Additional Helpful Tips
Forgot to mention....
Since our first trip, we've been back to Hawaii several times and have brought family and friends along.
Here's what I recently sent to family & friends for our trip last month. I think you might find it helpful.
NOTE: We try to stay at least two weeks due the high airfare and long flight from the East Coast.
Hawaii Ground Transportation
You have several options getting to/from the airport
Taxicab (approx $30 to $40 one way) -
http://hawaii.gov/hnl/ground-transportation/taxicabs
Shuttle Bus (approx $15 per person one way) -
http://hawaii.gov/hnl/ground-transportation/speedishuttle
Rental Car - For Car Rentals, I use
http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com they normally offer the lowest daily and weekly rates.
NOTE: Parking in Waikiki is expensive (just like any other major city. The Hilton Hawaiian Village charges $27 daily to the room for self parking at their onsite parking garage
In Hawaii, try to avoid driving during prime weekday rush hour to avoid the bumper to bumper traffic due to the morning and evening commuters.
When we visit Hawaii, we always get gas at Costco. They generally offer the cheapest gas. The Iwilei (Honolulu) Costco is located just off of the Nimitz Highway between downtown Honolulu and Honolulu International Airport. I believe you need to be a Costco member.
Keep in mind that Honolulu is a major city. So you’ll have
- Sidewalks to walk to everything
- Public transportation options (taxicab or bus. The public bus runs to all of the major sights)
- Various nearby entertainment options (museums/exhibits, shows/theatres, parades/public events, concerts/live shows, etc)
- Various nearby dining options offering every cuisine imaginable in almost every price range
- Various malls, stores and supermarkets nearby (with familiar popular brands, etc)
However since you only have a week, you might want to rent a car to get to sights beyond Honolulu. It will be quicker by car than by bus.
Waikiki Map -
http://www.oahughosttours.com/waikiki_map.htm
DaBus -
http://www.thebus.org/
Waikiki Bus Guide -
http://www.thebus.org/pop/Visitor_WaikikiGuide.pdf
Bus Routes & Timetables -
http://www.thebus.org/Route/Routes.asp
Bus Fares -
http://www.thebus.org/Fare/FarePasses.asp ($2.50 one way)
IMPORTANT TIPS
1. "Never turn your back on the ocean"
Most people are cautious when they are swimming or in the water, but a lot of people forget to be just as watchful when they are dry. If you are close to the water at all, keep your eyes on it. People have been swept out to sea or drowned while standing on the lava rocks or jetties assuming that they were safe just because they were dry, but if you are near the water keep your guard up
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/2009/03/never-turn-your-back-on-ocean.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=xwwGtU_MlYY
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/beach/beach_safety.php
2. Never leave food outside unattended.
LOL, I warned my stepmother about the birds. She didn't see any birds in sight so she decided to quickly dash into the room to refill her coffee leaving her muffin outside on the lanai unattended. When she got back a little sparrow was already on her plate eating her muffin.
3. Need spray for mosquitoes in dense forest areas.
If you're the type that normally gets bitten (like me), I advise that you spray yourself down before entering the various gardens.
4. Never leave valuables in the car.
Keep windows and sunroofs closed and doors locked. Never leave anything in plain view (on the seats or the floor) even an empty shopping bag -- could be seen as a carrier of valuables. Sadly we've seen broken glass on the ground from smashed windows. Experienced thieves often stake out parking lots to watch for people putting items in their trunk. Get into the habit of putting valuables in the trunk right when you return to the vehicle, rather than after you park at the next place. Thieves sometimes linger in busy parking lots looking for valuables being moved out of sight. Don't forget such telltale evidence as power plugs, adapters, navigation system windshield suction-cup mounts and even put the cigarette lighter back in place. Thieves know what they're looking for, so hide the electronic accessories, too.
5. Pay attention to Tsunami warning - Pacific Tsunami Warning Center -
http://ptwc.weather.gov/
A Tsunami Watch means that an earthquake in the Pacific Basin may have produced dangerous waves that could affect Oahu. If waves are confirmed,
· A Tsunami Warning will be issued.
· Civil Defense sirens will be sounded island-wide.
· Be prepared to evacuate:
o Beaches and low lying coastal areas.
o Vertically - To the third floor or above in a multiple story building of heavy concrete or steel construction that has at least six stories.
o Horizontally - By moving outside the zones and remaining in place or going to a nearby shelter.
NOTE: We experienced a tsunami warning while we were on vacation in 2010 triggered by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile. We were woken up in the early morning hours by the Tsunami sirens even though the first wave wasn’t expected until 11am. At the time, we were staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the oceanfront Lagoon Tower on the 24th floor. They basically kept everyone off the streets and beaches in Waikiki. We just went out and stocked up on essentials (bottle water, canned foods, flashlight, candles, matches, etc) and sat out on our oceanfront lanai watching the private yachts leave the nearby marina and the police patrolling the area. Since we were on high floor, I wasn’t concerned but my youngest sister who was visiting Hawaii for the 1st time was very scared due to the constant sirens and extensive news coverage. Sadly she has vowed never to return to Hawaii even thought she enjoyed everything else. I thought everything was very well organized and controlled. It was strange walking around trying to find an open store for supplies (even the ABC stores on every corner were closed).
Since we were on the 24th floor I didn’t leave Waikiki. There's about 8-10 feet to a story so we're 190 feet high. They were moving guests from the lower floors. I also didn’t want to be stuck in traffic or run out of gas trying to get to higher ground. And I didn’t want to get stranded for days without food or shelter because I can't get back to the resort or leave to go home due to possible flooding, power outages, road closures or whatever.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/us/28warning.html?_r=0
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-6249805.html
YOUR STAY
REMINDER: All of the beaches in Hawaii are public (not private).
Don't forget to pack flip flops and/or water shoes. I like flip flops instead of slippers for walking around our two bedroom unit.
All four major islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island) have major supermarket chains (Safeway, Foodland, Times, Whole Foods) and stores like Costo, Sams Club, Walmart, Kmart and Target. Also you’ll find tons of convenient stores called ABC Stores almost at every corner. There’s even one within the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The closest Grocery Store within walking distance of the Hilton Hawaiian Village is the Food Pantry on 438 Hobron Lane -
http://www.yelp.com/biz/food-pantry-ltd-honolulu-3
If you have a car, there's a nice Safeway supermarket at 888 Kapahulu Avenue (NOTE: additional parking is available on the top of the supermarket just take the ramp; Definitely sign up for their shoppers card for discounts) -
http://local.safeway.com/hi/honolulu-2747.html
NOTE: A newer Safeway at 1234 S. Beretania St.that I’ve never been to and is a little closer -
http://local.safeway.com/hi/honolulu-2944.html
There are plenty of options offsite. All of the major restaurant chains are here – McDonalds, Subway, Denny’s, Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, Senor Frog’s, Margaritaville, Bubba Gumps, Macaroni Grill, P.F. Chang’s,etc
We like trying different foods, so I generally use the restaurant reviews on Tripadvisor.com & yelp.com.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g29222-Oahu_Hawaii-Vacations.html
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&find_loc=oahu&ns=1&ls=b9c214b29ad2ef8b#cflt=restaurants
Happy Hour Food & Drinks
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http://www.waikikimenus.com/happy.php
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http://www.livindaisland.com/DA_HAPPY_HOUR.html
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http://www.dailyhappyhour.com/hawaii/honolulu/