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Hawaii travel help

post #1 of 21
12/6/07 at 9:50pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to Hawaii around February. I'll be staying around the Waikiki beach area.

Being a small island, should I rent a car?
My wife suggest a scooter, which is kinda european oddish , but may be fun.

What do you think. Any place/restaurant I must go? I'll for sure go see Tom Park at leathersoul.
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post #2 of 21
12/6/07 at 9:59pm
I'd get a car. You'll need private transportation. A scooter means a lot of sun exposure. Plus, Hawaii is tropical so short rainshowers on an otherwise hot an sunny day are fairly common, so you may be glad to have a roof.
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post #3 of 21
12/6/07 at 11:23pm
There are some attractions that nearly require a car, but I don't think I'd rent one for my entire stay. Cabs, shuttles and "trolleys" can get you around Waikiki with very little hassle. To go beyond Diamond Head, or to the North Shore or even Pearl, one's own wheels would be convenient. Everytime I've stayed more than a couple of nights on Oahu I've ended up renting a car just for a daytrip or two. And ld is right on concerning the little pineapple piss showers; you'll wish you had a roof if you're caught out.
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post #4 of 21
12/6/07 at 11:26pm
I'd get a convertible and only for the days you need it. Go to turtle bay/cove.
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post #5 of 21
12/6/07 at 11:31pm
Thread Starter 
How easy is renting a car on the spur of the moment? are they expensive. I can rent one for around $27 per day, but that's for the entire duration of the trip.
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post #6 of 21
12/6/07 at 11:44pm
Where are you staying? Many of the major hotels have a rental desk in the lobby. I doubt very much that you'll find a $27 rate on the spur of the moment though. You really will only need your own wheels a few times. Hell, I think the city buses go all the way around the island, so in theory at least you can get anywhere without renting a car.
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post #7 of 21
12/7/07 at 1:50am
1.Don't be afraid to ask the locals questions. 2.Do not eat at McDonald's/California Pizza Kitchen/Wolfgang Puck's... Visit the following: http://onokinegrindz.typepad.com/ 3.Remember the sunscreen. Jan/Feb/March is notoriously wet, cold, and too damn sunny. 4.Visit a Hawaiian language website. Learn how to properly pronounce Hawaiian words. Don't go all Rachel Ray with Haleiwa. It's "Hah-lay-EE-vah," not "hah-LEH-ee-wah" 5.The bus system is fine but rent the pair of scooters for the hell of it; they have cheap rates in Waikiki.
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post #8 of 21
12/8/07 at 10:23pm
You should rent a car. And next time go to Maui, much more of a Hawaiian feel.
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post #9 of 21
12/10/07 at 1:50pm
I rented a car the entire time I was there and used it every day. Though I'm probably not your typical Hawaiian tourist. I drove up and around the eastern part of the island and I thought that it had some of the best views of all of Hawaii that I saw. Foodwise, if I recall, these malassadas were amazing: http://honolulu.citysearch.com/profi..._s_bakery.html Sushi Sasabune was excellent, but I believe the one in LA was better: http://honolulu.citysearch.com/profi..._sasabune.html
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post #10 of 21
12/10/07 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by horton View Post
I'd get a convertible and only for the days you need it. Go to turtle bay/cove.
+1 It's been 5-6 years since I was last in Hawaii but I still remember going to this place. Really nice.
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post #11 of 21
12/10/07 at 5:27pm
Rent a car. You'll get to see more of the island, and have easier access to interesting places. Everyone drives very slowly, though.

I'd avoid Waikiki completely, too. The one food hankering I get for Hawaii is freshly-made mochi, but a lot of my food recommendations are sentimental (Zippy's chili, etc. --- not really highbrow stuff). The north shore should have plenty of really big waves that time of year.

--Andre (grew up in Honolulu)
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post #12 of 21
12/13/07 at 4:54am
If you rent a car, make sure you don't leave anything valuable in it. The locals can spot a rental car a mile away and they only steal from visitors. Some suggestions while you are on OAHU.... Make sure you go to ONO's for lunch; it's a plate lunch place about a mile off waikiki. Best food I had in HA and less than $10 bucks. Spend some time on the north shore. I'm not sure if the waves are still HUGE in Feb, but it should be the end of the rainy season and there should still be some serious stuff. On a nice day, there are usually pro surfers getting filmed at Euhaka beach (banzai pipeline). Bring money for the hookers....just kidding, but they are really hot and aggressive there.
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post #13 of 21
12/13/07 at 5:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
If you rent a car, make sure you don't leave anything valuable in it. The locals can spot a rental car a mile away and they only steal from visitors.

While I did not have a problem, what I've been told is this means not even in the trunk. I've heard that frequently even all of the trunks get pried open, visible valuables or not.
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post #14 of 21
12/13/07 at 11:45pm
Staying in Waikiki is fine but definitely rent a car. If you have time venture up to north shore. There are these parked trucks/trailers that make the best shrimp you will have in your life. Also check our Hanauma Bay for some great safe snorkelling... it's a little bit out of the way and crowded... but if you get there early in the morning it can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
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post #15 of 21
12/28/07 at 12:58am
You should definitely get a car, because staying in Waikiki would be a bit of a waste if you'll be on Oahu.

Perfect Oahu morning is to grab a flashlight, hike up Diamond Head in time to catch the sunrise, then hike back down and drive to Leonard's for malasadas, also not to be missed. Don't believe half the stories you hear about locals, just show them respect and respect their home.

Best restaurant - Alan Wong's, which is kind of pricey but oh so good. Roy's is fine, but loud and every one goes there.

Also, do NOT forget that taking rocks off the island is bad news - Pele doesn't like having her things messed with.

Have a great time out there, nowhere else like it in the world. Mele Kalikimaka and aloha.
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