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Suggestions for Hawaii

LogGrad98

LogGrad98

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Next year is my 30th wedding anniversary. We would like to go to Hawaii, never been. We are also taking my parents with us, as they have never been either, and they are 85 and somewhat mobility challenged (no wheelchair, but tough time walking much).

Looking for suggestions as to where to go and what to do, considering our limitations. We really want to visit pearl harbor, so tentatively planning on like Waikiki or Honolulu. We have some flexibility for resort and such and will be there for a 7-night stay whenever we end up.

TIA
 
Congrats on the 30 years. I lived in Oahu and Big Island for about 5 years. Since there is mobility issues I would suggest:
Pearl Harbor
Tantalus Lookout (drive to a great view of Honolulu)
Drive from Honululu to Haleiwa, this includes stops at the Dole Plantation and Hawaii Cook pine trees.
Makapu’u Beach has a great view of the basalt rock, turquoise water and green mountains.
Waimanalo Beach is the best on the island. Bring chairs, a $15 charcoal grill and cook up on the beach.
Downtown Kailua is a great beach town, don’t forget to stop by the crepe place.
Lair point is a short walk

Let me know if you need any other info, Waikiki is like the Vegas strip, expensive shops, restaurants and hotels. Best part of the island is outside of Waikiki.

The best island is the Big Island but it’s more of an outside adventure island.
 
My personal take is if you're going to Hawaii, opt for either Maui or Kauai. I find Oahu to be way too crowded and it's going to feel like a city more than anything. The Big Island is far too big and spread out though seeing active volcanoes is pretty cool, but the island isn't as scenic.

Kauai is probably the closest thing to true Hawaii as it's easy to navigate the island, see some great sights with most highly accessible yet also still get some great beaches and views. It won't have quite as good as shopping as Maui if that's up your alley, but I think the smaller island size works better for those that are older anyway. If I were in your situation, that's what I would do, but a case can be made for Maui as well, just be prepared for more driving.

You could always fly into Oahu, spend a day checking out Pearl Harbor and some other sights and then taking the short hop over to another island. That's what I would do anyway. Also, you might some VRBO/Airbnb that are also quite comparable.
 
agree with Avery I'd only go to Honolulu again just to go to Pearl Harbor. Kailua beach / town in awesome but year Maui is much more cruisy .. the Kaanapali area is really relaxing and enjoyable and mobility shouldn't be a problem Big Island is fantastic if you like being active and moving around to see the volcano etc.
 
And I agree with Avery on Kauai. I go to Hawaii to get away from everything and usually find a place in Princeville on the north side of the island although I do usually hit Poipu Beach on the south shore on at least one day because I have better luck finding sea turtles there. Swimming with sea turtles is one of my favorite things in life.
 
Al-O-Meter said:
And I agree with Avery on Kauai. I go to Hawaii to get away from everything and usually find a place in Princeville on the north side of the island although I do usually hit Poipu Beach on the south shore on at least one day because I have better luck finding sea turtles there. Swimming with sea turtles is one of my favorite things in life.
Click to expand...

And the good thing is regardless if you stay in Princeville, Poipu, Kapaa, it’s all within an hour of each other.
 
I will have to find the pic, but one of my favorites from Kauai was in the Walmart parking lot in Lihue. Chickens run around free on the island and there were about a dozen of those and about as many cats eating something that had spilled in the back parking lot. All co-mingling and just having a good time.

I will warn you that car rental prices are through the roof right now, but they will hopefully come back to earth soon.
 
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