My husband, 11 year old daughter, and myself would like to visit Hawaii for the first time. We have deposited one week's worth of points from our Disney Vacation Club to Interval International and the two resorts listed as options are Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach--Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii and Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club at Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii.

We will be going in July due to school restrictions. Does anyone have any information on these resorts? While we love the beach we don't want to spend 7 days exclusively playing on the beach. We thought Oahau would be good since there is the Polynesian Center and the USS Arizona.

Any suggestions or information would be helpful.

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Hi,

I spent four months on Oahu a few years ago, at the time I had 2 kids 9 and 8. Makaha is kind of off the beaten path. Its on the opposite side of the island from Hononlulu. I remember driving past beaches with big tarp "compounds" where people were living on the beach. The town of Makaha is small and not really touristy (meaning a lot of locals live there, not work there). It is an interesting place though, and the beaches were fairly empty especially during the week. I actually liked Makaha, but its definitely out of the way. Would I want to stay there--no. But that's me.
I've actually stayed at the JW Marriot Ihilani resort in Kapolei and loved it. The hotel had 4 lagoons that the kids loved. It had a nice pool which we didn't use, but the option was nice. Plus there is a water park in Kapolei that my kids loved. I think that the Ko Olina is close to this resort (like maybe right next door). You had to go through a gate and there was a golf course on site, very nice, very vacation like.
If you've never been to Oahu I would suggest checking out Hononlulu at least one day. There's Waikiki Beach, a zoo, a small aquarium, Hilo Hatties (which is a big tourist trap, but the kids and I enjoyed it), a museum (which I've never been to, and I went to college there). It is a big, congested city though.
The North Shore is cool. Definitely my favorite spot on the whole island. Worth the drive. Lots of traffic on the weekends, most of its a two lane road. Surfing lessons are available. Keep in mind that theft on the North Shore is a problem.
If you like to snorkel, Hanauma Bay is fun. The kids had a great time. We saw a black-tipped reef shark, sea turtle, lots of fish. It was neat.
Sorry this is so long, but it brings it all back. A trip to Hawaii sounds pretty good right now.

I have been to Hawaii 9 times and I am going again in July for the 4th of July Spectacular at Schofield barracks which is an awsome free event that has performers from Waikiki but no addmission price.
About hotels I agree with previous poster about the hotel but mainly just because of location. For places to visit the Polynesian Cultural is a must and even though it costs more I would go with the luau instead of the buffet and definately stay for the big show. Sam Choy's is really my favorite resturaunt but I go to Breakfast, lunch and crab instead of down in waikiki they have a more casual atmosphere. The USS Arizona is not to be missed but go at 7-7:30am to get your free ticket otherwise you will have to wait a day or two of going back. the USS Missouri museum is nice but try getting coupons it helps. The bishop museum is a wonderful piece of hawaiian culture. And the theatre scene is amazing. Several stars on Broadway started on the stages on oahu and are just compelling. I really like the visitorand convention bureau website but unfortunately most of the best places you just have to ask the locals. Also if you haven't already book your flight b/c they are filling up fast. The flight I was on was full and I decided to go earlier and that flight only had a few seats left. Summer is a busy time over there.
One last tip. GO to the flea market at the aloha bowl it was a $2 per car admission when I went in 05 but they have every kind of suvenier that you can think of for Cheap You can tshirts 10 for $20 but you have to check those b/c sometimes they use irregular tshirts but the better ones are only a couple of dollars more. And if you need a bigger suitcase to carry everything home they have those too. My big bag was $20. Hope this helps

Since you've been 9 times, can you tell me what is the best hotel to stay in. My sister and I are looking for a economical place, not a dump. We figure it's best to spend the money on tours, not big fancy hotels. However, I would like a place that has a frig. & microwave with a great view. We're going to be there for 9 days. The consideration is as follows: Resort Quest Waikiki, Joy Hotel, Ohana Waikiki West, Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Ohana Islander Waikiki, Resort Quest Pacific Monarch, Wakiki; Miramar Waikiki; and Ocean Resort Hotel, Wakiki. I've just about gone cross eyed trying to make sure we don't get a dump. Help!!!

uofafamily, you should go to the Pali. It's on route 61. It's a place where King Kamehameha had a battle over the islands. It's very windy, but fun. I loved it. As far as hotels and resorts go, I lived there, so I never had to stay in a hotel, but the Turtle Bay resort in the North Shore area is very nice!

