AboutMalia Expertise Aloha,
I can answer I would say about 99 % of all questions relating to Hawai`i.
Experience I work for tour agencies as a tour guide so have a wonderful island experience especially from the view of travelers and newcomers to the islands. I am also a high school language teacher.
My boyfriend and I are arriving in Honolulu in dec for a 2 week holiday before
we go on to Sydney for xmas an then travelling round oz for over a year. We
are intending to visit 2 of the islands, Ohau and The Big Island. (Good
choice?)
Please could you recommend where is good to stay and where are the best
beaches, I have heard that Waikiki is very commercialised and busy ideally we
would like somewhere a little more relaxed near the beach. Maybe suggest
some towns or alternative types of accommodation. I have been looking on
the net but all I seem to come across is huge hi rise hotels, the budget we
have in mind is $80 a night.
Many thanks for your help
Rhea
Answer Aloha,
Sorry for the late reply. I have been very busy with the election.
Oahu and the Big Island are wonderful choices because O'ahu gives you a good idea of what Hawaii is like and the Big Island is so very different from it, since it still have active volcanoes whereas the other islands only have dormant ones.
On O'ahu we have the most people so yes Waikiki is very crowded and commercial but it's also very beautiful plus you can drive your car out of the city for like 15 minutes and discover pristine beaches with few people.
You could stay on the North Shore in Hale'iwa or in Kailua on O'ahu. As for the Big Island Kona is very busy but Hilo is less crowded and close to the Volcanoes National Park.
You can also stay in Waimea or Hamakua, it's more countryside.
As for accommodations, you can try youth hostels or private homes and cottages because any hotel in Waikiki will be at least $ 150 cause hotels here are very expensive.
You can try the Hawaii Tourism Bureau website, they have reliable private homes where you can stay.
Let me know if there is anything more I can do for you
Malia
