Where to go in Hawaii? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

rory_a · 2010-10-11, 07:39 PM

Planning a trip to Hawaii next summer, and know a few of y'all have been there at least once or twice. Any tips on where to go?

No specifics on what we'd like to do, mainly beach and pool and hot tub, which we can get just about anywhere. I don't know Hawaii at all, never been, and so not sure what's good, on the cheap.

Budget is a big part - let's just say limited.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Planned timing is last week in July, if that makes any difference.

Kevin M · 2010-10-11, 08:03 PM

Rent the crappiest car you can. Drive to the summit of Mauna Kea. Drive back down from Mauna Kea. Enjoy.

Dean · 2010-10-11, 08:09 PM

Maui: Road to Hana
Waikiki: Learn to surf if you don't know how.
Eat fresh fish/sushi at every opportunity.

Everything else is sun and sand.

rory_a · 2010-10-11, 08:44 PM

Any location that much better than another? Planning for a week, and I'm the type to stay in one hotel, but take trips. Will definitely have a car. So, main island? Or one of the littluns?

And while I won't eat any seafood, I'm sure Jenn will every night

Kevin M · 2010-10-11, 09:02 PM

I don't eat shellfish either, but if you don't like fish- it's going to be a boring culinary experience.

MPREZIV · 2010-10-12, 07:14 AM

Kauai island comes highly recommended, from someone who likes to avoid large crowds and tourist crap. Absolutely gorgeous. TONS of hiking, swimming, scenic drives, local cuisine, etc.

rory_a · 2010-10-12, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Kauai island comes highly recommended, from someone who likes to avoid large crowds and tourist crap. Absolutely gorgeous. TONS of hiking, swimming, scenic drives, local cuisine, etc.

Nice, thanks Cory, that's what I was looking for

Not really the hiking, kinda lazy ya know? But avoiding crouds and other tourists, that's me.

Also not worried about "culinary experience" - not why I'm getting away

Kevin M · 2010-10-12, 10:33 AM

Don't worry, all the crazy good sushi places you want to take the woman to will serve you teriyaki chicken or something.

ryan4601 · 2010-10-12, 10:47 AM

Having lived in Hawaii for the majority of my life, I suggest going to Maui for vacation. In my opinion it is the best combination of everything good that Hawaii has to offer. Decent selection of hotels from the extravagant to the affordable. Good shopping, good food, good tourist style things and also decent flight options. You can fly into Kahului directly from nearly every major airport on the west coast.

Several reasons why I suggest Maui over 2 of the other 3 major islands (Big Island & Kauai). Both the big island and Kauai are beautiful. Honestly, Kauai has some of the prettiest scenery that the world has to offer. Not a whole lot to do there though unless camping, hiking and fishing are what you would like to do for a week. Just a tough place to fill a weeks worth of vacation. Biggest draw for the big island is the volcano. Getting to watch an active lava flow roll into the ocean is incredible, but again, not a whole lot else to do there. Huge island, not a lot of people.

Oahu (where I'm from) probably has the best shopping, good beaches, but TONS of people. You have to remember that a million people live in the city and county of Honolulu plus upwards of 200,000 tourists on any given day of the year. Traffic & crowds are two things that most people don't plan on having to deal with when going on vacation to Hawaii. That aside, Honolulu has Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the best flight options.

Getting back to Maui, Kevin, Mauna Kea is spectacular, but watching the sunrise on Haleakala is something that everyone should see in their lifetime. You are above the clouds, and on a clear day, you can see every island in the state. Maui also has some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. Road to Hana as Dean mentioned is a cool day trip and a week will give you more than enough time to hit pretty much everything that you should. Also Maui is far less crowded and "city" like than Oahu (honolulu). We are talking the difference between approx 200,000 residents (Maui) vs. 1,000,000 residents on Oahu. So traffic, crowds and all else will be reduced. Not sure about the summer, but whale watching is also the best on Maui both from the shore and from the many whale tours.

Although I suggest Maui, any of the 4 major islands will make for a great vacation. Make your choice, buy a tour book and enjoy.
Ryan

cody · 2010-10-12, 11:43 AM

Our friends, Michelle and Whelan, invited us to stay for 10 days in Kona with them this winter. Michelle's boss offered up his house (not sure if it's a timeshare or not) so we'll save a bunch not having to stay in a hotel. We'll probably do a bunch of snorkeling and surfing (Whelan surfs).

