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Post by johnb on Apr 6, 2024 14:05:08 GMT -5
And I thought I was done with our Oahu planning.  Any idea how early in the morning we can do this? We're going to be on east coast time so an early morning hike should work for us. |
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Post by rwethereyet on Apr 6, 2024 14:17:05 GMT -5
Thank you for all those links, JohnB. I think I need you to plan my trip - or come along to be my tour guide - LOL
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Post by brp on Apr 6, 2024 15:23:59 GMT -5
And I thought I was done with our Oahu planning. Any idea how early in the morning we can do this? We're going to be on east coast time so an early morning hike should work for us. If you're thinking abut this, don't pass up Ka'ena point. It is a nice hike out there and there is a nesting ground for Laysan Albstross, often monk seals and the possibility of whale sightings. We were there in February, and no whales, but many albatross and a few seals. Definitely a nice hike.
Cheers.
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Post by johnb on Apr 7, 2024 9:24:04 GMT -5
And I thought I was done with our Oahu planning. Any idea how early in the morning we can do this? We're going to be on east coast time so an early morning hike should work for us. If you're thinking abut this, don't pass up Ka'ena point. It is a nice hike out there and there is a nesting ground for Laysan Albstross, often monk seals and the possibility of whale sightings. We were there in February, and no whales, but many albatross and a few seals. Definitely a nice hike.
Cheers.
Looks like we're gonna need a longer stay. |
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Post by johnb on Apr 7, 2024 9:29:51 GMT -5
Driving in Oahu--any tips, suggestions, customs?
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Post by baymaxfan on Apr 7, 2024 11:55:09 GMT -5
Driving in Oahu--any tips, suggestions, customs? Nothing specific other than traffic can be really bad in Honolulu. However, when I was there last month, I was surprised at how light traffic was. |
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Post by johnb on Apr 7, 2024 15:27:09 GMT -5
Driving in Oahu--any tips, suggestions, customs? Nothing specific other than traffic can be really bad in Honolulu. However, when I was there last month, I was surprised at how light traffic was. Here's an example of what I mean--I was in/around Phoenix a few weeks ago; posted speed limit on the freeways was 65; I was doing around 75 and cars were flying past me. The majority of cars were doing 80-85. So in Hawaii, do cars generally do around the speed limit or drive like it's an F1 race? I did read somewhere that honking your car horn is not cool. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Apr 7, 2024 15:59:02 GMT -5
Nothing specific other than traffic can be really bad in Honolulu. However, when I was there last month, I was surprised at how light traffic was. Here's an example of what I mean--I was in/around Phoenix a few weeks ago; posted speed limit on the freeways was 65; I was doing around 75 and cars were flying past me. The majority of cars were doing 80-85. So in Hawaii, do cars generally do around the speed limit or drive like it's an F1 race? I did read somewhere that honking your car horn is not cool. The sheer number of cars and fews lane would prevent any real high-speed drives. In general, Hawaii is a pretty chill place. Is horn honking ever really considered cool or courteous? |
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Post by johnb on Apr 7, 2024 17:12:52 GMT -5
Here's an example of what I mean--I was in/around Phoenix a few weeks ago; posted speed limit on the freeways was 65; I was doing around 75 and cars were flying past me. The majority of cars were doing 80-85. So in Hawaii, do cars generally do around the speed limit or drive like it's an F1 race? I did read somewhere that honking your car horn is not cool. The sheer number of cars and fews lane would prevent any real high-speed drives. In general, Hawaii is a pretty chill place. Is horn honking ever really considered cool or courteous? I'm from NJ. It's basic communication here.  |
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Post by a1000monkeys on Apr 7, 2024 18:34:17 GMT -5
Assuming you will be dropping off your car at the airport, it will probably be simplest and cheapest to take a taxi to one of the car rental places by the airport. Most of the places downtown will charge a premium if you drop off at a different spot than you pick up.
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Post by minniesueb on Apr 7, 2024 19:44:22 GMT -5
We are headed to Aulani end of May for DD's high school graduation. So far I've planned Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch, Northshore with many of the suggestions from above to eat. Made a reservation for the spa at Aulani - heard so many wonderful things about it so I can report back. We are skipping the luau at Aulani because of mixed reviews & are trying the Paradise Cove luau right beside Aulani. Heard many positive reviews of the activities at Aulani such as ukulele lessons, lei making, make your own Mickey ears, etc if you are into that sort of thing. I'll try to do at least a semi-trip report when we return.
