So I'm going to hawaii (oahu waikiki)

[spirit]

Got my hotel room, got my flight. I know I'm gona do a tour of the big island volcanoes, bus and walking I'm assuming. I'm too much of a fat ass for the helicopter ones (have to pay weight extra, and that makes it cost more than the round trip from LAX to HNL). Prob do the Atlantis sub thing & perl harbor USS Missouri. Looking at a Luau too Paradise Cove one is looking nice. Always wanted to see some coconut ta'ta's :keke: I'm assuming the hotels on waikiki do Luau too so I was thinking about making that decision there.

I had a friend take some sort of macadamia tour, I might try to find that (but I know deep down, I would only be interested if there were cookies), and he said there were alot of street walkers in waikiki, true? could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are :naughty:

Anyone have any must do things, post em up. Great places to eat (I'm not a fan of raw foods) Egg+burger+gravy does sound good tho, prob gain some more weight on that one lol. I don't believe I will be getting a rental car, so kinda limited to waikiki beach or where the busses go.

[A Spec Products]

Got my hotel room, got my flight. I know I'm gona do a tour of the big island volcanoes, bus and walking I'm assuming. I'm too much of a fat ass for the helicopter ones (have to pay weight extra, and that makes it cost more than the round trip from LAX to HNL). Prob do the Atlantis sub thing & perl harbor USS Missouri. Looking at a Luau too Paradise Cove one is looking nice. Always wanted to see some coconut ta'ta's :keke: I'm assuming the hotels on waikiki do Luau too so I was thinking about making that decision there.

I had a friend take some sort of macadamia tour, I might try to find that (but I know deep down, I would only be interested if there were cookies), and he said there were alot of street walkers in waikiki, true? could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are :naughty:

Anyone have any must do things, post em up. Great places to eat (I'm not a fan of raw foods) Egg+burger+gravy does sound good tho, prob gain some more weight on that one lol. I don't believe I will be getting a rental car, so kinda limited to waikiki beach or where the busses go.

So you are going to Oahu/Waikiki...how are you gonna see the Big Island volcanoes? Haha I assuming you are going to Hawaii (Big Island) as well as Oahu?

Atlantis submarine is whatever, I would just skip it

If you want to see underwater go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay on the east side of the island

Luaus are kinda touristy...but yeah I guess for the experience you might as well go

The real "luaus" are moreso on the west side of the island of Oahu, not really in Waikiki

You could try Polynesian Cultural Center's luau, or maybe Germaine's Luau

----------------------------

On a side note, here is a writeup I did for a friend going to Hawaii a while back, maybe it will help

Keep in mind that he first sent me a list of what he thought he wanted to do, so a lot of this isn't necessarily my recommendations, but actually my responses to what he asked, what I thought, and other suggestions I had:

Food:

1) Alan Wong's Restaurant - kinda expensive, a bit more upscale, Alan Wong is a popular Hawaii chef...the food here is good, but ambiance (at least when I used to go) was kinda too dark, it was in a real small location, and always felt cramped

2) Jimbo Restaurant - I went here a couple times way back when, and don't remember it being super amazing or anything...but maybe its different now?

North Shore:
1) Shark's Cove - you can go snorkeling and such, but there are sharks in the water in case you are scared and whatnot. Mainly harmless sharks and such, but eh, most people just go walk out on the rocks and go look at stuff, rather than get in.

2) Tropical Farms - sure, why not? I think beach > farm though

3) Waimea Bay Beach Park - this is a nice beach, and usually has HUGE waves during the winter months for the famous surf competitions. If you are here you should go jump off the huge rock to the left of the beach....it's not really that scary or high up, but high enough so when you're mid air you're asking yourself when you are gonna hit water...super fun. Oh and a warning...most everyone in Hawaii will be nice to you especially since you are Asian (so you look "local") but there are stupid people who like to start trouble, and also people who will try to steal your stuff at the beach...so I'd bring minimal stuff with you, maybe just leave a t shirt and slippers on the beach when you go swimming, and just tie your car key inside your trunks pocket...I'm a bit paranoid though...but with hiking a lot of people have their cars broken into and such

More info: Waimea Bay, Hawaii - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waimea_Bay)

Video of jumping off rock: YouTube - My Hawaiian, North Shore, Oahu, Waimea Bay Rock Jumping Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA78i1PKhSM)

