Hawaii questions...

[MadAboutYou]

Okay...I am STILL trying to figure out what we are going to do/stay in Hawaii.

Now we are considering going to Maui, Kona or Kauai instead of Oahu. So, where would you stay given:

-we have 7 nights
-we want to relax and spend a lot of time on the beach
-we don't care too much for the tourist type stuff or shopping
-we want to do lots of good snorkeling
-we would really, really like a cottage on the beach type of situation (but am finding that very difficult in Oahu without spending lots of $)

This week is after spending almost a week in Anaheim/Disneyland so we would really like for it to be pretty low-key and relaxing.

Also, has anyone ever rented a condo in Hawaii? It seems like that would fit the bill more for us than a hotel (although I do have a reservation at the JW Marriott). It looks like (on trip advisor) Kailua is a popular area if you want less busy, more quiet on Oahu. Any other areas that would be nice on Oahu?

If you prefer Maui or Kauai or Kona, which part of the island do you like and is there a place that you've stayed that you really liked?

I feel so overwhelmed with trying to figure this out!

[chantele]

We rented a condo in Kauai a couple years ago- it was awesome

we stayed here
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-at-lae-nani

we had a two bedroom condo, it was perfect.

[jump4joy]

We've rented condos in Maui and Kauai before and really enjoyed it. In Maui we were north of Lahaina by a few miles, but on the trolley bus route so we could go into town if we wanted to. That was really nice! I don't have the name of either place though, sorry. It's been awhile!

[anastasia]

Okay...I am STILL trying to figure out what we are going to do/stay in Hawaii.

Now we are considering going to Maui, Kona or Kauai instead of Oahu. So, where would you stay given:

-we have 7 nights
-we want to relax and spend a lot of time on the beach
-we don't care too much for the tourist type stuff or shopping
-we want to do lots of good snorkeling
-we would really, really like a cottage on the beach type of situation (but am finding that very difficult in Oahu without spending lots of $)

This week is after spending almost a week in Anaheim/Disneyland so we would really like for it to be pretty low-key and relaxing.

Also, has anyone ever rented a condo in Hawaii? It seems like that would fit the bill more for us than a hotel (although I do have a reservation at the JW Marriott). It looks like (on trip advisor) Kailua is a popular area if you want less busy, more quiet on Oahu. Any other areas that would be nice on Oahu?

If you prefer Maui or Kauai or Kona, which part of the island do you like and is there a place that you've stayed that you really liked?

I feel so overwhelmed with trying to figure this out!

I can only really answer about Kauai, because it's small enough that we were able to see most of the island the one time we were there, whereas on Maui we were limited to our part of the island.

The southern part of Kauai (Poipu) is sunnier, so that's the place to go for a lot of beach time, although the beaches there aren't as spectacular as elsewhere on the island. The north side (Hanalei) is all lush gorgeous greenness... but it's that way because it rains more up there. We were there in the spring and it rained at least a little every day, and it poured when we drove to Hanalei for the day.

We stayed in Lihue, on the east side where accommodations are cheaper than most other areas. We had a great 2br condo within walking distance of Lydgate Park, where there's a protected beach popular with kids, and a park with a huge play structure across the street. From there it was a relatively quick drive to see almost any part of the island, so we did a lot of day trips. But we ended up in Poipu more than anywhere else because it was reliably sunny there.

I highly recommend the condo route. You can eat breakfast "at home" on your own schedule, and many condo places have pools and grassy areas where the kids can run around like it's their own backyard—handy when you want to cook dinner in the condo and they have energy to burn. First floor condos often have patios that let out right onto the grass—being on the 2nd floor in Kauai was the only thing NOT perfect about the condo (better view, sure, but I really wished I could just open the patio door and let the kids run).

We didn't find any good snorkeling in Kauai. Maui was better for that, although I've heard that anywhere in Hawaii you pretty much have to go on an organized boat trip for good snorkeling. We didn't find anything good right offshore. Even places people said would be good were mostly dead. But maybe we didn't look in the right places.

[Anne]

We've been to Maui several times and stayed in a condo at a place called Hale Kamaole (http://trip.hawaii-connections.com/6.htm) in Kihei each time. Kihei itself isn't very pretty, but the beaches there and to the south in Wailea and further on are fabulous. There are many places where we've found good snorkeling, seen lots of fish and sea turtles. I much prefer staying in a condo to a hotel room.

Where we've stayed is across the street from the the Kamaole III beach. It's a really nice family beach and has a different feel from a lot of the more touristy beaches.

