Complete Oahu Vacation Planning Made Easy - Oahu Revealed Review
Filed under: Hawaii Revealed Guides, Oahu, Oahu Activities, Vacation Planning
The book Oahu Revealed The Ulimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Beyond
Oahu: land of myths. We’re not talking about ancient Hawaiian myths. We’re talking about the myths that exist about the island, both from visitors and those that live on neighbor islands (including us before we moved here to do this book). The biggest myth is that Oahu is Waikiki and Waikiki is Oahu. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Oahu has all the wonder, adventure, and discovery that a person could ever ask for - and far more.
We’ve had to deviate from our usual way of doing things for this Oahu book. Put simply, this island is so vast, so dense and so full of choices that its impossible to be fully comprehensive. If we were you’d never be able to lift this book. So instead, we’ve chosen to show you those things that we think make Oahu special. …
The most incredible thing about the book, as with all the books, is the hotel review section where they include aerial pictures of every hotel they review - so you can see exactly where your hotel or building is in relation to the ocean or the mountain or something you might not want to be so close to!
The book is filled with pretty and interesting pictures that really point you in the direction of what YOU might find the most interesting. There is so much to do on Oahu that you aren’t going to get to do it all, so a bit of planning can go a long way.
Of course the book covers Waikiki and Honolulu sights, then it moves on to East Oahu and talks about the coastal route to Kailua, Kailua, and Kaneohe, then it goes on to North Shore sights and talks about what’s best to see and o in Kualoa, Hakan Bay, Laie, Kahuku, turtle bay, Waimea Bay, Haleiwa, and the off road areas of the north shore. Then on to Waianae and Central Oahu - as in Wahiawa, Mt Kaala, Pearl Harbor, Ewa Beach, Kalaeloa and Barbers Point, Waianae and Makaha.
Under attractions, it covers the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaiian Waters, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Iolani Palace, Punchbowl, Hawaii Maritime Center, Chinatown, Hawaii’s Plantation Village, Bishop Museum, Sea Life Park, Military History, Garden Tours, and Doris Duke’s Shangri La.
It covers beaches too - talking about how to get to them, what they are like, what activities can be done there, how clean and crowded they are. Beaches covered are: Yokohama Bay-Keawa’ula, Makua Beach-Kaena Point State Park, Ohiki-lolo Beach, Keaau Beach, Makaha Beach, Papaoneone Beach, Mauna Lahilahi Beach, Pokai Beach, Maili Beach, Ulehawa Beach, Nanakulu Beach, Electric Beach, Ko Olina Lagoons, Nimitz Beach, Oneula beach, Ewa beach, Keehi Beach Park, Sand Island, Kakaako, Ala Moana, Magic Island, Waikiki, Kaluahole - Makalei, Diamond Head Beach and Kuilei Cliffs, Kaalawai Beach, kahala Beach, Waialae Beach, Wailupe Beach,Kawaikui Beach, Maunalua Bay, Hanauma Bay, Halona Cove, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Beach, Kaupo Beach, Kaiona Beach, Waimanalo Beach and Bay, Bellows Beach, Lanikau, Kailua, Kualoa Beach Park, Kualoa Sugar Mill Beach, Kaaawa Beach, Swanzy Beach, Makaua, Kahana, Punaluu, Makao, Hauula, Kokololio, Laie Beach - Pounders, Laniloa, Hikilau, Goat Island, Malaekahana, Kahuku, Kuilima, Turtle Bay, Kawela Bay, Waialee Beach, Sunset Beach, Ehukai Beach, Pupukea Beach park - Sharks Cove - Three Tables - Waimea Bay, Chun’s reef, Turtle Beach, Haleiwa Beach, Mokuleaiea Beach, and Hidden Beach.
Whew, that’s a lot of beaches on one island.
After that, the book goes on to review or talk about just about every activity available and how to do it. This book is really complete. Buy it
Maui Vacation Planning Can Be Easy - Maui Revealed Review
Filed under: Hawaii Revealed Guides, Lanai, Maui, Maui Activities, Molokai, Vacation Planning
The Maui Revealed
The book explains and has maps and directions to practically every single thing on the island that you might want to do or see. It actually was quite controversial a few years back becuase it told the truth about when land was state land or otherwise open to the public and some locals took exception to some things being shared with visitors.
The book opens with sights: West Maui Sights: stuff to see in Maalaea, Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua. Central Maui Sights: things to do and see in Wailuku, Kahului, the valley of sugar, and Pa’ia, plus shopping and ‘best bets’. Then Hana Highway Sights: answering questions like ‘can a rental car go all the way?’, where are the waterfalls? where is the red sand beach, and where to eat in Hana.
Then there are the southeast Maui Sights: like Kipahulu, Oheo Gulch (7 sacred pools), pipiwai trail, and past the park. Then is Haleakala and upcountry, then South Maui: Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, Molokini, and La Perouse Bay.
Then the book talks about Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokai.
The next sections are Beaches, Activities, Adventures, Island dining, and Where to Stay. This is one book that truly has everything.
Here’s a particularly telling quote from the book introduction:
We hike the trails, ride the boats, eat in the restaurants, explore the reefs, and do the things we write about.It takes us one to two YEARS, full time, to do a first edition book, and we visit places anonymously.
We recognize the effort people go through to visit Maui, and our goal is to expose you to as many options as possible so you can decide what you want to see and do. We took great pains to structure this book in such a way that it will be fun, easy reading and loaded with useful information.
