Heading to Hawaii

Went there in April.   Have the hotel concierge arrange a bus tour to Pearl instead of driving yourself.   The bus driver knows where he is going and can get you there without a lot of hassles.  Also, since Hawaii relies on tourism - he knows how to get you to the front of the line for the info movie at the Arizona visitor's center and the boat ride out to the Arizona. 

Traffic on Oahu is a bear.  There are something like 1.2 million people who live in Hawaii and a million of them live on Oahu  (tells you about the other islands' populations).  Add to that the couple of thousand visistors who arrive daily. 

Hawaii has excellent air connections.  There are several small airlines who fly routes between the islands.  In April there were fares as low as 19 dollars between the islands on Go Air.  From the Big Island you could run over to Maui for the day if you wanted.   On Maui, Haleakala volcano is spectacular,  but you need to see it at dawn for the full effect.  The volcano is dormant, unlike those spitting lava on the Big Island.  You could put the island of Manhattan in the bowl.  Charles Lindberg's grave is also on Maui's south shore.  There are good snorkel/dive spots on the south/southwest sides of Maui.

Ah yes, Hawaii ... some good honeymoon memories. You really should try to visit as many of the islands as you can.

On Kauai, the Na Pali coast on the northwest side is quite spectacular, with steep cliffs going right down to the water, and gazing down into Waimea Canyon can make you feel pretty small. If you opt for a helicopter tour, take a Ziplock barf bag. And that's all I have to say about that ...  

Maui is a great island, good amenities but a LOT less crowded than Oahu. Ed's right, you need to see Haleakala Volcano at dawn, but don't take the bike trip back down unless your life insurance is paid off. Likewise, if you want to flirt with death in paradise, take the Road to Hana. Just remember to watch out for the locals - they like to drive in the middle of the road   and guard rails seem to be optional. I would skip snorkeling or diving at Molokini, because after the Navy detonated some old WW II-era bombs in place, there's not a lot left to see.

If you want something different on Oahu, rent a car and head out for the North Shore - a lot fewer people and some great snorkeling, and Haliewa is a delightful throwback to a bygone era. The Polynesian Cultural Center can make for a nice, although very pricey, day trip; you get to see the various cultures, true, but the atmosphere is vaguely Disney-ish. Do not try the green plantain bananas unless you want a memorable object lesson on eating strange foods from foreign cultures .

Enjoy!

mfsob wrote:

Ed's right, you need to see Haleakala Volcano at dawn, but don't take the bike trip back down unless your life insurance is paid off. Likewise, if you want to flirt with death in paradise, take the Road to Hana. Just remember to watch out for the locals - they like to drive in the middle of the road   and guard rails seem to be optional.

We biked down the mountain after seeing the sunrise.  Dress warmly on the top.  Had a wonderful time.  Good guides who looked out for our safety.   The party right in front of us did put someone over the guardrail into the underbrush, though.  The ride is 28 miles - of which you only need to pedal for 200 yards.   Heavy duty coaster bikes with drum brakes.  Great way to spend a morning on Maui.  I'd do it again.

Hana is an experience.  Lots of beautiful vistas, deep gorges, and waterfalls.   Start early.  It is a one lane road for most of the way.  At the bike guide's recommendation we stopped to pick up some box lunches in Paia just before the start of the Road to Hana.   The locals there recommended that we drive non-stop to the National Park at far end -- the Seven Sacred Pools -- then stop and look at the waterfalls, etc. on the way back.   Good trip -- didn't get stuck behind a slow moving tour bus.

Sorry we've changed your thread to a tour guide.  It's not what you asked for.  I'm guessing you'll be alone some, while your wife is attending to business, so check this site.  Have no idea of the quality of any of the stores listed.

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Hobby+Shops/S-HI/T-Honolulu/

Sorry we've changed your thread to a tour guide.  It's not what you asked for.

Wow...You said it !

I guess I should mention that this will be our second trip to the Islands.  The first was a business trip in 2000 when I still worked for The Boeing Company in Seattle.  We spent 4 days on Oahu - and visited the Missouri and the Arizona Memorial...You all are right, it is a very moving tour.  I will be going again.  We then spent a week on Maui snorkling, driving the road to Hana and to the volcano...went there at dawn, but there was so much fog you couldn't see squat!

Unfortunately back then, I was out of the modelling hobby and now that I'm back into it, I was looking to get some recommedations on the LHS's on Oahu and Hawaii.

Thanks for all the info though...it's all good

Back from Hawaii!

IYAAYAS- Prices were not bad. I bought the Tamiya 1/35 Schwimmwagen Type 166 and paid $17.99 + 4.7% tax...equally priced at my LHS here in Maine w/5% sales tax.

Jim Barton- Thanks for the info...I did see it in the back of FSM and that's where I bought the Schwimmwagen.  Small place but stocked well for a small LHS.

ModelNerd - Thanks!  Went there...nice beach!

Now anybody who goes to the Big Island - You MUST, MUST go to Jack's Dive Locker on the Kona side and sign up for the Manta Ray night dive.  Divers sit on the bottom, snorkelers at the surface with mongo lights.  The lights attract plankton by the millions and the Manta's come in to feed on them.  We saw 6 Manta Rays with wingspans from 10-14 feet (yep...feet).  The swoop in like fighters and do inside loops with their mouths wide open.  They come within inches (literally!) of you!  It is awesome to watch and feel their power and grace.

Thanks again eveyone for the input!