on a resort let me know.

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Me and my husband are wanting to take our first vacation with are 2 small children 6&7 we are also wanting to renew our vows while we are there haven’t done alot of traveling and was wondering if anyone has been anywhere specific that was nice who you went through and about how much packages start at, we are not dead set on hawaii just somewhere warm and nice for family’s.

Maui woudl be the best island for your family vacation. You could a nice condo on the beach with a view for reasonable. I cannot tell you how much as I do not know when you want to travel.

Whomever you go through make sure they do not charge any fees, and that all taxes and Hawaii Road fees are included in your price.

THe cheapest time to travel to Hawaii is Sept-Dec avoiding Holidays and the Month of May.

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Hi Friends,
We are planning to go to Hawaii this december for one week. We are about to do reservations with off2hawaii.com. They are offering good deal, but wanted to know if anybody have any experience with them.
Thanks and appreciate your reply.

Sorry, I know this answer is not as helpful as it could be. I wasn't able to find any reviews on them, only a mention by one bride-to-be that she had been referring several of her friends and family to that website to book trips to Hawaii since their fares were so affordable. However, since the wedding hasn't happened yet, she doesn't have any reviews on their experiences with that vendor.

I also looked them up in the Better Business Bureau, but they aren't a member, so there isn't any information on complaints for them. The actual travel agency affiliated with the website is called Donato World Travel in Walnut Creek, CA, and they have been in business since 1989.

http://www.oakland.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=10762&language=1

While it's a good sign that I haven't been able to find complaints about the agency based on a google search, it's hard to make a definite conclusion since so little information is available.

I hope your vacation works out well!

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Friends of ours are bugging us to go to Hawaii next May for vacation. Which is the best Island to go to (we have to go to Pearl Harbor)? Where can you find the best travel packages(flight, hotel, food, etc)?

Well, if you have to go to Pearl Harbor…

You can easily spend a whole week on Oahu and not run out of things to do. You could easily spend the whole week on the beach, but you'd get sunburnt (avoid being out in the open between 9 and 3).

I would recommend renting a car at least part of the time. There are a couple of things you should do first thing in the morning if you are going to do them. Hanauma Bay is one of them. If you do these things early in your trip, you'll still be on North America time, and it will be easier for you to get up early in the morning.

You basically want to be at the Arizona Memorial's visitor center as soon as it opens, so that you spend the least amount of time waiting for the little boat to take you out there. Afterward, you could hit the Mighty Mo', thus sandwiching all of WWII between the two attractions you visit in one morning. At that point, you could drive up to Haleiwa for lunch, drive up the North Shore, around Kahuku Point (near Turtle bay Resort), and down the Windward Side.

Stop at Kualoa Beach Park–just because–and make sure you take Kahekili Highway. Just before you hit Kaneohe, take a right into the Valley of the Temples and pay the small entrance fee to visit the working replica Buddhist temple Byodo-In. If you have some daylight left, you can visit the lovely beaches of Kailua or Waimanalo before heading back to Honolulu for dinner.

The rest of the week is up to you!

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