I'm hoping for some Hawai'i tips. I'm heading there for a week in early December.

Food and drink is the info I'm after but any other tips would be appreciated.

I know about Dukes and the Yardhouse and will be frequenting those two fine establishments.

Best burger, best ribs, best beer etc plus any higher end stuff.

North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, Visit the USS Arizona Memorial (It's free)

I totally agree with the above suggestions and if you have time take an island tour. There is so much to see on the island, not just Waikiki and Honolulu.

Not sure where you're staying but the breakfast at the Shore Bird at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach was the best breakfast I ever had and the views are amazing. Dukes is fun, but get there early or it will be standing room only.

I don't think Pearl Harbor is free, but it's well worth the cost. We had an amazing day there.

Take some time to walk the streets. Night time is fun and it's all lit up with little white lights. Check out the old Royal Hawaiian if you like that sort of thing. Gorgeous hotel.

Enjoy and Aloha!!

#1 Gonna surf? take lessons and don't try without someone there to save you.

#2 Snorkel Hanauma Bay, plan on spending the day, get there early, you don't have to be a good swimmer/diver

#3 Do all of your souvenir shopping at "hilohattie", it's a huge store that hotel trollies/buses take people to regularly. They have the same stuff as every single other store but it's a little better priced

#4 Rent a jeep and travel the island for a day, it's cool to see things off the beaten path

#5 RESPECT THE OCEAN, even if it looks like you can boogie board, swim or whatever, think about these words "respect the ocean"

#6 Don't drink 15 mi ties, even if they are a dollar.

#7 Enjoy the amazing smells and fresh pineapple at every meal, the place is magic in this regard

#8 Wear sunscreen and lots of it every second you are in the sun. Not sure what the deal is but the sun there is insane and will burn the shot out of you in minutes

#9 If you're on a budget, eat at the little stores that are on every block. They have the basics and while a little more pricey, it's not as crazy as spending $50 on dinner every night

#10 Spend some time to just relax on the beach. It's amazing and so peaceful these words can't begin to explain.

Just my have a good time!

Def respect the ocean itl kill you if your not aware of your limitations dont goof around. Hanauma Bay is cool but it can be dangerous if your notta well trained scooba diver, watch where you are, I almost died there. Wear sunscreen you can catch a terrible burn I know I did and it It sucked bad.The sands hotter than fire wear something on your feet at the beaches. The Arizonas sad but cool, go clubbing dont drink ,be mindful of your surroundings the lasttime i was there i swear the locals were damn rude n a large pizza was as pricy as a new car. Dont carry cash. And if your gonna rent a car take the car rental sticker its sign that says rob me. .. On the off chance you do some boogie boarding sandy beach is dangerous as fuck dont do it if you dont know the place.Makapu n Waimanalo beach are really cool.

[Edited 11/20/13 16:33pm]

Empress said:

I totally agree with the above suggestions and if you have time take an island tour. There is so much to see on the island, not just Waikiki and Honolulu.

Not sure where you're staying but the breakfast at the Shore Bird at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach was the best breakfast I ever had and the views are amazing. Dukes is fun, but get there early or it will be standing room only.

I don't think Pearl Harbor is free, but it's well worth the cost. We had an amazing day there.

Take some time to walk the streets. Night time is fun and it's all lit up with little white lights. Check out the old Royal Hawaiian if you like that sort of thing. Gorgeous hotel.

Enjoy and Aloha!!

The visit to the USS Arizona is FREE. The Battleship Missouri cost money

Please don't take sand, coral, or lava rocks. Leave it there so the ocean will remain healthy. OK leave lava rocks behind because they are cursed by the fire god Pele. You be surprise how many tourist mail them back to Hawaii.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing.

Do not take pictures of the locals without their permission. Fuck it, don't even take a picture with their permission.

It cost a friend of mine his life. I am not joking about this.

MAUI

Access via inter island plane Aloha Airlines. Visit the former whaling town of Lahaina. Maui volcano Haleakala - start early because it takes a long while and do not stay up there too long as when it gets dark it can be dangerous going down as it will be dark, no lights. I believe it has only enough room for one car to travel on, or hike there.

