Where would you vacation in Hawaii?

10 years ago

Just got back from our Alaskan cruisetour that my Mom took the whole family on and had a wonderful time! Now, I would like to repay my Mom by taking her to Hawaii, probably in early April when the rains have somewhat stopped. For those of you who know Hawaii, where would you go? My Mom will be almost 82 and is in great health, but she can't hike or do any of that sort of thing.

I actually spent 6 months in Hawaii back in the late 80's, and have been to most of the islands so I will probably be somewhat familiar with locations but I know things change and want some recent opinions. We would like to rent a small house as opposed to a condo. I found a perfect one, but it's on Oahu north shore and I think we would prefer Lanai, Maui, or the big Island.

Hawaii is the only state my Mom hasn't been to, and I'd really like her to see it! Thanks for your help:)

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Comments (16)

rob333 (zone 7b)
10 years ago
Oahu is more fun. More things to do. More touristy.

Maui is better if you're looking for pure beauty and quiet.

Big Island has every color of sand in the world.

Honestly, you can't go wrong; they're all great. But what do you want to do?
MiMi
10 years ago
That is really wonderful of you and a trip she will treasure I'm sure. My only thought is that the sand on the North Shore is very hard to walk in. You sink down in in when you walk, I don't really know how to explain it.. soft and squishy and it's dry except at the water's edge. I found it really tiring to walk there. Your mom simply can't go to Hawaii without walking on the beach at sunset... at least some. Be sure to take her to the famous snow cone place that's on the North Shore... can't remember the name of it right now...
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hilltop - So glad to hear it is a small ship cruise. No worries with regard to "Titanic-like" concerns. These lines have ice-breaker hulls that are specifically built to go to places like Antarctica as well as up to the High Arctic. So many of your concerns mirror mine at the time of our trip to the High Arctic. I traveled with my DH's family (MIL & FIL), DH's sibs & their spouses, etc. It really worked out fine and they are a tough group, lol. We were all really only together each evening cocktail hour, wrap up of the day by the various experts who travel with the ship to teach/talk to passengers about the trip, what you can see, etc., prior to dining (French service) each evening. The breakfast and lunch service took place in the dining room for a more formal meal, or a buffet in another large gathering room (cocktail hour/films/group discussion area) on the ship. Yes, we were together at times on the zodiac trips, but many of the on shore trips were hikes and the like, and those are broken into groups by ability levels and/or what you were feeling like doing of what was offered off of the ship on any particular day. Since I traveled with my DD, I chose things that were comparable with her interest/ability, etc. There were things that others in our group wanted to do in an advanced group, so they did as they wished. These small ship "expedition-type" trips are fashioned to give every level of ability something to do through the entire voyage. There is also plenty of "alone" time built in should you wish to do that. The ship had a library on board, as well as other places on the ship where you could curl up with reading material, or just sit on the deck and watch the beautiful scenery. EVERYONE, including a couple in their 90's had a wonderful time. You will be spending time at sea for sure, and there will be areas where you will definitely encounter rough seas. We did as well. No one in our group had much trouble. I visited our PCP prior to the trip for scripts for the ear patch solution to sea-sickness for all 3 of us. We never applied them. DD had an issue one full day at sea, but she stayed in her bunk in our stateroom. Since we were at sea, she really didn't miss much, and the concierge (sp?) was very accomodating in coordinating with me in order that she would be able to eat anything she wished, at any time. Our ship offered 3 meals per day. When we would come back from a hike or whatnot, there would be hot chocolate and warm cookies awaiting our return. The biggest misconception some people have is that if they're nauseous or feeling at all seasick, they think they shouldn't eat. It is the complete opposite. Eat when you start to feel a bit seasick, and it will help immensely. Our ship also provided Dramamine for anyone who needed it. DD used that a few days when she was not feeling great and it worked well. Between eating and using a small amount of Dramamine, she accompanied me on all on shore excursions. The rough day at sea, DD slept thru, but didn't miss anything as we were just moving from one place to the next. There will be days on your trip when your ship won't stop to allow passengers to go out on the zodiacs because there isn't anyplace to go enroute, or if conditions aren't completely safe, the ship will not allow the zodiacs to be put into the water. However, when you can get out, your excursions will blow you away. Your gear is essential. That would be one discussion I wish I had prior to the trip. Don't get me wrong, the travel company provided us with a load of material on what to bring and so on. However, when you are traveling in August to a place that is below 32 degrees most of the time, you need to pack wisely. Layering is key, and since that trip, I've never been cold again. Of course, I over-packed, and would suggest not doing so as it was unnecessary as our ship had laundry service, and anything that was wet (gear-wise) was hung in a drying room in order to be ready whenever the next opportunity to go off of the ship arose. These off ship excursions are planned on a daily itinerary which you're given each evening after dinner for the following day. However, when the weather is right in these areas, you have to get while the getting is good. The announcement would be made that the zodiacs could go and we would have approx. 15-30 minutes to gear up if we wanted to go. It was really fun and exciting to fly by the seat of my pants so to say as I am usually a very "by the plan" type person. It was a trip of a lifetime and given the opportunity to do it all again, I would not hesitate for even a second. I don't have my email linked to GW. In the event you do, and would like to talk off forum about the small ship cruises to destinations such as the Arctic or Antarctica, please let me know and I will send you an email. Alternatively, you can email me at xworkinprogressx@gmail.com if that would work better for you. I happen to sincerely agree with your DS, don't miss this one!
