1st Trip to Hawaii

We are 50 years old. This will be our first trip to Hawaii. We will be there in October. Staying in Hawaii for 13 days and will visit four islands - Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui. What sites are a must to see? Fun things to do? Can you recommend any restaurants that would be very native to the Islands? Where is the best luau on the Islands?

judytappe@hotmail.com

1st Trip to Hawaii

Hi Dug

On Oahu, the Royal Hawaiian does a luau that I hear is quite good. When I was over there I did Germain%26#39;s Luau, which I quite enjoyed. It had a great atmosphere and cultural show - it was basically felt like you were at a party with friends, rather than just being one in a crowd. There was a good mix of people, from all different countries and ages.

You have to visit Pearl Harbour, just make sure you get there early.

1st Trip to Hawaii

Hi Dug,

We also did Germaine%26#39;s Luau %26amp; found it great. Costs $55 per person for return transport, buffett dinner, show %26amp; 3 alcoholic drinks (softdrink is free all night). I agree, they really get the crowd involved and make it a great night.

Another great show is the one at Polynesian Cultural Centre. There is no alcohol (run by mormons) however a day touring the villages then the dinner %26amp; show would make a good day.

Yes, definately Pearl Harbour is a must on Oahu. Lots to do on Oahu, many different places to visit. Perhaps hiring a car %26amp; doing you own ';Grand Circle Island'; tour of different beaches, North Shore, Byodo-In Temple, Dole Plantation etc.

On Big Island, a trip to the volcano%26#39;s is fantastic, lots to see up there %26amp; you can quite easily spend the whole day there.

Also on Big Island is Place of Refuge near Kona.

Maui, a trip to the top of Haleakala Volcano 10,023 feet above sea level. You are above the clouds and the views are beautiful. You can also take this trip early in the morning %26amp; arrive at the top to see the sunrise.....very spectacular !!!

Also on Maui, IOA needle %26amp; Parks is very nice. Lahaina Town is also very pretty as well with lots of nice shops on the waterfront.

Kauai, a trip to Waimea Canyon is beautiful. It is similar to a small Grand Canyon and the views are amazing. Also on Kauai Fern Grotto is beautiful (if it has reopened as it was washed out with the March floods).

Hope this helps a bit with your plans %26amp; have a great trip

Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu has the best Polynesian entertainment in all of Hawaii. Their evening show %26#39;Horizons%26#39; is by far the best show.

4 islands in 13 days may be too many. You might want to cut that back to 3 or even 2.

Lots of info:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29222-i37-k647862…

www.mauihawaii.org

www.visitmaui.com Free brochure

www.bigisland.org Free brochure

www.kauaidiscovery.com Free brochure

www.kauai-hawaii.com

You can look at these sites for activiteis/tours. Many of these you can do on your own much cheaper, but it will give you an idea of the cost:

www.hawaiiactivities.com

www.hawaiifun.org

www.activityworld.com

I%26#39;ll tell you what I recommend for Oahu, having been there several times:

The special things about Oahu are mostly in Honolulu, like the Iolani Palace, Bishop Museam, Pearl Harbor, National Cemetery of the Pacific, and Chinatown. Any or all of these are worth seeing. Away from Honolulu is the Polynesian Cultural Center, which I haven%26#39;t been to myself. If you search the forums, you%26#39;ll find a lot of different opionions about it.

Waikiki is also worth a visit, although I hear nobody goes there anymore since it%26#39;s so crowded. The best way to see it is to start with a sunset dinner on the beach, maybe at Duke%26#39;s, followed by an evening stroll down the main drag. Also in Waikiki is a place called Ono Hawaiian Foods. This is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurnant that has authentic Hawaiian food. It%26#39;s inexpensive, so just order a good variety of dishes to sample.

All the islands have great sight-seeing and beaches. I think the best of these on Oahu are Hanauma Bay, Waimanalo Beach, the Pali lookout, Diamond Head lookout, and Waimea Bay. Yokohama Beach is also great, but it is such a tedious drive to get there that it may not be worth your time.

i agree with the previous post ...

we had cocktails at the Royal Hawaiian at sunset on our first day in Hawaii - it was fantastic! we also had dinner at dukes on the beach one night which was also really enjoyable

you should try and get to Pali look out, hanamau bay and diamond head, waimea bay and from here to eternity beach as well - they are all worth it! should mention that I didn%26#39;t really find the pineapple plantation that exciting

ALOHA

You might pick up a copy of Hawaii Magazine, Sept.-Oct. which lists happenings for every island. Also, the Sunday Brunch at the Kahala Mandarin in Honolulu is supposed to be the ';Best'; in Oahu. We were there in 1964 and will be going there again in Oct. You can get great burgers at the Pikake Terrace outdoors at the Princess Kaiulani on Waikiki, All the food court food is prepared by the same kitchen that does the more expensive restaurants in the hotel. Elizabeth

I would cut this trip back to 2 islands and do the others when you come back -- and you will. ;0

I%26#39;d suggest Oahu, for the city sights plus Pearl Harbor (a must-do), and Kaua%26#39;i for the less-developed, more rural side of Hawai%26#39;i.