flight/hotel package travel to Hawaii

May 22, 2009 2:38 PM

I'm living in San Francisco for a few months, and wanting to do a solo trip (via hotel/air package deal) to visit Hawaii while I'm out here.

Because of the economy, both flights and hotels are really cheap. I've priced hotel/air packages in August for 3 nights+flight in Honolulu from SFO for $480 (at a two star hotel, which is fine for me). This includes all taxes and is for one person.


I've never done a package deal before (this is my first), and I wanted any suggestions on other places or sites I should check for package deals, as well as any caveats I need to be aware of. (Also, any suggestions for a first time visitor to Oahu who enjoys history, culture, nature (not big on nightlife or touristy crap, though)

posted by waylaid to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

EAT FRUIT EAT FRUIT

This may be pretty stupid, straightforward advice, but the best fucking fruit I've ever eaten in my life was the fresh local fruit in Hawaii. Just eat tons of fruit, to the exclusion of doing pretty much any other things, and you'll be pretty happy.
posted by Greg Nog at 2:44 PM on May 22

AND FISH. Hawaii fish is awesome.

I put some more specific faves in this comment.

No caveats except that the water there is dangerous so talk to a lifeguard if you're going to a beach that isn't Waikiki. And I was told that Sandy Beach is locals only. Someone else will have to confirm or deny that, though. I'm not a local.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:04 PM on May 22

There's plenty of great threads on things to do... but the first thing you can do to get away from "nightlife or touristy crap" is to get out of Waikiki. North Shore and Haleiwa is great. Wander the Windward side -- charming Kailua town (and semi-hidden Lanikai beach), Kaneohe (Valley of the Temples is gorgeous), Waimanalo Beach (also has that "locals only" reputation, but just don't be a jerk and you'll be fine). Spend a day in downtown (the business/financial district) and eat in Chinatown. Just about every mountain ridge on the island has a beautiful hike (just be prepared and don't get lost), just about every shore has a nice beach.

The only "touristy" thing I might recommend is the Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor. Crowds, yes, but with the right mindset, it's a moving experience.

As for travel recommendations, maybe call my friend Bruce Fisher at Hawaii Aloha Travel. No official relationship or kickbacks, he's just someone I've referred others to with good success, especially when it comes to gaining savings via travel packages.
posted by pzarquon at 7:03 PM on May 22

Just got back from Waikiki and it was a tourist trap from hell. Check out Kailua as others say (we took "TheBus" everywhere and it was easy and cheap) and Hanauma Bay (touristy, but awesome). I've heard Waikiki is the worst of it, can you get deals on the other Islands? Other than that, we stayed at one of the large resorts that nickeled and dimmed us for everything, I would have rather been at a cheaper hotel and not have to deal with the resort thing.

As for package tours, I've only done one (not Hawaii) and it was a great deal, just make sure you have all of the vouchers for tours/travel/transfers before you leave.

The sun is much stronger there than San Fran, so take a stronger sun screen than you think you need.
posted by cestmoi15 at 8:54 PM on May 22 [1 favorite has favorites]

Second the Arizona. I also thought that the Hawaiian Royal palace and the surrounding history of the Hawaiian monarchy was very interesting.
posted by mmascolino at 10:56 AM on May 23