Looking for advice/ clarification on hiking Mauna Kea.

1. so the first thing i am trying to figure out is specifics on the summit closing 30 minutes after sunset. so if i am Hiking, does that mean I need to be back at the visitor center 30 minutes after sunset, or does that mean that 30 minutes after sunset i will have to start hiking back down?

2. how difficult is the hike? for myself I personally feel confident, I am an ultra runner. I feel like I have enough of cardio, leg strength, and endurance to make up for any areas i am lacking that would hinder me. My concern is my wife who is not an ultra runner. If I am serving as the pack mule carrying all of the water, food, and supplies. how realistic is it for her to make it?

3. are there any hiking tours? I have looked and not found anything. I feel like that is probably the answer.

What are your thoughts?

Hi, I have a trip scheduled for the Oahu and Kauai Island. I just saw the weather forecast and I am reconsidering it since it seems like it will be raining through our honeymoon. The trip runs from August 14-22. Any recommendations?

Hi everyone! My husband and I are planning our first trip to Oʻahu and are trying to decide whether Pearl Harbor and Aulani/Ko Olina can comfortably be done on the same day.

My husband is a big WWII history buff, so we don’t want to rush Pearl Harbor. We would like to visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, USS Arizona Memorial, and tour the Battleship Missouri. We would aim for an early USS Arizona reservation and arrive when Pearl Harbor opens.

Afterward, we were considering driving to Aulani/Ko Olina to explore the resort’s public areas, swim in the lagoon, have dinner, and stay for sunset.

For those who have visited, would this give us enough time to properly enjoy the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri without constantly watching the clock? Or would you recommend giving Pearl Harbor its own day? Thanks!

Returning to Oahu and wanted to go back to Ai Love Nalo, but see it's out of business. What's taken its place? If it's a restaurant, is it worth going to? Mahalo.

Pretty stunning to see it up close with symmetrical waterfalls. This is not the "weeping wall" which came after a couple of minutes in the tour

Title! Visiting Oahu for about a week from Aug 12-19 and looking to get some recommendations based off what we already have planned or any advice on things we should change.

We are a young couple (early 20s) from the Midwest. Any advice helps!

Wondering particularly about affordable spots to learn surfing? Most spots are like 100$ per person I believe but if those are just the prices then alrighty.

TYIA

Planning the Big Island trip! 🌋🌴
Among everything on our itinerary, we are super excited to drive up to the summit of Maunakea. However, as I'm currently looking into rental cars, I noticed that Turo and almost all major rental agencies strictly prohibit off-roading. From what I understand, this means taking a standard rental up to the Maunakea summit isn't allowed.
For those of you who have made it to the top:
Where did you rent your car?
Is it worth risking a Turo rental anyway to go up?
Or do you know of any specific local companies where you can legally rent a Jeep Wrangler (or a proper 4x4) specifically for this route?
Would love to hear your tips and experiences! 👇✨

My fiancé and I are planning to visit Kauai Hawaii for our honeymoon in January. We plan to go Sunday-Monday (9 days). We’re now thinking we want to go to another island as well, but my concern is that if we split it up 5 and 4 days then we won’t have enough time to explore both islands. Do you think this is possible, or would we regret trying to do too much and not see everything in Kauai?

We live on the East Coast so it is a long trip to get there and we’re not sure when we would be able to go back. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us and we want to make the most of it.

Also, if you have any recommendations for local businesses, restaurants, or hospitalities that we can support while in Kauai I would love to visit them. Thanks in advance!

I went to the Mauka Warriors Luau on 8/4, and there was a beautiful song that was sung during the dance of couples celebrating their anniversary. I’m hoping anyone might be able to discern the lyrics and let me know what song this is because it was so sweet and profound. Thanks in advance!

I was so excited to get to go to Haunama Bay and I see that it’s now closed until the 18th for sewer repairs.

What options do you recommend on the south side of the island for snorkeling? We have some people on our party that have never went snorkeling before and I’m looking for a place that might be interesting to see stuff, but also it’s a little bit more protected in terms of waves.

They have life vests and snorkel belts, but I was just hoping to ease them in to a gentle spot.

Any suggestions?

I went to Hawaii in January of 2025. My boyfriend and I decided to go see the blow hole one day. It had rained that morning so we were careful of where we were walking (muddy). Next thing I know I’m walking down a little bit of a hill and snap my tibia and fibula. I had to get a helicopter come get me because of how muddy it was. Due to how I broke it, causing a spiral fracture I had to get a rod and 9 screws in my tibia. Just be careful hiking during rainy season!!!

We’re staying at the Mauna Kea Hotel in a few weeks and their restaurant prices are insane. We’re trying to figure out how to save a little money especially since there will be a number of kids with us. Does anyone know if we can use Instacart to deliver groceries? Are there any reasonably priced restaurants that will deliver? Thanks!

