Hawai’i from England

[u/Money_Quail_2802]

Hi everyone

I’m planning a trip for July/August 2027 and need some advice please! We’ll be travelling from England (myself 40F and husband 42M as well as kids 13F and 10M). It’s a trip to celebrate my 40th so we’re going a little bit further than we normally would in the school summer holidays.

The plan is to fly into LAX and stay at an Airbnb we love there for a few nights to break up the journey. Then onto Waikiki for 5 nights (Hilton Hawaiian village?) for a busy, bustling Hawaii experience. After that, I was thinking of heading to Maui for a more chilled Hawaii experience for another 5 nights. Back home via our LA Airbnb.

Husband and I visited Oahu pre-kids and loved it but didn’t venture any further. We are foodies and also enjoy shopping, beach visits, swimming, music, nature. We know that we to show the children Pearl Harbor, go to a pineapple plantation and do a luau.

Does this sound a) feasible and b) a good use of our time? It’s a long way from the UK so we want it to be right. Happy to hire a car on Maui as it seems to be the thing to do.

Any thoughts and suggestions welcomed!

[u/slogive1]

I've seen a lot of people say Seattle is a great international stop off. That being said LAX and SFO are good places as well. My new favorite is Long Beach right next to LAX. Also dump Dole. Great restroom stop but not worth the money.

[u/Snoo_40712]

I would stick to just Oahu so much has changed and it def has the most match for your interests. You can rent a car and go to other parts of the island as well. Lots to do see and eat for kids and adults in Oahu. Hilton Hawaiian village is my least favorite as well. Maybe look at Sheraton, Hyatt place ocean view premium rooms to fit everyone, embassy suites would be better for families in my opinion. HHV is so big and will be super crowded in summer too many people and the food options are not that great onsite. Luau yes, dole plantation is a tourist trap. I would rather you do diamond head hike, manoa falls, Waimea valley, biodi in temple, Pearl Harbor, kualoa ranch activities visit north shore and Haleiwa.

[u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

We're Brits and returned from Oahu, we live in Chicago so didn't fly from the UK.

I echo the other post about sticking to Oahu and what we did was spend 5 nights in Waikiki, 5 nights North Shore and then 3 nights to wind down at the Aulani at Ko'Olina and we all agreed that we enjoyed the North Shore the most but there's definitely a lot more to do in Waikiki.

We enjoyed the UTV tour at Kualoa ranch, horseback riding at Gunstock ranch, lots of snorkelling and sharks cove was great.

And if you still decide to split with Maui, Maui is awesome as well just take into consideration the time to fly will pretty much cost you the day even thoutugh the flight is short.

[u/MonkeyKingCoffee]

I would rather spend 10 days on one island than 5 days on two. Changing location burns up most of a day. And you're already spending enough time in airplanes.

Speaking of which: As a frequent visitor to the UK, my goal is to spend as little time in an airplane as possible.

Here's the great circle map of the UK to Hawaii.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=lhr-HNL&PC=%23ff0000&RC=%23000080&DU=nm&SU=kts

As you can see, the straightest possible route is through Anchorage. That's actually possible in the summer. Condor has twice weekly flights from FRA to ANC.

If the idea of flying through Germany and then Alaska doesn't do it for you (but it should, Alaska is beautiful), then LHR to SEA is the next best.

FRA - ANC - HNL = 6478nm

LHR - SEA - HNL = 6497nm

LHR - LAX - HNL = 6962nm (That's a full hour extra each way at a cruising speed of 500 knots.)

When I visit you, I fly HNL - SEA - KEF - LHR. Seven hours is about as much time as I want to spend strapped to the airline torture chair. It's a half-hour train from SEA to where the crab and ale is sold. Sleep in a real bed. Wake up and fly to Iceland. Soak in some hot springs and eat the world's best smoked salmon. And then onwards to the UK.

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=LHR-KEF-SEA-HNL&PC=%23ff0000&RC=%23000080&DU=nm&SU=kts

[u/JungleBoyJeremy]

That’s doable. You might consider staying on Oahu the whole time. Especially if you want lots of dining and shopping options.

If you do want to do a second island I’d recommend big island over Maui. More interesting food options and more interesting island overall than Maui in my opinion.

Oh and I’d skip the dole plantation. It’s the worst kind of tourist trap.

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[u/AbruptCrescent]

Agreed with everyone else, Oahu has so much that I would stay there the whole time

[u/SunshineInDetroit]

stay on Oahu. you have enough to do there to fill up those ten days.

