Hawaii

[princesse_sophie]

Has anyone been here? I'm going to Oahu, in November, and I would really appreciate your input on what sites to see and skip. Thanks!

[fabulosity]

I've been to Hawaii last year and I must admit, the islands are diverse and beautiful, although a bit touristy.

Recommendations: Skip Waikiki beach and do Lanikai! Voted most beautiful in the US by Travel channel and I positively agree! You can kayak, bike, wind surf, or just bum around the beach. Much less crowded and the beach is definitely inviting with clear turquoise water and fine white sand.

Another must see is diamond head, although a bit of a trek, will take about 45 minutes to hike one way, depending on your condition (I'm 24 but not fit at all). Your effort will be compensated by wonderful views and bragging rights, of course! do it in the morning so it'll be cooler.

must do, if you got time to spare is to join an interisland tour, which can be done in one day, or you can also stay for days. I suggest Big Island, since you could see an active volcano (Kilauea) and the island appears to be the most ecologically diverse . Cool stuff.

Another must do is the obligatory luau, although pick one that is authentic. I know it's cheesy but to me it's entertaining and a good way to culturally immerse yourself. Don't forget to taste poi!  But if you wanna skip it, a nice alternative and a good introduction to hawaiian cuisine is to try willow restaurant in oahu. just take a taxi from your hotel. the food is authentic and the ambience can't be beat.

-I'm still contemplating if I should've skipped pearl harbor since it's in everyone's to do list in oahu... although, I'm really not into history so I guess it wouldn't be interesting to me. It's your call, though.

-must eat pineapple from hawaii! it's really good, especially when chilled. the dole plantation tour might be fun, although you can get the fruit in almost all the good restaurants around the city.

hope I was able to help with your itinerary. Have fun in Hawaii! I know I did.

[tiny_25]

Hi me and my hubby went to hawaii last year. And i must say it was awesome!  We had a friend who lived there and they toured us around. And i agree with fabulosity, skip Waikiki... i was kinda excited about waikiki before but then i learned from one of the tour bus driver that their sand is imported from Australia, so yun, i didn't even had a picture of waikiki.  Skip the dinner cruise too...i think it's just a waste of money. Di naman masarap ang food.  we did the pearl harbor tour, it was okey. pag di ka pumuta, you don't miss much.

-must see ang hanauma bay. the only beach na nagbayad kami, but it was because the place is protected.  pwede ka mag snorkel kahit mababaw lang ang tubig.  Di kc ako marunong lumangoy, lol..pero i was able to see the colorful fishes and everything kahit di naman ako pumunta dun sa malalim. 

-must see then and sea turtles, i think it was on the north side of oahu.

-we also went to a 1 day tour to kauai and it was BEAUTIFUL! i fell inlove with the island.  they have the grand canyon of the pacific and the fern grotto (said to be the most romantic place in hawaii).

-we stayed at the hilton hawaiian village, and the resort alone is nice na.  it was pricey but worth it.

overall, i love hawaii...i can go there every year, kaso masakit sa bulsa.

hope i was able to help. enjoy your trip! 

[princesse_sophie]

yes! super helpful. I can tailor my trip better. Hope more suggest!

[leilaniandson_onlineshop]

 What airlines sis sasakyan mo?

[dcccxxi]

we will be stationed in hawaii for 3 years   excited na ko

[vintagemaria]

I just want to ask, is going to Hawaii would require a US Visa? because I've read while trying to book for a flight, that visas are required for stays 21 days or longer. Thanks!

[xtine]

^Those going to Hawaii, don't forget to go to PALI lookout.  The view there is spectacular and of course the Pearl Harbor.  No visit in Hawaii is incomplete without Pearl harbor.

[xtine]

I just want to ask, is going to Hawaii would require a US Visa? because I've read while trying to book for a flight, that visas are required for stays 21 days or longer. Thanks!

Yes, you need US visa to enter Hawaii.

Don't forget that Hawaii is very strict in terms of packages, check in or hand carried foods.  Fruits, local goods, frozen food and plants are mostly prohibited.  One time, when we entered Hawaii, we had to leave SPAM in the immigration.  They are very strict with incoming tourists, even to US citizens.

[vintagemaria]

^ Thanks sis xtine for the info and tips

[twelve5]

i had a little unpleasant experience in my stopover in honolulu this yr.  some airport guy (those handling the bags to the planes) must have taken my luggage tags. grabe, luggage tags nalang pinag-interesan pa... di naman yung TSA guys ang kumuha nun kasi i saw my bags go into the carousel after inspection... at di rin naman sa LAX where i was flying to kasi super dalas ko mag fly in and out sa LA and never pa akong nawalan ng kahit ano... i dont think im ever going back to honolulu. dinib-dib ba? hehe

im just posting this so it may serve as a warning.

[mooncake and leaves]

^ sorry to hear that. ano ba yun, luggage tags na lang eh. bastos naman nun.

anyhoo, we might go next year kapag off-peak at may matsambahan kaming promo hehe. di naman mahirap sa hawaii kapag maulan? also, di ba mahal food? any suggestions para makamura? tia. gusto ko din ang kauai sa totoo lang but i think sa big island ang goal ng friendly friends ni bf na magoorganize ng trip.

[twelve5]

^ i've read in another forum that shopping is a little bit pricier vs the continental USA. siguro because of shipping cost to the island?

[mooncake and leaves]

^ ang laging nababanggit sa kin is yung food daw, really expensive. doble patong lagi. howell.

[prettymom]

Mga sis I'm so torn between Hawaii and Guam. Hubby and I wanna go for a just-us trip late this year and we are choosing between the two. Guam mainly because I wanna shop( think TAX free- hehe) but in terms of places to see mas lamang ata ang Hawaii, but how about shopping? Is it really more expensive there for the branded goods? thanks

[xtine]

Just got back fron oahu. Just went to dole plantation,pearl harbor and Waikiki. I'm so sad coz I wasn't able to go back to pali lookout,hanauma bay and north shore. Next time I'm going back, I'll definitely tour kawaii, Maui and big island to see mauna loa and Kilauea.

To those buying pasalubong, 6 box mauna loa macadamia chocs and Hawaiian host are definitely cheaper in walmart than Longs. $14 pack of 6 boxes.  We never get saw of mauna loa and hawaiian host macadamia chocs.  Try walmart mililani. Keychains and ref magnets are also cheaper there.

Also go to liliha bakery. Voted best bakery in Hawaii. Best local ladyfingers. Laging Mahaba ang pila and always included in Hawaii foodtours.

[xtine]

Regarding shopping, go to ALa Moana center. Forever 21, old navy and victoria's secret are same Lang sa mainland. Ang good news, 4% Lang ang tax unlike sa mainland mas mahal. Las Vegas is 8%. If you have lots of things to shop. Pwede nyo ipabox via Atlas for $55. Less than one month ang waiting. Door to door delivery sya. Yun Ulit ang gagawin namin pag punta ng US, box namin lahat ng bath n body works shopping and one kilo chocs para Hindi excess baggage

[xtine]

I love Hawaii.  Everytime we go to US dapat may 3 days stopover sa Oahu before heading back home to Manila. Maswerte Lang Kami kasi I was able to request sa delta yung loooong stopover sa hawaii without extra bayad.

[m_lim]

girls, we are going on first week of June. kaso sa Maui.

ano maganda puntahan doon?

[itsmekmia]

^try mo sis check out sites na to 
http://www.mauihawaii.org/sights/attractions.htm
http://www.amauiblog.com/2010/01/10-things-to-do-on-maui/
http://kohalacoastweb.blogspot.com/
http://www.mauihawaii.org/mauiactivities.htm