A few Hawaii questions?

Question

1. I am having a hard time finding bathing suits in my area this time of year where would be the best place to look for one in Oahu (staying on Waikiki Beach) or Maui (Ka'anapali)?
2. Has anyone every done the snuba thing (I understand it is between snorkeling and scuba) and if so what did you think & what company is best for this?
3. I have a 16 year old son is it safe for him to wander around alone?
4. How long does it usually take to go through Pearl Harbor and the museums?
5. What is your opinion of the zoo & aquariums in Oahu & Maui?

Answer 1

1. Staying in Waikiki you will have bathing suit shops on every corner, no problems there.



2. Snuba is a great way to experience the underwater world.

http://www.hanaumabay-hawaii.com/Snuba.htm



3. ABSOLUTELY NOT! As with any destination geared toward tourists, there are bad elements in Waikiki especially after dark ( Dog the Bounty Hunter stays very busy) Also there are quite a few young "ladies" in clear high heels and very little clothing working the area that a 16 year old boy should not be around.



4. Pearl Harbor is a great experience that should not be missed. Plan for at least half a day. There are three separate museums, the Arizona Memorial is the main attraction. also the Bowfin submarine and the USS Missouri.



5. Zoo and Aquarium are just fair, not really worth the time in my option.

Answer 2

1. Since I lived in Oahu (in college now) I recommend that you don't buy anything in waikiki unless you have the $$$. In Ala Moana Shopping Center (nearby waikiki) you can find a shop called Loco Boutique (I think its spelled that way). They have a lot of selections and even have a discount shelf. It's nearby sears on the third level.



2. I've never been scuba diving but personally the snorkeling thing is perfect (Hanauma Bay is where most tourists go)



3. Honestly, no. If you're son looks like a tourist he's prime for theft.



4. Pearl Harbor should take about 1.5-3 hours and the museums can take as long as you want.



5. The zoo in Honolulu is okay. The aquarium is horrid. In Maui the aquarium is excellent with a glass tunnel.

Answer 3

1) Oahu has tons of places to buy bathing suits year 'round. You won't have to ask...you'll see them in shop windows as you walk down Kalakaua Ave! The person who said you can find them at the International Marketplace is mistaken. There are no good bathing suit shops there, but there are lots of other fun shops to browse in.

2) Never done snuba, sorry.

3) I'd say yes, depending upon the time of day. I wouldn't want anyone to wander around alone at night, no matter where they are! If your son is just going to the beach or to get lunch or something, he will probably be fine. Just take the same precautions as he would at home with his money, etc.

4) Depends on the time of day. Best to visit Pearl Harbor for the first tour of the morning as it gets VERY crowded as the day goes on.

5) No zoo on Maui that I know of, but the Maui Ocean Center is quite good. I also enjoy the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium with my son, who is 8. Both are rather small but have good exhibits. The Maui Ocean Center has more exhibits and is larger than the Waikiki Aquarium. If you have to choose between them, go to the one on Maui. It's more interactive as well.

Answer 4

1. If you can't buy one before you go I would try checking out the International Marketplace there are a lot of booths and little shops that you can usually bargain with them. Any hotel front desk can point it out to you. It's usually within walking distance from most hotels.

2. I have done the snuba thing but in the caribbean so I can't recommend a company but I can definitly recommend the experience. It's very much like scuba diving but without having to learn about all the equipment. It is very much worth it.

3. Honolulu is very much like most major US cities it has its good and bad parts. As long as he sticks to the touristie areas its fairly safe.

4. I would give yourself about 3-4 hours for Pearl harbor.

5. The zoo is ok on Oahu there really isn't anything that stands out. It's a little on the small side (compared to LA or San Diego).

Answer 5

Aloha. I can only speak for us here on Maui.

1st. Don't buy a suit or anything else for that matter in ka'anapali. (A t-shirt in Wailuku is maybe $12, in kahului, it's $15, in lahaina or kihei it's $20 , but in the resorts, your looking at $25 for the same shirt)

Snuba is pretty cool. it's like a scuba tank that floats on the surface with a air hose that goes with you and the mask, so you can snorkel and dive a little deeper and still breathe. thats on the west side of Maui

As for as kids, if he stays in the resort areas, by himself, he'll be safe.the malls and stores or ok too. I have 2 teenage girls,most haoles shouldn't go around some place by themselves anyway. I'm an ex deputy, so they know me. As far as museums on Maui, in wailuku theres the bailey house museum, the baldwin house in lahaina town, and the chinese museum, the wo hing temple, plus the jodo mission has the 2nd largest buddha outside of japan, the whaling museum at the whalers in ka'anapali. you may see a couple of places calling themselves museums, but they are retail store trying to get you in.....BUT there is a lkiller surf board museum in the honolua surf co. surf shop in the lahaina cannery mall. Maui ocean center in Ma'alaea is the best aquarium in the whole us except maybe atlanta. check it out at mauioceancenter.com. aloha, mahalo and good luck. or as they say here malama pono(take care of yourself)feel free to ask anything. [e-mail]

Answer 6

One reason land is affordable in the Hilo edge of the huge Island is that various it lies in ability lava circulate zones. that would not advise it gets hit, yet there is a minimum of a small risk in some aspects because of fact the volcano is unpredictable. the guy who suggested surf is extra helpful in Maui and massive Island is improper. suitable surf is Kauai and Oahu. yet you will detect surf on any island. you are able to look into Molokai too. it quite is totally wild there and rugged and extra community (as in, the inhabitants is extra community Hawaiian). actually low priced. and amazing place. in case you wanna be off the crushed course, it is an island properly worth looking into.

Answer 7

too bad

no

if you think its safe for a 16 year old to wander

3 hours

okay