OAHU

Go see Hilo Hattie's factory- Hawaiian shirts and stuff, Polynesian Village (run by the Mormons) featuring south pacific islanders (villages and evening show), no alcohol available, all you can eat buffet. Ala Moana Mall (open air). And keep your money, passport and other valuables at your hotel safe and/or room safe - Keep an eye on any valuables on the beach such as a camera, etc. Go also to Punch Bowl (war memorial), USS Arizona tour, Snorkel in the reef at Hanauma Bay, Catamaran cruises. Never been to a Luau, was told by a local that poi tastes gross. Check out any good shows at biggie name hotels such as the Hilton, Hyatt, etc.

Cost of living in Hawaii is high. Use a high numbered waterproof sun screen Wear your sandals when walking on the sand, it is hot to the soles of your feet. And buy a beach mat, they are cheap, light to carry and you can take them home!

[Edited 11/20/13 14:52pm]

Take a drive up Tantilus Drive, at the top is a great view over looking Honolulu. Go there during the day because at night since it's close to the University of Hawaii alot of college students go up there at night and drink and smoke (they can get rowdy). Hike up Diamond head crater. it's a good work out. Check out the Pali look out (It's very windy up there). Also if you go to the beach and see sea turtles keep your distance. Don't go up to them and pet them and take pictures. They are endanger species and you can get fined for that.

Dealing with locals. OK the local population is made up of many ethnic backgrounds such as but not limited to Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Caucasians, Koreans, Samoans, and Filipnos. Like everything in life saying thank you and please will get you along way. Alot of tourist come to Hawaii and start becoming demanding. Once you start acting like that you will not get respect. Show respect you'll get respect. Now I know every one wants to come and have fun, and that's fine but know your limits. Drinking- fine have a few drinks but don't get drunk. If you are an angry drunk and are looking for a fight you will get one.

Slave2daGroove said:

kpowers said:

Empress said:

I totally agree with the above suggestions and if you have time take an island tour. There is so much to see on the island, not just Waikiki and Honolulu.

Not sure where you're staying but the breakfast at the Shore Bird at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach was the best breakfast I ever had and the views are amazing. Dukes is fun, but get there early or it will be standing room only.

I don't think Pearl Harbor is free, but it's well worth the cost. We had an amazing day there.

Take some time to walk the streets. Night time is fun and it's all lit up with little white lights. Check out the old Royal Hawaiian if you like that sort of thing. Gorgeous hotel.

Enjoy and Aloha!!

The visit to the USS Arizona is FREE. The Battleship Missouri cost money

You could be right about that. I don't remember it being free but I did see the Mighty Mo, so maybe that's where my confusion lies.

To Lust - we did a great island tour where we stopped at various different places. I really enjoyed the Macadamian nut farm and the Byodo Temple. The temple was one of the most serene places I've ever been.

I also agree that you need to respect the ocean. When I was in Kauai last year there were 5 drownings during the 2 weeks we were there.

luv4u said:

MAUI

Access via inter island plane Aloha Airlines. Visit the former whaling town of Lahaina. Maui volcano Haleakala - start early because it takes a long while and do not stay up there too long as when it gets dark it can be dangerous going down as it will be dark, no lights. I believe it has only enough room for one car to travel on, or hike there.

OAHU

Go see Hilo Hattie's factory- Hawaiian shirts and stuff, Polynesian Village (run by the Mormons) featuring south pacific islanders (villages and evening show), no alcohol available, all you can eat buffet. Ala Moana Mall (open air). And keep your money, passport and other valuables at your hotel safe and/or room safe - Keep an eye on any valuables on the beach such as a camera, etc. Go also to Punch Bowl (war memorial), USS Arizona tour, Snorkel in the reef at Hanauma Bay, Catamaran cruises. Never been to a Luau, was told by a local that poi tastes gross. Check out any good shows at biggie name hotels such as the Hilton, Hyatt, etc.

Cost of living in Hawaii is high. Use a high numbered waterproof sun screen Wear your sandals when walking on the sand, it is hot to the soles of your feet. And buy a beach mat, they are cheap, light to carry and you can take them home!

