Top Ten Favorite Things to Do Near Oahu, Hawaii

From the perspective of a Fox World Travel Specialist:

While many people think of Oahu as a stepping-stone to the other islands, I feel there is a multitude of things to see and do to make Oahu a destination in itself. I’d like to highlight some of my favorite things to see/do on Oahu.

Here, then, is my list of top ten things to take in on Oahu, listed in no particular order.

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve - One of my favorite places to visit is Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. It is a must for snorkeling or scuba enthusiasts, as well as those who just want to enjoy the natural beauty of Hawaii. Its popularity almost led to its downfall. The enormous number of visitors resulted in neglect and overuse. In 1990 the city of Honolulu worked to restore it to its original pristine state by reducing the number of annual visitors. It is now closed every Tuesday. The hours vary depending on the season. The fee is $5.00 per person. The fee does not apply for children under 13 or residents of Hawaii.
   
   

2. Diamond Head Hike – This is something I do almost every time I go to Hawaii. The hike is less than a mile (.8 mile) one way from the floor of the crater to the summit. The US Army Coastal Artillery originally built the trail in 1908 as a defense system. The hike is composed of a dirt trail and two series of cement steps. One stairway has 74 steps followed by a dark tunnel 225 feet long. After that comes the second stairway comprised of 99 concrete steps. Most people are gasping for air by this point. There are several lookouts along the way, but the big payoff is the beautiful 360-degree view of Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, Koko Head and Koko Crater from the top. You can actually see some of the other islands of Hawaii from the top of Diamond Head. The name Diamond Head comes from explorers in the 1700’s. They mistook the glistening calcite crystals in the rocks for diamonds, and so it was thus named. The Hawaiian name is Mount Leahi. If you walk in, the fee is $1.00 per person. It is $5.00 per car load if you drive in.

3. Waikiki – For me, I enjoy just walking through Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue more than spending time on the beach. This is Hawaii’s version of the Miracle Mile. The city of Honolulu spent considerable time and money on major renovations to the area in the past 5 years. There are a wide variety of shops and restaurants to appeal to any traveler, from the high end stores to ABC stores on almost every corner. On weekends you can enjoy “Sunset on the Beach.” Movies are shown on a 30-foot screen on the beach across from the Honolulu Zoo. There is often musical entertainment prior to the start of the movie. This is all free. You can bring your beach chairs, blankets or beach towels and enjoy an outdoor movie. Whatever your pleasure, Waikiki is the place to satisfy your desires.

4. Mt. Tantalus/Round Top Drive – I make sure I do this drive every trip. It is a winding drive into the hills of the Koolau Mountain range. A canopy of trees lines the road in spots. The drive takes you to a 2000 foot high ridge lookout – Pu’u Ualakaa, which offers a breath-taking view of Diamond Head, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu and Punchbowl Cemetery. This is a peaceful drive that provides exquisite scenery.

5. Punchbowl Cemetery – This should be visited the same day as Tantalus as it is in the same area. This is known as the Arlington of the Pacific. The Memorial was built in 1964 to honor those who lost their lives in the Pacific during World War II. It is educational and very sobering to read about the sacrifices made by those who fought to defend our country. 776 casualties from the attack on Pearl Harbor were among the first to be buried at Punchbowl. It is now filled to capacity with over 33,000 gravesites.

6. Pearl Harbor – This is a must. I don’t visit this every time, but have been to Pearl Harbor a number of times over the years. Much like Punchbowl, visiting Pearl Harbor provides a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. Admission to the memorial is free, but you must watch a 23-minute video about the attack on Pearl Harbor before taking the boat to the Arizona Memorial. The tickets are issued on a first come, first serve basis. It is best to get there earlier in the day. The last program is at 3:00pm daily. A great website for information on Pearl Harbor and visiting the Arizona Memorial is http://www.nps.gov/usar/. You want to get your tour tickets at Pearl Harbor from the National Park Service to actually get on the Memorial - none of the commercial tours are allowed to access the memorial itself.
   
