Hawaii

[Metz]

Anyone been ? What was it like,what's there to do,what's the food like etc etc

[ugly_bob]

I believe the pizzas are good

[Narolines]

One of the most beautiful and most relaxing places i have ever been. Didn't want to come home, and desperate to go back. Food is the usual American mixture - quite a lot of Japanese & Korean available, otherwise pretty much standard US West Coast. Native Hawaiian cuisine isn't very appealing and you're not likely to find it outside tourist "Hawaiian Nights". The fish is wonderful - recommend grilled/barbecued mahi-mahi - and you can o/d on delicious fresh fruit. Which part of the islands are you going to (envy,envy!)? Where you're going will obviously influence what there is to do. There's only about 2 or 3 degrees diffrence between summer and winter, you'll probably find it quite windy (warm breezes, though, so not unpleasant) and at least in the winter it rains for a short time most days. It doesn't last long, again the rain is warm, and everybody just ignores it and carries on - after all, you soon dry out in the sun! (That doesn't apply if you happen to be there when a storm hits, of course!)

[buildersmate]

(adding to the above)
It rains a bit on most days (summer and winter seasons don't really apply) - but only a couple of hours, often late morning. More rain falls in the north of the islands - like Tenerife in that respect.
There are hundreds of islands in the complete chain, but only around seven? that are developed as tourist locations. In order of 'developness' I would say Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kaiui would the top four. The international airport is on Oahu (Honolulu) though a few flights from USA also go direct to Maui. One then 'island hops' on smaller planes, with Oahu as the main hub. Its mostly natural scenery and sports that Americans like doing - surfing, deep-sea fishing and golf. There is some cultural / historical sites, if you like that sort of thing.
Agree with above comments on the style and variety of food. Big Island best for (live) volcanos. We spent three individual weeks on three separate islands, which suited us fine.

[Metz]

Narolines - Not sure which part we are going to , thought i'd get some feedback first then decide. Maui has been mentioned quite a lot in various posts i've scattered about so it looks to be fave atm :o)

[behappy87]

I went last September, had a great time. We went to Kaua'i first and then to Hawai'i island...I preferred Kaua'i, it's a lot more lush, and green. Hawai'i is more barren, as it's still volcanically active...that's not to say it's not interesting, just once you've seen a few lava flows, you've seen them all! But it's interesting to see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and go into the national park there. I personally think Kaua'i is more beautiful.

Oh and you must go to Roy's restaurant, both Kaua'i and Hawai'i had them, and O'ahu has one as well...the food is amazing! There is some traditional Hawaiian food, but also some non Hawaiian food. The fresh fruit is great, especially pineapple!

As for what's there to do...I'm not sure if you're sporty or not, but surfing's worth a try! The best day for me was on Kaua'i when we took a boat trip round the Napali coast, we saw loads of dolphins, the coast line was amazing, we went snorkelling, it was just a great day. On Hawai'i we got to swim with dolphins at the Dolphinquest centre which was really good as well. As for other things to do, just driving round the islands is interesting enough, there are valleys and canyons galore!! Hope this helped and that you have a good time.

[razza]

If you go to Ohau make sure you visit The Polynesian Cultural Centre,its pretty widespread on the north of the island but it is sure a must,built and run by Mormons,Waimea Falls Park is another beautiful spot,Hanauma Bay another must,Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbour.From the Airport to Waikiki beach is a concrete jungle,which is about ten miles,but this does include Honolulu.The rest of the island which is about another 90 miles round the coastline is lovely,but there is a highway right through the middle of it.I went in 1982 and 1989.I do beleive nowadays it is one of Americas most notorious crime spots,if I was to go again I would consider doing the other Islands.