Heading to Hawaii

[JNG]

Well me and my family are going to Honalulu in two weeks from today. We have some things in mind to do, but it all seems overwhelming right about now. Honestly all I think about is going snorkeling and heading to the wakiki aquarium . Anyone have any suggestions on places to go and things to do. All I hear is everything costs a bunch, but I may only be there once in my life so I want to have a great time. We would like to go to a luau, island hopping and maybe pearl harbor
Thanks, Jerry

 

[Haulin Oates]

Snorkel Hanuma (sp?) bay... You'll never forget it!!

 

[JNG]

Very nice Jack, I sent a text to my wife to google some images. I have to go purchase a couple more snorkel sets for my girls.

 

[mdrumm]

do you dive?

 

[JNG]

No, I wish I would have got certified prior to going. Every year I think about doing, but never get around to it. What is the average cost of getting your certification?

 

[Kalani Corals]

there is a company on the north shore that does shark cage encounters. It's with a snorkel so no diving needed. Pretty cool stuff. Pearl harbor and hanauma bay are big tourist locals. If you go to hanauma bay you need to go as soon as they open. They only let a set number of guests in a day to limit the impact on the reef. worth the effort tho. Luau's are all over, but you should do a day at the polynesian cultural center. Awesome day of checkin out the south pacific culture, and a great luau and show at the end of the day.

 

[Haulin Oates]

If you go to haunuma bay before they open, you get in for free, and get prime spot on the beach

 

[JNG]

My wife mentioned something about the cultural center, going to make that a for sure thing to do. Not sure if my girls would step foot in the water after seeing sharks . Do you think we should rent a car while we are out there? Also does it take long to go to the other islands by boat, or is it worth it to take charter flights to them?
Right on Jack, will do.

 

[Kalani Corals]

Most of the stuff you are lookin to do, you don't need a car. They have a cheap bus transit system that'll take you to hanauma bay and the wakiki aquarium. I think it's like 2 bucks to ride. If you sign up for the cultural center at your hotel. They have a bus that'll take you straight there. On the ride they kinda give a tour and stories of places as you pass them on the way. Super convenient that way. If you are going to the north shore or something like that for the day, you may want a car for the day, but all in all you won't need one.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Yeah last time we were there we rented a car for 2 days I think (out of 7) north shore is cool, and so are the pineapple fields. Everything else is within walking or short bus ride from Waikiki hotel zone.

 

[JNG]

I'm thinking about renting a car in the middle if our trip for a few days. With what is being said, I guess it would be a waste of money having a car just sit there. I have heard some nice things to do in Kauai, any feedback on that island. I really appreciate all the comments.

 

[JNG]

Wakiki aquarium[attachment=61750:name]

 

[09bumblebee]

Wakiki aquarium

More pics!

 

[Tabasco]

Too funny, you are in hawaii and posting on here. If you are curious about diving, you can usually find places that do a "resort" certification. You go through a crash course (not as sketchy as it sounds) and then do a beginner dive, which is pretty cool. I did this in Maui a couple years ago before I got certified. Whole different level than snorkelling and absolutely amazing. Have a blast! And stay away from the computer.

 

[JNG]

Not on a computer guy, I posted that in the time it took my wife to pay and us walk in.

 

[CRW Reef]

Well Jerry........ How did the trip go? Pics man Pics, details details Hope you guys had fun, which im sure would of been a challenge not to there.

 

[JNG]

Sorry, been busy since I got home. My wife started the honey do list right away. The aquarium was nice but a bit smaller than I expected. There outdoor aquariums were awesome. I spoke to one of the volunteers about aquariums at home and such. Most of them make their own rock being that they can't ship in live rock.
Went snorkeling quite a few times and seen a beautiful pair of morish idols and damn near ran right into a huge sea turtle. I think I was expecting to see more corals, but I did land up smashing my knee right into one with the tide. The mountains and coastline were so nice. I must have ate so many damn coconuts, that I probably won't touch one for a long time.

 

[Punjab]

Sweet! I'm going in September. Can't wait.