   

7. Makapuu Lighthouse Trail – This is another hike that I take on almost every trip. It is a 2-mile hike on a paved path that offers gorgeous views of the windward side of Oahu. This isn’t a difficult hike, but it is uphill. You can take a more difficult hike to the top on the exterior of the hillside. I always opt for the interior paved path. Again, the prize is at the top - the outstanding view of the lighthouse and the coastline. During the winter months (Nov.-Apr.) you may see Humpback whales along the coast. Humpbacks migrate from Alaska to Hawaii during the winter months and I have seen them on several occasions, including a mother and her calf swimming along the coast on hike back down. It was amazing! Make sure to bring the camera as well as binoculars along for this one.

8. Nuuanu Pali Lookout – This is another spot I visit just about every trip. This is the site where King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the Oahu armies in 1795 and forced them over the cliffs. This defeat resulted in the unifying of the Hawaiian Islands under one ruler. The view of the Windward Side from the lookout is spectacular.
   

9. North Shore - Take a drive around the island, making sure to stop at the North Shore. Whether you are a surfing enthusiast or not, taking in the North Shore allows you to see many small towns along the way, and some big surf if the waves are up. We had two very rainy days, which resulted in some very high storm surf. It’s fun to watch surfers maneuver the high waves. Along the drive, make sure to stop at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. On a hot day there is nothing more refreshing than a shave ice. Matsumoto’s offers it over ice cream and/or azuki beans on the very bottom. Azuki beans are dark red beans boiled in sugar water, giving them a sweet taste – outstanding! You can also have a fresh shrimp/prawns lunch from shrimp wagons along the drive.

10. Local Flavors – One of the best things about Hawaii is the diversity of food choices. You can find any kind of Asian cuisine imaginable. One of my favorite restaurants is Mekong II, a Thai restaurant. It’s small and inexpensive, but has great food. For authentic Hawaiian food, try Ono Hawaiian. Again, it’s a little hole in wall place, but is an authentic taste of Hawaii. Visit Chinatown for Dim Sum. You can either go to various take out places, or take in a restaurant where the waitresses come by with carts featuring freshly made dim sum. Then walk through Chinatown through the markets where you can buy fresh fish or produce. There are so many different places to eat in Waikiki, but one of my favorites is Duke’s. It is named after the Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian surfer. It is located on the sands of Waikiki Beach in the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. There is something on the menu sure to please everyone, from huli huli chicken to a wide assortment of fresh fish to teriyaki. And you can’t miss the hula pie. One piece of this ice cream pie is large enough for four people. Another local favorite I enjoy at least once (usually more often than that) on each trip is malasadas. These are delicious yeast doughnuts with Portuguese origins. They are deep fried and then rolled in sugar or cinnamon/sugar mixture. They are golden on the outside, but soft and moist on the inside. It’s best to eat them while they are still warm. The best place for maladadas is Leonard’s Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue. They have been in business since 1952 and never disappoint.

There are so many more things to see and do while in Hawaii. The cost of living is definitely high, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great time. Most of my favorite things don’t cost very much, but allow me to enjoy all of the beauty that is Hawaii. Vacation packages to Hawaii are very reasonable right now, and when you combine low-cost island adventures, a vacation to Hawaii really can be the adventure of a lifetime. It's hard to image your could discover so much for little!

Disney Heads to Hawaii

A couple of weeks ago, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts broke ground for its first resort in Hawaii. The yet-to-be-named resort is located in O’ahu at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development and is scheduled to be opened in 2011.

This family-friendly resort will offer 350 hotel rooms, 480 Disney Vacation Club timeshare properties, expansive pools, a spa, a place for weddings, a convention center, children’s club, and restaurants.  The new resort aims to offer something for the whole family from a child-friendly wading pool to a saltwater snorkel lagoon and slides through volcanic formations.  The resort will be designed to reflect Hawaiian culture and architecture with materials that reflect the local terrain.  To further incorporate Hawaiian culture, the resort will offer education on Hawaiian traditions and customs, as well as programs such as dance, music, and arts and crafts. 

