Aloha from Indiana,

I was wanting to ask any of the Hawaii Members some questions about their great state.

I am bringing my family down in the next week. We will be spending 5 days on Oahu around the Honolulu/Waikiki area. We plan on visiting Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, and Hiking to the Top of Diamond Head are just a few of our plans. Then off to The Big Island for 6 days. We are going to visit Volcano National Park, Snorkel every day, Deep Sea fishing one day, and the highlight for me is renting a Harley for a day and riding completely around the Island.

What I would like to know is . . .
First, are there any special places or sights that you would recommend that my family needs to visit and/or see on either Island?
Second, do you know of any nice twisty roads on the Big Island to ride the Harley down?
Third, the kids what to see about getting their picture taken with "Dog" - Don't know if that will happen .

Mahalo, Tigger

 

Not a resident, but I go twice a year.

Sometimes, but NOT all the time, you can catch Hawaii 5 oh, and others filming up at Makua Beach (I can give you easy directions if you need them).

"Pearl" is interesting but it has changed alot over the past couple years. Leave early, the parking lot fills rapidly and you COULD drive around for 1/2 hour or more till you can park (unless you take a tour bus). The battleship Missouri is across from the Pearl entrance. But you sign up (and pay) at the Pearl admissions booth. A shuttle will transport you between the 2. If you never been on one of the old battleships, it's worth it.

Take plenty of water for the hike up Diamond head......it's really hot no matter what time of early morning you go. It's a moderate hike except for the stair steps in the tunnel (note: they may have created a new trail to circumvent to make it easier).

I'll get back to you. Just had a bit of a family emergency.

 

Thanks for the reply -

The wife and I went to Hawaii back in 2006 when the inlaws took the kids to Disney . I have never been myself and really don't have the desire to ever go. Been to Florida to visit Grandparents way too many times growing up - Got burnt out on that State.

We went to Pearl, Toured the Missouri (guided tour down inside), Diamond Head, and most all the other things we plan on doing again with the boys this time.

 

OK, if you have been there before, you know about most of the things I wrote. Except Pearl has changed since '06 and Diamond Head does have a new trail, I'm told.

I tried to do the "Dog" thing also, without luck. My sister-in-law, who happens to be a huge supporting fan of Dog, was visiting us. His office is in a seedy part of town.....be careful.

Have you been to the north side of Oahu? Have you tried the Shrimp trucks found at various locations along the highways? Have you hiked Kaena Point (which is my favorite location to toss a blanket and enjoy the misty air)? Depending on how old your kids are....I can tell you where to find the "Black Pearl"....which has transitioned into "Queen Ann's Revenge".

Haven't been to the big island but may go in September or maybe spring of next year.