Hawaii trip coming up.

Appreciate advice from few months ago. Here are the few thing we have planned, but any other advice welcomed.

First stop - Waikiki Beach. Staying at Hilton Waikiki Beach, 3 nights. Will rent car from someone for a day. Advised to eat at Dukes for evening sunset. Only have two whole days to do things. Don't want to go to Pearl Harbor, too sad for us.

Second stop - Lihue, Kauai. Staying at Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach, 3 nights. Having a rental car, driving over to Waimea Canyon State Park & Koke'e State Park. Possible other places, want time to lay at beach.

Third stop - Lahaina, Maui. Staying at Royal Lahaina Resort, 4 nights. Having rental car. Driving over to Haleakala National Park, possible around whole island. Going on Ultimate Whale Watch for couple hours and Old Lahaina Luau on Valentines Day.

Any other advice is always appreciated. Being first timers to Hawaii, we know we will miss somethings that we should have done.

Two things I would reomend while in Honolulu include a hike up to the top of Diamond Head, and a visit to the Punch Bowl military cemetary. If you have time, a drive over to the north side of the island is quite majestic as well.

BCFahren

I hope you will reconsider going to Pearl Harbor. Yes, it is sad, but also very moving. Since you are going to be there for a couple of days, it would be a shame not to visit it. Just my opinion.

Waikiki Beach - The submarine Atlantis under water tour. You can book tickets at the Hilton lobby.

Lahaina - That big banyon(?) tree in center of town that takes up an entire block is a nice walk around and reflection of life, eat lunch near by. Also the Sugar Cane Train ride and tour.

When we were on Kauai, we drove over to Poipu Beach--I'm guessing a 30 m drive--and had just a great time. They have a long stretch of beach that is naturally divided by a rock outcropping. One side they called the " boogie board beach" and it had 6-8 foot waves. We rode the waves, no boards, until we were shot, and had just the greatest time. On the other side of the beach--not 100 yards--is what they referred to as the "family beach". Very low waves, lots of room to lay, even a naturally occurring kids pool. Nice informal restaurant just across the street. Nice spouting horn a few miles up the beach if interested. Also went to Waiamea (sp) falls just outside of Lihue--pretty neat too. The undeveloped nature of that island was striking to us. Beautiful island.

Loved Maui---every thing about it. Wife's favorite "thing" about the trip was the Old Lihaina luau. Kannapali Beach is a great traditional beach.

Loved Pearl Harbor, not crazy about Waikiki--- too much like Daytona Beach or Myrtle Beach.

Sounds like a great trip. Have a great time

On Oahu (unless things have changed -- but it's been about 30 years since I've been to Hawaii), there is a Circle Island Tour which goes all over the place and so maybe you can check into that.

RecVPPlayer

Wife & I thank you for your responses. We have looked at suggestions and I'm sure wife will pick out a few to do. I let her pick sight seeing trips, she knows I'm happy just laying/swimming on the beach. With a beer or two of course.

Stay tuned ...

Sorry, hit the button on the quick reply option and, well, never mind ...

David, I'm not a bit fan of the Big Tourist Moment in travel, so much of Oahu escapes me. Having said that, Pearl is a must, including the air museum and Mighty Mo. And do snorkel at Hanauma Bay; it can get kinda busy over there but for easily accessible fish-mad snorkeling for those who aren't overly adventuresome, it works very very well. Finally, kick around Kailua on the windward side. (Eat at Luibueno's if up in Haleiwa.)

When you head up to Haleakala, spend time on the way down checking out the slow/local food producers' scene that is such a big part of upcountry Maui. And near the airport, find Broke Da Mouth Bakery on Alamaha Street. I doubt most people are as happy as the guys inside -- pakalolo, brah -- but the baked goods will get you a good way there. Great eats in Paia and if you get down to Wailea, Peter Merriman's Monkeypod marries Hawaiian regional cuisine to sports bar to craft brew heaven. Joe's at the tennis center lacks the setting of some of Bev Gannon's other eateries; the food is on par.

Still on Maui, there are several places to snuba (LA Times article I wrote), from shore or boat. If you're not certified or not sure you want to dive, it's an easy and fun way to figure out if you're cool being down for 20, 30 minutes on compressed air. Purists skoff at the endeavor. Just south of you, consider Maui Ocean Center. It's not Monterey Bay Aquarium, it's also not some Fisherman's Wharf-type tourist trap. The drive around the south side, which few do, is a good counterbalance to going back from Hana. Your rental car company will suggest doing so in their car is tantamount to treason and pissing on the Mona Lisa.

LaPerouse Bay on the sw tip of Maui is a dream. Watch the water conditions, and know access requires some scrambling and seeking -- and check for any closures in the reserve. But, wow.

We love Kauai and will be back for two weeks later this year. Wheeeeee!! Agree completely with Waimea Canyon and Koke'e. We've not yet done Alakai Swamp, but have hiked down toward the Napali Coast which is a endeavor well worth the huffing and puffing, and we've been to the top of Waipo'o Falls: Another LA Times piece Let me know if you'd like to see more pics as this archived version ain't all that.

On the way back hit Kauai Island Brewery in Port Allan and dip down to Old Koloa town; you'll go through Koloa as well when you head to Poipu for mandatory beach time. Buy aloha shirts at Pohaku and grab some fish at Koloa Fish Market for prep back at your resort (if you have a grill and facilities). If you can't prepare, just buy some poke!

Winter is a little tough on the north shore which is too bad because the beaches at road's end in Haena are perhaps the best on the islands. It's still worth a drive up to see them, eat in funky fun Hanalei and hit the lighthouse in Kilauea on the way back.

On whatever island, find the nearest farmers' market. Oh, an eat fish fish fish and more fish.

Need any golf recommendations?

Please don't miss Pearl Harbor. It's awe-inspiring. Very moving.