We went to Kauai with my uncle a couple years ago. It was beautiful. The highlights were snorkeling, hiking, a boat trip up the Na Pali Coast complete with dolphins and snorkeling with sea turtles. I also tried to surf, without much luck.

rory_a · 2010-10-12, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

Don't worry, all the crazy good sushi places you want to take the woman to will serve you teriyaki chicken or something.

Just what I was thinking

rory_a · 2010-10-12, 01:25 PM

How far is Maui from the big island? Meaning, if we wanted to stay in Maui, could we take a day trip to see molten rock pour into the ocean?

sperry · 2010-10-12, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rory_a

How far is Maui from the big island? Meaning, if we wanted to stay in Maui, could we take a day trip to see molten rock pour into the ocean?

You could just microwave a peperoni Hot Pocket for 5 minutes too long to see a close approximation. Probably much cheaper than hopping a ferry.

rory_a · 2010-10-12, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

You could just microwave a peperoni Hot Pocket for 5 minutes too long to see a close approximation. Probably much cheaper than hopping a ferry.

lofnl

Me thinks it just won't be the same

ryan4601 · 2010-10-12, 03:21 PM

Maui to the Big Island is about 100 miles, but the volcano is on the other side from where Maui is. So you would most likely fly from Kahului to Hilo and then take the hour drive up to the volcano. Would be a pretty sweet 1-2 day trip though.

Ryan

Nick Koan · 2010-10-12, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

You could just microwave a peperoni Hot Pocket for 5 minutes too long to see a close approximation. Probably much cheaper than hopping a ferry.

It wouldn't be the same, unless he threw it into the ocean.

MPREZIV · 2010-10-13, 07:14 AM

Listen to Ryan, he clearly knows what he's talking about!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan4601

... Honestly, Kauai has some of the prettiest scenery that the world has to offer. Not a whole lot to do there though unless camping, hiking and fishing are what you would like to do for a week...

That was the biggest draw for me! Wake up hung over around 10am, breakfast, walk/swim/hike, lunch, walk/swim/hike, dinner, drinks, sunset, drinks... rinse, repeat. Right up my alley!

rory_a · 2010-10-14, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Listen to Ryan, he clearly knows what he's talking about!

Wake up around 10am, breakfast, lounge/swim/nothing, lunch, lounge/swim/nothing, dinner, lounge/nothing, sunset, ... rinse, repeat.

that's the plan

dknv · 2010-10-16, 03:36 PM

ah, Hawaii - you lucky dog. This thread makes me want to take another vacation there (and based on Ryan's description, next stop Maui!).

Places/tours I'd recommend: Oahu - traditional luau, Dole Plantation tour, North Shore (big surf destination); Pearl Harbor Memorial tour (very moving);
Kauai - sugar cane plantation tour, drive the island in a rented convertible, helicopter ride over Waimea Canyon/Napali Coast, hiking the canyon, boat tour of Napali Coast
Big Island - definitely the Volcanoes national park! Kona is a cool resort area.
I think all of the islands have bicycle rentals, fishing tours (highly recommended), and snorkeling (highly recommended!).

rory_a · 2010-10-18, 05:00 PM

Definitely snorkeling, and probably a jet ski rental.

First time to the islands - most of the places I've been people don't want to go, and most of the places people want to go, I haven't been.

This one's a special trip though, so we're gonna make it count.

rory_a · 2011-07-18, 03:38 PM

So jenn and I are taking off for our honeymoon in just under a week. But, need to rent a car. Flying into Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, and driving around north shore to get to kanapali where our hotel is on the west coast. Will also be driving probably everyday we are there.

Anyone got any recommendations for the best place to get a decent deal and a decent car? What car should I be looking for? I know some of ya travel a bit. I don't. No idea what to look for. Was going to go for a convertible mustang, but just isn't worth four times as much to still have an auto.

Any recommendations?

MattR · 2011-07-18, 03:43 PM

Last time I was there, I picked up a Subaru Forester from AVIS and it was priced as a mid-size.

cody · 2011-07-18, 03:44 PM

I just did The Big Island in January. We scored great car rental pricing through Alamo. They have Fords and Nissans. Definitely get the Nissan. We drove a big Ford sedan since we had 4 adults and a baby. What a piece. Wish we had got the Nissan since they're the same price.

cody · 2011-07-18, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattR

Last time I was there, I picked up a Subaru Forester from AVIS and it was priced as a mid-size.