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I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. I lost mine the day after Thanksgiving (alzheimer's -- the cousin of ALS) and my dad at the end of April I know my mom would not have wanted to keep me from a trip. In fact, she waited until I left her room. My dad also passed after I went home to get a little sleep and before I could get back. One of the hospice nurses told me that happens in a majority of cases. They may not want you to witness their last breath. Your photos are beautiful and it looks like a wonderful way to reconnect with life, reflect and recharge. I hope you felt your mom's presence and her blessings while you were there. I know she was in your heart. The memorial service sounds perfect for her, you and your sister.
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We've vacationed on St.John and St.Thomas in mid-January and the weather was lovely there then. We actually rented a villa on St.Thomas in Peterborg Estates. It overlooked Magen's Bay and was just down the road from the place President Clinton stays at. The place was very family-friendly (3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 6 patios, big gourmet kitchen, infinity-edge pool and drop-dead views) but it was a bit of a nightmare driving around the island to get anywhere. I swear, 95% of that place is on an incline! Parking and negotiating roads with no signs was a bit frustrating at times. Still, it was a fun place. We'd take the car ferry over to St.John's to snorkel and relax. For a family-friendly place, of the two, St.J's would be my first choice. It's drop-dead gorgeous and the water is great there. It's quiet, peaceful and looked to be very safe. No nightlife that I saw, though, but we weren't looking for any ;^D We had taken the kids (then age 18 & 8) on a week-long Caribbean cruise the year before. As Carole mentioned, it's a safe choice for kids and *some* cruise ships have a lot of things for them to do. We were on one of the Princess ships and booked two staterooms that connected by their private outside balconies, as we didn't want our 8 y/o DD to have to walk out in the hallway to get to our room. Our 18 y/o son had a great time and met lots of teenage girls on the ship. They hung out together, while on board. 8y/o DD got bored with the kids' camp and stayed with DH & I after the second day. The pools on board were very crowded and DH dislikes crowds, so he spent a lot of at-sea time reading on our room's balcony . . . which was lovely, BTW. We saw some shows on board. The kids liked the food and having their own stateroom. We never did hit the midnight buffets or their happy hours. At every port, we avoided the ship's island excursions and hired a private car & driver for the day. It honestly cost us about the same amount as 4 tickets on one of those open-air, jam-packed tour buses . . . and we could go where WE wanted, when WE wanted, for as long as we wanted . . . and it was air conditioned! Our drivers were great tour guides and avoided the congested, tourist-packed places in favor of some great shops, beaches and restaurants. Both our kids loved our island days, swimming and snorkeling, stopping at fun shops and restaurants. It's the only way I'd ever go on a cruise again. DH, on the other hand, thought the at-sea days were a waste of time, hence, our next trip back to the Caribbean was the (above) trip to St. T & ST.John. Another possible place you might want to check into is the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. As a couple, we stayed at a hotel resort, but next time (with kids)I'd definitely rent one of the small, private beach villas on Long Bay or Apple Bay. Great beaches, fabulous snorkeling; good food. The main town, Road Town, was fun the first day, but there's not that much to see. West End is fun and much busier, as it's the jumping off place for bare-boating in that part of the Caribbean. Crowded, though. The island is fairly small and had not one traffic light that I recall, just roundabouts here and there. To get to Tortola, we had to catch a plane in Puerto Rico that took us to their small airport on the connected, Beef Island. BTW, you definitely need to rent a car on any of the above islands. Lynn
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not to throw you a total curve, but the reason the Hawaiians and missionaries used koa, mango, and other exotic woods is because they stand up to the humidity (I'm on Oahu). You see a lot of teak around the island - also used on boats as it does not swell - but its color is lighter - and often more Scandinavian in design. Rattan used a lot and I love the look, but impossible in my mind to keep really clean looking over time as dust and crumbs fall in. Pacific Craftworks on Oahu sells custom cabinets made from mostly darker colored woods in Viet Nam - another tropical place - that should hold up to Hawaii weather (no affiliation) - some looks like mahogany but different wood. We used them in our master bath and the prices weren't bad. The dark woods are traditional but too much can make the room feel heavy. Hawaiian homes were influenced by missionaries from New England, cowboys, Balinese, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Europeans, and plantation owners. So we don't have a purely beach feel - the white rattan look is more East Coast. Tropical is the darker, wider strip, rattan. Here it is all about moss rock, exotic woods, flowers, surfboards, waves, turtles, pineapple, dark sea blues and green foliage mixed with white, cream, and woven mats. If you stick to the white (which will look clean, fresh, and airy) make sure they are quality boxes to hold up to the humidity. For the Hawaii vibe decorate with a few koa or monkeypod (less expensive) chairs, coffee table, or a bowl on your counter, bring in the light and the air and avoid kitsch. Your koa fan will tie into those accents. The one you have chosen is very modern looking and I understand that fewer blades (3 to 4) move more air than 5. Traditionally locals used lots of fans to move the trade winds and homes were designed to pull in the trades. Don't fall for a kitschy fan if it doesn't function well. Suggest any fabrics have local tropical flowers (ginger, heliconia) in large, lush prints. Your inspiration Kauai cottage has beautiful accent pillows that illustrate this - the upholstery is beige but the pillows have heliconia and tropical leaves to bring in color.
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susanjf_gw
10 years ago
my mom went on a cruise that visited several islands..so one unpacking which she liked...she could get off or not as she chose...

