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Honolulu

Mahalo Honolulu

by dalefried

A May 2001 travel journal

Last Updated: January 28, 2003

Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
10
Reviews

Our first time in Hawaii celebrating our wedding anniversary. The smells, the beauty, the relaxing atmosphere. Hangin' loose!

We took a limousine tour around Oahu.
Visited Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor.
Spent a lot of time at the International Market.
The only thing I regret was not taking a side trip to Maui. Maybe next anniversary!

Quick Tips:

Leave the hustle and bustle behind--you're in Hawaii!

Best Way To Get Around:

If you are staying in Honolulu there is no need for a car, but if you want to tour the island, a car is necessary.
Best Things Nearby:
Waikiki Beach, International Market Place, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, and Diamond Head.

Best Things About the Resort:
Two balconies: even though big buildings obstruct the view, you can still get a peek at Waikiki Beach and the Marina. It is right in the middle of everything, so the beach is very close and all the surrounding hotels are beautiful. There is an owner's lounge on the 26th floor, and you can see the fireworks on Friday night. On our last night, we watched the sun set from the balcony of the owner's lounge. I also took a lei-making lesson at the resort and made beautiful leis for Mom and myself.

Resort Experience:
The activity staff is very good, and they provided us with discounts on tours. The rooms were very small with only one TV in the living room, but the location of the hotel is really great. Everything you need is within walking distance. Hawaii is gorgeous and the people are so friendly. Everyone gives you the "hang loose" sign.

  • Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
  • Activities: Fair
  • Amenities: Good
  • Unit Satisfaction: Good
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

Imperial Of Waikiki
205 LEWERS ST Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
808-923-1827

The rooms were very small, but we still had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. I felt bad for my parents because the second bedroom was tiny. There was only one TV in the living room, but we still loved it. I was so happy to be in Hawaii and the hotel is right in the middle of everything. It is a few steps away from Waikiki Beach and there is a convenience store downstairs with very reasonable food and souvenirs. All appliances in the room worked, which hasn't been the case in every place we have stayed, and we were very satisfied.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

Imperial Vacation Club
205 Lewers Street Honolulu, Hawaii
1 (800) 923-1827

I didn't stay here, but we ate dinner here, drank at the bar, listened to the band, and walked around the grounds. The restaurant was so beautiful. I remember eating Caesar salad and ravioli. It was delicious. There was a good band playing in the bar. The grounds are so gorgeous. There was a pond with swans and fish. There was live entertainment on the beach also.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by dalefried on January 22, 2003

Hilton Hawaiian Village
2005 KALIA RD Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
808 949-4321

Duke's Canoe Club

Restaurant

You can sit in outside area where the band was playing, or you can sit inside. We arrived feeling so hot. There was only one area which was air-conditioned and it wasn't open yet, but they allowed us to sit there. We just loved this place. The atmosphere is so casual and the food was good. I was sorry that I didn't have room for the hula pie because it looked so good. We were leaving on a 12-hour plane ride, so I couldn't order it and take it with me. The staff was friendly and the service was good.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

Duke's Canoe Club
2335 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
+808-922-2268

"Yes" show

Activity

This show is HORRIBLE. Don't waste your money. It is so amateurish, and what is the deal with the Monkey MC? It should not be called Yes, but NO!
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

"Yes" Show
Lewers Street Honolulu, Hawaii

Society of Seven

Activity

This is a wonderful show. There are 7 guys who are so talented. They do great imitations and the last half of the show is comprised of highlights from Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. Ohmigosh...it is out of this world. It is well worth the money, and I would see it again.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

Society of Seven
2335 Kalakaua Ave Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
(808) 923-0711

Our timeshare was within walking distance to the International Market Place, and we visited there every day! There were other shopping malls that were closer, but we had the most fun at the Market. We bought beautifully crafted scented candles, reasonably priced T-shirts, polos, tank tops, surfer necklaces and other souveniers. This was the place to go! There was a Chinese food buffet there too, but my mother and I had stomach pains afterwards, so beware.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by dalefried on December 26, 2002

International Marketplace
2330 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
(808) 971-2080

A tour bus picked us up at the timeshare, and we took a one hour drive to the Center. There is no bathroom onboard the bus, so a woman asked if we could stop to use a restroom. The driver stopped at a tourist stop. I don't know if this was a pre-planned stop because it took a long time before he made this bathroom stop. If I had to go to the bathroom really badly, I would have had an accident by the time he stopped, so I have a feeling that this stop was pre-planned. It had a jewelry store and souveniers. Then we continued on.

The price was $67 with transportation. You can watch one IMAX movie and a canoe ride. Each Polynesian island has their own exhibits. My favorites were Samoa and Tahiti. We learned how to do the Hawaiian hula and the Tahitian hula, and we tasted Hawaiian poi. DO NOT MISS THE POLYNESIAN WATER PARADE. It is awesome.

You can pay extra for a luau or included in the price is a buffet. Since my husband and I are vegetarians, we made reservations the previous day and they made a special meal for us. After dinner there is a spectacular show that can't be missed either. This was a highlight of our trip.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by dalefried on January 22, 2003

Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Highway Laie, Hawaii 96762
(808) 293-3333

There are many shuttle buses that will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Pearl Harbor. It cost us $7 per person from Waikiki Beach. Otherwise, admission is free to the SS Arizona. We waited for a very long line just to get a number. After you have your number, you can sit, eat, or walk around the grounds, waiting for your number to be called. There is an exhibit and a short, interesting movie to watch first. Then a Navy launch takes you to the SS Arizona, which is where the Memorial (ocean cemetery) is. This Memorial just brings you to tears, and I visited here before 9/11. I can just imagine how everyone who visits must feel now. This is something that should not be missed.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by dalefried on January 28, 2003

Pearl Harbor
Off Highway 99 after Halawa Gate Honolulu, Hawaii 96860
(808) 422 2771

About the Writer

dalefried
dalefried
Medford, New York

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