According to Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parts & Resorts, “This Disney destination resort will provide a unique way for families to experience Hawaii.  By blending Disney’s high standard of guest services and creative storytelling, we’ll create a place where all family members can discover the wonder of these special islands.” 

Mayor Mufi Hannemann says, “Disney leaders have met with Hawaiian cultural experts to gain an understanding and appreciation of our host culture. The end result will be a resort that local residents will be proud to have on our island, and it will be a family attraction that our residents and visitors will find enjoyable and meaningful.”  

Fox World Travel will most definitly bring you great savings when this resort opens, but for now, we have other great options, including exceptional deals at Disney. Currently we are promoting our Buy 4 Nights Get 3 Free at select Disney Resorts. If you are interested in All-Inclusive vacation packages, check our the many deals we have from Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions and Apple Vacations.

10 Ways to Make Flying Less Painful

There’s no doubt – flying can be a nightmare. Long delays, the baby crying behind you, the man snoring in the seat next to you who claimed the armrest before you did. So, with the holiday’s fast approaching, USA Today has provided a list of 10 way to make your next flight more comfortable.


Snag a good seat

If you're taller than 5'9", you know that whatever the airlines may claim, those seats were not built for you. If you're tall and even a little bit claustrophobic, sitting in an airline seat for any length of time can feel like a punishment. This is why it's not a bad idea to strive (and maybe even pay a bit extra for) a seat with more legroom. In coach, that means seeking out the exit row or bulkhead seats. You'll get more legroom and a little breathing space as well, which can make all the difference in a space as cramped as an airplane cabin. Before you book your seat, check out our seat maps on GoFox.com.


Wear noise-canceling headphones

The overpowering drone of airplane engines can interfere with sleep and make for a more stressful flight. Noise-canceling headphones replace the cabin and engine sounds with white noise or music. You can also plug them into seat jacks and make in-flight movie or television watching more pleasant. On the downside, they're pricier than most headphones ($100 and up), but they last for years and are a great way to drown out sounds—babies crying or people having loud political arguments, for example—in other situations as well.


Carry a water bottle

Don't want to be at the mercy of flight attendants who you suspect don't really care if you're thirsty? Can’t fathom spending $9 on a bottle of water in the airport? Achieve hydration independence: Bring an empty bottle through security and fill it up on the other side. If space is at a premium, look into water bottles that can be collapsed when not in use. If you're concerned about plastic, there are options such as Klean Kanteen steel or Sigg aluminum bottles.


Fight dehydration

Dehydration is a real issue in the air: It can increase the effects of jetlag upon arrival or just leave you feeling icky. The first rule of hydration is, of course, to drink enough water, which you can do whenever you want if you bring your own water bottle. But you can fend off stinging, dry eyes by also packing some moisturizing eye drops, and keep your skin supple with a little bottle of lotion. Both are allowed though security as long as the containers aren't larger than three ounces and are contained in a 1-quart sized zip-top plastic bag.


Pack your own food

Which would you rather eat: a soggy, $10 day-old turkey sandwich or a $5 packet of broken crackers? Trick question! Plan ahead and you won't have to settle for either. Pack your own lunch (just beware the TSA restrictions and leave the soup at home) or pick up something in the terminal before you board. If it's a long flight, also pack low-salt snacks such as fruit or granola bars, so that when boredom and hunger set in, you'll be prepared.


Bring warm things

More airlines are charging for blankets and pillows these days, and even when they don't, it's never totally clear how often those things get washed. And if you've ever seen a seatmate sound asleep and drooling ever-so-slightly onto that airplane pillow, you quickly recognize the downside of shared pillows. Bring your own without sacrificing too much space by packing a large scarf, pashmina, wrap, or sweatshirt. That way, you can use your source of in-flight warmth as an accessory once you land.