I'd like the idea of maui, over Oahu, but then i'd like to see the Arizona, and the palace...
angelaid
10 years ago
Going to Lahaina with a friend in November.
Jodi_SoCal
10 years ago
We love the Big Island ... so diverse. And they have a great infrastructure so driving around it is a breeze.

Just don't attempt to drive Saddle Road (the one that cuts across the island) if any of you have a weak heart. Between the signs that read "Danger, Overhead Artillary Firing", black lava hot from the sun and winding road where the locals drive the center line, it's a challenge and at the time we drove it, many car rental agencies would not let you take your car on Saddle Road. But it's cool to watch the island slowly change from hot, arid desert to rain forest as you drive west to east.

Just some of the sights on the big island of Hawaii:
- Kona side of the island which is dry with great snorkeling
- Hilo side which is a rain forest
- Volcano's National Park (south island)
- Kona coffee plantation (Kona side)
- Volcano Winery (south island)
- Muana Loa macadamia nut factory (Hilo side)
- Parker Ranch, one of the nation's largest cattle ranches (north on the island)
- And lots of beautiful beaches. Lots of them.

Jodi-
redcurls
10 years ago
Kauai. I like Maui, too, but Kauai is - by far - my favorite. Have visited at least a dozen times. Been to all of them including Molokai and Lanai. Oahu IS beautiful, but far too built-up and congested. It's like visiting any other skyscraper city.
grandmamary_ga
10 years ago
We liked Maui. It was many years ago. I'm sure its changed a lot. We also were on Oahu twice but it is busy but we did enjoy both the islands. Wonderful trip and still have fond memories of being there.
Mary
glenda_al
10 years ago
Spent a month on Oahu, when stepson was stationed at Red Baty with the coast guard.