So, that’s the kind of attitude I want in MY guidebook writers! Buy the book here: Maui Revealed - The Ultimate Maui Guidebook
Kauai Vacation Planning Made Easy - Kauai Revealed Review
Filed under: Hawaii Revealed Guides, Kauai, Kauai Activities, Vacation Planning
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - Kauai Revealed
Here’s some quotes from the book that will give you some idea of what kind of a guide and planner this is:
In a sense, this is not a guidebook, it’s more of a love story. We first came to Kauai as tourists and were immeidately smitten. We had no idea that a place like this could exist anywhere in the world. Now as residents, we marvel at its beauty every day.
Our objective in writing this book is to assist you in finding the bliss that can accompany a Kauai visit. We recognize the effort people go through to visit here, and our goal is to expose you to every option imaginable so you can decide what you want to see and do.
So, the book begins, after an introduction and ‘the basics’, with sights - North Shore sights: in Anahola, Kilauea, Kalihiwai, Princeville, Hanalei, and Ha’ena. Then, East Shore Sights - Wailua-Kapa’a, and Lihue. South Shore sights: Koloa, Poipu, and Kalaheo. West Shore Sights: Hanapepe, Waimea, Kekaha, Polihale, and Waimea Canyon.
The next section is Beaches, then Activities, Adventures, Island dining, and Where to Stay. This book truly encompasses virtually everything you would want to know about Kauai.
Here’s an example of the stellar - and completely unique - advice available on every single attraction they talk about:
The dunes of Polihale are famous throughout the islands. The beach averages 300 feet wide, and the dunes can get up to 100 feet hight. Walking down a dune like that can be fun; walking up is a monster. Better to walk around unless you are training for the Ironman Triathlon. Locals drive their 4WD vehicles right on to the beach. If you try it, be aware that there is no AAA on the island, and you are a LONG way from Lihue. …
So get the book: The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - Kauai Revealed
Fly or take a Ferry in Hawaii - Maui, Lanai, and Kauai.
Filed under: Hawaii - general, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Vacation Planning
My husband, sister, and I will be in Hawaii to attend a wedding in mid-October. The wedding takes place on Lanai. We thought we would stay there 3 days, then travel to Kauai for a few days. Is ferry travel the most affordable way to go? Are there direct routes, or would we travel through Maui?
Would you suggest flying to Maui then taking the ferry to Lanai for the first stage?
There is no ferry from Lanai to Kauai. You’ll have to fly. You may have to go through Maui or Oahu, depending on which carrier you fly on - Hawaiian, Go!, or Island air. To get to Lanai in the first place, I would do whichever is most convenient to your flight in from the mainland. If they offer a connection to Lanai, I would take it. If you tried to fly into Maui and then take the ferry to Lanai you could end up having to spend the night on Maui first, plus, you won’t have to struggle with your bags - the airline will send them all the way through.
Maui Scheduled Itinerary - What should we do in Maui?
Filed under: Hawaii - general, Maui, Maui Activities, Vacation Planning
I made a tentative schedule for our Maui Trip. Can you look it over to see if we have included all of the “must sees” and if the timing looks ok?
DATE TIME ACTIVITY
25-Aug
2:23 p.m. Arrive at OGG
4:30 p.m. Arrive at Westin Resort and Spa in Maui
6:00 p.m. Dinner at Lahaina Grill
8:00 p.m. Explore area around hotel
26-Aug
11:00 a.m. Brunch at Longhi’s
1:00 p.m . Surfing at Kapalua Beach
7:00 p.m. Old Lahaina Luau/Dinner
27-Aug
3:00 a.m. Sunrise Haleakala Bike Tour
7:00 a.m. Complete Bike Tour
Rest/Relax all morning
11:00 p.m. Massage at the Westin Spa
12:00 p.m. Lunch at
2:00 p.m. Snorkeling at the Black Rock
7:00 p.m. Warren & Annabelle’s Magic Show
28-Aug Road to Hana Day Trip
29-Aug
9:00 a.m. Breakfast at
10:00 a.m. Water Activity: parasailing, windsurfing
2:00 p.m. Check out of The Westin
3:20 p.m. Get to OGG airport
4:20 p.m. Depart from OGG to Hilo
5:00 p.m. Arrive in Hilo
It looks really good - you are not trying to cram too much into one short trip. Obviously there’s much more to do on Maui but you wouldn’t be happy trying to do all of it. It looks good to me - you have a great time! Lisa
Thank you for looking over our itinerary. I’m glad it looks relaxing
Can you suggest 3-5 more activities we should consider doing while we are in Maui?
Sure, there is a nice aquarium on Maui , you could take surfing lessons or windsailing lessons. You could jet ski, you could rent a kayak, you could snorkel or learn to boogie board, you could go on a sunset or dinner cruise or a dolphin watching cruise, you could go to a luau, you could do the submarine tour or a glass bottom boat tour, you could do a zip line. I guess that’s more than 3-5 … well, something has to call to you more than the others, right?
Kailua-Kona Cruise Port of Call Things to Do - Activities
Filed under: Big Island Activities, Big Island Areas, Big Island Beaches, Vacation Planning
We will be arriving by cruise ship and won’t have a car. I was wondering if there is a nice black beach close by to the pier at Kailua-Kona. And if you can give any other suggestions of things to do and see while we are there for the day.
The closest black sand beach to Kailua-Kona is Punaluu, and it’s over an hours drive. If you will be stopping in Hilo you will be able to easily bike or take a taxi to Richardson’s Beach- it’s less than 2 miles down the road from the Hilo Pier.
In Kailua Kona, I would go to Kahaluu Beach, decent snorkeling and lots of turtles - it’s 5 miles down Alii Drive. You can take a taxi or a shuttle. You could walk around Kailua town. There are shops and restaurants. If you just wanted to get in the water there is a tiny beach right there where the cruise tenders drop you off. Right there at the pier they various boats and jet skis and tours - some of the glassbottom boats are pretty inexpensive for an hour.