That would be sweet. There are several places that we wanted to go that required a 4X4. The loaner SUV that we had access to wouldn't start though.

Try kayak.com.

rory_a · 2011-07-18, 03:55 PM

I've been on kayak, seems to list the best prices with being able to tell the car. I'll probably be calling whatever place we go with to make sure(ish) I know what model I'm getting.

Las time I rented a car we ended up with a jeep liberty in la. It was a piece, but after jumping it a few times, three wheeling it and basically destroying it, it was actually fairly solid

Was wondering if there's one of the avencues that has a better compact, a mid size that's better than the full..... Fuel economy is going to be up there for us, I'm sure gas ain't cheap on the island. We are also looping the full island, and bombing the road to Hana at least once. I was trying to rent a Porsche or something for that one day, may go for a Harley or something though? Just want to make it worth it, ya know?

2010-10-11, 07:39 PM	#1
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	Where to go in Hawaii? Planning a trip to Hawaii next summer, and know a few of y'all have been there at least once or twice. Any tips on where to go? No specifics on what we'd like to do, mainly beach and pool and hot tub, which we can get just about anywhere. I don't know Hawaii at all, never been, and so not sure what's good, on the cheap. Budget is a big part - let's just say limited. Thoughts? Recommendations? Planned timing is last week in July, if that makes any difference.

2010-10-11, 08:03 PM	#2
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Rent the crappiest car you can. Drive to the summit of Mauna Kea. Drive back down from Mauna Kea. Enjoy. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2010-10-11, 08:09 PM	#3
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Maui: Road to Hana Waikiki: Learn to surf if you don't know how. Eat fresh fish/sushi at every opportunity. Everything else is sun and sand. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2010-10-11, 09:02 PM	#5
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	I don't eat shellfish either, but if you don't like fish- it's going to be a boring culinary experience. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2010-10-12, 07:14 AM	#6
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	Kauai island comes highly recommended, from someone who likes to avoid large crowds and tourist crap. Absolutely gorgeous. TONS of hiking, swimming, scenic drives, local cuisine, etc. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2010-10-11, 08:44 PM	#4
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	Any location that much better than another? Planning for a week, and I'm the type to stay in one hotel, but take trips. Will definitely have a car. So, main island? Or one of the littluns? And while I won't eat any seafood, I'm sure Jenn will every night

2010-10-12, 10:33 AM	#8
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Don't worry, all the crazy good sushi places you want to take the woman to will serve you teriyaki chicken or something. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2010-10-12, 10:47 AM	#9
ryan4601 EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 244 Car: 2004 wrx	Having lived in Hawaii for the majority of my life, I suggest going to Maui for vacation. In my opinion it is the best combination of everything good that Hawaii has to offer. Decent selection of hotels from the extravagant to the affordable. Good shopping, good food, good tourist style things and also decent flight options. You can fly into Kahului directly from nearly every major airport on the west coast. Several reasons why I suggest Maui over 2 of the other 3 major islands (Big Island & Kauai). Both the big island and Kauai are beautiful. Honestly, Kauai has some of the prettiest scenery that the world has to offer. Not a whole lot to do there though unless camping, hiking and fishing are what you would like to do for a week. Just a tough place to fill a weeks worth of vacation. Biggest draw for the big island is the volcano. Getting to watch an active lava flow roll into the ocean is incredible, but again, not a whole lot else to do there. Huge island, not a lot of people. Oahu (where I'm from) probably has the best shopping, good beaches, but TONS of people. You have to remember that a million people live in the city and county of Honolulu plus upwards of 200,000 tourists on any given day of the year. Traffic & crowds are two things that most people don't plan on having to deal with when going on vacation to Hawaii. That aside, Honolulu has Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the best flight options. Getting back to Maui, Kevin, Mauna Kea is spectacular, but watching the sunrise on Haleakala is something that everyone should see in their lifetime. You are above the clouds, and on a clear day, you can see every island in the state. Maui also has some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. Road to Hana as Dean mentioned is a cool day trip and a week will give you more than enough time to hit pretty much everything that you should. Also Maui is far less crowded and "city" like than Oahu (honolulu). We are talking the difference between approx 200,000 residents (Maui) vs. 1,000,000 residents on Oahu. So traffic, crowds and all else will be reduced. Not sure about the summer, but whale watching is also the best on Maui both from the shore and from the many whale tours. Although I suggest Maui, any of the 4 major islands will make for a great vacation. Make your choice, buy a tour book and enjoy. Ryan Last edited by ryan4601; 2010-10-12 at 10:50 AM.

