Honolulu as a port

My return flight to the mainland is flexible, and my cruise ends in
Honolulu as it began. I won't have any time to see Honolulu and Oa'hu
at the beginning of the trip, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to
spend a few nights on land in Honolulu.

Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

wrote in message
oups.com...
Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Well, Honolulu is a tropical city, and Waikiki is quite an experience,
especially walking along the shops and beach at night. It is one of the few
places on the islands that is truely bustling. Waikiki reminds me of 5th
avenue in bathing suits.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

I like heading off to the north shore. There is a resort area called Turtle
Bay that is very relaxing. If the waves are good it's a short drive to see
the big wave surfers. The wind surfer/kite surfers are on the other side of
the island near Kailua at the beaches in Lanikai. Also a lovely area.

There are many hiking trails outside of Honolulu:
http://www.backyardoahu.com/

wrote:
My return flight to the mainland is flexible, and my cruise ends in
Honolulu as it began. I won't have any time to see Honolulu and Oa'hu
at the beginning of the trip, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to
spend a few nights on land in Honolulu.

Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

Spend as much time in Honolulu as you can, it is so worth seeing. Take
a look at our webshots site, 7 albums of pictures taken in Honolulu
and you will see some of the wonderful sights there.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kjmullen_1

I also suggest getting the book "Oahu Revealed" which as it says is
the "untimate guide to Honolulu, Waikiki and beyone". There is so much
to see and do, no matter what your interests are.

sue

wrote in message
oups.com...
My return flight to the mainland is flexible, and my cruise ends in
Honolulu as it began. I won't have any time to see Honolulu and Oa'hu
at the beginning of the trip, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to
spend a few nights on land in Honolulu.

Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

We were very impressed with Honolulu when our cruise stopped there. We
found the city to be very, very clean. The bus driver that we had was
friendly and courteous. Waikiki beach was PACKED!
I was supposed to take a hike up Diamond Head, but it was cancelled due to
flash floods and erosion resulting from heavy rain before our arrival.
If we are ever so lucky as to spend a whole holiday in Hawaii, I definitely
intend to spend 3 days or more in Honolulu.

As a resident, Honolulu and Oahu are well worth visiting:

1) It seems you don't like hustle/bustle ... you can stay at Ko Olina or
Turtle Bay (as previously mentioned) resorts. These are fancy, but with
uncrowded beaches ... the Ko Olina lagoons are fabulous. Makaha Resort is
also (very) uncrowded, but with no beach but very much less costly ... if
you like golf you will like Makaha. Good golf is also available at Ko Olina
and Turtle Bay ... much better than Makaha, but much higher green fees also.

2) Drive to the windward side of the island (on the way to Turtle Bay).
Even as a local, we like the spectacle of coming out of the tunnel thru the
Ko`olau mountains. You will see the Na Pali coast on Kauai and possibly the
windward coast of Molokai on a cruise ... the Ko`olau range is as
spectacular, but you can get up-close-and personal. There are numerous
(uncrowded) beaches along the windward coast.

3) There are numerous hiking trails that you can take, many of which
take you to the ridge of the Ko`olau mountains.
http://www.backyardoahu.com/ is one of the sites (of many) that list the
trails. Be aware that some of the hikes are pretty rugged (don't get off
the trail unless you want a rescue helicopter ride ... or worse), but some
are easy. Mariner's ridge is one of the easy ones ... you can probably see
hang-gliders jumping over the edge.

Locals try to stay out of Waikiki unless going to a wedding reception or to
see a show, but if you want to get "into it" .......

The Pearl Harbor visit is also crowded but well worth seeing ... and it's
free.

Many other things to see/do, but these are some of the less urban
activities.


wrote in message
oups.com...
My return flight to the mainland is flexible, and my cruise ends in
Honolulu as it began. I won't have any time to see Honolulu and Oa'hu
at the beginning of the trip, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to
spend a few nights on land in Honolulu.

Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

On our Pride of Aloha cruise last year, we had the option of sailing from
Maui instead of Honolulu. We opted for Honolulu, in fact, flew in two days
early to the sailing date so we could see more of Honolulu and Waikiki.
There is indeed plenty to do in the city itself, which to me, was like a
cleaner Los Angeles. However, just outside the city, you're back in the
Hawaii tropics. Just look at a few pictures from the Honolulu section from
our Hawaii photo album at www.outfamilyalbums.photosite.com/Hawaii to see
what I mean.

Honolulu was a must see for us, for I wanted to at least see Pearl Harbor,
having been to Honolulu and Barbara's Point in 1969, during the filing of
the movie, Tora, Tora, Tora. I was in Navy Air, on my way to the Philippines
during the Vietnam War.

Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (pagoo ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com



wrote in message
oups.com...
My return flight to the mainland is flexible, and my cruise ends in
Honolulu as it began. I won't have any time to see Honolulu and Oa'hu
at the beginning of the trip, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to
spend a few nights on land in Honolulu.

Now, I typically hate cities, and I've heard Honolulu described as Los
Angeles in the tropics, or some such thing. But it's Hawaii and I can't
help but want to linger.

Can one "get away from it all" on Oa'hu? That is, get away from the
congestion that is Honolulu, and do some worthwhile hiking, etc?

Thanks Duncan, Sue, S. Gione and John.

I will definitely extend my post-cruise stay by a few days. The Oahu
Revealed book looks terrific. Looked it over in a B&N and will
definitely be purchasing a copy.

Just learned that my new boss is ex-military and will be able to hook
me up with a VIP tour at Pearl Harbor through his military contacts
there. I always enjoy those sorts of extras.

Oa'hu itself seems to have quite a lot to offer, e.g. especially the
North Shore.

The Stairway to Heaven hiking trail sounds amazing, and right in
Honolulu I'll have to do the Diamond Head trail. I love anything
military / ruins - e.g. old bunkers and installations. Sounds like
there are some cool tunnels on the Diamond Head trail as well. Another
plus.

Any other good hikes that pass by bunkers, etc?