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Post by johnb on Apr 7, 2024 19:58:08 GMT -5
We are headed to Aulani end of May for DD's high school graduation. So far I've planned Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch, Northshore with many of the suggestions from above to eat. Made a reservation for the spa at Aulani - heard so many wonderful things about it so I can report back. We are skipping the luau at Aulani because of mixed reviews & are trying the Paradise Cove luau right beside Aulani. Heard many positive reviews of the activities at Aulani such as ukulele lessons, lei making, make your own Mickey ears, etc if you are into that sort of thing. I'll try to do at least a semi-trip report when we return. Look for me. 5/30-6/5 |
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Post by Kerri jo on Apr 9, 2024 17:04:23 GMT -5
And I thought I was done with our Oahu planning.  Any idea how early in the morning we can do this? We're going to be on east coast time so an early morning hike should work for us. April 1-Labor Day is 7:00am to 7:45pm; other dates are 7:00am to 6:45pm Be advised it is usually sunny and hot, and is almost always very windy at the summit (which makes a hat an iffy choice - good for sun protection but you’ll probably be holding on to keep it from flying off most of the time). For sure sunscreen and plenty of water are recommended. And I thought I was done with our Oahu planning. Any idea how early in the morning we can do this? We're going to be on east coast time so an early morning hike should work for us. If you're thinking abut this, don't pass up Ka'ena point. It is a nice hike out there and there is a nesting ground for Laysan Albstross, often monk seals and the possibility of whale sightings. We were there in February, and no whales, but many albatross and a few seals. Definitely a nice hike. Cheers. Yes! Ka’ena Point has two 2.5 mile trails (each trail, one way, converging on same point), so you can do one trail for a five mile round trip, both trails (five miles round trip each) or from one point to another if you have someone to drop you at point A and willing to retrieve you at point B (they would have a good 90 minutes of driving while you hike). The Ka‘ena Point Keawa’ula Section (west side of Oahu) is closest to Aulani; the Mokuleʻia Section is part of north shore. Lots of wildlife, including monk seals, every time we go. Here's an example of what I mean--I was in/around Phoenix a few weeks ago; posted speed limit on the freeways was 65; I was doing around 75 and cars were flying past me. The majority of cars were doing 80-85. So in Hawaii, do cars generally do around the speed limit or drive like it's an F1 race? I did read somewhere that honking your car horn is not cool. The sheer number of cars and fews lane would prevent any real high-speed drives. In general, Hawaii is a pretty chill place. Is horn honking ever really considered cool or courteous? Near Honolulu, on H1, H2 and H3 there are more lanes than one might expect (I believe it is six at one point) and traffic flows at about 65mph when not backed up. There are a lot fewer riders in the back of pickup beds than other Hawaiian islands. |
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Post by brp on Apr 10, 2024 10:02:28 GMT -5
Assuming you will be dropping off your car at the airport, it will probably be simplest and cheapest to take a taxi to one of the car rental places by the airport. Most of the places downtown will charge a premium if you drop off at a different spot than you pick up. In theory, but worth checking the details at the time. Our example:
We rented a car for Honolulu for 14 days. We picked it up at the Sheraton in Waikiki after Lyfting in (amazing savings on taxes). Asked about returning at the airport, and the charge was listed as $150. So we were gonna keep our plan, return there the day before and Lyft/Uber out.
But we did call Avis and ask. Working with them, it was like $30 more to go to the airport, keeping the car one more day and avoiding the rideshare. No brainer.
Cheers.
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Post by rwethereyet on Jul 10, 2024 19:31:07 GMT -5
Alrighty, I am getting down to serious planning for this DCL cruise with an early October Aulani stay at the end. I have rented a car from Costco-have an Intermediate SUV from Oct 3 - Oct 11 and my rate is just under $600. I am picking up and returning from the airport. I see much said about a service fee to return to the airport, what is this? On my list of charges from Alamo, it does not say anything about an extra fee--is it just buried in the fees and taxes somewhere? Do I need to consider other options to lower the price?
There was so much wonderful information provided already, but if anyone has anything else that might be helpful to know for staying at Aulani or things to do, I am appreciative of anything you have to share.
I know parking is free at Aulani for DVC, but is Valet free with a handicapped sticker like it is at WDW? Also, are there porters, etc. to assist with baggage or do you park and then schlep your stuff yourself? If we stop and get groceries, does bell services have the capability of storing refrigerated items until our room is ready?
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