The sunrise at Haleakala is an awesome sight. We got up at 2:30 in the morning and drove up that winding road in the dark. You do have to be very careful and take your time. It was worth every treacherous twist and turn. Something I would definitely do again. It was magical.

Maui is my favourite place to vacation. The Road to Hana is stunning and there are so many other places on the island that are just gorgeous.

Empress said:

kpowers said:

The visit to the USS Arizona is FREE. The Battleship Missouri cost money

You could be right about that. I don't remember it being free but I did see the Mighty Mo, so maybe that's where my confusion lies.

To Lust - we did a great island tour where we stopped at various different places. I really enjoyed the Macadamian nut farm and the Byodo Temple. The temple was one of the most serene places I've ever been.

I also agree that you need to respect the ocean. When I was in Kauai last year there were 5 drownings during the 2 weeks we were there.

I'm from Hawaii, to visit just the Arizona is FREE!!!!!!!!!!

Some of this has been touched upon...

* I agree you should venture up Tantilus Drive. The view from the top is amazing, and for sh*ts and giggles, consider taking time to hike through the parkspace at the top of the hill. You'll likely run into a colony of beautiful feral cats, wild fowl (the roosters, in particular, are gorgeous!), and perhaps a roving peacock or two.

* This may be counterintuitive, but if you have an hour to spare, I'd suggest you actually do bite the bullet and sit down for the shpiel from one of the many companies trying to sell timeshare property along Waikiki. Simply go in with a "just say no" strategy. For your time, you likely will come away with free tix to one of the evening luaus that happen on the island -- and often they are a great value.

* As has been suggested, don't pass up snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Expect that this will be one of the busiest sites on all of O'ahu, though, and go to be entertained as much by the other visitors as the beautiful undersea life.

* You must try pineapple everything! You may be sick of it by the time you leave O'ahu, but you'll never taste fresher, more flavourful pineapple anywhere else.

* Byodo-In Temple is stunning, particularly if you've not actually been to Uji, Japan, to see the 900-year-old struture that is its inspiration. Take some time to stroll its grounds, and also enjoy the picturesque Valley of the Temples (interfaith) Memorial Park through which you must travel to arrive at Byodo-In.

* Do rent a vehicle and drive the North Shore. It's a welcome, undeveloped respite from the tourist trap that is Waikiki. Pack a camera to capture some of the really wonderful rock formations that jut out of the surrounding Pacific. If you're lucky, too, you will see not only green sea turtles, but monk seals, on some of the beachs there. Some of the small, nondescript eateries along the North Shore offer great seafood at far better prices than the more heavily trafficked areas of the island.

* You may be tempted to visit the Dole Plantation. It's got a fun garden maze, but I found it to be pretty unimpressive otherwise.

want to go!!!!!

Have fun, will you post pictures, so we all can feel Hawai vicariously rtrough you?

One last thing, please read the signs. Maybe 15 years ago or longer this tourist (young guy in his 20's) was at a rocky beach (forget which one) and jump the fence and disregarded all the signs to keep out (plus people were yelling at him to get out). Sure enough a wave hit him and he died when his head hit the rocks. His family ended up suing (Yeah it's the state of Hawaii your son is a dumbass, thanks for taking our money that could have gone to our schools). The Hawaii tourism agree to pay them . Also if your going hiking let people know where you going and don't go alone. Go hiking early on it can get dark fast in the late afternoon. People always say you can't get lost in Hawaii it's just and Island, NO you can get lost here and people do.

UPDATE

Thanks everyone but it turns out I've wasted your time (for now at least)

My flights were waitlisted and I won't be getting on now so I've had to cancel.

I'm going to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands instead so umm #FirstWorldProblems.

Staying here in a over beach Are (bungalow)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1052515-d309569-Reviews-Little_Polynesian_Resort-Titikaveka_Rarotonga_Southern_Cook_Islands.html

I don't bloody believe this.

Just got an email to say I've won two tickets from Auckland to Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines so I'll keep these suggestions for May when I finally make it.

[Edited 12/5/13 15:56pm]

Enjoy!

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