Kauai or Big Island...with children

This is the must have guide book I referred to. It has info on everything there. Get it now, so you can plan your activities.

http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html

It is money well spent! (No affiliation)

Greg

 

I did the same thing when I went to Indy 500 last year ... I asked the Indianapolis F-Chatters where to go and where to eat and I got all the info I needed! Enjoy your trip!

 

Jeff,
Thanks for keeping all of us updated on how your trip went. I'm glad you and the family had such a great time. Hawaii truly is a wonderful place to be with the family. I look forward to my next visit.

Albert

 

Yes depending on where you were. It's a big place and not a lot going on there business wise so there is a big deficit of tax dollars and infrastructure. Not sure where you were when you made the observations but some of the areas have no water so they are on catchment systems saving the roof runoff not to mention public sewer systems. Of course it's an island so there is no easy way to migrate a family to a cheaper place to live so a lot of the folks are just sort of stuck there I would imagine. Of course there is a balance point between not having a lot of extra(s) and being content with that and enjoying a more simple lifestyle. A moonless night and a clear sky away from the power grid provides a richness that is in many ways enviable beyong measure.

Not Sure

Probably Not

Could Be


Glad your trip was a success!

 

Well there are some social differences here that influence outcomes and surroundings that aren't necessarily obvious. For example, the family unit is regarded a little differently than I grew up with and I am not sure where it comes from as in "Asian influences" or "because we are on an island", but it's different. It's common to have extended family living together under one roof or very close on the same property so cars and collections of stuff outside a home could be a younger persons collection of projects that are in various stages of interest.

This living together under one roof isn't always because there isn't any money, although a ghetto is a ghetto anywhere you go, but rather there is a tolerance to others which "allows" folks to live closer together. This is what I am talking about, the social tolerance. It's not the same here, and you can call it Aloha if you wish.

I am still learning how to work with it in my business dealings and family. The "tolerance" to each other can be an isolating thing as well, since not everyone is comfortable with a more acute focus on intra-personal communications because they've never had to. It's not part of their social toolkit. If you like to get it out on the table, even with the best intentions, you might find yourself going against the tide which makes it harder to accomplish ones goals IMO.

 

Day 1-7 you might think what's the big deal, I'm getting bored, what a waste. Kinda dumpy place.
Day 7-10 settling in
Day 10-14 find your pace and do not want to leave. Ever.

Hawaii is the the first vacation ever where I did not want to go back home. It grows on you once you unwind and embrace it. I just stayed here over christmas and am totally addicted to hawaii big island. Oahu is ok for a quick visit but big island is where you can check out. http://www.konabeach.us/

Go to the pastries place here and relax and listen to the locals
http://www.coffeeepicurea.com/

 

There are some state-owned homesteads (Hawaiian Homelands), awarded by lottery, and open only to people who are 50%+ native Hawaiian. If you win a lottery, you get a homestead for 99 years at $1/year. Your ancestors may renew for another 100 years if they remain 25%+ native Hawaiian (how's that for an incentive to racially segregate/discriminate...). Many of the properties are vacant lots, or lots with minimal improvements. Hence, the shacks built on the lots. As discussed above, a homestead property would be attractive to your extended family, if you won a lottery.

http://hawaii.gov/dhhl/applicants/appforms/applyhhl

 

Anyone know who to call about shipping a car from American Samoa to Los Angeles?

 

Dependable Hawaiian Express

 

Kauai is very expensive ....

 

I know that this is an old thread but if you are looking for a place for kids, the Westin on Kauai (Princeville) works out great. Its a condo that rents like a hotel. With kitchens and washer/dryers in the units you can pack light and stock up on food for the kids. The market is just outside the Princeville entrance. Lots of BBQ's around the property to.

Its not on the beach but sits on a bluff above it. You have rights to use the beach at 4eh St. Regis as part of Starwood.

We like the Westin Villas on Maui for the same reason. Not the greatest for singles or couples but great for kids.

 

^ definitely like the westin villas on maui too. what is the best way to book the villas?
we may go in august.

 

If you are a Starwood member I find the best thing to do is book it through their "timeshare sales dept". They have packages that they will sell you that are significantly below any price that you can book it for. Best part is that you have absolutely no obligation to do any time share presentations.

I went last August to Maui. The cost for a 5 night package was around $800 which included the room (normally $300+/- per night), a $200 Avis rental car credit and a $75 hotel voucher for the restaurants. When you backed out the extras, this came to $105 per night.

Their point is to both fill the property and to have you experience the condos, but unlike other promotions, you do not have to attend any sale promotion. If you want to go to one, they give you an additional $75 voucher.

Starwood mails me these promotions for properties in AZ all the time. If you are not a Starwood member, just sign up online. I called them and asked what they had in Hawaii and they hooked me up with the Westin Villas in Maui. I can send you the email contact information for the booking agent that I dealt with if you like.

You can only book one of these promotion once per year. I may sign up for one again for this year.

 

@trojanfan,
send email me the booking depts email plz.
btw, usc class of 85 and wife is class of 88
thanks,
ed

 

Also class of '85 and wife is '93 MBA. ill send you info from my office in the morning.