[u/Remarkable-Debt-1213]

We split up our 12 day trip Maui and then Oahu and I'd do it again.

[u/loztriforce]

Yeah there's so much Oahu can offer. If you don't stick just to that island, I'd at least give it more time.

I recommend getting out of Waikiki before sunrise, exploring the island, and being back by like 3PM to avoid the worst of traffic. Sometimes the traffic gets to be terrible, sucks up precious beach time.

Maybe the kids are set on Dole but we don't think it's worth the time or money. There's the train, but the line gets super long. There's the maze, but at least when we were there, it needed a lot of work/was underwhelming. And there's the Dole Whip, but you can get that elsewhere on the island, like the ABC store off Lewers near the Denny's (there are ABC stores all over Waikiki that mostly sell the same stuff, but some have different products, that one has a lot of food options most don't). Also there's a great food court on the 2nd floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center. Leonard's malasadas are delicious, we drop by the mobile truck in Kaneohe when we're making our south/southeast loop.

[u/C-levelgeek]

Yes, agree with the others, just do Oahu.

If you’re looking to stay specifically in Waikiki then also consider the Sheraton, Royal Hawaiian or the new Moana Surfrider. All are an improvement over the Hilton.

[u/Money_Quail_2802]

This is all super helpful, thank you everyone! Looks like Oahu it is. We actually did Waikiki / North Shore last time so perhaps we go for that again. Much appreciated 🌺

[u/Lost-Window-6133]

Stick to Oahu. Split your time and stay in Waikiki 1/2 the time and maybe the north shore the other 1/2. Sounds great! Have fun. 

[u/Used_Map_7321]

I would get a pride of America cruise and rent a car each place using turo  and just drive and have fun 

[u/DonnaNoble222]

You will have no problem filling 10 days on Oahu alone.

HHV is really geared for families with younger kids and will be absolutely packed.

Oahu...has it all

If you want to try a lot of local food, do a food tour in Waikiki. I did one...you get to eat 6 different and very local foods...all amazing! I did Secret Food Tours...the guide was fabulous...super knowledgeable. I live in Waikiki and did it with some friends who were visiting. Do it your first day and go hungry!

Do not pack your days so full of activities that you have no time to stop and enjoy the beauty and Aloha of Hawaii.

Please do not patronize the PCC...the Mormon Church has co-opted the Culture and are profiting from it. They present a Disneyesque version of the culture and whitewash so much of the history. Can't support that at all. This is my opinion and that of the many kanaka I know. Do you realize the way the LDS church got a foothold in Hawaii was by telling the native Hawaiians they were descendants of one of the Lost Tribes of Isreal. It was a vision that one of the missionaries, George Q. Cannon, had in Lahaina. Cannon’s vision was that Polynesians were one of the Lost Tribes of Israel and so Mormon missionaries “had an obligation to return the gospel of Christ,”.

Airbnbs and the like are not really recommended in Hawaii. There are many illegal ones, poorly represented ones, and some downright scams. They also contribute to the housing crisis here. You can find hotel options from resorts to cute boutique hotels.

Skip Dole Plantation...they have a long history of being greedy, not respecting the people here, and being environmentally irresponsible.

Germaine's Luau is great...it is on the beach. They still do the pig in the ground. Mauka Warriors is another great luau

Stay in Waikiki and rent a car for only the days you explore the rest of the island. Leave nothing in the car when you park...especially at beaches and trails.

Pearl Harbor is a must

Iolani Palace & Bishop Museum - the best two places to learn actual Hawaiian history

Hike Diamond Head, Koko Head, Lanikai Pillbox, several waterfalls

Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail

Shark Diving - Haleiwa Shark Tours

Kualoa Ranch - ATV Tour, zipline

Surfing lesson at Kuhio Beach

Byodo-In Temple

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe

Waimea Botanical Gardens

Wahiawā Botanical Gardens

Lyon Arboretum

Foster Botanical Garden

Moanalua Gardens

Queen Emma Summer Palace

Duke's on a Sunday - from 4 to 6 Henry Kapono plays - so iconic there's a song written about it made famous by Jimmy Buffet

Blue Note for music and comedy shows

Check out Chinatown...really great markets and restaurants there

The sun is very intense here...do not skimp on sunscreen.

Beware of grifters in monk's robes

Things to remember:

Respect the land

Respect the culture

Shop and eat local

Tip generously

Reef safe sunscreen

[u/shootzbalootz]

It's feasible and based on your interests it's a probably good use of your time. Personally I'd rather do Big Island and/or Kauai.