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Okay, HBOT... here's your chance to tell me everything I'm doing is wrong. Criticize my vacation agenda...

The Tradition

HB King
Apr 23, 2002
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
 
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikloloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
Too short. Find another place with real vacation time.
 
If you get to Duke’s at the the Outrigger Hotel in Honolulu, buy me a t shirt. I will pay you back twice what it cost you. I forgot to buy the shirt. I was there in 2017 and probably won’t go back.
I give you my word. XL.
 
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
ALL vacations are good!
 
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I have that figured out! I'll be in the hotel in time for FSU's Labor Day night game.

In the hotel for Dolphins/Jags on Sunday at 7 a.m. 😮

In the hotel in Phoenix for the Bills @ Dolphins Thursday night game.
Man, you’re in Hawaii, don’t spend a minute watching television.

I wouldn’t waste a day on Vegas.

Pearl Harbor isn’t an entire day.
 
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
Seems like everything is in order. I’ll allow it.
 
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I didn't see anything about the SPAM museum in Austin, MN. Nor did I see anything on the agenda about you free solo climbing El Capitan.


That is what is wrong. Actually, not wrong.....consider it constructive criticism
 
Are we supposed to post our vacation itineraries here and then pretend to care what people think about it, as some sort of subtle brag?

R.3c62cb0bd91089e72f4015d2b04b68b0
 
  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
Grab your snorkel gear and head to Hanauma bay, If you like tiger sharks the North shore is a must see.
 
I never have and never will plan out a vacation to that extent. We go and figure it out when we get there. Are people really like this with vacations?
 
Make sure your boat to the manta dive leaves near the destination. There are two locations for mantas, one north near the airport and one south of Kona near the hotel. You can spend an hour in a boat at night if you choose poorly.
 
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Pearl Harbor only takes a couple of hours… get tickets in advance. Diamond Head takes less than 2 hours… probably closer to 1 unless you move slow.
 
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Pearl Harbor only takes a couple of hours… get tickets in advance. Diamond Head takes less than 2 hours… probably closer to 1 unless you move slow.
In additional to the USS Arizona memorial, there's also Ford Island that includes the USS Missouri battleship and WWII sub.

This is a nice beach with snorkeling near Diamond Head > Hanauma Bay
 
If you are into snorkeling, Two Step on the Big Island, is awesome. Get there early enough and you may see some dolphins. I love your itinerary. Pearl Harbor, if doing all the exhibits is more than two hours.
 
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.

It’s a fine itinerary especially if it’s your first visit to Hawaii, but your biggest screw up is not visiting Kauai.

Quick Look though, I’d recommend:

1) During your volcano day, check now if there are lava flows visible and add a night hike if there is to see it. This is a must if it’s available. Bring shoes that you won’t be bothered if they melt a bit.

2) Your 9/11 day is packed. Split it up a bit and push Waikiki to 9/10. Diamond Head is a short hike so do it in the morning and hit Waikiki area in the afternoon. Go to Duke’s and have a cocktail while looking at the hike you just conquered.

3) Even if you’re not a big cyclist, the Big Island is the best riding of the islands. Get a bike (or an ebike if you’re not into sweating) from Kona Bike Works on your 9/4 day and have them give you recommendations for the area. You’ll see a lot more than just what your legs can take you.

4) If you want to sleep with the windows open, bring ear plugs on the big island. Coqui! Coqui! (If you don’t know what I mean now, you’ll now when you come back)

5) Skip Vegas. Place blows.

That’s it off the top of my head.
 
I never have and never will plan out a vacation to that extent. We go and figure it out when we get there. Are people really like this with vacations?

As other posters have pointed out, many of the days have booked events that will not take the entire day. We have many "maybe" activities that we might do on those days. For example, we might go to the aquarium or the zoo after the Diamond Head hike (both are walkable from Diamond Head), but we haven't committed to that.
 
As other posters have pointed out, many of the days have booked events that will not take the entire day. We have many "maybe" activities that we might do on those days. For example, we might go to the aquarium or the zoo after the Diamond Head hike (both are walkable from Diamond Head), but we haven't committed to that.

Yeah, I’m with @Derekd3408 in how I do most vacations, but you’d miss a lot of cool stuff in Hawaii if you didn’t make some plans / do some research ahead of time. Too many tourists.
 
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  • Saturday, August 31st - Fly to Las Vegas - Stay at Waldorf Astoria - Dinner and sleep

  • Sunday, September 1st - One Day in Vegas

  • Monday, September 2nd - Fly to Kona - Stay at Marriott Beach Resort in Waikoloa - Dinner and sleep

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - explore resort/beach - maybe go shopping at the Queen's Marketplace - Sunset catamaran booze cruise

  • Wednesday, September 4th - nothing planned during the day, but Manta Ray snorkel that night

  • Thursday, September 5th - check out, rent a car, visit Kona and surrounding areas before heading north to various lookouts and waterfalls on the way to Hilo. If early, explore Hilo a bit before checking in at the Doubletree and an early dinner, then a quick drive to the Maunakea visitor center to see the sunset from the side of the tallest mountain in the world (measured from the base)!

  • Friday, September 6th - VOLCANOES - Explore the National Park and points south of Hilo.

  • Saturday, September 7th - Fly to Honolulu, check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

  • Sunday, September 8th - nothing planned. Explore resort/Waikaki Beach and do whatever.

  • Monday, September 9th - Pearl Harbor

  • Tuesday, September 10th - Diamond Head hike

  • Wednesday, September 11th - Rent a car, go to Waimea for the gardens/waterfall and attend the 12:30 Tao Luau. After the luau, continue to the North Shore, and then work our way back to Waikiki on the east side of Oahu stopping to see various lookouts and places of interest.

  • Thursday, September 12th - Fly to Phoenix - Stay at Hilton Phoenix Airport

  • Friday, September 13th - One day in Phoenix

  • Saturday, September 14th - Fly home

Tell me where I screwed up. I can take it.
While on the big island I would consider volcanos national park, a coffee “plantation”, or a snorkeling side trip. Those were the highlights other than the night swim with the manta rays. Others in our group said the helicopter tour was the coolest thing they did, but they went out of Kona while we made the mistake of booking Hilo. F$ck hilo and its rain and cancellations. If I only had that much time on the big island I’m not doing Hilo. The best thing about it was the trip there ascending and descending the volcano and watching the terrain go through all of the microclimates.
 
Make sure your boat to the manta dive leaves near the destination. There are two locations for mantas, one north near the airport and one south of Kona near the hotel. You can spend an hour in a boat at night if you choose poorly.

Actually there are three sites. The third is in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel at Waimea. There's actually a part of the beach called "Manta Point" and the beachfront hotel restaurant is called "Manta".

You can walk down there after dinner and maybe see some Mantas from a dock.
 
Make sure your boat to the manta dive leaves near the destination. There are two locations for mantas, one north near the airport and one south of Kona near the hotel. You can spend an hour in a boat at night if you choose poorly.
We did the long boat ride one and it was pretty awesome, actually, tearing through the water in a boat like the navy seals would use. Or, at least what I imagine they would use.
 
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Actually there are three sites. The third is in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel at Waimea. There's actually a part of the beach called "Manta Point" and the beachfront hotel restaurant is called "Manta".

You can walk down there after dinner and maybe see some Mantas from a dock.
Whatever you do, don’t settle for that, and make sure you do the side trip where you get in wetsuits and they give you a go pro to record everything under water.
 
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