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Hawaii Reviews

Honolulu - about all you need to know
May 04, 2004 03:10 AM 2998 Views

Hawaii is one of the biggest tourist traps in the world. It kind of reminds me of Tijuana (just South of my home), but much cleaner and the clientele are just not there to drink alcohol. Most of the population of Waikiki is temporary and the locals love to take advantage of them. You will be paying top dollar for many items listed as “on sale” or see a store front claim to be going out of business for almost two straight years. The highest prices you will pay are for the hotels.


Make a point to getting a hotel under 80$US a night. You can do that with no reservation or travel discount. You should be able to get a flight and hotel deal for even cheaper if you do not require staying on the water. That is most likely up to your spouse or traveling buddy! Move 2-3 blocks off the shore and you will see the prices drop by ½.


EDUCATIONAL SITES


~ The USS Arizona Memorial – Paying tribute to the 2,388 Americans that died here during Japan’s surprise attack December 7th, 1941. This 184-foot memorial lies over the sunken Arizona where a trail of oil continues to seep to this day. The park is open seven days a week 7:30 to 5:00. Plan on lines ranging from 1-2 hours if you get there after 9am. This is very popular!


~ The Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific) – This cemetery lies in the crater of an extinct volcano. Most of the remains are from those that died in the Pacific during WWII, however, many others are buried here as well such as Viet Nam and Korea. There is also a section of almost 30,000 headstones to represent the missing bodies of soldiers that died in war. Open 8-5:30 and is free.


~Fort DeRussy Army Museum – This museum still houses one of the beach front artillery pieces in place during the island’s defense in the 1940s. There is also a room dedicated to Hawaiian Native Medal of Honor winners that is very interesting. There are old military vehicles parked out in front as well as several displays inside. The cost is only what you feel like donating to the cause.


~ Waikiki Aquarium/Zoo – Though they are not connected, both of these places are on the eastern end of Waikiki and are not visited as often as they should be. The aquarium costs 3-7$US so it is not that expensive. The aquarium features thousands of different “organisms” such as sharks, seals, jellyfish, and other colorful reef fish. Open 8-5.


The Zoo is much like any other zoo but this only costs 6$US to get in and $1 for children. The zoo exhibits African, Tropical, and Pacific animals. There is also a children’s zoo with more passive animals for getting up close and personal. Open 9-4:30.


A REAL LUAU? WHAT ARE THE BEST?


Are you talking about the big pig roast and ladies hula dancing? Yes, the luau is a must for a tourist, even though you will not find the best luaus in downtown. The Hale Koa offers their own, but I am not sure if that is just for military (it is a US military resort). Your hotel will be able to coordinate a luau package for you but you will most likely be bussed outside Honolulu to a resort area. The Paradise Cove luau is by far the best and it is about a 45 – minute drive west to the SW corner of the island. It is expensive, but the dancing and presentation is superior to other luaus. The Polynesian Culture Center on the upper-east side also offers a good luau so ask about these if you are interested.


WHERE TO SHOP


First of all, do not get all excited if you see a store that is “Going Out of Business.” I saw the same store go out of business for 2 straight years and the tourists were always excited to try to take advantage of that last deal. Sales offering 60% off are probably still making double on what you just paid for it. The quality Hawaiian products will cost you some money, but there are built by expert craftsmen. Do not get too excited about a great deal in downtown.


~ The Ala Moana Center is HUGE. This complex of almost 250 stores offers everything from New York fashion to Hawaiian native craftsmanship. This really is not a place to go if you want to see Hawaii as it is just like any other super shopping area. There are some restaurants and pubs to go to later, though.


~ Hilo Hattie – this is inside the Ala Moana Center area, however, this shop is one of a kind and its own entity. This is a must for any tourist as it is the home of probably the biggest Aloha Shirt shop. They have a great discount area where I found a couple shirts that are collecting dust to this day.


~International Market Place – This is the home of cheap stuff that people try to pawn off as being quality Hawaiian goods. Sure, there might be some great items to buy there, but do not be disappointed if your wrist turns green or that quality wood product cracks after its first use. This is still a great place to walk through.


THE BUSIEST NIGHTLIFE


~The Red Lion: This basement bar always charges a cover but you will find a 20-30 yr old crowd always packed in there on the weekends. A more rowdy crowd with extremely low ceilings and filled with smoke. Shoulder to shoulder some nights.


~The Irish Rose: This Irish Bar is in the basement of one of the Ohana hotels. There is never cover. Their weekend specials are usually Red Dog, however. As far as Irish clientele, there really isn’t any and the music is rarely even an attempt at Irish songs. The live music on the weekends is more classic rock and roll.