Ideally, I'd look and see what's available in Wailea. I don't really like the feel of the beaches in front of the big hotels, but there are other places available there.

A couple of great books to look at are Maui Revealed and Kauai Revealed.
If you end up going to Maui, I can give you all our "secret" snorkeling sites. :)

[Anne]

We didn't find any good snorkeling in Kauai. Maui was better for that, although I've heard that anywhere in Hawaii you pretty much have to go on an organized boat trip for good snorkeling. We didn't find anything good right offshore. Even places people said would be good were mostly dead. But maybe we didn't look in the right places.

We've found a lot of good snorkeling off of the shore on Maui around and south of Kihei, though the weather can make it difficult (if not impossible--I've seen that, too) and can churn up some of the good places. A couple of places require a bit of a hike over some lava, but it's worth it. We always go early in the morning before the trade winds pick up for the afternoon. The one time we did a boat trip out to Molokini Crater was a huge disappointment.

But I'd also say it doesn't compare at all to the awesome snorkeling off of Grand Cayman.

[Hobbes]

Go to the Big Island! It's my favorite :D

I don't care for the Kona side, I like the Hilo side.

Lush jungles, cool things to do and see (volcanoes, lava, astronomy/observatories, Hawaiian culture.. real, snorkeling, red/green/black sand beaches, rivers, rain forests, waterfalls, botanical gardens) , local (not touristy) and much much cheaper.

Granted the beaches are not those pristine white expanses, but there are some fun ones, the black sand beach at Richardson's has some great turtle watching (swim right with them), there is some great snorkeling to the South (http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/beaches/kahaluu.html), and you can get to those 'white expanse' beaches just an hour away for a day trip.

In fact, there are places to stay up the Hamakua coast that are SPECTACULAR and just 30-45 minutes to the beaches leeward.

Spectacular like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2350287827_442a31fc16.jpg


Definitely relaxing on the Hilo side.

I'll ask DH for some suggestions of places to stay on the Hilo side if you are interested, even our place might be available. It's not on a beach, but it is only 10 minutes away and is on a river and has an beautiful forest/river basin view.
This is the view on a cloudy hour (it rains daily, but also sun daily :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2350287439_c047b740f0.jpg

Trey

[MadAboutYou]

We rented a condo in Kauai a couple years ago- it was awesome

we stayed here
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-at-lae-nani

we had a two bedroom condo, it was perfect.

nt

[MadAboutYou]

We've rented condos in Maui and Kauai before and really enjoyed it. In Maui we were north of Lahaina by a few miles, but on the trolley bus route so we could go into town if we wanted to. That was really nice! I don't have the name of either place though, sorry. It's been awhile!

nt

[MadAboutYou]

I can only really answer about Kauai, because it's small enough that we were able to see most of the island the one time we were there, whereas on Maui we were limited to our part of the island.

The southern part of Kauai (Poipu) is sunnier, so that's the place to go for a lot of beach time, although the beaches there aren't as spectacular as elsewhere on the island. The north side (Hanalei) is all lush gorgeous greenness... but it's that way because it rains more up there. We were there in the spring and it rained at least a little every day, and it poured when we drove to Hanalei for the day.

We stayed in Lihue, on the east side where accommodations are cheaper than most other areas. We had a great 2br condo within walking distance of Lydgate Park, where there's a protected beach popular with kids, and a park with a huge play structure across the street. From there it was a relatively quick drive to see almost any part of the island, so we did a lot of day trips. But we ended up in Poipu more than anywhere else because it was reliably sunny there.

I highly recommend the condo route. You can eat breakfast "at home" on your own schedule, and many condo places have pools and grassy areas where the kids can run around like it's their own backyard—handy when you want to cook dinner in the condo and they have energy to burn. First floor condos often have patios that let out right onto the grass—being on the 2nd floor in Kauai was the only thing NOT perfect about the condo (better view, sure, but I really wished I could just open the patio door and let the kids run).

We didn't find any good snorkeling in Kauai. Maui was better for that, although I've heard that anywhere in Hawaii you pretty much have to go on an organized boat trip for good snorkeling. We didn't find anything good right offshore. Even places people said would be good were mostly dead. But maybe we didn't look in the right places.

I agree with you about the condo thing. When dh and I went to Mexico, we stayed in a really nice hotel and I loved that. But it's a different story when you have children with you.

We are definitely into the snorkeling so will have to consider that about Kauai. This will be the kids first time (look for the pasty white northerners!) snorkeling so we won't be doing anything serious, but I know they'll want to do it a lot.

Thanks!

