Hawaii Limousine Recommendation

(this person previously asked me to recommend a lei greeting service and I recommend Leis of Hawaii and another company)

question
We are contemplating having a limo pick us op in Oahu. Could you also recommend a limo service?

answer
Well, Leis of Hawaii offers Limo service. I know the website is very amateurish, but I like the company. They really went above and beyond for me once when I ordered lei greetings for arriving family only about 1 hour in advance.

I also recommend these people: http://www.hawaii-limo.com/ They have been around forever and offer 2 free leis with a pickup.

Unusual Destinations on Oahu

question
Over the years we have visited the islands of Hawaii many times. My wife has a conference in Honolulu at the end of May and I am accompanying her. I was thinking that after all of our visits we must have missed some really unusual sights and sites in Honolulu. I mean small out of the way, off the beaten path types of places on Oahu or in Honolulu. I will be there for 4 days. We already plan on Chinatown since we have not been there. Any other suggestions? Thanks very much for you help.

answer
This is really a hard question to answer without knowing what you've already done and what types of things you like to do (hiking, cultural, etc). How about tell me what you enjoyed most about Oahu the last time you were there and I'll try to come up with something keeping that in mind.

followup
Thanks for your reply. We have mostly gone to other islands. While we in Oahu this time I was thinking about EASY horse tours, unusual museums, etc. It is difficult for you to recommend anything when I am a little uncertain as well. For examply, when we on Kauai two years ago, I stumbled upon a local group of elders who were teaching the youngsters how to do traditional dance. Some teenagers were helping. It was not your "normal" tourist experience as I asked if I could tape and they agreed and then "took" me in for a little while by dragging me into their dance. No other haolies were there and I felt like I had experienced something special.

I mean we only have about 5 days but I am looking for somethings that a sidewalk tourist might not see while at the same time somethings that won't break the bank. I wish I could be more concrete.

In April of 05 I spent the month in Sri Lanka helping rebuild houses. A local family adopted my son and me and we learned so much more than a tourist might have. I am not asking to be adopted, but just wondered if there were little known places to visit or sights to see that the vast majority of tourist overlook or are not interested in. Thanks very much. I really appreciate your help.

answer

For horseback riding, I think these people have what you are looking for, as for unusual museums, think about:

bishop Museum

Hawaii maritime center

japanese cultural center of hawaii

North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum

As for the rest of it ... that's a hard one :) I'll make some suggestions of places you might like to think about

Kaneahi Heiau

night snorkeling at Hanauma bay - it's open till 10 on saturdays

Hawaii Plantation Village

You also might want to hang out at local beach parks - oahu has fantastic beach parks everywhere. The tourists go to Waikiki, Hanauma, and Lanikai/Kailua, the surfers hang out on the north shore beaches (in the winter) and the locals hang out at Ewa Beach Park, Waianae, Waimanalo, and Ala Moana Beach Park (I really like this one, and it's close to Waikiki).

Good luck - I know what you are looking for, but I can't think of how to find it in 5 days. Lisa

Receiving a Lei at the Airport

question
My family and I are planning our first visit to Hawaii in June. My daughters are excited about receiving a lei at the airport when we arrive. Is this something I need to book and pay for ahead of time and if so, can you recommend someone?

answer
Yes, you will need to arrange it beforehand, and yes, I can recommend someone. - I assume you are flying in to Oahu. I recommend
LeiGreeting.com and Leis of Hawaii.

Are People Allowed to Visit the Set of Lost?

question
Is anyone allowed to visit the set of the TV show Lost

answer
Well, it appears there is no actual set, because the show is filmed all around the island of Oahu. One part of an episode was even filmed on Waikiki Beach, which you absolutely can visit at any time. The waterfalls at Waimea Valley were also in an episode, and you can visit there. The crash site was set up on Mokuleia Beach on the North Shore, and you can visit there. For an actual tour of a 'set' though, your best bet is Kualoa Ranch Movie Tours. You'll see that Lost is just the latest in a string of movies and shows filmed on Kualoa Ranch. I don't know if they would let you near the areas when the cast was there and filming, but you could ask. For more details on locations see this AP story

Here's another article I found recently with information on Lost set locations

Hawaii Advice

question
hi lisa! my husband and i will be flying into honolulu around mid-may. We want to island hop to two islands using about 5-6 days to do it. We already have our flight to and from honolulu.

What 2 would you suggest and what airline/hotel would you use? We do not care to be in an isolated, very quiet environment. We want to be near beach/activity/restaurants, etc.

We would like a moderate priced hotel but on the beach if possible. We are not in a position to pay $250/night for a hotel...that's not how we want to spend our money. That's why I said moderate....if not on the beach, maybe just across the street.

I'm glad I found this web site! Looking forward to your reply. Do you live in hawaii?

answer
Well, I would definitely suggest that you consider Waikiki. It's not isolated or quiet :). The Waikiki Circle Hotel is right across the street from Waikiki beach for much less that $200 a night.

Other than that, look into Maui - Kaanapali, Lahaina, or Kihei. Maybe Lahaina shores beach resort, or the Kihei Kai Nani.

If you don't want to stay in Waikiki, consider hotels on the east side of Kauai. Kauai will be quieter than the other two islands, but if you stay in Lihue or Kapaa you will be able to find nice hotels on or near the beach for great prices, plus you'll be right in town so there will be shops and restaurants.

As for airline, just fly whichever is most convenient for you. There is almost no difference between Aloha and Hawaiian.

Yes, I live on the Big Island. Let me know if you have any more questions.