Seabone, I'll try and respond about the hotels Ohana is a chain of family owned hotels across the South Pacific also own the Outrigger brand. Resortquest is another large chain used to be known as Aston Hotels and Resorts both are generally quite good. The Queen Kapiolani is an older budget hotel on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki as is the Ocean Resort however the newer tower has kitchenettes if that helps. The Miramar is a midlevel hotel about a block from Kuhio Beach also on the DH end.

Just a few more sites to consider.....if you go to the windward side, you can do this after checking out Pali lookout, you might want to stop at the Valley of the Temples cemetary. Sounds odd perhaps, but it is quite unusual to see. (my kids' elementary school sits right next to it)On the same road, which you can take to the North Shore, you will also pass Chinaman's Hat. Scared Falls is a little farther up. This is a nice hike, but you may want to avoid it if there has been alot of recent rain. The polynesian cultural center is this direction as well. Up near the North Shore is also Waimea Falls.
Another site would be Punchbowl cemetary and if you like hiking, you can hike up Diamond Head (take water bottle with you) for some great views. Sea Life park is like a mini Sea World....pretty nice and there is always the Honolulu zoo. There is quite alot to see and do for such a small island! Have fun!

I was born and raised in Hawaii and recently moved to live in New York.
If you are planning to travel North Shore. Make sure you will visit the beaches, and taste the Shrimps from the Shrimp trucks. There are quite a few of them. My suggestion will be Giovannis or Macky's. They are quite good. Don't visit Shrimp Trucks at the Tanaka Shrimp village (right next to Fumi)the reasons are: These Shrimp trucks hired illegal immigrants to work, they don't have the food safty standard. For instance, one shrimp truck (Aloha Chef) emphasis they are number 1 of the North Shore. The truth is they put a lot of Msg in the food. The Shsrimp truck itself is not licensed and not clean.

Have a good trip in Hawaii

Hello
after reading all the suggestions no one said to visit "Punch Bowl" it is the cemertary of the Pacific. Such a beautiful tribute to our fallen heros of the wars. Very emotional. My brother in law has a memorial placque there.
do see it.
notanjan

check out this site:
http://www.resource4hawaii.com

I lived in Hawaii for three years and I have done most of the things that everyone else has written about. I never stayed in any of the hotels so I cannot give advice on that but one thing that I'd like to say is that the Sea Life Park is not worth the admission price. I went there on a military appreciation day so I got in for free but it is regularly about $35 for admission and the park is very very small. The habitatis are very old and seemed too small for the animals. Paint was peeling off everywhere and the whole place smelled horrible. Worse than any zoo or Sea World park that I have been to. If you want to see ocean creatures, go to the aquarium in Waikiki or go snorkeling in Haunauma Bay (if you are driving your own car, get there early because parking is very limited).

Wow! My family and I are also planning a trip to Hawaii this summer as well. We can't wait, we live in Ohio and this is a trip of a lifetime for us! Here is the website that we found to be the most useful for investigating and for planning our trip. Enjoy it! http://www.resource4hawaii.com

just a suggestion; spend two days on oahu then spend the rest of your vacation on maui or kauai

Makaha is a great beach and we love Waianae for its rural feel. Probably not the place for kids though. If you do stay on that side (the Princess has a great beach fronting the property) or Ko Olina, dont is the best half of Hawaii and the best Oahu has to offer, get in the water!

The oldest side of the island, reefs are well-formed and full of tropical fish and turtles. Visibilty will blow you away.

The steep drop off makes this coast the preferred home of many marine mammals. Dolphins and whales of all types and sizes.

We go out with Wild Side Speciatly Tours every time we visit the islands. They keep their marine wildlife tours fresh and updated, but we would happy just to see the "same old thing" each time!

If you do desire to see the marine wildlife (and maybe even swim with a wild dolphin!) be sure to use that company, they've been around the longest and really care about the animals. http://sailhawaii.com

Great local food at Hanara's! Eat where the locals do. And dont miss the Heiau up in Makaha Valley, or the walk out to Ka`ena Point...

Have a great trip!
Lisa

quote:

Originally posted by uofafamily:
My husband, 11 year old daughter, and myself would like to visit Hawaii for the first time. We have deposited one week's worth of points from our Disney Vacation Club to Interval International and the two resorts listed as options are Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach--Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii and Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club at Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii.

We will be going in July due to school restrictions. Does anyone have any information on these resorts? While we love the beach we don't want to spend 7 days exclusively playing on the beach. We thought Oahau would be good since there is the Polynesian Center and the USS Arizona.

Any suggestions or information would be helpful.

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