Try Another Island … but Wisely!
July 1st, 2008
It happens all the time. You plan your Hawaii vacation; plan it carefully. You’ll be here in the islands for a couple of weeks. It’s your first visit so you figure you’ll spend them in Waikiki and take a couple of exploratory drives to see the rest of Oahu.
Then, one night after dinner after you’ve been here a week, you meet a couple who just came to Oahu from Kauai. You tell them what you’ve seen and done in Waikiki, and a little about your drive to Oahu’s North Shore, where you saw the Polynesian Cultural Center and the town of Haleiwa. Then they take over the conversation. They gush over Kauai’s Waimea Canyon, Poipu, the Napali Coast, the Hanalei Valley Lookout …
“Hmm,” you think. “Maybe we can take a couple of days and explore Kauai, or Maui, or the Big Island. We can check out of our Waikiki hotel early, make new hotel reservations and book an inter-island flight, book a few side tours, then re-book our flight home.” You get on the Internet, make some decisions and re-tool the rest of your vacation.
Okay, there are some things you could have done better.
To begin with, you should have planned your entire vacation with a travel agent who is based in Hawaii and who knows the islands intimately. That would be us – Hawaii-Aloha Travel. We encourage most of our clients to see more than one island, if time and budget allow. We discuss with you your interests and we make recommendations accordingly. When it’s clear what you would like to see and do, we book everything then, before you leave. Doing so is going to save you a bunch of money. An open secret among travel agents is that we can get better deals – save you more money – if we package everything you do. That takes planning and reserving up front, and it’s worth the effort! Otherwise, you’re doing everything ad hoc, buying everything a la carte, and limiting your options because some things you’d like to do are unavailable when you want to do them.
Even if you decide on a neighbor-island visit after you arrive, call us (1-800-843-8771) or contact one of our agents on line (hawaii-aloha.com). We can still make sure you get to see and do what you want, and pay as little as possible for the experiences.
These islands – each and every one – are filled with wonders and adventures. Enjoy as many of them as you can without wasting your precious time and money. That’s what we’re here for.
Entry Filed under: Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu
5 Comments Add your own
1. Vicki Guthrie | July 21st, 2008 at 12:49 am
Thinking of traveling to Oahu, taking a cruise ship to and from Tahiti, then coming back to either Kauai or Hawaii before returning home. We’ll have two weeks……..is this possible? We want to see the Arizona memorial in Oahu, and if it’s still there, I’d like to have drinks or dinner atop the revolving restaurant. Two or three days in Oahu should be plenty before taking the ship. We’ve been to Maui long enough so we knew our way around……..perhaps it’s time for relaxing on Kauai or exploring lave tubes and black sand beaches again……………Thank you for offering this opportunity.
2. kim murphy | July 21st, 2008 at 2:48 am
My partner and I are thinking of coming in the beginning of December for our 15 year anniversary. We want to snorkel, see a rainforest, lay on the beach, attend a luai and sightsee. She says we need to come to Oahu and of course, I have heard so much of Waikiki. We need some help. We also have our own online travel agency and credentials, I am wondering if there would be any discounts available to us. This may sound a little corny, but would also like information on “gay Hawaii”. Any tours, activities, etc.
Thanks so much for your help!
3. kim murphy | July 21st, 2008 at 2:50 am
My partner and I would like to come early Dec but not sure what islands. We love the outdoors, snorkeling, rainforests, etc. Interested in some lesbian tours or activities as well.
We have our own online travel agency and our credentials. Would there be any discounts. Any info you can provide would be great!!
Thank you!!
Kim Murphy
4. Holly | July 21st, 2008 at 5:24 am
Hi. Just got back from Hawaii. Am reading your note now. We had a great time, went to three islands. I am of course starting to think about coming back. We were on Oahu, Hawaii and Maui. All were nice. So help me plan a return trip. We have never been to Kaui, should we go? How about renting a house and bringing extra family - would that be cheaper that at hotel? Sorry to be a pest- but seems like you like to answer these type of questions. We will not be returning to ‘09 or ‘10. Thanks for the letter.
5. Annette | July 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hi. My husband and I are returning to Oahu for our son’s wedding in September. I know, short notice. But he and his Fiance are both in the Navy. We were there in January for 2 weeks with our 3 younger children, but this time we will be going alone for the wedding. Can you help me find a “reasonable” airfare and hotel/condo for the week we will be there?
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