Page 1 of 1
This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 6:04 am
by ryanbp01
This year, to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary, my bride and I will be heading to Hawaii for two weeks. In addition to doing a lot of island hopping and sightseeing, is there anything which is not listed in the AAA tourbooks which would merit special attention?
BPR
Re: This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 10:36 am
by JPG
Keakap.

Re: This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 11:27 am
by roy_okc
I was stationed at Hickam AFB in the early half of the 90's, so going way back in my 'half'-addled memory...
USS Arizona memorial (if you're retired military, you might be able to get on the Navy's non-public tour, if they still have it, which was better than the public one), Punchbowl cemetery, huli huli chicken from a food truck/side of the road (authentic will probably be wrapped in newspaper), shave ice in Haleiwa (pronounced ~ 'holly eva'), manapua, any place that has 'plate lunch' (and you have to make sure you have macaroni salad so you can say you did the authentic thing).
If you're on the southwest coast of the Big Island with an hour or more to spare, consider a stop at Miloli'i ('me low lee ee'), "the last Hawaiian fishing village"; some friendly people there.
Avoid leaving valuables in your parked car if at all possible.
Snorkeling (if you're not diving) at spots on islands other than Oahu. Hanauma Bay on Oahu is gorgeous, but the last I knew either banned swimming or had limits on visitors, not sure it's present status. If you've not dived/snorkeled before but can swim at least half way decent, snorkeling is quite easy to learn.
If you're retired military, Bellows beach on Oahu is generally low use during the week. They have cabins to rent if you're not so into the night life/crowds of the cities and can get into one.
Have fun!
Re: This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 2:30 pm
by stevespix
Pearl Harbor is not to be missed. You'll spend the whole day and it is a wonderful experience to be had. I was there when they had a WWII POW reunion and met some wonderful guys and heard some great stories. It's a very emotional and uplifting experience. If you want to relax be sure to make it to Kauai it's beauty is unmatched.
Re: This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 2:54 pm
by thunderbirdbat
I was stationed at Wahiawa in the late 80's and made a number of port calls at Pearl Harbor up until 2015 where I was made a tour guide by friends. In addition to what has been mentioned, I would recommend the "Missouri" and if you can get to it the "Utah" memorial on the back side of Ford Island. Dole used to have a tourist spot up by Wahiawa with different varieties of pineapple growing there. I would also recommend a stop at the Valley of the Temples.
Re: This year's trip
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 3:00 pm
by wrmnfzy
The volcano and black beaches on the big island of Hawaii. The Dole Plantation maze and their fresh pineapple treats in their store. Any of the several locations that have orchids. A helicopter tour over the big island. All the other things mentioned above.