Hi Rob,

Did the same trip last November. My missus did most of the planning but here's what we learnt when we went with our boys (3 and 5)

- Jetstar were only slighly cheaper than Qantas, but with Qantas you get the extras. My understanding is that with Jetstar you have to pay for everything whereas with Qantas we got fed and watered and the entertainment was a godsend for the kids and the missus. That said, our plane was one of those screen in the aisle ceiling jobs so it wasn't your own choice of movie which was a bit disappointing given the length of the flight. Not sure about Hawaiian.

- We stayed at the Ohana East in Waikiki but set back from the beach so a cheaper deal. It was only 5 minutes walk to the beach so honestly it was money well saved and it was a nice enough hotel. The only problem we found was that we went for the one-bedder (I think that's pretty much the only option in Waikiki that we could find in our budget) and so put the boys in the nice double bed at night so we could have something of an evening together BUT the sofabed was rubbish! Not sure how old your kids are but I'd try and avoid the sofabed option myself or settle for not getting much sleep.

Hope that helps,

Tak

Thanks Tak

Going to Hawaii next month got return airfares with Hawaiian airlines for $1200. You are allowed a board up to 11 feet plus a 32kg bag.The Duke festival is on in August and packages are avaliable from Hawaiian airlines or the Duke Foundation.

Marc Resorts Hawaii. Just looked I think they have changed hands to the Best Western Coconut Waikiki - anyway somewhere in the back blocks

We stayed there one year it was a couple of blocks back from the beach more on the Ala Moana cannel but it had two double beds which is good.

I think they have changed names or hands from then.

walking distance to the markets, shops, beach so was good.

beerssup said...

Going to Hawaii next month got return airfares with Hawaiian airlines for $1200. You are allowed a board up to 11 feet plus a 32kg bag.The Duke festival is on in August and packages are avaliable from Hawaiian airlines or the Duke Foundation.

Don't forget free beers on Hawaiian. Including Bikini Blonde Lager (it goes down the hatch allright!)

I flew into hawaii with Jetstar Aug 09 (not bad) stayed 3 weeks at the outrigger on the beach(to good) surf racks next to the water,surf pops,canoes,and if you dont mind a huge paddle you can go to Queens.
I will be flying Hawaiin Air Next year ,Take my 11ft board(cost me $260US for 21 day hire) and can bring back more KG in my luggage.
Enjoy it I know I did

XXL Hazza

Kauaifiveo said...

Hey Piros, you should look into checking out the neighbor islands. Whole different world from crowded Oahu!

Agree with that, We are off to Maui for trip 4 this July, flying jetstar, never had an issue with them, get the entertainment pack (screen) loaded with fun for the kids, food package is also worth it IMO.

Maui has good surf in Summer on South Shore, 1000 peaks / Lahaina

Hey Oliver, great to meet up with you the other week.

We went in Sep and stayed in Kauai and then Waikiki, trip of a life time and will be heading over again for sure. We hired a car and got around without any drama although the traffic was heavy at times.

Piros we went with Hawaiian,as the ad' goes,once your on board your in the islands.
Great fight and service.Bonus they take BIG boards and heaps of luggage.
December we flew to Bali with Virgin and copped a 600 US excess luggage fee.

mac