[Hobbes]

sigh, now I can't wait to go in June! (we are spending late June and all of July on the Big Island in one unit of our house).

I'm getting Hawaii-homesick thinking about it.

Trey

[MadAboutYou]

We've been to Maui several times and stayed in a condo at a place called Hale Kamaole (http://trip.hawaii-connections.com/6.htm) in Kihei each time. Kihei itself isn't very pretty, but the beaches there and to the south in Wailea and further on are fabulous. There are many places where we've found good snorkeling, seen lots of fish and sea turtles. I much prefer staying in a condo to a hotel room.

Where we've stayed is across the street from the the Kamaole III beach. It's a really nice family beach and has a different feel from a lot of the more touristy beaches.

Ideally, I'd look and see what's available in Wailea. I don't really like the feel of the beaches in front of the big hotels, but there are other places available there.

A couple of great books to look at are Maui Revealed and Kauai Revealed.
If you end up going to Maui, I can give you all our "secret" snorkeling sites. :)


I looked at their website and it says the 2 bedroom is available (and great price too).

I'll look for those books this weekend!

[MadAboutYou]

Go to the Big Island! It's my favorite :D

I don't care for the Kona side, I like the Hilo side.

Lush jungles, cool things to do and see (volcanoes, lava, astronomy/observatories, Hawaiian culture.. real, snorkeling, red/green/black sand beaches, rivers, rain forests, waterfalls, botanical gardens) , local (not touristy) and much much cheaper.

Granted the beaches are not those pristine white expanses, but there are some fun ones, the black sand beach at Richardson's has some great turtle watching (swim right with them), there is some great snorkeling to the South, and you can get to those 'white expanse' beaches just an hour away for a day trip.

In fact, there are places to stay up the Hamakua coast that are SPECTACULAR and just 30-45 minutes to the beaches leeward.

Spectacular like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2350287827_442a31fc16.jpg


Definitely relaxing on the Hilo side.

I'll ask DH for some suggestions of places to stay on the Hilo side if you are interested, even our place might be available. It's not on a beach, but it is only 10 minutes away and is on a river and has an beautiful forest/river basin view.
This is the view on a cloudy hour (it rains daily, but also sun daily :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2350287439_c047b740f0.jpg

Trey

We are heavily considering the Big Island. My parents have a timeshare there (unavailable for when we want to go, ugh) and LOVE it.

My mom said that is lots to do there with kids, besides just the beach.

I'd love any suggestions on where to stay. Our accomodations don't have to be on the beach; that was just me dreaming. :loveit:

Great pics! Makes me excited about going. I have never been to Hawaii but it's a huge destination for Alaskans, so have heard all about it. I can't wait!

I keep telling dh, I know there are people who want to come to Alaska. We have to find someone who wants to do summer swap with us (he's a teacher and has all summer off). How cool would that be?

Anyway...OT there.

[Hobbes]

We are heavily considering the Big Island. My parents have a timeshare there (unavailable for when we want to go, ugh) and LOVE it.

My mom said that is lots to do there with kids, besides just the beach.

I'd love any suggestions on where to stay. Our accomodations don't have to be on the beach; that was just me dreaming. :loveit:

Great pics! Makes me excited about going. I have never been to Hawaii but it's a huge destination for Alaskans, so have heard all about it. I can't wait!

I keep telling dh, I know there are people who want to come to Alaska. We have to find someone who wants to do summer swap with us (he's a teacher and has all summer off). How cool would that be?

Anyway...OT there.
Oh, we do house swaps all the time and I would think Alaska would be a great one! We met so many people in Hawaii that spend a lot of time in Alaska. DH uses Craig's list for houseswaps and we have only had good experiences (we've done about 6 now over the years) and shortterm rentals (we've done a dozen of those).. keep an eye out on this: http://anchorage.craigslist.org/swp/

Here's two condos/houses I know of on the Hamakua coast:

http://www.hale-nahele.com/house.htm

This one some friends stayed in and loved it:
http://www.vrbo.com/20984

Those are near Honokaa, so they are about 30-40 minutes from Hilo and the same to Kailua Kona.

That'd be more the 'relax and enjoy' place to stay with side day-trips to other locations.

For more 'central' location (to get to volcano, observatories, beaches, would be Hilo South. I'll ask DH, he knows the area for rentals INTIMATELY :D.