2010-10-12, 11:43 AM	#10
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Our friends, Michelle and Whelan, invited us to stay for 10 days in Kona with them this winter. Michelle's boss offered up his house (not sure if it's a timeshare or not) so we'll save a bunch not having to stay in a hotel. We'll probably do a bunch of snorkeling and surfing (Whelan surfs). We went to Kauai with my uncle a couple years ago. It was beautiful. The highlights were snorkeling, hiking, a boat trip up the Na Pali Coast complete with dolphins and snorkeling with sea turtles. I also tried to surf, without much luck. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-10-12, 01:25 PM	#12
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	How far is Maui from the big island? Meaning, if we wanted to stay in Maui, could we take a day trip to see molten rock pour into the ocean?

2010-10-12, 03:21 PM	#15
ryan4601 EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 244 Car: 2004 wrx	Maui to the Big Island is about 100 miles, but the volcano is on the other side from where Maui is. So you would most likely fly from Kahului to Hilo and then take the hour drive up to the volcano. Would be a pretty sweet 1-2 day trip though. Ryan

2010-10-16, 03:36 PM	#19
dknv EJ207 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: 39n53, 119w90 Posts: 2,698 Car: RX-8 Class: CS maybe	ah, Hawaii - you lucky dog. This thread makes me want to take another vacation there (and based on Ryan's description, next stop Maui!). Places/tours I'd recommend: Oahu - traditional luau, Dole Plantation tour, North Shore (big surf destination); Pearl Harbor Memorial tour (very moving); Kauai - sugar cane plantation tour, drive the island in a rented convertible, helicopter ride over Waimea Canyon/Napali Coast, hiking the canyon, boat tour of Napali Coast Big Island - definitely the Volcanoes national park! Kona is a cool resort area. I think all of the islands have bicycle rentals, fishing tours (highly recommended), and snorkeling (highly recommended!).

2010-10-18, 05:00 PM	#20
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	Definitely snorkeling, and probably a jet ski rental. First time to the islands - most of the places I've been people don't want to go, and most of the places people want to go, I haven't been. This one's a special trip though, so we're gonna make it count.

2011-07-18, 03:38 PM	#21
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	So jenn and I are taking off for our honeymoon in just under a week. But, need to rent a car. Flying into Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, and driving around north shore to get to kanapali where our hotel is on the west coast. Will also be driving probably everyday we are there. Anyone got any recommendations for the best place to get a decent deal and a decent car? What car should I be looking for? I know some of ya travel a bit. I don't. No idea what to look for. Was going to go for a convertible mustang, but just isn't worth four times as much to still have an auto. Any recommendations?

2011-07-18, 03:43 PM	#22
MattR El Matador Real Name: Matt Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 10,660 Car: 2012 Toyota Tacoma Class: ?	Last time I was there, I picked up a Subaru Forester from AVIS and it was priced as a mid-size. __________________ "Dallas..We have a problem.”

2011-07-18, 03:44 PM	#23
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I just did The Big Island in January. We scored great car rental pricing through Alamo. They have Fords and Nissans. Definitely get the Nissan. We drove a big Ford sedan since we had 4 adults and a baby. What a piece. Wish we had got the Nissan since they're the same price. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2011-07-18, 03:55 PM	#25
rory_a EJ251 Real Name: Rory Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 607 Car: Miata, shit. Class: Out Classed NOW WITH 100% LESS STI!	I've been on kayak, seems to list the best prices with being able to tell the car. I'll probably be calling whatever place we go with to make sure(ish) I know what model I'm getting. Las time I rented a car we ended up with a jeep liberty in la. It was a piece, but after jumping it a few times, three wheeling it and basically destroying it, it was actually fairly solid Was wondering if there's one of the avencues that has a better compact, a mid size that's better than the full..... Fuel economy is going to be up there for us, I'm sure gas ain't cheap on the island. We are also looping the full island, and bombing the road to Hana at least once. I was trying to rent a Porsche or something for that one day, may go for a Harley or something though? Just want to make it worth it, ya know?

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