Honolulu

Question: Does anyone have Honolulu transportation and entertainment tips during the Probowl for group of 6 ages 30-45? We are a fun, out-going group that enjoys all types of food, comedy, performances and dancing to R&B and Hip Hop Music. Staying at the Wakiki Wave on Kuhio Avenue. Would appreciate any transportation tips (like should we get a car) and "must do's" for our first trip to Honolulu.

Answer: What are your interests? Most people want to go to Pearl Harbor, but GO EARLY. In the same area is the Bowfin Submarine/Museum, the USS Missouri (like Arizona), and the Pacific Aviation Museum (a must-see). that's a whole day. Most clubs and comedy etc. are in Waikiki, so you shouldn't need a car except when you are getting out of Waikiki. Do NOT drive to the Stadium--it will be a madhouse. There will be shuttles from many locations--drop-off and return. If you want outdoors, there is Diamond Head, lots of hiking trails (but it's been rainy). If you haven't been to Hawaii, a trip around the island is fun, and the waves might be high--but there will be traffic. Waikiki will have the best weather so you can learn to surf or parasail from the beach vendors.

Question: What are the cheapest routes from mainland to Honolulu? I can get to most large cities on the mainland cheaply, but need to get to Honolulu for as cheap as possible in October. I'm wondering what the cheapest routes are from any large mainland city to Honolulu. Any suggestions?

Answer: SEA - HNL $307.00 Northwest SFO - HNL $389.00 Northwest LAX - HNL $378.00 Delta Roundtrip according to Travelocity

Question: Any suggestions for accommodation in Honolulu which would cater for five people, and a toddler? I am attending a wedding in Honolulu this coming February and will be travelling with my wife, eighteen month old son, parents in law and my wife's grand mother. All in all, there will be five adults and one child in our party. Ideally, for the sake of convenience and minimising costs, we'd all like to stay together in a self-catering apartment. Are there any places that could accommodate us all?

Answer: Yes, there should be 2-bedroom condos for rent. With the tourism economy down, you should be able to get a fairly good deal that would include a full or partial kitchen. Look in the www.honoluluadvertiser.com or go through a reliable travel agent. Two that I know of are the Ala Moana Hotel (condos although run like hotels) and the Ilikai Hotel. There are cheaper ones as well (Ilikai is right on the water). The Aqua Hotels have some buildings away from the water but a few short minutes away.

Question: Is Honolulu PD going to be hiring within the next year or next year? Moving to Oahu next June and would like to work with Honolulu PD. I've heard they are on a hiring freeze, but I've also heard that they're desperate for people to work despite the low wages.

Answer: I would check online and see what their practices are.Also it is important to get all the facts about the police department so you would do well in an interview.

Question: Where can I buy inexpensive skis in Honolulu? I know it’s an unlikely place to sell skis but I was wondering if there is any place in Honolulu where I can buy good quality skis. I’m getting it as a birthday gift for a family member.

Answer: eBay maybe? I really think your best bet is to find something online and have it shipped to Hawai'i.

Question: Coming to Honolulu for my birthday from Australia any ideas for inexpensive 'touristy' things to do? I am travelling out of my big beautifull 'Island' Australia for the first time for my 60th birthday. I am doing it on a 'no frills' budget as I want to 'experience' being in Honolulu from my own self. I am going to cruise around the Islands stopping off here and there. What is your favourite place or thing to do in your country? Thank you everyone for your answers I will definitely put together a list of 'must do's' from what you all have suggested. I am sure I will have a great time whilst there.

Answer: I actually just wrote an article listing my top free tourist things to do and see on Oahu and many of them are specifically in Honolulu. Check it out here: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09/24/... Here is something else that's free: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09/24/... Happy 60!

Question: why is it so much more expensive to fly to Tokyo from Honolulu than from NYC? Honolulu is so much closer, yet flights are cheaper from NYC to Tokyo. Does this have to do with the size of the Honolulu airport? It seems kind of weird to me.

Answer: I'm sure it has a lot to do with supply and demand. NYC has 3 large airports and plenty of flights, mostly American tourists, and business travelers. HNL is a small airport, and it's a HUGE vacation destination for Japanese people (it's dirt cheap to them). The cheap seats sell out FAST.

Question: What hotel should we stay at in Honolulu? My husband and I are going on a cruise from Honolulu down to Ensenada Mexico in Sept/Oct. We are planning to arrive in Honolulu a day ahead of our cruise departure, which would be on Monday, Sept 28th. Which hotel would be the best to stay at in order to board our ship? Maybe one that is closest to the port or one where the hotel is able to transport us? Any ideas or suggestions would be great! Thanks!

Answer: These hotels are closest hotels to the Honolulu Cruise terminal within 2.5 miles. Resortquest Hotel Executive Centre Honolulu is the closest hotel to the Honolulu Cruise terminal http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Pagoda Hotel Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Ala Moana Hotel Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Hawaii Prince Waikiki Hotel Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Aqua Waikiki Marina Hotel Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Equus Hotel Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Waikiki Marina Resort Ilikai Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot... Hilton Resort Hawaiian Village Honolulu http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Hot...

Question: How to transport from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki at 11 pm Friday? We are arriving at 11 pm in Honolulu Friday and my hotel has no airport shuttle. What are the different ways to get to Kapahulu Avenue near Waikiki Beach besides calling a cab? Thanks.

