In Waikiki for the first time

dmbrand · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 03:36 PM

Beautiful weather.....much warmer than what we left behind in WI! The time zone adjustment is funny; we are definately up and out the door earlier than normal. Right now, my husband and daughter are scaling the 1000 steps up the Koko trail.

Tomorrow is surf lesson day; my son turns 18 tomorrow, so we thought this would be memorable. The surfer dudes here are fascinating to watch, both in the water and out. Then we have 3 days to fit in a luau, snorkling, Pearl Harbor, the north shore, and Diamond Head. Then we're off to Big Island for the last 3 nights of our vacation.

The plane ride was looooong, but worth it!

Aloha!

riverdees05 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 03:48 PM

Where are you staying?

bigfrank · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Go to the Dole plantation and have some fun doing the worlds largest maze.

BocaBum99 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 05:51 PM

Eat at Maile's Thai Bistro in Hawaii Kai. It's my favorite restaurant on Oahu.

Or, get a burger at The Counter in Kahala Mall. Really great custom burgers.

dmbrand · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 10:23 PM

I think I know why everyone makes multiple trips here....because it is impossible to get these streets and towns down on the first trip!

Where is Main Street, and First Street? Every street starts with a Kah...

We are having a great time. Just picked up my son from the airport, he said that the NW MSP-HNL non stop flight was excellent...4 movies, 2 meals. (8.5 hours).

Riverdees-We are at the Waikiki Banyan. It is two blocks off Waikiki Beach, perfect for my 20 and 18 yr olds. Lots of people watching. Unit is very satisfactory for a downtown condo. New carpet, new paint, and very comfortable new pillowtop king mattress for us parents. Kids get the queen Murphy bed. They even supplied two beach chairs for us to take with to the beach. Kitchen is very complete...a surprise, didn't even need any paper products or coffee.

Frank-the Dole plantation was on my first list, but I don't know if we can get there.

I did buy a Maui pineapple and native bananas at the Safeway, though! Very tasty!

Boca-I will try to find the Thai place, I love Thai....basically, anything Asian.

That Koko railway trail was awesome, or so my hubby and daughter said. Surprising that they still let folks climb, especially with the "bridge" area. They got some awesome pictures from the peak.

Tomorrow is Diamond Head hike, surf lesson at noon, and then luau at Germaine's. Wednesday is Pearl Harbor, then snorkel at Hanauma Bay. Thursday is north shore, maybe get to Goat Island, but definately Waimea Bay. Some locals said that now is the time to jump off cliffs there.

Now, we are off to the Cheesecake Factory.....I know, not very Hawaiian, but, we don't have one of those back home anyway!

Aloha!

Hoc · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 11:52 AM

You mentioned "native bananas." I hope you tried the Apple Bananas. They are the short ones. You can't get them back on the mainland, and you're not allowed to take bananas off the islands. They have kind of a tangy flavor -- one of the best bananas in the world.

Make sure to get some great Chinese food over there. Little Village in Chinatown is excellent, or for something cheap, go to the Waimalu Shopping Center and get some at Chun Wah Kam (fast-food type, but absolutely wonderful). Their Egg Foo Young is about the best I've ever had. It's on the way if you plan to shop at the Outlet Malls in Waikele.

dmbrand · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Hoc- Yep, we bought those bananas, very sweet! So, I shouldn't try to put these on my carry on?

Well, we have finally adjusted to the time zone. We didn't awake this morning until 6am. Much better than 4am the past couple of days.

It is nice to look out the window each day and see a beautiful, sunny, and warm(alright...hot) day ahead of us.

Frank- I think I can make the family stop for a quick look at the Dole plantation, it appears to be on the road we will be taking to the north shore. How many calories can we burn in that maze?

It should offset the Whip that everyone says is good.

Aloha!

rikkis_playpen · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 02:23 PM

I'm so filled with vacation-envy right now..... What a great experience for your family!

SteveChapin · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmbrand

Then we're off to Big Island for the last 3 nights of our vacation.

Aloha!

If you want to do some great walk-in snorkeling, I highly recommend the Wai'Opae Tide Pools. They're all the way on the eastern-tip of the Big Island, but if you're spending any time on the Hilo side, it's about an hour out of Hilo (south-east of Kaeau).

And of course you're going to hike across the volcano, right?!

Place of Refuge is also quite interesting to visit. In addition to visiting the park itself, there's great snorkeling there, too. I've only come in from the water side there for snorkeling, so I don't know about access from land.

sc
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StressCadet · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmbrand

Frank- I think I can make the family stop for a quick look at the Dole plantation, it appears to be on the road we will be taking to the north shore. How many calories can we burn in that maze?

It should offset the Whip that everyone says is good.

Aloha!

Oh it is good. If you are pressed for time--just get the Whip! It's vacation after all