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Paging Tilly?

Mr. DA & I are already planning our escape of the Seattle winter (since we never got a summer here) and are considering a week in Hawaii in January. Anyone have any recommendations on best island? Best place to find a condo/timeshare for rent?

We've seen Kauai (3 days, hit Waimea canyon) and the Big Island (drove all around it, only spent 4 days there, could have done more). I am interested in seeing Pearl Harbor, but don't know if my interest is strong enough to stay on an island for a whole week.

Welcoming any/all insights/suggestions/tips & tricks, thanks!

Look for anything along the North shore of Oahu. Something around Sunset Beach. You may never want to go home.
Rent a car. (not a convertable, unless you keep the top up) Have a good map. Avoid Honolulu city during 'rush hour'.
The great waves happen on the North side in winter. In Sunset, you are at the 'Pipeline'.


I miss my brother. He lived in Kapalei, atop the Waianae.

Don't know why you asked for my input, but here goes. ;) ;)

You had to know I am going to recommend some shark adventures. If you want to play it safe, as in you are in a cage, check out Shark Adventures in Oahu. You should plan to go on one of the first excursions as the water gets choppy in the afternoon and tours can be canceled.
http://sharktourshawaii.com/

Jarhead recommend this company when I mentioned going to Pearl Harbor. You'll not only get to Pearl Harbor, but several other December 7, 1941 places of interest. It really was a great tour and I too highly recommend it.

http://www.pearlharborhq.com/

We only spent a couple of days on Oahu, and that was enough for me. Honolulu and Waikiki really for tourists. I enjoyed being on the big island much more as while it too is touristy, it is far quieter than Honolulu and Waikiki.

If you're going to Maui, you can dive with sharks in a shark tank. As you and Mr. DA are already certified, this might be fun too.
http://www.mauioceancenter.com/index.ph ... tent=shark

Next year I think we're planning on taking this tour of the lava flow on the big island, seen from the ocean. It's a bit pricey, but I'm kind of thinking it'll be worth. My dad is even interested and he can be a bit of a tight wad.
http://www.lavaocean.com/

There are plenty of snorkeling/diving expeditions I think you and Mr. DA will really enjoy no matter which island you decide to spend your time. We did a snorkeling adventure that was a ton of fun. Make sure you pack, or buy, UVB protective shirts. It'll save on the amount of sunscreen you put on, thus minimizing the amount of sunscreen being left in the water. You'll still need it, but the shirts help minimize the amount.

We are considering doing a night swim with the manta rays. And, I want to try outrigging too.

We visited the top of Kilauea, which was very desolate, but then it's a volcano. One of the things we're going to do next year is to go to the top of Mauna Loa to see the sun rise or set.

Can't really make any time share recommendations as we have a time share with Hilton. This is the place we stayed last year, and will be staying at again this year, http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/kin ... eshare.php.

Can't recall anything else of the top of my head, but if I do I'll let you know.

My daughter and her husband honeymooned at the Wyndham Waikiki. They had a great time, although I'm not sure the timeshare had anything to do with it ;) I swapped some of my points for it and gave it to them.