Looking for Hawaii advice

[Kentonmag Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kentonmag]

I'm looking at Hawaii in October/November, for 2 weeks, using some RCI points. I've never been before and was wondering if some regular visitors could point me in the right direction for which Island, or Islands and which resorts would be suitable for my preferences.

Me and my wife don't like it to quiet so not a resort thats totally isolated. It would have to be on, or within, a 5 minute walk from the beach, and also with a few bars and restaurants, with live entertainment, within walking distance, or a short taxi ride, on an evening.

We would, as we always do, rent a car so getting to Island attractions through the day would not be a problem.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Maui Hill and Kamaole Beach Club in Kihei fit the walking to beaches, restaurants and bars requirement. That happens to be something we look for when we travel, too.

Lawai Beach resort on Kauai has a restaurant and beach across a rarely used street.

The HGVC resorts in Waikiki are on the beach at the edge of a city so you can walk to whatever you like there, including a couple bars at the edge of the beach, that's 2 for 1.

We walked to the town of Kona on the big island from Kona Hawaiian Village in 2003 but it was a dark and scarey walk along a busy street with no sidewalks. I don't know if it's gotten better since then. Kona Billfisher is closer but I thnk the resort is not as nice...I never stayed there.

HGVC and the Bay Club Waikoloa is close to the beach and an outdoor shopping mall (or two) that has restaurants/bars. They were still building the Queen's shops in 2007 but the Kings shops have been there for a while. There is a shuttle available for a buck most of the day.

Kauai Beach Villas in Lihue on Kauai is next to a hotel with a nice restaurant but the beach is not swimmable. There is a state park beach close by, though.

Sand of Kahana on Maui has a beach and a couple restaurants/bars within a short walk. This is an II resort that I rented, the others I listed were RCI exchanges. Kahana Falls is an RCI resort right across the street from Sand of Kahana so you could have the same experience minus the ocean view there.

[Kentonmag Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kentonmag]

Thanks philsfan, it gives me something to work on.

[Karilynn57 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Karilynn57]

Kentonmag-----The Big Island sounds like it'll suit your fancy. Anything in Kona will be within walking distance to the beach. Hugos on the Rocks is a great place for an afternoon cocktail and light dinner. There are farmer's markets all over where you can get great fruit------5 payapyas for a buck........stay out of our grocery stores, tho-----unless you want a heart attack..... Costco is about 6 miles from Kona, or a couple miles from the airport toward Kona..........Good luck.

[Karilynn57 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Karilynn57]

Philsan, if you haven't been here since 2003 boy will you be surprised at the growth......new strip mall; target, Petsmart, Sports Authrity; highway and intersections have been redone ---a lot of change since 2003. Time to come back.

[Kentonmag Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kentonmag]

Kentonmag-----The Big Island sounds like it'll suit your fancy. Anything in Kona will be within walking distance to the beach. Hugos on the Rocks is a great place for an afternoon cocktail and light dinner. There are farmer's markets all over where you can get great fruit------5 payapyas for a buck........stay out of our grocery stores, tho-----unless you want a heart attack..... Costco is about 6 miles from Kona, or a couple miles from the airport toward Kona..........Good luck.

Thanks Karilyn
We managed to get 2 weeks at the Wyndham Kona Hawiian Resort, last 2 weeks of October. The reviews are great and we are really looking forward to it.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Philsan, if you haven't been here since 2003 boy will you be surprised at the growth......new strip mall; target, Petsmart, Sports Authrity; highway and intersections have been redone ---a lot of change since 2003. Time to come back.

Hi Karilynn, we visited again in 2007 but we stayed far out of town at the Mauna Loa. We walked to Drysdale's for beers and burgers from there but the hill right outside the Mauna Loa driveway is a killer.

What about walking on Alii from say, the Kona Hawaiian Village, would you walk that at night on a weekend these days? Did they happen to put a sidewalk in between KHV and the Billfisher? Is that Mexican restaurant still there by the Billfisher?

We're headed to Kauai on Saturday, I'll wave as we fly by, you better wave back!

[Karilynn57 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Karilynn57]

Aloha Phil,
No sidewalks, sorry. I use to live at Mauna Loa and I walked every morning so I am real familiar with that hill.....now I walk in my new community and the hill here is worse.

I'd walk anywhere in Kona on any day of the week up until 10pm..........AFter 10pm I'd walk nowhere in any town, including my second residence in Spearfish, South Dakota......Kona is safe; just don't be oblivious at any moment; always know who's around you and that goes for anywhere in life.............Tres Hombres is gone---we really don't have a GREAT Mexican restaurant here in Kona but we've sure got a lot of Thai restaurants..........adn if you like sushi, we now have Genki Sushi.........loads of fun there.

Have the pilot toot his horn and I promise I'll wave............I heard from a client today who is on Kauai and he just went ziplining............sounds like fun to me. Have fun!