When are you going and how big a place you looking for? We have three units, a studio and a three-bedroom and a one bed room, but not sure when they are open. WOuld have to ask DH. It'd be low cost, we have a Yaaps discount :D

[MadAboutYou]

Oh, we do house swaps all the time and I would think Alaska would be a great one! We met so many people in Hawaii that spend a lot of time in Alaska. DH uses Craig's list for houseswaps and we have only had good experiences (we've done about 6 now over the years) and shortterm rentals (we've done a dozen of those).. keep an eye out on this: http://anchorage.craigslist.org/swp/

Here's two condos/houses I know of on the Hamakua coast:

http://www.hale-nahele.com/house.htm

This one some friends stayed in and loved it:
http://www.vrbo.com/20984

Those are near Honokaa, so they are about 30-40 minutes from Hilo and the same to Kailua Kona.

That'd be more the 'relax and enjoy' place to stay with side day-trips to other locations.

For more 'central' location (to get to volcano, observatories, beaches, would be Hilo South. I'll ask DH, he knows the area for rentals INTIMATELY :D.

When are you going and how big a place you looking for? We have three units, a studio and a three-bedroom and a one bed room, but not sure when they are open. WOuld have to ask DH. It'd be low cost, we have a Yaaps discount :D

I'll have to keep my eye on that list. Dh is not as trusting as I am, so is a little hesitant.

I think we would want something a little more central. For sure let me know if you guys have something. The studio would probably be too small, the three bedroom would be ideal, and the one bedroom would work if it has a futon type couch. And a discounts always nice!:rofl:

[Debra]

I can HIGHLY recommend Ekahi Village in Wailea on Maui. We stayed there for a week when Colin was 2. We LOVED LOVED it.

http://waileaekahivillage.com/
http://ekahivillage.com/

This was just a bit south of Kihei. The condos are individually owned but managed by the people there. There were so many nice little touches left by the owners, they even left sand toys. :smile: We really want to stay there again when go back. It had such a nice beach and it was quite private, almost exclusively used by the people staying there. It is also very close to bigger hotels with great restaurants. DH and I walked back to our condo on the beach.

I give it a definite :thumbsup:.

[Anne]

I can HIGHLY recommend Ekahi Village in Wailea on Maui. We stayed there for a week when Colin was 2. We LOVED LOVED it.

http://waileaekahivillage.com/
http://ekahivillage.com/



I'm glad you posted this--I couldn't remember where you'd stayed, just that it was in Wailea and was beautiful. I can't believe that was five years ago. :eek:

[BlueMama]

We went to Kauai and stayed in (at? I don't remember the city vs. condo name) Princeville... it's the Northern end of the island and absolutely gorgeous - breathtaking. However... we had to drive long & far to see the rest of the island... you can't drive all the way around the island - the road ends somewhere on the NW-Western part. It took all day just to go to the Western part one day to visit the Waimea canyon. I'd much rather stayed further South, or at least on the Eastern part of the island.

One thing about Kauai - and YMMV, but when we visit places, we like to get a feel for how the locals live and not stick truly to the Touristy paths. Kauai was the only place that it was not welcome to do so. Maybe they've just had a surge of Tourism that turns off a lot of the locals, and I can appreciate that, but I've never felt so "encouraged" to stick closely to "the book" when checking things out. There were handwritten signs in a few places (beaches that we'd heard about and wanted to check out, for instance) that literally said "Tourists NOT welcome". We were really turned off that they were so eager to take our money in their shops and restaurants, but we were to leave some of their beaches alone. It would have been different if they were private beaches, but they were not. I have no desire to return to Kauai due to this.

[chantele]

I forgot about those "Revealed" books, they're really great, Anne recommended them to us also.

One thing I really liked about the place we stayed was that little rock area out in the water that you can see from the photo. They took a bunch of big lava rocks and made that protected area which was a great place for Sylvie to learn to snorkel. There are lots of small fish in there and it gets about 3.5 feet deep and those rocks keep out the big waves.

Also when we were there a big sea lion came up on the beach every day to sun bathe... John took a pic of it, but it's not online anymore :(

these are just north of Hana lei
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=338&catid=5
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=568&catid=99

this is on Oahu
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=24&catid=1

all these are right outside our condo door
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=74&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=117&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=147&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=25&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=514&catid=99

Wiemea Canyon (I'm probably spelling that wrong)
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=481&catid=99

[chantele]

One thing about Kauai - and YMMV, but when we visit places, we like to get a feel for how the locals live and not stick truly to the Touristy paths. Kauai was the only place that it was not welcome to do so. Maybe they've just had a surge of Tourism that turns off a lot of the locals, and I can appreciate that, but I've never felt so "encouraged" to stick closely to "the book" when checking things out. There were handwritten signs in a few places (beaches that we'd heard about and wanted to check out, for instance) that literally said "Tourists NOT welcome". We were really turned off that they were so eager to take our money in their shops and restaurants, but we were to leave some of their beaches alone. It would have been different if they were private beaches, but they were not. I have no desire to return to Kauai due to this.