~Moose McGillycuddy’s: This is the military bar of downtown next to The Red Lion. You will find mostly young crowds here as well as a hang out for a lot of Waikiki’s transvestites.


~Todai: This is the seafood/sushi eaters all you can eat dream. You pay around $30 to just get started but you can eat most anything that swims in the water here. Their weekend specials offer better products, however, you will pay more on the crab and lobster nights.


~Duke’s Canoe Club: This is the best place to go on a Sunday afternoon. The prices are a little stiff here but so are the drinks. Duke’s is located in the lobby of the Outrigger Hotel and is supposed to be where Duke rode the largest wave of his life. There is an excellent salad bar here with some of the best pineapple on the island. The live music starts about sunset and that’s when you cannot get in without an hour wait. Both tourist and locals flock to this bar on the weekends.


~Zanzabar and Ocean’s located in the Ala Moana Center: If you are looking for a dance club, these are the places to head to. These are also some of the only places with a dress code so I avoided them at all costs. I hate dress codes, especially in Hawaii.


CONCLUSION


Probably the key to a Hawaiian vacation is just lounging around and relaxing. That’s why you are on vacation.


Waikiki is mostly for sunbathing and sitting next to the ocean enjoying your drink of choice. You can sea kayak, snorkel and even take some surfboard lessons on Waikiki. Some of the other areas of the island offer better packages and venues, however.


Relax and try to keep your money in your wallet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.


Once in your life you should go there!
Feb 09, 2004 12:22 AM 2216 Views

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Since Oahu is already wonderfully described in the first review, I can concentrate on the Big Island, Hawaii.


The Island has two quite different sides: East and West. The wind mostly comes from the West, so that is where the rains falls. Thus the West side is lush and green with rain forests, water falls, beautiful flowers and birds. The East is a black lava desert with wonderful beaches, some white (very white), some black, some even green (yes: green sand the colour of Hrithik Roshan's eyes!).


Everything is worth seeing: the rain forests ( there are no snakes on Hawaii), the beaches, the coffee plantation (Kona coffee really is the best coffee in the world), the great volcanos, the saddle road ( huge fun driving there, like a roller coaster), Hilo (the cute capitel), the cliffs (major sport of the inhabitants: jumping down from somewhere), everything.


The people there are very helpful and friendly. Sometimes you get the impression they wait all day for tourists, so that they can be nice to them.


By all means: Go there!


HULA IN HAWAII
Sep 24, 2002 08:46 PM 3985 Views

Honolulu is Hawaii's largest City, (about 400,00 people), but it was not the Capital City of the Hawaiian Islands(when I was there. It may be now). Hilo on the Island of Hawaii is the Capital then. We always stay on Waikiki Beach.


I have visited the Hawaiian Island of Oahu from 1956 when we Honeymooned here until the time my Nephew was killed in a car crash that was caused by a drunken driver.


The first time we stayed at the Royal Hawaii, (a grand Hotel that is part of the Sheraton Chain), all the Towers in the Hilton Hawaiian Village and in our own Condo.


On our Honeymoon we flew there on Pan Am with Ed Sullivan and his wife sitting across from us. We have flown on United and Canadian Airlines as well.


There are six large Islands in this Chain and many small ones that aren't only have plants and animals on them or shown on a Map. Oahu is the 4th largest, (Hawaii is the largest then, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Lanai). This Island Chain is the 50th State in the United States.


Oahu was once a much larger Island but half of it collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. It is impossible to drive arrive around the Island because the Western part are Military Bases.


My review will be a composite from the many times I've been here. We have only been to the Islands in December and January. I can almost guarantee you that if you are there on Chiasmas Day, (because it has every year I was there).


In the beginning all of the people were Polynesian but today it would be hard to find a pure Polynesian because so many people have intermarried.


The grass hula skirts were once worn topless until the Missionaries arrived. They thought this was an improper way to dress and designed a loose fitting long dress called a Mu Mu.


The Missionaries bought all the land for a few trinkets and so today you can’t own any land in Hawaii, you can lease it for 99 years.


~O ARRIVING O~


The approach to Oahu always goes past Diamond Head, (the large Mountain jutting out into the Pacific Ocean that you see in the pictures), and you come in from the Ocean and all of that side of the Island is there for you to see.


The moment you step off your aircraft a hot flower scented breeze engulfs you. It is very humid and we are always damp by the time we have rented a car.


