Putting together a Hawaiian itinerary for 65th birthday
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Anonymous
Because I don't want to turn 65 just sitting at home! Or worse, working. 
Thinking of Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai. We'll stay at Aulauni on Oahu and at a Marriott on the Big Island. No hotel plans for Kauai yet. Our only other time in Hawaii we did Honolulu, the Big Island and Maui, and that was in the... '90s. So it's been a minute. We enjoyed the Road to Hana, snorkeling, a helicopter ride, Volcano National Park, etc. What are the highlights of Kauai for you? I will have DH and our adult son with us. TIA! |
Anonymous
| Hiking the Na Pali coast, no question. You could do a boat tour if hiking isn't for you. Waimea valley is spectacular. |
Anonymous
| If you have the budget for it, Grand Hyatt Kauai is my favorite hotel that I have ever been to. |
Anonymous
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Just back from 10 days on the Big Island. I much preferred staying in Kona to either Hilo or the Waikaloa resort area, although the swimming pools on the Hilton properties in Waikaloa were great. There are more restaurants and things to do in Kona.
I booked one night in Volcano House (inside the park) which IMO is the best way to see the park. I could have done 2 nights / more hikes but my family was done. Not sure when you are going but the volcano is pretty active right now. We timed our return from Volcano to the Kona side so that we were at Mauna Kea for sunset and stargazing - you do not need a tour or 4WD to get to the viewing spot by the visitor center, but bring a jacket, a beanie, a flashlight, and a blanket to sit on: there's a short steep walk to a nearby peak for viewing. Tours go to the summit but they come back down for stargazing anyway. I didn't find out early enough to get an observatory tour, but the Subaru observatory does offer a few public tours and thats the only reason I can think of to bother with the summit. Years ago I did a trip that combined the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. You can do it but it's a lot of packing up and moving, I prefer to explore one place longer. |
Anonymous
| Kilauea (on the Big Island) is erupting about once per week right now - it's been doing this since December and it's not clear how long it will continue. Totally worth seeing if you are going soon (but again, it may end at any time) but you may need to hang out for several days and be ready to head up to the park at any time (2am, etc - eruptions only last a few hours). Truly spectacular to see lava shooting 2000 feet into the air! |
Anonymous
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Westin on the Big Island. It's a Bonvoy.
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Anonymous
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We did a big birthday trip for my parent in Hawaii. Had a great time splitting it between Kauai (stayed up near Princeville) and then Maui near Waimea. So much to do and see on both islands.
If hiking Na Pali Coast is a must-do for you, just be aware that you need to get park entry tickets way in advance. We missed that. Instead, we did a helicopter tour of the coast, which was cool, but I wish I could have hiked it. |
Anonymous
| Why Aulauni? So many more options for food at Waikiki. |
Anonymous
Have a paid room there through our Disney Vacation Club. |