Answer: Hotwire (nonrfundable) rental cars are cheap if you have your own insurance. There lots of shuttles. Hawaii Super Transit is recommended by the hostel, so I would use that one. Hawaii Super Transit Shuttle: Runs to and from Waikiki for $5 return. Tel (808) 841 2928, 1 877 247 8737 or use courtesy phones at the information boards in baggage claim. Reliable Shuttle: Runs to and from Waikiki. The 2nd person goes free with each full fare paying person. Tel (808) 924 9292 or use courtesy phones at the information boards in baggage claim. Waikiki Shuttle: Runs to hotels in Waikiki. One way $9, round trip $15. Excess bags or surfboards extra. http://www.oahuairportshuttle.com/rates.... The cab will cost some bucks since you are at the farthest end of Waikiki.

Question: What are the best things to do in Honolulu? My fiance and I are going to Hawaii in June for our Honeymoon. We will stay 4 days in Honolulu and 3 days in Kauai. We are wanting to see and do a lot, especially in Honolulu. Does anyone have any tips or thoughts on the best things to do and see?

Answer: Wow, this is the longest answer I've ever done!! I am assuming you already have a tour book that lists the main stuff (Waimea Canyon on Kauai, Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, surfing lessons, etc.) so I won't: * There are a lot of romantic restaurants in Oahu. The Hau Tree Lanai, on a terrace right on Sans Souci Beach (a quiet part of Waikiki) is outside seating under some Hau Trees. Reserve right before sunset to watch the sun go down and the surfers come in. For a busy Waikiki Beach experience, people always like Duke's. The most beautiful "Bali Hai / South Seas" tropical view to cuddle up close about is on the windward side of the island, in Kaneohe called Haleiwa Joe's. The view is spectacularly gorgeous as the food is spectacularly average but with the view who cares? They have music. Go early, as the garden they overlook, Haiku Garden is famous, in fact a lot of local weddings there. For breakfast, go to the Plumeria Restaurant at the Kahala Resort....ahhhh. The locals all go to John Dominis when they have a special occasion. Smooth, seamless restaurant but I like it because it is the only time I've ever seen the famous foot-long centipedes we have here in the islands...I saw it in front of the lobby (nobody wanted to catch it and take it out...). Roy's and Alan Wong's are the top two local-food chefs in the islands, both restaurants are amazing. Alan Wong's is also amazing $$$$$-wise. http://www.haleiwajoes.com/111111_hjoes_... http://www.johndominis.com/ * Walk down Mauna Kea Street in Honolulu's Chinatown. Huge number of small florists that make flower leis are there. You can buy a hand-made work of flower art for $5 to $10 (some are amazing!). How wonderful to give each other an orchid or plumeria lei! I like Cindy's Lei Shop. http://www.cindysleishoppe.com/ * If you want to see a decent hula dancer, Kanoe Miller at the House Without A Key at the Halekulani Hotel (the top hotel in Oahu) is the most consistent dancer, the food is above average, great atmosphere right out of the 1940's. Locals call this ambience the "Territorial" era, before Hawaii was a state. http://www.halekulani.com/dining/house_w... * If you are thinking about having your fiance buy you a nice Hawaiian style keepsake jjewelery not too expensive, the local jeweler (many locations) is Na Hoku. Then at least you know it is legitimate. Avoid the Black Coral, Maui Divers and Tahitian Black Pearl shops, they are a rip-off I think. http://www.nahoku.com/NaHoku/Home * June 5-7 is the Matsuri Festival in Honolulu. There are a lot of ties between Japan and Hawaii (18% of locals are Japanese in fact). * There are a lot of Vegas-style shows on Waikiki, they are all entertaining. But if you want to see local "Hawaiian" music talent, go to Chai's Island Bistro in the Aloha Tower. They have the top names in the islands in an intimate setting. If the dinner price is too high, go for drinks. http://www.chaisislandbistro.com/ * The Iuaus are not-so-great nowadays. However, the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center is probably the most entertaining and informative. It is run by the Mormon Church so no drinks if that is important to you. I'm pretty sure you can still buy a ticket for just the show if you don't want to see the exhibits of the different South Sea islands. * Do you like to hike? Diamond Head is actually a round crater (doesn't look like it from Waikiki) and you can hike from the inside to the highest point above Waikiki. It is hot and dry (tradewinds are blocked on the inside of the crater, ugh) but the view is amazing...worth a kiss or hug at least when you get there! If you are willing to put up with the mud, hike to a tropical jungle waterfall and pool, such as Manoa Falls (I always recommend this) in back of Honolulu in Manoa Valley...wear very strong flip-flops (cheap ones will break and it won't be fun walking through the jungle without shoes) or Tevas. Bamboo forests, giant ferns and orchids on the way. * Drive up to the overlook in back of central downtown Honolulu on the Nuuani Pali Highway to the windward side. It is called Nuuani Pali Point, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful vistas in Hawaii. If the tradewinds are blowing (which is usually the case) the wind funnels through the valley with spectacular wind speeds here. * I'm sure you will snorkel at the two top spots Hanauma Bay National Preserve (GO EARLY or water gets cloudy and parking spots difficult) and Shark's Cove on North Shore, but rent a car and go to beautiful Kailua or Lanikai Beach, both on the windward side. * When you go to see Pearl Harbor, as exciting as the memorial is the perfectly-preserved WWII submarine on the grounds, don't miss it! It is amazing how small it is inside, and you wonder how they stayed under the water in it for so long! On Kauai: * Absolutely you should go to Ke'e (or Ki'i) Beach near Hanalei/Princeville, the spot they filmed the beach love scene in the Thorn Birds. You can (theoretically) hike along the Na Pali Coast from here, but it will be more fun to take a zodiac inflated boat tour over here to see the sea caves, waterfalls that drop into the ocean. * You should have the local "asian noodle" dish in the islands. A mix of chinese, japanese and hawaiian. It is called "saimin". Go to Hamura's Saimin in Lihue, eat at their counter, it's a fun "dive" you will enjoy.