IGX

Corpulent Feline, Moku Nui, others(?)-

I had originally planned to visit Argentina but due to the cost of flights necessary to see the sights in my allotted vacation time, I am now bringing my pasty white ass to the Pacific in February. (convinced by FC's Hawaii is Awesome! thread) We'd like to do the honeymoon thing for a few days but interested in exploring after that which means that I'd like to see one of the lesser developed islands: Molokai, Lanai, or Kauai. It is a little overwhelming because with only two weeks I understand we'll have to budget time wisely. I have a few questions-

-If you had to pick one of the less touristy islands to visit without breaking the bank, which would it be?
-Can we travel b/w islands without flying? (I know there is a ferry from Maui to Molokai, what about others)
-Will we be able to swim or will the surf be too big in the Winter?
-I'm willing to drop the dough to stay at a nice place on Waikiki but interested in saving if possible on the rest of the trip, possible?

What do you think of this itinerary?
Night 1 - 4: Arrive HNL, do the honeymoon thing on Waikiki, Diamond Head, and a day trip to North Shore to catch the surfers if possible.
Nights 5 - 9 Fly to Maui (is there any other way to get there?) Would like to do a side trip to Molokai.
Nights 10 - 13 Big Island

Apologies for the long post. Mahalo

Kuai (sp?) and take the red Hughes 500D with no doors for a tour. Captain Zodiac for a boat tour. Maui is nice too, but it seems to shut down early in the evening. Things may have changed a lot. I would not even stay on oahu ( sp). It's like san Diego. Hit the other islands longer.

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:Corpulent Feline, Moku Nui, others(?)-

I had originally planned to visit Argentina but due to the cost of flights necessary to see the sights in my allotted vacation time, I am now bringing my pasty white ass to the Pacific in February. (convinced by FC's Hawaii is Awesome! thread) We'd like to do the honeymoon thing for a few days but interested in exploring after that which means that I'd like to see one of the lesser developed islands: Molokai, Lanai, or Kauai. It is a little overwhelming because with only two weeks I understand we'll have to budget time wisely. I have a few questions-

Molokai and Lanai are boring and with Molokai Ranch shut down, there's nothing to do there in terms of accommodations. I would suggest Kauai, Maui, or the Big Island (Hawaii).

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:-If you had to pick one of the less touristy islands to visit without breaking the bank, which would it be?
-Can we travel b/w islands without flying? (I know there is a ferry from Maui to Molokai, what about others)
-Will we be able to swim or will the surf be too big in the Winter?
-I'm willing to drop the dough to stay at a nice place on Waikiki but interested in saving if possible on the rest of the trip, possible?

Travel between islands without air travel, while not technically impossible, is unlikely. Flying is cheap and very fast. Unless there is a storm, you will have fine weather and will be able to find places to swim, but be careful, remember that the Hawaiian islands are in the middle of the biggest, deepest ocean on earth and our waves, currents, etc. are no joke. Neither is our sun, for that matter, so please do exercise care.

I'm sorry I can't recommend better hotels, for obvious reasons I don't stay in hotels often in Hawaii. On Lanai, Koele Lodge and Manele Bay are both Four Seasons and very nice. Hualalai is very nice, as is Waikoloa, on the Kona coast of the Hawaii. Wailea is good on Maui. These are all serious skrillz though. Look around for cool B&B type places for more fun.

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:What do you think of this itinerary?
Night 1 - 4: Arrive HNL, do the honeymoon thing on Waikiki, Diamond Head, and a day trip to North Shore to catch the surfers if possible.
Nights 5 - 9 Fly to Maui (is there any other way to get there?) Would like to do a side trip to Molokai.
Nights 10 - 13 Big Island

Apologies for the long post. Mahalo

If you do stay in Honolulu, I insist on at least taking you out. I can style you out, show you around, get you stoned dumb, take you training, take you to izakaya, etc.

The rest of your itinerary is fine, you will want to consider swapping Kauai for Maui, but if you go to Maui make sure you go to Haleakala. Big Island is awesome all around, it's as big as the rest of the archipelago combined, is geologically much newer with a totally different feel, and active volcanoes, snow capped mountains, black sand beaches, etc. Go to Kiholo and swim with sea turtles, ride horses in Waimea, etc. etc. The other islands are a matter of taste, but everyone loves Hawaii.

Poipu Plantation in Kauai was enjoyable, but that was in 2001. Things may have changed since then.

Great snorkeling

From a tourist point of view:

I would vote for a combination of Kauai, Honolulu and time on Maui. Hawaii is cool for all the reasons Fat Cat said, but it's quite a bit different from the Hawaii a lot of people have in their minds. I only go there to visit my uncle and like 50 cousins who all live on one or two blocks.

Kauai is rad. The most laid back place I've ever been. Service is slow, people are cool, and you'll either be the most relaxed you've ever been, or frayed as can be by the pace.

Take up Fat Cat on his offer. The Hawaii you see as a tourist is a bit different than what you'll experience with a local.


Mau is kind of required for a yuppy who's in Hawaii for the first time.

Maui no ka oi.

Dan Martin wrote:Maui no ka oi.

^^^Agree. Breathtaking snorkeling off Wailea (pricey, upscale area) & Kihei (less expensive, more tourist-y area). This part of the island has the most sunny weather, IME.

Keawakapu Beach FTW. Accessible, and beautiful reefs with varied sea life, including sea turtles. And morays & octopi, if you look hard.


Also - an excellent GJJ school on the north side of Maui, in Haiku; Instructor is Prof. Heredia, a tough, able, and gracious teacher. Fat Cat recommended - Thanks, Brah.

Maui has some real hidden gems for food. There is a "local" chain of restaurants called Cafe O'Lei that are very good and reasonably priced. But, the best plate lunch and picnic food can be found in the Uptown Chevron station on Main Street in Wailuku.

Thanks, you guys are awesome. I've been convinced and pulled the trigger today. Flying into Maui and home from HNL. Still need to straighten out the itinerary so I'm sure I'll have some more questions. Fat Cat, I appreciate the offer and will PM you when I start getting my shit together.

One more big question for you guys- If you had 11 nights to spread between Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii how would you break them up?

Maui, fuck all else.

What, no FatCat's magic Maytag ride?

Fuzzy Dunlop wrote:Thanks, you guys are awesome. I've been convinced and pulled the trigger today. Flying into Maui and home from HNL. Still need to straighten out the itinerary so I'm sure I'll have some more questions. Fat Cat, I appreciate the offer and will PM you when I start getting my shit together.

One more big question for you guys- If you had 11 nights to spread between Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii how would you break them up?

Personally, I would spread 'em out evenly. It depends on what you want. If you want more of a tourist type of experience, then spend less time on Kauai and more on Maui and in Honolulu.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdiS3ObTrsM[/youtube]

Sliding Sands Trail - Haleakala Crater, Maui

More Haleakala

Big Beach (Makena), Maui. I believe that's Lanai that the sun is setting over.

Blowhole, West Maui

Na Pali Coast, Kauai (from helicopter). Wish we would have opted for a late afternoon flight. Still one of the most amazing hours of my life.

more from the air...
Waimea Canyon, Kauai random waterfall Wailua Falls, Kauai

Hiking Waimea Canyon (remembered that the camera had a panorama mode)

Smiling for the camera

Dog that runs in rough water

Poipu Beach, Kauai

great shots!

So jealous.