Hawaii Vacation Planning Tips

(Hanging with the Fijians at the PCC)

So I have been in the process of planning a vacation for a couple of years now. That's just how I am. I think I should have been a travel agent or vacation planner if I wanted to be in the working world. I enjoy planning so much I would probably do it for free for people.
I spend a lot of time looking for good deals and trying to fly with points. Lets face it, if you have a bigger family then 4, you can no longer stay in hotel rooms unless your loaded.
So I love to look on VRBO, for great deals but nice places. I have made the mistake ONCE before of picking the cheapest place I could find one night in Sea-Tac while waiting for a flight to Disneyland. Needless to say it was a horrifying experience that I will NEVER forget and I didn't sleep a wink. So it needs to be affordable but nice enough that I feel like I am not going to contract some life-threatening disease.
So we are going to Oahu for one week, and Maui for the second.
Last time we were in Oahu we were suckered into a time share presentation (who hasn't been at one point) and we didn't buy it, we just bought a week to come back to the Ko-Olina Marriot Resort at a later time. We then tried to cancel and get our money back, and they said no, but they would upgrade our package so we could bring extended family to help offset the cost. So we are still sucked into going to this beautiful place:)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlko-marriotts-ko-olina-beach-club/
Then I found a private condo owner on VRBO for Maui. I did alot of searching as Maui is quite expensive. This condo is reasonably priced and lovely.
http://www.vrbo.com/111086
We have an Alaska Airmiles credit card that we put all of our purchases on to accumulate points for travel and we have gone on a couple of vacations with half our airfare paid like this.
Then I subscribe to Groupon in Hawaii like 6 months beforehand and I got surfing lessons for me and Natasha.
Last time we went, I bought an entertainment book for Hawaii really cheap before and we got one free admission to the PCC. (Polynesian Cultural Centre) This is a must see for anyone that goes there for the first time. Expensive, but worth it for what you get. All day admission, tour of Laie, Imax, dinner Luau, Lei greeting, night show. So awesome!
http://www.polynesia.com/
I am also on the look out for Groupon to some nice restaurants as eating out in Hawaii can also be very expensive.
That is why we get a condo, so we can cook most of our own meals, and since grocery shopping is also expensive because they have to ship everything in, we bring all our non perishables in our suitcase from home. Yes it takes up a lot of space, but as we consume it, the space opens up in our luggage for all the loot we bring home. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts for one!
(Yes I am a major tourist)
Which brings us to packing. Since we are staying in condos, we have washing facilities, so I am a major packing Nazi. 3 outfits ONLY. I have a teenager that would bring her whole room if she could. We can wash as often as we need to, and we never end up wearing all our stuff because we have to go to Target!!! I love Target.
We are only bringing 4 suitcases for 6 of us, and I am even packing diapers! We have to pay for each suitcase now, and I was going to bring the play pen for baby to sleep in but I found out its going to be cheaper to rent it than to bring it on the plane. You can rent anything these days. The Marriot will provide high chair, crib and bed rails, and after much searching I found a great place in Maui to rent all that stuff. They will even go buy some of our groceries and have everything delivered and set up for free when we arrive. I was quite pleasantly surprised by this.
You can still bring carry on for free, so we just bring the biggest carryons we can. We also weigh all of our luggage before we leave and make sure its not over 50 pounds. Just shuffle things around a bit.
All you really need beside baby stuff, is a great pair of sunglasses, bathing suit, flip flops and sunscreen. I recommend doing a month of tanning before. Regardless of what anyone says, this is still the best option if you are planning on exposing yourself to the sun at all. Just remember it doesn't REPLACE sunscreen, it just helps. I can safely say I am an expert in this area personally and professionally.
I also do a lot of searching on the web for great beaches, snorkeling spots and all the great historic and scenic must sees on the islands. You must buy shave ice and you must have seafood. They are both the best on the islands.
We plan on taking a trip to the temple while we are there and attending church on Sunday. I love Polynesian Mormons. they are so friendly and such an awesome people. Church there is a little different than here and it is a great cultural experience. Lat time we were there, the YW invited Natasha to their activity. She wasn't able to go, but they are just that friendly. Its probably one of the only places Caleb can get away with wearing flip flops to church:)
Last time I went, Caleb was sick for a few days and I did a lot of driving the kids around on my own. I kept getting lost which is pretty hard on Oahu as its a small island, but I would take a turnoff and then I would see the ocean,but It would be the wrong side of the island. This time I am taking my GPS. I have all the places written down that we will go to, so no more wasted time getting lost. the only good thing about getting lost is the scenery. Really, getting lost in Hawaii is never a bad experience. I love "Hawaii Five-0", but it is nothing like the show. I have never felt unsafe anywhere there.
I think its a good idea to make a list of what you are taking a long time before you go. I am already packing and it is still month away. I found out that Caleb's only pair of flipflpos are frozen int he backyard under a foot of snow, also I have to order Mr. B's formula and it will take a week or two. He is on lactose free and I like to use ready to feed on the plane. So I have my reasons...lol
I was also unlucky enough once to have my luggage lost, so now I always bring one carry on with a swimsuit, flip flops and one change of clothes for everyone in the family. Just in case.
I also did a lot of searching for affordable car rentals. It has to be a minivan and we went with 2 different places on each island, sometimes if you search months in advance, you can find some great deals. we are going with Alamo for Oahu and Thrifty for Maui. If you are vacationing on Maui with just your spouse and no kids? I recommend renting a convertible mustang and doing the road to Hana, its awesome! Not good with car sick kids though:(
This will hopefully be a more relaxing affordable trip than the last. Last time, everyone wanted to do something big. I went swimming with the sharks, Natasha with the dolphins and monkey wanted hi surfing lessons. Caleb got to do it all:) We also did the PCC and we don't need to do that this time. We did book a family photo shoot while we are there. I thought we will all be nice and tanned and relaxed by the end of our vacay, why not?
http://www.tamizphotography.com/#/maui-photographer/
And last but MOST important, get your passport months in advance. You can't go without it. If you are travelling with kids and only one biological parent, also make sure you have a notarized permission letter from the other parent. I am always asked for this. I give it to my ex husband like 6 months in advance and he usually doesn't get around to signing it until a week before and then couriers it to me, this is totally nerve racking cause I end up getting it the day before we leave....Yes I am still waiting for it.

I haven't even talked about all the beaches and places I like etc..  There is so much to see and do on the islands. They are def. my favourite places to be. So if you want anymore personal info, just ask me and PLEEZ...if you have any advice for me or you have gone to a great restaurant or beach you would like to share with me, I am still in the planning stages so let me know:)

Mahalo!!

PS my daughter and her Friends laugh at me cause I collect ketchup packets and take them with me to the condo. Its lighter than a bottle and cheaper too! Don't hate me cause my kids love ketchup!!

You must also have a Pina Colada. Make sure to ask for a virgin, or not if you are so inclined.