Holiday in Hawaii?

ms_caz on 12/03/2017 - 17:12

Hi OzB community.

Mr Caz and I are starting to think about another holiday plan - probably for late 2018/early 2019. Yes it is a long way away but there's pretty limited funds in our household at the moment and we need to approach it with a definite plan in order to make the best of it.

Does anybody here have any stories to tell us about a Hawaiian holiday? I guess we are looking at about 10 - 14 days - time of year is yet to be determined but we will probably take a couple of weeks long service leave so for a change we won't be limited to school holiday breaks. I have been to Hawaii a couple of times for a couple of days each time but that was many years ago now, and it was really only to Waikiki beach.

We are early fifties and not really adventure travellers. I quite like the comfort of our own bathroom! I like a bargain (of course!) but we won't be on an absolute shoestring.

So - does anybody have any advice about:
flights/carriers
which island?
what time of year is better/busier/more of a bargain?
accommodations (is AirBnB or similar legal or otherwise in Hawaii?)
getting around - I would imagine a rental vehicle (could be a motorbike as we both have licences)

I will go and look on Tripadvisor and ask questions there but I want to know if there is even any point thinking about this as an option - hoping people can advise.

thanks,
Ms_caz

Travel

Comments

  • internet-stranger on 12/03/2017 - 19:22

    Have a look at MyHawaii. We have been to Hawaii 3 times, and used them all 3 times. I tried and tried and could not beat there package deals booking myself.
    The last 2 times they customised what we wanted, and the last time we went out 3star accommodation got over sold, so they bumped up to the Hilton resort which was fantastic.
    Also if you are booking more than 2 people they can get even better pricing

  • madreece on 13/03/2017 - 17:26

    We love Maui. It's Hawaii like I thought it would be. Didn't think much of Waikiki at all.

  • sweetmango25 on 17/03/2017 - 13:51

    I was in Oahu/Maui for 2.5 weeks in January and had a car for both islands. Maui was great for relaxing/resort life, cruising out for snorkelling/diving, much like a town. It wasn't very crowded but traffic can be a little annoying because where I stayed, it was one long road. Also pitch black from around 6pm!

    Oahu is definitely more city like, lots of great scenary hikes, shopping, more crowds and good food trucks (still dreaming about the garlic prawns).

    There is public transport but getting to one place would be a long time depending where you're going so I definitely suggest to rent a car.

  • NIfti on 17/03/2017 - 15:24

    We have been going every year for the past 20 odd years…always hire a condo with our own kitchen - stayed mostly in Waikiki and have also stayed Maui - Lahainia and the Big Island ( Kona and Hilo) we always get a car because we like to travel around to our favourite beaches and shopping centres but the bus in Waikiki is fairly good too but does get packed at peak times. Traffic in Honolulu before 9.30 and after 3.00pm is crazy busy. Love Waikiki there are so many parks and walks and yes it is busy. Maui is lovely and you can go whale watching and drive the crater.. Big Island for the Volcano..I would be tempted to do a week on each island and for condos in Waikiki try stayinwaikiki.com very competitive prices for one bed condos, not luxury but clean and comfortable with full kitchens.

  • mrtin on 13/04/2017 - 09:13

    We used vrbo to book accommodation. It is like airbnb over there.

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