Don't forget about entertainment

Let's face it: Unless you're really good at sleeping on airplanes, boredom is likely to be a recurring problem on long flights. Nothing makes three hours feel like six more than staring at the seat in front of you while shifting uncomfortably and checking your watch every 15 minutes. Stave off boredom and turn flights into leisure time with books, magazines, or Sudoku. Bring a portable DVD player or laptop and watch movies. Or load up your mp3 player with podcasts or videocasts of your favorite radio and TV shows.


Exercise

Uncomfortable seats feel even worse when you sit still in them for hours on end. Give your muscles a break every hour or so with some basic stretches. Moving around also helps some people stay more relaxed on flights.


Stay organized

Does this sound familiar? You settle in, grab a book and some gum from your bag and stow it under the seat. Twenty minutes later you think of something else you want (your mp3 player or some tissue), but now the seat in front of you is reclined. A back-of-seat organizer, such as the Seat Pak from Flight 001, hangs from your tray table latch and keeps items you might want in flight within arms' reach.


Be prepared for a layover

Plan for any layovers by researching the airport ahead of time. Most U.S. airports have websites where you can find information about restaurants, lounges, and extra amenities such as showers, nail salons, or Wi-Fi hotspots. There are also airport maps available on GoFox.com. Check for airport delays on GoFox.com ahead of time. If there's a chance that bad weather may delay your connection, write down the phone numbers of airport hotels when you're researching–they could save you from sleeping on the airport floor.

Book air flights on GoFox.com and be rest-assured you will receive the lowest rates with FareGuard Protection

Did I miss something? Tell me, what is your best tip for comfortable flying?

You Deserve to Travel!

As winter approaches, many travelers who would typically be planning their winter getaways are sitting back and agonizing over the thought of taking a vacation in these hard economic times.  Travel companies, resorts, cruise lines and the airlines are well aware of this, and as an incentive to travel are offering some of the best vacation deals we have seen in the last few years. 

Yes, these are harder than usual economic times, but travelers and families must also remember the value of travel and memories that are made.  A vacation or quick getaway may be the easiest cost to eliminate in the short-term, but at what long-term cost?   Are your children at the age where they are going to have activities nearly every night at school?  Are you going to be starting a new job with little time off?  Are you contemplating a honeymoon and concerned f you don’t take it now you never will?  Worried about taking those few extra days off of work?  It’s a known fact that many American workers do not use all of their paid time off in a year.  Is this you?  What is keeping you from enjoying this time you earned?

These are all questions and concerns facing American families.  Consider your options and remember that there is no time like the present to take a vacation, because you can never get the time you lost back.  Memories really do last a lifetime and can only be made if you choose to make them.

If you are in fact considering a vacation or cruise, there are a ton of affordable options out there!  The working class can actually take time out of their schedules and enjoy the luxuries of an affordable vacation or cruise.  Last-minute vacation packages to Mexico and the Caribbean can run from $399.99 for 3 Day All-Inclusives.  3 and 4 day Caribbean cruises can be found for only $99.  Holiday airfares have dropped drastically.  Hotel chains are offering more incentives than ever.  The entire travel industry is looking for ways to increase their business and cater to the needs of travelers and it’s time to take advantage of all of these offers out there!

Some of the best deals can be found through small online travel agencies and niche sites that offer customer service from experienced, professional travel specialists offline too.  Often travel specialists can provide you with the insights or travel dates you may have overlooked.  Yes, large comparison sites are convenient, but when investing in a vacation you want to rest assure that someone is going to be there for you after the sale or in the event that your travel plans need rearranging.  This is where online travel agencies with a true offline experience come in handy.

It doesn’t matter what your preference in a vacation is, just remember to make the memories wherever you choose to go!