Hawaii-bound, what what? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**freespiritz** · 10-21-2008, 08:13 PM

Hi all, haven't been posting much of late - school and life gets in the way, but I just dropped 10 bucks and 35k miles on an almost-four week long Christmas/New Year's vacation in...dun dun dun...Hawaii! :D

Figured it was one of those places that I'd never go to otherwise. Anyway I'm flying into Honolulu...on the 13th of December and out on the 8th of Jan. Here's the thing...I know nothing about Hawaii, so I want any good advice you have.

I have at least two friends to visit and stay with on the Big Island, so I need to get there somehow. Any tips on inter-island travel?

I basically want to spend as little money as possible (always a challenge in Hawaii as far as I know), maybe try surfing in as small surf as possible, lol, sun a lot, scuba dive, hike, see volcanoes, and get my hands on some surfer boys. Maybe.

Probably couchsurf my way around, or I might bring a sleeping bag and beach it...although I might do a hostel if there's an amazing one that you all recommend.

Excited for warm weather already!

dudeman · 10-22-2008, 06:53 AM

I am leaving Friday to go to Oahu for 9 days. I will try and give you some ideas after I learn and see for myself. The only thing I have planned is a shark dive and surf lessons. Everything so far has been decently priced, but I am getting a group deal on most things. I do know if you want to check out the volcanoes you have to go to the big island. I heard it's around 60 to fly over there, 100 to ride the super to Maui and back. I will let you know more, later.

**freespiritz** · 10-22-2008, 09:42 AM

Awesome! Have a great trip...my friends were telling me about a manta ray night dive that sounds ABSO-freaking-LUTELY amazing...

**worldwidemike** · 10-22-2008, 01:03 PM

Amber (blinkchick) is there right now, working on one of the WOOF farms (macademia nut plantation, she said in her postcard). PM her and see if she can give you some ideas.

Otherwise, I'd say get the heck off of Oahu, after you see whatever big sights you wanted. It is the most touristy place on the planet, IMO. Disneyland in the South Pacific...

I'd offer buddy passes, but I don't think USAirways does inter-island Hawaii...just back and forth between the mainland.

worldwidemike

**BelfastFlyer** · 10-22-2008, 01:12 PM

I spent a month there last year - did the big island, maui and ohau. thumbed lifts off people the whole time, amazing place.

**freespiritz** · 10-22-2008, 01:20 PM

Yup, Amber emailed me a while back and I told her to maybe expect me.

I think I'm just going to plan to have no plan, and be a beach bum, but I'm expecting to spend most of my time on the Big Island. Think it'll be pretty safe to sleep out and thumb rides?

No worries about buddy passes Mike...although I would take one to come visit you guys in Ohio!

**ScarlotteDorian** · 10-23-2008, 09:21 AM

Mauna Kea - highest peak in hawaii and in the world if you measured from the base to summit. I was supposed to climb this one back in 2006 but the trip fell through. i will get this one some day.