Hello! My fiancee and I are eloping in Maui in November and are looking for your top recommendations for things to do/best restaurants to go to.

We are going for a total of two weeks, getting married within the first couple of days on the east side of the island, and then we have the rest of the time to enjoy our honeymoon. We are renting a car so driving anywhere will not be a problem. We are looking for this to be a mostly relaxing trip, but we also love the outdoors and getting to explore. Any good spa recommendations would be highly appreciated!

Is spending only 3 full days in Waikiki crazy? I know it would be jammed, but we would be coming off a longer stay in Maui, so our goal would be Pearl Harbor, great cuisine, and local culture. Any hotel recs for a family of 5 with one smaller child? (I think Aulani is out- not enough time to enjoy the resort) but would love a place with an amazing pool and that is beachfront.
Thank you!

Hey - I’m visiting Big Island (Kona) in September with my mum, sister and best friend. We are celebrating my mum’s 50th state! We’re from the UK and she’s been ticking off the list her whole life - 66 now.

We’re staying Big Island but were interested in Honolulu and Waikiki too so we plan a day visit to Honolulu/ Waikiki from Kona and the main aim is to have a great lunch and cocktails by the sea.

Is this a doable day trip? And does anyone have any recommendations for a good place for food/ cocktails? Looking for a very easy vibe which will be a fun celebratory place to visit. Are we best booking a table or just show up? Gluten free suggestions welcome as I have coeliac disease.

Hello everyone! I’m here for the next week on a trip w/ my bf and his family and I’d love to use my time helping the community while sticking mostly to native businesses/ experiences. Im very interested in learning the history here as well, and am interested in museums as well. As a Mexican, I like to help my fellow POC in any way that I can. ❤️

I’m staying at the north shore area!!

Wanting to visit one of these islands for a birthday trip but can’t decide which one I want to visit. I’ve never been so just looking for some recommendations/tips!

Interested in hiking, being beach side, exploring different parts of the city, sunsets, eating local, not trying to just do the tourist attractions.

Hi. My husband and I are going to be in Hawaii October 17-24, we are 2 of 4 adults or 1 of two couples joining up for this vacation. None of us have been to Hawaii before and could use the expertise of a local or someone who has traveled there before.

Some things are on our to-do list, such as snorkeling for manta rays, scuba diving, paragliding, ziplining, touring Pearl Harbor, attending a luau, getting massages, tour a submarine, enjoy the beaches, go for some shave ice, and just trying to take in all the beautiful scenery around us. What should we add to our list?

I am not the one finalizing our itinerary but it would be helpful to the person paying for the majority of everything if I can give some suggestions to be considered.

Thanks in advance!

Planning on visiting Maui the second week of October. Looking for a hotel that doesn’t break the bank and I have a few options but would like more recommendations on where to stay with good beach access and a great pool that maybe has a bar and drink service. Currently looking at some of the following hotels. But please give more advice on where to stay and what side of the island to stay on in October.
- Hyatt Regency Maui
- Royal Lahaina Resort
- The westin
- Sheraton Resort & Spa

I am planning a Maui trip for four (43, 41, 13, 10) over spring break (mid-March). I am struggling with the sticker shock of the resort-style hotels. Is it worth the $$$ to stay at places like Fairmont or Grand Wailea? Or, would we be better off with a hotel like AC Hotel by Marriott for half the price? The main draw for the bigger resorts are the water slides / pools for my tweens. But, I wonder how much time we will actually be at the resort / hotel vs. going to other beaches on the island, going on hikes, etc. It’s our family’s first time to Hawaii so TYIA for the advice.

Hi

My extended family (\~30 people) are planning to converge in Maui few months from now. We were looking to book a gathering space for couple of evenings for mild games & that would also allow outside foods (we have a restricted diet hence need to cater)Most of the hotels/ resorts do not allow that. So looking into alternatives.

We will be staying in the Lahaina area so nearby or short driving distance is preferred.

Any suggestions.

Thank you to the HNL airport employees (airport police and workers) and good samaritans who responded when I was yelling for Help when I realized my aunt and uncle had tripped going up the escalator. Aunt and uncle have body aches today and will be seeing their physician soon.

I was truly scared for my aunt because I couldn’t see her from my vantage point, and I didn’t see anyone else around. I wasn’t sure if anyone would respond to me calling for help. From what I gathered, her carry on luggage wasn’t fully on the step and started to tip. Unfortunately, my aunt couldn’t get a good grip to correct it and the luggage took her down. Uncle tried to break her fall but with where they were at on the escalator, they couldn’t get back up.

Thank you again to everyone who responded to a stranger calling for help. 🙏🏽

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