Which Rock Is No Ka Oi?
By Braddah Lance
At one point or anoddah, most - if not all - of us have traveled to a neighbor island either as keiki or as an adult for watevah reason it may be: a school trip, sporting event, chaparone, visiting ohana, business or da best yet, holoholo.
Each island has it's own niche, charm and specialty. It has it's own flare, style and people which make up the island's character.
As we visit our "neighbor's", even though we're in da same state, we can't help but feel like we've been transported to an oasis none like our own home island and whether we stay for a day or for a week, it's always fun.
Da Wife and I are jonesing for a getaway - not anytime real soon - and have talked about taking a short trip but with Da Baby in tow, we're not up for our usual trip to da mainland because for one, it'll be choke expensive if/when we decide to go but at da same time, it'll be just like babysitting wit only da location being different since we can't do our normal watevah comes our way kine of traveling but instead gotta defer to "wat can Da Baby do" kine of mentality.
Da only compromise? A neighbor island getaway for a trial run at seeing if Da Baby - actually us - can handle da travel. Da only thing I kept saying in da back of my mind was, "wea da heck is da Supah Ferry wen you need 'em?"
Wassup Wit Dat!
Have you traveled wit young keiki? How was it? Which island is da bestest from da restest fo' go holoholo on? Wat's your favorite place to go, thing(s) to do and places to eat wen visiting our neighbor's?
Boy, I'm really disappointed da Supah Ferry is no longah around.... you tink da rail route get chance fo' connect to Kona?
Wassup Wit Dat!
July 15th, 2012 at 7:02 am
i agree! there is no 'best rock'. also, i think it's kinda neat that each island has a different pidgin accent/type as well. Kauai's westside has some really heavy pidgin, and you will find that it is different from big island style pidgin, which is heavy in its own way. a lot of the times people on other islands can tell that one is visiting from HNL by the way he/she speaks pidgin.
July 15th, 2012 at 7:11 am
Every Island has their beauty and attraction. For us on the BI going to Oahu is a like going to da BIG city. All that stress. Traffic, Crowds, shopping. eating etc etc etc. Exciting but then can't wait to get back home.
I've traveled with my kids. It's true, your itinerary will adjust to catering to the children. No more "just the 2 of you" moments unless you have family where you're at that can babysit.
Sorry bruddah, you have to compromise some stuff but you can make it work.
As for da "Supa Fairy" Wait in line, I'm still at Hilo Harbor waiting
July 15th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Not an easy decision. Kauai is beautiful, but nothing to do unless you got friends/relatives. Maui got lillibit more to do but same thing. Lanai is pure relaxation. BI got choke more to see/do, I have an affinity for Hamakua Coast.
July 15th, 2012 at 8:47 am
My daughter's first trip was to Maui, she was about 18mos old. Nothing like waiting to board and EVERYBODY looking at you like "God, please no let me be sitting near da baby". But she was so cute and so good and quiet that all the flt att showered her with attention, gave her extra cookies and yah, that went REALLY WELL!
Second trip was to Pennsylvania when she was 2. Mo' steenk eyes.
I purposely booked the early evening flight so she would naturally want to be sleeping. Plenny toys/books/crayons in the carry on. Again, she was so darn cute and quiet that all the flt att showered her with gifts like Amer Airlines playing cards, pins, napkins... anything they could find.
I was awfully lucky.
July 15th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
My brother, sister-in-law and I traveled from Los Angeles to Honolulu when my nephew was 2-yrs old. The plane ride was not a problem. Nephew fell asleep after the excitement of the take-off. I think it was that constant background noise on the plane that put him to sleep. While in Hawaii though it was way different. Keeping up with an excited two year old was something else. Once hoping to wear him out we took him to Hanauma Bay and told him we would follow him wherever he wanted to walk. He walked up around the edge to that toilet bowl thing and after watching the action for a while and convincing him he could not jump into the water there he walked all the way back to the beach. We didn't have to carry him at all. When we got back into the car he wanted shave ice. He did sleep well that night though.
July 15th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Howzit BL!
Each island is different and unique I love dem all. My go to island is da big island because my braddah lives over dayah.
July 15th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Aue, braddah Lance, it hard fo' make one choice when dey all stay so beautiful.
Kaua'i is my current favorite. Spent Christmas Day 2010 with friends out at Polihale playing in the surf, eating ono grinds, and watching the sun set over Ni'ihau. Then on the way back to Lihu'e, seeing the full moon rise over Wai'ale'ale. Could anything be more evocative of the spirit of old Hawai'i then that? I sorta doubt it!
I also love the laid back atmosphere of Moloka'i and the varied sites of the BI - especially the volcano/Puna area.
See what I mean, it so hard fo' choose one!
July 16th, 2012 at 6:13 am
Guud moning BL!
July 16th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Born on Kauai an prejudice about the place. Lived on mainland most my adult life, but different because you can drive and drive. Lived in Fort Wayne when we drove to Toledo with son in tow to visit zoo. Stayed in 1st class hotel and in the evening had baby sitter visit room with son while we got away from baby. Best thing happen, in a long while, just 2 get away. Of course son now 51 years ole. Long time ago from 5 years ole. good luck on your upcoming trip.