4) Kailua Beach Park - technically Kailua is not on the North Shore, it's on the east / northeast side of the island. But yes this is a VERY nice beach, good for kayaking and whatnot. If you had a way to transport a kayak (if I was there I'd take you), you can rent a kayak in town (2 person or 1) and go out to Kailiua and kayak to this small island off shore. Super tiring but definitely a nice outing.

kailua beach park - Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&q=kailua+beach+park&fb=1&cid=0,0,11867209863802335158&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image)

5) Halona Blowhole - Just like Kailua Beach Park, this isn't on the North Shore, its technically on the east side of the island (actually down the street from my parents house). It's pretty cool, you might as well check it out (along with Sandy Beach which is nearby....but watch out Sandy Beach is not for the beginner...very mean shorebreak there...a lot of people have gotten paralyzed from it). But yeah, check this out with your southeast tour stuff.

6) Macky's Sweet Shrimp Truck (garlic butter shrimp/spicy shouyo sauce) - I have no idea why, but shrimp trucks are all over the North Shore and a really big deal.

Shrimp Trucks of Oahu's North Shore (http://www.hawaiitravelnewsletter.com/oahu/kahuku-shrimp-trucks.htm)

I think its good, but eh, its just shrimp with a gang of butter and garlic...but for some reason all the Food Network people get super nuts about it. Anyone of the shrimp trucks listed above should be fine. I forget which one was the original...but it was either the yellow one or the graffiti one.

7) Kua Aina Sandwich - Yes, this is one I can agree on. At least for the North Shore location, this is located in a surf city called Haleiwa. You should MOST definitely go to Haleiwa and walk around. It's a nice little touristy city....when you're at Kua Aina I'd recommend the bacon avocado burger. I am not a big fan of the fries here, but the burgers and ambiance should be nice.

7.25) Go to Haleiwa!

7.5) Matsumoto's Shave Ice - Although cliche, when you are in Haleiwa, go to Matsumoto and get some shave ice! Stand in line and wait it out, its such a nice snack, especially on a hot day. Do NOT go to the shave ice place next door (Aoki's). Matsumoto is true og, and to me, Aoki's just handles the overflow from Mats.

Welcome to matsumotoshaveice.com, the best shave ice in the world (http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/contactus.htm)

Southeast Tour:
1) Diamond Head Lighthouse - this is by far the one thing to do when in Honolulu. It's a decent hike, but it's not terribly hard, and the view is pretty spectacular. Good exercise, and good for pics when you get up there. Overlooks Kahala and Waikiki and such. This isn't really southeast though, its located right in the heart of Honolulu.

2) Hanauma Bay State Underwater Park - super touristy, but good if you want to see fish. It's a protected wildlife such and such, but the only crappy part is when you go there on a day where there's a lot of current...there's a gang of fish in there that you can see and snorkel with (so I suggest you go) but if its windy or whatnot the water gets all murky so its hard to see any fish. Most times you gotta park down the street and walk up the hill.

If you're in the area, you might also consider pulling over and looking at Makapuu beach:

Makapuʻu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makapuu)

It's near this place called Sea Life Park

Swim with dolphins at Sea Life Park Hawaii | Oahu, Hawaii (http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/)

If you care to see the dolphins and such

3) Koko Crater Botanical Garden - I live near there but never been there.

4) Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen - this is located in Kailua, so its not really by Diamond head or Haunauma Bay. Good place for breakfast.

Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen - Kailua, HI 96734 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/boots-and-kimos-homestyle-kitchen-kailua)

5) Keneke's Plate Lunch and BBQ - This is along the road that takes you into Kailua around the east side of the island (assuming you don't take the H3 highway cutting through the mountains). It kinda strikes me as being too touristy, but any plate lunch place in Hawaii will be good

Keneke's Plate Lunch and BBQ - Waimanalo, HI 96795 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/kenekes-plate-lunch-and-bbq-waimanalo)

6) Pali Lookout - This is something you should definitely do. I have no idea why, but only until after I left Hawaii did I really have an appreciation for a place like this. It's a lookout off the Pali highway (cuts through the mountains from Honolulu to Kailua/Kaneohe)

Honolulu Tour:
1) Ala Moana Shopping Center - shopping is for California. Ala Moana is aight, but I wouldn't go for the latest fashions or anything. I think its one of the largest outdoor malls in the USA? I dunno

