Looking for advice on Hawaii

[Stewie]

I'm trying to plan a little 3-4 day Hawaii trip and keep the costs within reason. I've never been. Does anyone have any advice on:

1. Where to stay/Which Island (emphasis on crew discount and proximity to good nightlife and stuff to do)

2. Any advice on things to do/see

3. Non-conventional ways to Jumpseat out there using Cargo Carriers

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

1. I did two trips to Oahu and two to Maui last year. If you are looking for nightlife then you need to stay in the Waikiki area of Oahu. The other islands slow way down in the evenings. As for where to stay, that depends on which major hotel chain you have the most points with. Moana Surfrider is a great place and within walking distance to everything. Hilton offers the best points at the Hilton Hawaiin Village. I've also just this week recieved special offers for Hawaii from Marriott and Sheraton.

2. Too many things to do in Waikiki to list. I recommend getting this book: http://www.wizardpub.com/oahu/oahu.html Also, you can get great airline discounts with pretty much any kind of crew ID at many places. You get a significant discount on the submarine tours (50% if I remember).

3. Can't speak of the non-convential ways. I went out as revenue pax and flight crew on my trips.

Look up "HAL" on here, he knows all about the islands. He flys for Hawaiian.

 

[Stewie]

Thanks for the info. I like the sound of Waikiki. I don't have points with any hotels so I gotta go with a straight crew discount rate. Any recommendations for specific hotels that offer discounts for airline crew? Also is there a specific beach location that is ideal to set up base camp (i.e. close to the coolest bar/beach in the area) Do you have any names for must try places....like a restaurant or bar?

 

[ovrthill]

I would try the Outrigger. http://www.outrigger.com/special_rates_detail.aspx?srID=19 Not the Hilton, but they have good rates and good locations.

 

[IAHERJ]

Do you fly for an airline? If so then see where your airline crews layover and call that property directly. My airline uses the Hyatt Regency and gives only employees of our mainline carrier the discount. Other crew hotels will give regional/commuter carriers of the mainline carrier the discount as well. Plenty of flights to HNL from LAX. Delta/American/United/Hawaiian/Continental/Alaska off the top of my head. Enjoy your stay.

 

[skypine69]

Go to Lihue, rent a car and drive to the north side and camp. There are beaches with showers (cold) BBQs and places to park. I have been able to get cars for $25 a day and the camping is about 5 a day. Get the camping permit while still in Lihue though. Go buy a cheap cooler and stock up on food and charcol (and booze if thats your thing) and have a great trip!

 

[captain822]

Really nice to see this come up...going to Oahu on Sunday for a week. Flights look wide open. Bid on a hotel thru Priceline and got Hyatt Regency Waikiki for $82/night + taxes. Also got a car from Hotwire for $9/day. Really good time to go right now. Does anyone know what restaurants in the Waikiki area offer crew discounts?

 

[Dan Roman]

I live on the North Shore and don't go to Waikiki that much (Boring married guy). However, I know the Shorebird can be a lot of fun and very popular with Airline Crews and I think they do give an airline discount. Dukes is a very good restaurant and you might try Jimmy Buffets new place.
Shorebird is on the Diamond Head side of Fort DeRussy.
Oh yeah, the original Chart House is very good, overlooking boat harbor by the Ilikai.

 

[Rebound]

I am taking my wife to Oahu on Sunday as well. Any specific locations with airline discounts for luau's or adventure type tours (snorkeling, para-sailing, etc)?

 

[Full of LUV]

Hawaii on SALE

I am taking my wife to Oahu on Sunday as well. Any specific locations with airline discounts for luau's or adventure type tours (snorkeling, para-sailing, etc)?

I live in windward Oahu.
Shorebird under the Outrigger Reef hotel, beachside offers a 15% discount with airline ID. You cook your own food though. Dukes under the Outrigger Waikiki, right in the middle of town, offers probably the best "touristy" environment to meet people and has live music later in the evenings. The Shearaton has a cool outdoor bar that is fun.

If staying in Oahu for a week (with wife or GF), I suggest a vacation rental on the windward side, you can get some very good deals right now as busy season is over. If single, better off down in Waikiki. If you have a car, I really enjoy Sam Choy's that is between the Airport and Waikiki off of Nimitz highway, very good food without the tourist surtax of Waikiki.

If you are military affiliated at all, PM me and I will give you the lowdown on military facilities which can significantly lower your costs.

Overall, compared with previous years, Hawaii is on a serious SALE right now with hotel occupancies in the 60's and fewer tourists spending gobs of cash while here, the Hawaiian economy is really starting to feel the effects.

That being said, if you can find a hotel in Waikiki below $99, you really have scored. Between unions and COL in Hawaii, things just don't get cheaper than that.

BTW, we had the BEST weather from 15 Dec till yesterday that I have witnessed in 8 years in Hawaii. The Christmas / New Year this year was phenomenal. Probably at least 25 gorgeous beach days in that time period which is quite nice for the winter time. Hope the weather holds for your trip.
Aloha!

 

[Full of LUV]

Oh yeah...

I am taking my wife to Oahu on Sunday as well. Any specific locations with airline discounts for luau's or adventure type tours (snorkeling, para-sailing, etc)?

After years of friends/relatives insisting on "Luau's", I've tried them all, some more than once. If you insist, the show that they put on at the Polynesian Cultural Center beats all others, hands down. It's up on the North Shore, so you need to drive or they have busses from Waikiki as well, but it is well worth it. You can do the Luau there as well, but not required if you just want to attend the show.

PM me if you have any specific questions.
Aloha

 

[Bert Harbenson]

I agree that Duke's is a must do (fish tacos are awesome) and you can't go wrong having a few beverages at Moose's. If you want to indulge in the nightlife there are a few pub crawl operators that offer a pretty good deal and are great way to see what is around.

Try to get to the North Shore if at all possible. You will probably need to rent a car, but sights are worth it. Honolulu is ok, but you can't really see the beauty of the island until you get outside of downtown. Rosie's Cantina in Haleiwa serves a mean breakfast and watching the surfers at Sunset Beach is a good way to waste away a day. Closer to Waikiki a hike up diamond head gives a view that is second to none.

I have used UPS to get out there...very accommodating. A great way to go, comfortable seats, food and you arrive early in the morning giving you another day in the islands. You will have to get a cab into town or to the terminal though. If you leave from the passenger terminals there are shuttle operators that run into downtown and drop you at your hotel for a reasonable price ($17 round trip last time I was out there). It takes a little longer as you have to drop off the other passengers, but much cheaper than a cab.

For hotels, if all you need is a bed and shower there are a few places on hotels.com that give very cheap rates (Hawaiian Monarch and Aqua Continental come to mind). However be prepared, they are older and kind of dumpy. If you want quality, pay a few more dollars and go with some of the better known hotels. Also if you do rent a car almost all hotels charge $15-20 per day to park, check ahead.

Much Aloha and have a great time!

 

[Metrojet]

I'm trying to plan a little 3-4 day Hawaii trip and keep the costs within reason. I've never been. Does anyone have any advice on:

1. Where to stay/Which Island (emphasis on crew discount and proximity to good nightlife and stuff to do)

2. Any advice on things to do/see

3. Non-conventional ways to Jumpseat out there using Cargo Carriers

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

kailua sailboards and kayaks, inc website - kailuasailboards.com on the north side of Oahu (really beautiful) and something different - go for a drive up Tantalus Drive on Oahu and go to the lookout over Honolulu - and of course - Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Fly over to Maui for the day and drive up Haleakla Crater.

Just went with the family this summer for 2 weeks - great time

Metrojet