The International Airport is between Pearl Harbor and along the Ocean part of down town Honolulu. The only thing to see here is the Port that is mostly a Cargo Port. This takes about 15 minutes to drive and then at least another 15 minutes to reach Waikiki Beach.


~O WHAT TO SEE O~




  • Senior Citizens can ride the bus free so many take a tour this way.




East of the Airport there are a few towns but I didn't find there was much to see or buy. The place to see is Pearl Harbor must book your tour early if you want to take the free Harbor Cruise Tour as so many people want to visit the Arizona Ship Memorial.


The three Ships that were sunk when the Japanese attacked Oahu lies in the water below. I just read recently in the National Post, (a Canadian Newspaper), that the United States knew about the attack and had sunk a Japanese Submarine an hour before Pearl Harbor was attacked.


We never went to downtown Honolulu because it was very seedy and only had a lot of Office Buildings. We did go to see the Bishop Museum that has exhibits the Pacific Canoes (called Hokule'a), Whaling Ships and some underwater Archaeology.


The first time we were here we saw the State Capital Building, the Law Courts Building and Queen Liliuokalani's Iolani Place, (this is the only Royal Place in the United States). Outside there is a garden and a statute of Queen Liliuokalani and of Father Damien, (a Belgian Priest who gave loving care to the people who had leprosy and had been sent into exile on the Island of Molokai). Inside we saw King Kalakaua's Office and the Throne.


Then the City began to clean it up. A lot of discount Department Stores opened and we found some great buys. These were followed by small Cafes, Bar, Restaurants and Pubs. We still only go there at night.


Traveling west from downtown Honolulu toward Waikiki Beach is Chinatown. This is the best place to find Oriental Cafes, (Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese Restaurants. We attended a performance of a Big Bank Jazz Concert at the Hawaii Theater, (it's in Chinatown).


We only visited the University once and that was to see the Hula Bowl Game and to see a Japanese garden.


As you reach When we were first here, Hilo on the Island of Hawaii was the Capital City. Today, I believe that Honolulu is the Capital City. Beach there is a stretch of parks along the Ocean and some one story open Malls. When you reach the Ala Moana Shopping Center you know you are officially at the Beach. This Mall is the largest in the Islands and has about 200 Stores, (Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and a wonderful Drug Store).


There is a downtown area at Waikiki Beach and it has blocks of Shops and places to eat and drink. There are a lot of Hotels both on and on the side streets so you'll always find a place to stay in your price range. Each Hotel has shops and places to eat as well so you never have to leave Waikiki if you don't want too.


The beach has white sand that has been flown in from other Islands. Even if we aren't staying at the Rainbow Towers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel we sit on their beach.


Traveling west of Waikiki Beach area you will pass a lot of gardens, the famous Canoe Club, a few golf courses, (the best one runs along the canal), a lot of condos, large & small houses and a few hotels.


Once you pass Diamond head reach Hanauma Bay.. This area is called the body surfing and wind surfing center of Oahu. If you have watched any wind surfing championship that are taking place in Hawaii this is the place the events are taking place.


The next Bay (a 16 mile drive), has a wonderful Beach called Kailua Beach. This is where the People who like to snorkel or deep sea dive come here to play.


''The Punchbowl'' is a non-active volcanic crater that is now the National Cemetery of the Pacific. We went there once because my friend, MM's Brother is buried there. We saw a huge Memorial that is dedicated to the more than 28,000 United States Military who were lost at sea or missing in action.


On the north shore of Oahu are lava beaches and small towns. The nicest beach here is Waiamea when the surf isn't too high.


To get back to Waikiki you have to travel over the Mountains of the Kamehameha Highway. When you get to the top of the Kolekole Pass you must stop. A long time ago when Hawaii belonged to the Polynesian Island chain each of the Islands that a Monarch. They were always fighting with each other. King Kamehameha united them all and they became one Nation. However before this happened the spot on top of the pass is where he gave his captured enemies an even change.


From the pass you can see most of Oahu and that will tell you how high up you are. The wind is always so strong here that the King had his enemies thrown off the Mountain. If the wind blew them back they were given their freedom.


I hope you'll spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Please try and take in one Luau, (where they roast a pig wrapped in coconut leaves in the ground), and the entertainment is a variety of Hula Dances and Songs.


~O SOME THOUGHTS O~


I know I have forgotten a lot of things to tell you about so to learn more about the other Islands the link site is:


https://oahu.worldweb.com


I loved the time we spent here and I highly recommend Oahu to you.


Aloha means hello and good-bye so Alohato you.


Thank you for reading this review.


©LL2002


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