Wow! that wasn't our experience at all! We mostly avoided the touristy places too - ate at small dive local restaurants etc. etc. and the locals seemed very friendly. However, this was about 5 years ago so it might have changed since then, that is really too bad :( :(

[lunita]

all these are right outside our condo door
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=74&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=117&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=147&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=25&catid=1
http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=514&catid=99

9[/url]

OMG I *love* the black and white of your girls in white dresses. What a hoot. Who forced them to go to such an awful place for vacation?

[mirage1]

Also when we were there a big sea lion came up on the beach every day to sun bathe... John took a pic of it, but it's not online anymore :(
It's not this one?

http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=555&catid=99

[chantele]

It's not this one?

http://www.orbit1.com/photo.aspx?photoid=555&catid=99

yes! that's it! I somehow missed it lol
thank you!

anyway, it was so funny, he came up on the beach a couple different days when we were there, the people who worked at the hotel has special markers to stick in the sand with caution tape and signs saying that he was endangered and would bite, so he had this big roped off area of beach all to himself.

[chantele]

OMG I *love* the black and white of your girls in white dresses. What a hoot. Who forced them to go to such an awful place for vacation?

thank you! that was taken after the luau, they were very tired and grubby lol

[~PQ]

sigh, now I can't wait to go in June! (we are spending late June and all of July on the Big Island in one unit of our house).

I'm getting Hawaii-homesick thinking about it.

Trey

Oh Trey, you're so lucky though- June?! Thats awesome. We won't be there until October and it's just visiting, which is NOT the same as living there. I am going to start saying novena's every day for the next 2 years that we get the job we really really want leaving here and find ourselves back "home" in Hawaii (and I'm not Catholic :p ).

Hey Trey or anyone there recently- what is the status of the superferry??

[~PQ]

Okay...I am STILL trying to figure out what we are going to do/stay in Hawaii.

Now we are considering going to Maui, Kona or Kauai instead of Oahu. So, where would you stay given:

-we have 7 nights
-we want to relax and spend a lot of time on the beach
-we don't care too much for the tourist type stuff or shopping
-we want to do lots of good snorkeling
-we would really, really like a cottage on the beach type of situation (but am finding that very difficult in Oahu without spending lots of $)

This week is after spending almost a week in Anaheim/Disneyland so we would really like for it to be pretty low-key and relaxing.

Also, has anyone ever rented a condo in Hawaii? It seems like that would fit the bill more for us than a hotel (although I do have a reservation at the JW Marriott). It looks like (on trip advisor) Kailua is a popular area if you want less busy, more quiet on Oahu. Any other areas that would be nice on Oahu?

If you prefer Maui or Kauai or Kona, which part of the island do you like and is there a place that you've stayed that you really liked?

I feel so overwhelmed with trying to figure this out!

Kailua is nice (if we move back, its at the top of our list for great places to live!), but it's also kind of residential- yes it's on the beach and tropical and all, but thats because it's Hawaii :) There are plenty of house/cottage rentals for the short term, they're mixed in with regular year round residents- which can be great or can be sucky depending on the neighbors opinions on tourists in the neighborhood.

The BEST beachside vacation cottages and cabins are on the military bases.... I don't suppose your husband is a reservist or anything? If so then you have some spectacular and cheap options!

Haleiwa on the North Shore is a good cottage spot, its much further removed from the craziness of downtown Honolulu than any other place on the island with tourist rentals.

For just quiet R&R though, I think I'd stay on another island. Oahu is awesome for the restaurants and clubs and shopping and the pure cheesy fun and beauty of Waikiki and for the incredible native Hawaiian history (the palace, the poly center, etc) and fascinating American history (WWII) and of course for the stunning scenery. It's not so awesome for being remote and hidden away away and free from traffic and commercialism. The other islands would no doubt meet that need much better.

[Hobbes]

Oh Trey, you're so lucky though- June?! Thats awesome. We won't be there until October and it's just visiting, which is NOT the same as living there. I am going to start saying novena's every day for the next 2 years that we get the job we really really want leaving here and find ourselves back "home" in Hawaii (and I'm not Catholic :p ).

Hey Trey or anyone there recently- what is the status of the superferry??
I know... I'm torn between here and hawaii..... :(

I read last year it was making progress, but don't know now. I'll have to look into it.