1.5) Shirokiya (takoyaki) - Shirokiya is an awesome store...Japanese type department store with all sorts of things...their food court is pretty bomb though, same idea like a Mitsuwa. I'm not sure how their takoyaki is...but if you like takoyaki and okonomiyaki (I love ittttt) and that sorta thing, you should try

1.75)Chibo in Waikiki

Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant - Honolulu, HI 96815 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/okonomiyaki-chibo-restaurant-honolulu#hrid:bJb0PyZOpar4uqQUzF1DXg/query:chibo)

2) Waikiki Aquarium - I went here a couple times back in elementary days and maybe later after that...I think I went here for a graduation party too...not sure if its changed since then.

3) Leonard's Bakery (malasadas) - Fuckkk Leonards haha...nah they are FAMOUS for malasadas, but remember that shave ice truck I mentioned I worked at? Yeah, we also made malasadas haha! So that was our competition at the time, and I could make a way more mean malasada than Leonards! These are good, sugary and doughy....nom nom nom

4) Ono Hawaiian Foods - This is located on Kapahulu Ave, nearby Waikiki actually...same as Leonards...anyway, this place is good for Hawaiian food, but forget that...if you're on Kapahulu, you HAVE to go to

Rainbow's Drive Inn

Rainbow Drive-In - Honolulu, HI 96815 (http://www.yelp.com/biz/rainbow-drive-in-honolulu#hrid:i1Zn4RKsLirNCijcJ_C48g/query:rainbow%27s%20drive%20inn)

I swear to god, the one plate lunch plate I miss the MOST in Hawaii is Rainbows...I always used to go eat ever since I was small....if you go, make sure you get the Boneless Chicken Plate (with gravy) and a Slush Float on the side (kinda like a slushy with ice cream in it). Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

5) Mitsu-Ken (garlic chicken) - Wow, I was surprised to see this one here. Yes, Mitsu-ken is the jam for garlic chicken...its sorta located in the central part of town (by Liliha area I think?)

Oh! Speaking of Liliha....if you are at Mitsu-Ken, pop into Liliha Bakery for some cream puffs (and coco puffs)

Liliha Bakery - Honolulu, HI (http://www.yelp.com/biz/liliha-bakery-honolulu)

You can also eat breakfast here, if there is a spot open...but main thing is the cream puffs

6) Paradise Cove - Are you referring to the luau? If so I don't think I've ever gone...I think Polynesian Cultural Center has one, as well as Germaine's Luau....I dunno, for me personally, even if I was a tourist, I'd rather skip a luau (which is all like "Hollywood" version of Hawaii) and go eat a nice meal at a local spot somewhere else...unless you want to see some hula dancing, or tahitian dancing....just for your "reference," here is some Tahitian dancing:

YouTube - TAHITIAN DANCE -- Corinne @ EHS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WhN6nlwAts)

OOOOOH WEE! Watch out though, cause if you go to a luau, they sometimes pull you out of the crowd to go up and dance with them... haha

Windward Tour:
1) Lanikai Beach - this is a really nice beach, and I think known for being a good swimming beach? Either way, any beach in Hawaii (except maybe those near Ala Moana or Waikiki) is gonna blow your freaking mind, so just look for crystal blue water and white sand.

Central Tour:
1) Dole Pineapple Plantation - Get the pineapple soft serve. This is sorta located on the way to North Shore, so coordinate to stop by. Don't do the maze, just stand in front of the sign where the maze is and tell people you finished it in like 5 minutes. You gotta pay to walk to maze too IIRC, which is kinda *yawn*

[spirit]

I would snorkel, but I got sinus & ear issues which make it near impossible to breath just out of my mouth. I'm limited to full mask or the sub shit. I have to plug my ears as one has a hole and the other has coral in it already as some replacement eardrum er someshit). I'm in pain for hours if water gets in my ear, just rather not even try. TV they had those bike like things where your head is in a bubble underwater. Haven't found that website yet.

Volcanoes, $300, http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/us/hawaii/oahu/sg/2122/ag/9970/
Like the Luau prob wait on these tickets. Hotel could have something better/cheaper (and knowing what the weather will be like is a good thing, as these are non refundable).

Lot of good info in that post tho, thanks.