What's One Thing You Wish You Had Known...[before you went to Hawaii]

[Tamaradarann]

If you're in Waikiki, you don't have to worry about rush hour because you can walk to everything. If you want to drive around the island, avoid 7-10 AM and 3-7 PM.

Please respect the ocean. Waves and currents are unpredictable and many people drown in Hawaii each year.

I wish I had know how hard it is not to go back once you've experienced the natural beauty and aloha spirit of the islands. We got hooked. Have a great trip.

I agree with this thought about not needing a car in Waikiki. We have stayed there for hundreds of nights without a car. You can walk to many things and the bus is a great way to get to other places in Honolulu for $2.50. I always say if you must have a car go to another island, they are all great and have less traffic and easier and less expensive parking than Waikiki.

 

[talkamotta]

1. Buy your main groceries and gas at Costco. Most of the time Costco is comparable in car rental prices.
2. If you are going snorkeling....especially on Maui...its free and lots of nice places but you need to go early for parking. 7 am is a good time.
3. Know that on most of the islands (other than HNL and Waikiki) things shut down earlier than you might think.
4. If you want to see the Haleakala sunrise you need to make reservations with the park service. If you are thinking of doing a zipline make reservations before you go.
5. Have a few things in your mind that are musts b4 you leave and research them. Leave down time to relax or for things that come up. As others have said "Dont expect to see everything on your first trip. You want to come home rested not wanting to get back to work so you can rest.
6. National Parks, snorkeling, hikes and beaches are free or almost free.

 

[Rjbeach2003]

Re Walnut Baron, BI. Best snorkeling in Hawaii, from Shore. Kailua-Kona isn't surrounded by lava fields, if fact above the town is where Kona Coffee is grown.
The vast lava fields start North of Kailua-Kona and run up to Mauna Kea Resort. That is where Waikoloa and Mauna Lani are. Don't be thrown off by lava fields, best beaches there.

Because the BI is so big, it feels even less busy than Kauai. Plus has probably the only town, not city, not wholly dependent on tourism, Hilo.