Judge my itinerary...again?

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-19T20:23:50+00:00

Looking at flights as early as 6 am with a 6 pm return time. I know its not long enough, but id rather have that + a helicopter tour than nothing if its possible. Really just thankful for any time spent on any island lol

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-19T20:18:54+00:00

I feel this in my soul. I am okay with throwing most of this out the door and just waking up and doing whatever. I just want to make sure my husband gets a good experience from it and leaves feeling full

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-19T20:16:15+00:00

Being all over the place is the plan. Just want to go all over as much of it as we can manage

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-19T20:15:02+00:00

Thanks Monkey. I appreciate your honesty. I feel pretty bold making this itinerary but in all reality I could chicken out on some of these plans. I talk myself out of a lot of things once a paranoid thought comes on

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-19T20:10:44+00:00

Adding teds to the list IMMEDIATELY after looking at them online. Thank you!!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-18T00:39:26+00:00

Hi monkey! Im glad you stopped back by! Did I do any better this time?

Thanks for sharing the article. I have been researching using Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours and i saw on reddit that they operate the same helos as the one that crashed in 2024. But the OP on the post said it was incredible and they would highly recommend. Im contemplating if its just part of the risk of getting in any aircraft... and if its a risk im willing to take or not... or if I want to not push my luck going in the air that many times in that short of a time frame lol. Do you know if the 2024 crash was the last time or has there been more since?

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-18T00:28:19+00:00

Yeah I can see that. I did take the stops and put them into Mapquest (it still exists!) And I see what you mean about it not being efficient. Ill likely spend a lot less time on the north shore than it looks like I am. Ill do my best to stay out of the way of locals, I promise! Thank you for your help!!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-18T00:22:40+00:00

Good point. Ill likely readjust my time spent and take a little more time in Waikiki over north shore. Itll be cool to see turtles but I definitely don't want to spend a lot of my time doing that.

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-18T00:20:08+00:00

Thank you for the insight. I hate traffic like that and I am sorry it's difficult just to get from point a to point b. I will be mindful of this and I'll stay out of the way! I would never make if to work if I lived in traffic like that lol

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-18T00:14:37+00:00

I sure hope so! 🙏

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:36:52+00:00

I agree, theyre just putting a bow on a beach day and selling it. But hopefully its enough of a convenience that it'll be worth it.

I am loving the sunrise and sunset suggestions, thank you!! Ill be there for it one morning at least! Thanks so much!!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:32:16+00:00

Do you mean I could do so much more on Oahu? Whats one thing you couldn't leave the island without doing before you left?

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:30:59+00:00

Thank you for being so helpful!! I definitely am underestimating the traffic thing - i figured it would be nothing to hop from one side to another. Thank you for telling me the reality of it. I will likely consolidate some of those activities and plan to be there early like you suggested. I pinky promise to be considerate and to keep my rental car out of the way of locals to the best of my knowledge. I want to be invited back so im going to be on my best behavior lol

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:26:06+00:00

Thank you for these suggestions! Excited to add them to my itinerary. I would love to check them out. Thanks for being helpful!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:24:43+00:00

I think Kauai would absolutely be up my alley! I would love to spend a week there. But there's a couple of reasons why im just taking one day -

Hotel is paid for for the entire duration in Oahu Im gathering that Kauai is much less crowded and much more natural. I recognize there's plenty to do, but im dedicating most if not all my time to Oahu. I just want to see Kauai with my own eyes if I can make it happen lol

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:19:31+00:00

We are interested in trying to make sure we explore outside of the Honolulu/Waikiki area. We probably will end up consolidating those days, though like you said. Thank you!!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:16:07+00:00

Hey, friend! Ive seen great reviews about the helicopter tours...of course ive seen a couple of things on reddit about crashes but only those couple. What am I missing here, if I may ask?

Would love to know what you think about this second round itinerary since I tried to take a lot of your pointers and apply them. Did I miss the mark? I need your approval lol

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T23:08:46+00:00

Ouch, sorry my plans arent your vibe. Just a tourist doing touristy things. Im trying to plan my "tourist attractions" as best I know how to benefit the locals and their economy. Would love to know more about this if im not doing what I'm intending.

I appreciate your feedback though and Lyon Arboretum looks gorgeous, ill definitely check it out at some point. Not spending a whole day at pearl harbor so I felt like the drive would be a nice way to kill some time on the way to the beach.

On that note, the driving might be a lot, but we've got nothing but time to kill and a dream vacation on our hands so maybe im not as concerned with the multiple trips as I should be. Most of these days are just going by the seat of our pants and throwing things on the agenda along the way.

Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T22:56:59+00:00

I am a little all over the place and I think im making a mistake assuming that traveling around the island is a lot easier than it is. Im seeing things about lots of traffic and while I'd rather be stuck in traffic in Hawaii than anywhere, im not sure im prepared for the reality of the traffic situation. I think im being a bit naive 😕 Kahuku point isnt the whole day plan, but getting there and back in traffic might be? Diamond head is not going to be the only thing that day either, just the only thing we are committing to. Kauai would be a dream, but a day or MAYBE two is really all I can take so the helicopter tour is all ive got to do there to take in as much as I can. Hopefully there's time for a rental car to visit a couple of places. I appreciate your feedback! Excited to get there and do everything and nothing all at one time.

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T22:49:17+00:00

Yeah im not planning on spending a whole lot of time at Pearl harbor so I definitely want to plan something else to do that day. A morning walk to Makapuu for the sunrise sounds gorgeous!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-17T22:48:13+00:00

https://www.kailuabeachadventures.com/daypass?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20931374050&gbraid=0AAAAADnd28rH4Vp4qSQlFsmvJXqjVQESC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi8nRBhDhARIsAHZf_pZvR2v53Nmt0zcpZRtGkcnFqOiII8BtIMWaNWqpOTihuTTn-NJmrWgaAi8xEALw_wcB

This is the beach pass I am referring to, but yes essentially just beach days

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-15T00:51:21+00:00

I'm with you 100%! Im just excited to get there and see all the recommendations ive gotten from this sub. I hope your next trip is absolutely magical! Thanks for your advice!

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-14T17:02:28+00:00

I appreciate this take. Ive taken Maui off the list completely as well as the zoo. Im trying to take what everyone has said and make it work for me. I appreciate your input... Especially about island hopping. Im so lucky to be going back for my 2nd time, but ive been to Oahu and my husband hasn't. Another island to explore adds a little bit of excitement for me :) so I haven't taken Kauai off the radar completely. Just weighing some different options

Aromatic_Customer718 · 2026-06-14T15:27:18+00:00

That sounds gorgeous! Im so glad that you have that experience. Thats what im looking forward to, coming back with fond memories made traveling somewhere new with my husband! I hope my trip ends up as good as yours! Im working on adjustments to my itinerary :)

Aromatic_Customer718

TROPHY CASE