To those who used a travel agency to visit Hawaii

[cluckychick]

We went last September with my folks and it was totally awesome. My parents are 70 and everyday we did something different. We stayed on Oahu the whole time. We went to Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, Luau, Island Tours, on Saturdays there is a huge swap meet at the Stadium. Kualoa Ranch we went to and did cattamaran boat ride out to chinamans hat. Went to Chinatown but we weren't that impressed

We arranged all the trips and activities at our hotel through the concierge service at a discounted price. I loved and would go back in a heartbeat.

We usually plan our own trips but use itenaries drawn up by travel agencies so we see what they have to offer. We did the same for Alaska when we went up there. That way we don't have a time table and can take as much time as we want traveling from one spot to the next.

Your parents will enjoy Hawaii!!

 

[silkiechicken]

Alright, taking notes here. Almost sounds easier to get things rolling correctly if I just went with them all and talked with people while there! hmm... free trip to hawaii... hahaha. Might have to make a map of what to do when, and hand it to my dad as he'll be the most logical one of the bunch. I asked an older person at work if he had ever used a travel agency, and he laughed, and said, "kiddo, that's what my kids your age are for!"

Turns out that he just asks his kids on travel and they set it up for them.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Silkie, the stork must have brought you, because you are so adventuresome and strong. Are you sure they're really your parents?

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:

Yep, look like my mom and got my dad's two bent front teeth!

It's just that my parents had kids when they were OLD (late 30's mid 40's) and so are much slower now than they were at my age. I don't know of any of my friends my age who have a parent who was old enough to get drafted during the Vietnam war. My dad would probably be interested in the pearl harbor vist, but my mom might be bored out of her mind! Oh well, got to strike a balance for their trip some how! Luckily I have a good amount of time to get things roughed out for them.

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

I don't know about Hawaii, but my Mom, who is in her 80's, has taken several trips with Elderhostel-to the Galapagos, Costa Rica, and Uganda, and had wonderful experiences.

 

[arwmommy]

OK, we go to the Big Island almost every year, this year we are also going to Maui. We are there for between 2 weeks and a month every year, and so have a LOT of experience there. I would suggest that you book a room/flight/car through Expedia or something like that for the best price and NOT WORRY about what to do until you get there. We have always loved this company http://www.101thingstodo.com/ who makes little books that you can find at the airport/restaurants, etc. We either look on the website and narrow it down, or just browse through the book when we get there.

I don't like prebooking events because I would hate to get there and decide I really wanted to do something different that day.....or the day we booked the horseback riding it was raining and they still ride in the rain (it is Hawaii!) and if I don't want to go I will lose my money. etc. etc. etc.

We have done vacations there where we do the helicopter ride over the volcano with no doors on so you can feel the heat (awesome!), gone horseback riding, kayaking, visited the volcano, the macadamia nut factory, and a slew of other favorite places............and then been exhausted when we came home.

We have also done it where we do nothing for 2 weeks except one or two special things... the rest of the time we hang out at the beach, explore a favorite farmers market, visit our fave sushi place, and Big Island Candy in Hilo (the best mac nut shortbread EVAH!). These by far have been the most relaxing and restorative vacations.

If you are looking to go cheaply, you will end up on Oahu. This is a more touristy island, and you will get to see some cool things-- Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waikiki Beach (not so great-- a beach on the edge of what looks like LA) and get a taste of the Hawaiian Islands. If you want to really get a better picture of the islands and are willing to spend a bit more money, consider the Big Island, Maui or Kauai.

Realize that while you can still pack your day full of activities, your parents and grandparents are probably not real interested in running around from thing to thing. It is hot and humid there, and that alone makes it harder for a lot of people.

So, my advice is to visit that website above, get a couple things in your head that sound interesting, and wait until you are there to decide exactly what and what day you are going to do everything!

 

[horsejody]

I lived in Hawaii for 4 1/2 years. My son and his fiance currently live there. We visited last year and will have to go back for the wedding. We use www.etravelomaha.com. I don't know if they have travel packages from your area, but they have been able to find good deals for us. You should call them. When we go for the wedding this year, it looks like airfare, hotel and rental for 6 days will be about $800 per person. Last year it was about the same. The hotel was actually a condo/apartment with nice view and a 1 minute walk to the Waikiki beach. The rental car was a full size sedan. The accomodations were very nice. This travel agency is also used by our friends that get good deals on cruises and trips abroad. Anybody that goes should be sure to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is expensive, but worth the cost for the tour, luau and dinner.

 

[silkiechicken]

your parents and grandparents are probably not real interested in running around from thing to thing.

That is what I was thinking too. I don't want to go myself unless I absolutely have to for their sake, so a simple outline is what is possible is what I'll probably hand over to my dad in a few to 6 months or so. I was thinking, maybe one "big" event for a day, and find restaurants in the area of each close to a hotel so they can stop and rest often.

Is it very windy on most of the island like the beaches here on the coast? I'm a bit concerned about my grandpa's emphysema and if it would act up badly if there were windy beach excursions on the plan.

I'll be checking out those other options too, elderhostel sounds promising.​

 

[opihiman911]

silkie, are you still watching this thread?? I notice I'm a couple days past.
I live on the island of Kauai. If your parents want to go and do the tourist thing then they could easily spend the whole time on Oahu and see all the tourist sites already mentioned.
If they really like the outdoors and scenic beauty then have them come over here to Kauai. Kauai is a rural little island that isn't as crowded and "touristy". We still have beautiful uncrowded beaches. The mountains are very thick and lush.
If your mom has really bad emphesemia do not go to the Big Island (Hawaii) as the volcano is erupting and the vog (volcanic smog) is really bad. Have her watch the weather closely as when we get southerly winds, called Kona winds, it will blow the vog up the island chain and cause problem. That happened last week and the vog was so bad here on Kauai I couldn't see the mountains. And it does cause respitory problems even this far away. For the most part if we have our normal tradewinds the wind shouldn't be a problem for her breathing. If anything, many people say their breathing gets better over here because the air is so clean and fresh.
There is so much things to do over here, it really depends on what they like to do. Do they want to go and see the sites and beauty of the island, boat tours and see whales and dolphins, just sit on a deck and watch the ocean, walk out thier back door and walk on the beach, helicopter tours, horseback ride in the jungle?
Give me an email if you want more specific ideas, things to do, places to stay and I will try and help you.

Cory

 

[silkiechicken]

Thanks, yes, I'm still watching this thread and working on figuring out what she wants to do while finishing up my senior year here, so am a bit slow at organizing a trip for them. I'm going to talk more with her this weekend.