My family and I island hopped and I preferred Kauai.

But that was a long time ago. I wasn't that big of a lover of Oahu, but did enjoy going to certain tourist sites.

The cultural center was awesome, can't think of the name of it now. Spent the whole day there. Polynesian Cultural Center, that's the name.

If I were to go NOW, I'd love to do the islands cruise. Princess cruise line would be my preference.
chisue
10 years ago
Rates go down after mid-April. You'd still see some whales off Maui then. May is a little less expensive and less busy before the onslaught of mainland families when kids are on summer breaks. May is really a 'blooming' time all over the islands too.

We've spent two to four weeks on all four major islands -- but in winter months. Big Island is my favorite, but when we bought it was South Maui -- more 'man made' conveniences on Maui for a property owner.

I'd 'prescribe' flights in and out of HNL on widebody aircraft. Spend some time showing Mom historic sights around Oahu, then hop to Big Island for longer. You need a week, minimum, if you want to stay sunny Kohala Coast and also a night or two in the town of Volcano. Mauna Lani has nice condos; I'm not fond of (tacky) Kona Town.

Lanai is kind of a pain to get to, and Four Seasons is the major deal there.

You can get a ton of information from the forums on Trip Advisor.
Lindsey_CA
10 years ago
My absolute favorite, hands down, is Kauai. They don't call it "the garden isle" for nothing. Especially in the spring when all of the flowers are in bloom.
sleeperblues
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I haven't really started researching yet, still trying to decompress from Alaska, lol. How come it takes me days to get back to a normal routine everytime I vacation the older I get?

I do love Kauai, did the Na Pali coast trail when we were there. Quite beautiful, but quite dangerous. Waimea canyon is like a mini grand canyon. I think Kauai is my favorite isle, but for mostly active endeavors. I think it would be too much for my Mom, so am leaning towards Maui and the Big Island.

I just wanted to get some personal opinions before I start looking, so thank you all for that.
susanjf_gw
10 years ago
just the idea she's going to a place so many people would to do is fun...i'd check with hotels for possible wheel chair/scooter rental...she'd be able to see more and not get so tired...

and I bet they have bus tours of the main goodies?
Lindsey_CA
10 years ago
"Waimea canyon is like a mini grand canyon." Yep, that's why it's called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." :-)

Kauai is the most laid-back, and relaxed island. It's not the place to go if you want a lot of activity. It's the only island with navigable rivers, too. You can take a nice, slow ride up a river to the Fern Grotto.

When we go to Kauai, we always stay at the Grand Hyatt (Poipu area). I can be perfectly content never leaving the grounds of that place.
jmc01
10 years ago
for those of you who island hop, do you do it on an island hopping tour or do you arrange individual flights, one by one?
chisue
10 years ago
jmc -- You need at least three weeks in Hawaii to stay on each of the four major islands. On our first trip In the years before TSA my DH, DS and I stayed on four islands in two weeks. Since then we've never stayed less than two weeks on any one island. FAST is not what Hawaii is all about -- not enough time to get on Island Time and soak up the Aloha.

Now you lose almost half a day per 'hop' -- same TSA nonsense as with any mainland flight, plus the packing up, getting to an airport, checking luggage, waiting for luggage, picking up a rental car, finding your new lodgings and settling in. The 30-minute flights are the least of it!

There is an NCL cruise that departs Honolulu every Saturday afternoon and calls at Kauai, Maui and Big Island. You can glimpse some of the highlights of each island on the ship's tours or by reserving a rental car for DIY touring.
amyfiddler
10 years ago
We went to maui for spring break, first week in april...and it raied the whole week. I'm still bitter about it- we are from seattle and really needed and looked forward to legendary hawaiian sunshine and we are still paying for the very expensive trip.

I would go to the big island in May.

Where would you vacation in Hawaii?

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rob333 (zone 7b)

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Where would you vacation in Hawaii?

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