Excursions from Oahu

[thetimeshareguy]

Next summer my girlfriend and I are taking my two boys (will be ages 9 and 13by then) for two weeks at a resort on Waikiki Beach. We will spend most of our time on Oahu (it's our first time to Hawaii) but would consider doing some kind of day trip or even an overnight excursion, say, to another island.

We will read the proverbial travel books on Hawaii, but I wanted to get some tips from Tuggers about anything they'd especially recommend as being worthwhile and good value for two adults and two kids based in Honolulu. Boat or plane trips to other islands? Something unusual not covered in most guide books?

We know that some of the local airlines have closed recently, so perhaps it will be more difficult or expensive to do something like fly to the Big Island to tour the volcano and so on. But setting the airline troubles apart, what would YOU recommend?

 

[DeniseM]

The only day trip I would do would be to visit Volcano National Park on the Big Island. We flew to Hilo on a flight & rental car pkg. We stopped at a grocery store and bought a styrofoam ice chest, picnic lunch and cold drinks, because there are very limited services in the park. Then we drove to the park, about 45 Min. and spent the whole day there. The park is set up for self-guided tours by car, so I definitely wouldn't pay additional money for a tour. Depending on the lava flow, and the stamina of your group, I would suggest the following agenda:

7:00 am flight to Hilo

7:45 - pick up rental car

8:00 - pick up lunch and cold drinks & drive to park

9:00 - Arrive at park & go to visitiors center for Info.

9:30 - Drive to lava flow (this moves all the time, and sometimes isn't accessible, but you can get all the info. in the visitors center.) You want to do the hike as early as possible as it gets very hot out there.

10:00 - 1:00 Hike out to lava flow & back

1:00 - Find someplace cool in the park to eat your picnic lunch

1:30 - Take the circle tour of the park in your car

5:30 - head for the airport (you could have dinner in Hilo before flying back.)

Even if there is no active lava flow, or the hike is too much for your group, the park itself is amazing and well worth the trip. I personally don't do the helicopter tours in Hawaii, because they have too many accidents, but many people love them.

If you decide to stay over night, there is a hotel in the park as well as a less expensive Military R&R camp, but you have to have a military connection to stay at the camp.

Here is the park website with tons of info. to help you plan your trip -
http://www.nps.gov/havo/

 

[Luanne]

I agree with Denise's suggestion.

 

[DaveNV]

I agree with Denise - Volcano National Park is an excellent day trip, that would increase your enjoyment of Hawaii, especially if you can see the lava flow.

As a fill-in thing during the tour of the park, (something your kids will think is really cool), be sure to take the walk out to the petroglyphs down along Chain of Craters Road. It's an easy walk from the parking area out to the outcropping, and you can see a lot of old Hawaiian petroglyphs carved on the rocks. It's pretty cool.

Here's one of those "hidden" tips you're looking for, as shared to me by a Ranger in the park: When you get to the petroglyphs viewing area, (which is a circular walkway of wood at the end of the trail), go to the "far end" of the circle, and step off the walkway, continuing straight ahead and around to the back side of the next hill you see. (It's maybe 200-300 feet or so). From the back side of that hill you'll be able to see THOUSANDS of petroglyphs you can't see from the wooden walkway. They're all over the place. It's VERY cool.

The Ranger advised walking only on the grasses, so you won't disturb any of the carvings. I found it was easy to avoid stepping on anything, and I was really glad to have that extra little tip. It definitely increased the experience.

Have fun!

Dave

 

[thetimeshareguy]

Great info! About how much should I expect to pay per person to go from Oahu to the Big Island and tour the volcano on our own? I assume one has to arrange a flight and car? I need to budget for this in our plans.

 

[DeniseM]

I have no idea how much it is now. We always use Hawaiian Air and there are other interisland carriers, but you could start by checking at Hawaiian. Try different dates during your trip to find the best price. I would book it as soon as I found a good price - don't wait until you get there.

One thing I didn't state in my agenda is that you have to be careful - the hike out to the lava flow is hot and rugged, over the new black lava beds. You are walking across very sharp lava rock - there is no path, it's all rolling, broken lava beds. You need to dress for hiking and everyone needs water, sunscreen, hats and tennis shoes or other sturdy footwear. The kids cannot run and goof around, because if they fall on the lava, it will shred their hands and knees. Heavy pants or even knee pads might be a good idea for kids. We even saw adults with bloody hands and knees.

Out at the lava flow itself, there is nothing to prevent people from being incredibly stupid. There is no rail or security guard. When we were out there we saw teenage boys poking the hot lava with a stick like it was just a mud puddle! A private guide with another group told us that he has seen careless visitors walk right up to the fresh lava, break through the thin crust and burn their legs off at the knees. So this is not Disneyland - you and the kids have to be prepared and careful.

Here is a perfect example of a kid being stupid out at the lava flow and a good picture of the rough terrain that you hike over.

Even if you can't/don't make the hike out to the lava flow, the rest of the park is fantastic with tons to see.