Hawaii Vacation

[el borracho]

Current girlfriend and I will be going to Hawaii in early May. Will be staying on Oahu (definitely) and going to The Big Island (probably). Would love any insider advice on places to visit, things to do, and specific companies you might recommend for services. We are far more interested in natural beauty and food trucks and far less interested in shopping and fine dining. We will be in Hawaii for 10 days.

We will definitely visit Pearl Harbor. Are there any insider tips or should we just turn up?

Would like to include 1 or 2 days of scuba diving (both have certifications and experience to do more challenging dives- maybe you have a favorite dive shop and/or a favorite dive site?)

Would like to rent surfboards 1 day (both really awful surfers- maybe you know a beach that is appropriate for beginners?)

Would like to visit a live volcano (is it essential to hire a guide? which part of the volcano park is the most exciting? which part of the volcano park is the most picturesque? We would like to see some cool stuff and get some good pictures but come back with all of our feet)

Would like to hike to (and swim in) waterfalls (Anyone have some favorite falls they can recommend? Or even favorite hikes that do not include falls?)

Helicopter tours are out- too expensive.

Submarines are probably out, too- same reason.

Also looking for recommendations on food. Again, more interested in the best affordable options, less interested in fine dining. Street treats and food trucks are fine with us.

Also looking for recommendations on best beaches. "Best" meaning most beautiful and least crowded as opposed to most popular or most amenities.

Also looking for recommendations on best places to watch the sunset.

Any and all help appreciated.

[Simply Red]

One place I've not been. Enjoy it.

[TwistedChief]

Manta ray dive on the Big Island. Google it and watch some videos. Unlike any other diving experience you'll have.

Enjoy the trip.

[Oz_Chief]

I think Punchbowl Cemetery is a far more powerful experience than Pearl Harbor. Maybe it’s all the tombstones. Maybe it’s when you realize all of the names carved in stone are the just the MIAs. I feel Punchbowl is a must visit if you would consider visiting Pearl Harbor.

[Oz_Chief]

Other cool places to eat in Honolulu:

Mahina and Sun’s
Tchin Tchin Bar
Sushi ii - pronounced ē ē
Fête

It’s easy to eat well in this town.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by Oz_Chief

Other cool places to eat in Honolulu:

Mahina and Sun’s
Tchin Tchin Bar
Sushi ii - pronounced ē ē
Fête

It’s easy to eat well in this town.

Lot's of good restaurants in Chinatown, but can be pricy. Little Village is good.

[TribalElder]

Visit
Dog the bounty hunter

[Why Not?]

Oahu is home so I’ll always love it. That being said go to Kauai if your really into to natural beauty and serene beaches.

But if you must do Oahu then yeah, do Pearl Harbor for sure. I think the memorial is closed for repairs currently so make sure to check on that.

Your issue on Oahu will be finding beaches that aren’t that crowded. Maybe try Bellows or the beach back of the Mandarin Hotel or whatever they call the hotel that used to be the Kahala Hilton.

You’re best served just finding food trucks and such as you go. Plenty of good local grinds. But do go to Leonard’s for malasadas and eat at Zippy’s at least once.

Somehow I never got into scuba so I can only point to Shark’s Cove(don’t let that name scare you)for great snorkeling. That’s assuming you want to stay away from the super touristy spots).

[Why Not?]

Oh and it’s not the most difficult of hikes but I loved the Aeia Loop Trail where you can still some remnants of a WW2 plane that went down there.

[tx4chiefs]

Dole Pineapple Plantation. Get a pineapple split.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by tx4chiefs

Dole Pineapple Plantation. Get a pineapple split.

I was gonna suggest that but sounds like he’s not that in to touristy shit. I love Dole Plantation!

[el borracho]

Thank you for the responses so far!

I went to the Dole plantation when I was 10 years old. It was one of the highlights for me then, but is it something that would appeal to grownups? I know they have gardens you can tour. Are they particularly impressive or would we be better off on a hike somewhere?

[Chargem]

You really refer to her as your "current girlfriend"?

[Redbled]

On a plane getting ready to head there now. North Shore snorkel at a place called Sharks Cove. Not easy to find but may be best on the island.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by Redbled

On a plane getting ready to head there now. North Shore snorkel at a place called Sharks Cove. Not easy to find but may be best on the island.

Sharks Cove is great for snorkeling. Close to Waimea and Sunset Beach as well, but I wouldn't Surf there Jumping of the rock at Waimea Beach is fun. There is also a burial ground overlooking Waimea Bay that is really fun to hike to and cost nothing. Waimea falls is also a good hike back to a waterfall that is cool and you can swim in the natural pool, at least you could last time I went. We rent a house on the beach between Haleiwa and Dillingham air base. Low key, beautiful. Lots of farmer's markets for fresh food and their used to be fresh shrimp stands that were awesome. Haleiwa is a cool town with good food, including chicken cooked in a supermarket parking lot. Blue plate specials for lunch at a lot of places each day as well. Turtle Bay is a resort on the North Shore, and it's beaches have to be open to the public. You can pull into the gate and get a parking pass and enjoy their beaches and also get a drink at the pool/beach bars.

I would stay away fro the Western Shore part of the Island, a little scary that way, and I don't scare easily.

If you want souvenirs, I would find out what day the flea market is a the Hula Bowl and go. You can spend 4-5 hours there and get anything and everything you want, and they have some local food vendors there as well. May sound like a long time, but it gets all of your shopping out of the way.

Just some thoughts on my past trips. Hawaii is a great place to visit.