July 16th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Sup BL,
First trip with one baby was when they were 10 weeks to Maui. Was all ready with one bottle, pacifier, and the thing for her ears when the plane got pressurized. Nevah need up. As soon as the engines spun up da little buggah had fall asleep.
Did da Supah Ferry thing one time to Maui (da twins were 1-1/2)when da prices came down and was winnahs. Had one cooler wit all our food stuff, and best of all had my own car so nevah need rent one wreck. Three hours each way. Once we got around Kapalua was small kind bucking into the waves but was no big deal. Had one little pay area for da little keiki so was perfect.
First trip to da mainland was when the twins were 7 months. Fly Continental if you can cuz they have bassinets in the bulkhead rows. Not sure if any other airlines have them.
No scared just go with da keiki. Maybe you can't move as fast around places or see as many sights, but might as well travel while you don't need to pay for them.
July 16th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
My 1st family trip was to the BI. I have 3 kids, youngest just made 3 that time. He was so good and excited to finally ride in the plane. We haven't gone to the mainland yet, i'm not sure flying neighbor island (shorter) would be different then flying maniland (longer) but my son was fantasic to and from. Husband and I is itchen too for a trip. I love the BI so much more sight seeing (i think). As for me I work in the airlines biz so tickets are cheap but being standby not so much lol, lucky tho when we did go on hawaiian we took the last five seats avail
. We're saving mainland trips when the baby can pull his own weight buwhahahahaha.
July 16th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Howzit BL,
Like everybody said all the islands have something good bout dem. As for me I love the BI staying at Hilton Waikaloa, good for the kids wit all da things to see and do. Plus Ynaku live Hilo side can always go fo visit and get opihi from him
July 16th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Yikes I no can even spell Waikoloa
July 17th, 2012 at 5:38 am
Been to all of them and love them equally. My best trip was 2 days on Lanai, played both world class golf courses and stayed at Manele Bay. That was pre kids. Now with the second on the way I'd take long days on the beach in Maui for a vacation.
July 17th, 2012 at 5:56 am
guud morning BL!
July 19th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I'm surprised no one mentioned Moloka'i. My fam bam and I go there every year. We rent a beach house on the East or West side. Dog friendly too! Moloka'i is priceless, the beauty of the beaches, untouched! No more high end hotels, traffic or even rude people. Every single person walking the island will talk stories with you! Just to get away from this hectic, frustrated island we live on, nice to know Moloka'i is the place to get away from. Grant it, there's no water park, zip lining, restaurants.....you fish for your own food, climb the coconut trees for cocnut water/milk, pick opihis, what more can we ask for? Try it!
August 6th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Aloha,I live on Kauai and have a suggestion for you. Purchase the Oahu and Kauai books by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman. They are part of the Revealed' sirees and can be found at any major bookstore. You can look at pieces of the books and even buy them on this website:. The authors have done extensive research on each of the four major Hawaiian islands and have lots of tips with regard to accommodations, dining, shopping, sight seeing, etc. Look through both books and decide which island better suits your needs. With only 5-7 days here my suggestion is to choose one island and stay there. You will probably feel too rushed to see everything if you island hop on such a short trip. For a 3-4 star resort, your prices will vary depending upon the island and location. For example, on Kauai, Poipu is on the sunny south shore and Princeville is on the north shore, which tends to be wetter but very tropical and green. Both of those areas have the most expensive hotels/resorts but they also have condos and slightly less expensive hotels. You can find a bargain if you're looking for one, but it is going to depend on how long you want to stay and on what part of the island you want your home base to be. There is a lot to see on both islands but you want to be sure to take some time to just relax and enjoy your honeymoon too. Don't spend the entire trip rushing around trying to see everything you can live here for years and not see it all. Choose a couple of activities you are most interested in (detailed examples in the books I mentioned) and stick with those. Don't be too regimented in your scheduling. Allow time for relaxing by the pool or on the beach and things like that.September is a good time of year to visit. The weather isn't usually ridiculously hot like it is in July and August and most kids are in school so a lot of the tourists have gone home.Oahu is the most populous island in the Hawaiian archipelago. There are a lot of choices in terms of dining, shopping, nightlife, and activities. Kauai is much quieter and a lot of people feel that it is more like old Hawaii. Both islands are incredibly beautiful don't let anyone tell you that Oahu is just a big city or that it is like L.A. in the middle of the ocean. That's just wrong! Honolulu is a big city but it is also very pretty. Once you get out of Honolulu, the rest of Oahu is just as gorgeous as Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. So on Oahu you have all the amenities you might want but you also get the scenery. In terms of booking a package or going it alone, I can't help you there. I think you might do better price-wise if you book things (hotel, rental car, flight, activities, etc.) on your own, but if you haven't done it before, it might be intimidating. Talk to a travel agent and see what kind of deal you can get. The larger hotels and resorts usually have concierges who can help you with booking activities, too. Consult the Revealed' books to see what companies are highly recommended (there are lots of different companies that can take you snorkeling, for example) and find out the prices from the concierge or book directly with the company once you arrive on the island.Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!ETA Whoops, sorry! Just reread your question and realized you were thinking Maui and Oahu, not Kauai and Oahu. There is a Revealed' book for Maui too.