Hawaii in late Dec/early Jan

[mooseontheloose]

Normally I don't like to travel anywhere over the Christmas/New Year period as it can be quite pricey and busy, but I have the opportunity to attend a conference in Hawaii in early January next year, and since my research budget at work will pay for the airfare and hotel (during the conference), it makes visiting Hawaii somewhat (?) affordable for me. So I'm looking at 5-6 days in Oahu (Honolulu) - one day will be at the conference, but the rest of my time there will be sightseeing and exploring the island with a rental car. However, I'd like to spend another 5-7 days at one of the other islands - at the moment the Big Island seems to have a lot to offer photographically-speaking, although I'm still in the early stages of my research.

I know that the Big Island is big, so would it better to focus my time on one side of the island (east or west), or splitting it in half (3 days out of Hilo/Volcano, 3 days out of Kona)? I'm interested in both natural landscapes and cultural/traditional areas, so would like to see and experience both. I like hiking (though not super long hikes with camera gear) but as I will be travelling solo may limit myself to well-known trails and/or guided tours. That said, I would be willing to do longer hikes to be able to photograph some really interesting flora/rock formations/waterfalls, etc. I'd say that probably 80% of things I choose to do will be photography-related, so would appreciate any advice on where to go.

Another question is about New Year's Eve. Normally I don't do anything on this night, but am interested in any recommendations of interesting things to do either on Oahu or the Big Island at this time - luaus, street parties, etc.

 

[Doc W]

I have never been to Hawaii but way up on my bucket list is going to the North Shore of Oahu in big surf season (Dec/Jan). I don't want to ride those giants - I am not crazy - but I would love to see it. And take photos of course.

 

[dourbalistar]

Be sure to check out Treehouse Shop in Honolulu! It's one of the coolest camera shops I've visited, focused completely on analog photography. The owner Bobby and his staff are super nice, and they have a nice selection of vintage cameras and lenses for sale.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I have never been to Hawaii but way up on my bucket list is going to the North Shore of Oahu in big surf season (Dec/Jan). I don't want to ride those giants - I am not crazy - but I would love to see it. And take photos of course.

Yeah, that's something I'm considering, although I imagine I would have to pack my tele lenses to get decent shots, if possible, from the shore. Even without the surfers, I imagine the big surf would provide some interesting seascape shots.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Be sure to check out Treehouse Shop in Honolulu! It's one of the coolest camera shops I've visited, focused completely on analog photography. The owner Bobby and his staff are super nice, and they have a nice selection of vintage cameras and lenses for sale.

I was just looking at their website! It's definitely on one of the places I need to visit list.

 

[4season]

Although I lived a large portion of my life there and make annual trips to Honolulu, I found much in this guide which I was either unaware of, or which had come into being fairly recently:

https://monocle.com/shop/books/travel-guides/the-monocle-travel-guide-honolulu/

Yes, visit Treehouse, but don't overlook the rest of the complex which has become quite trendy. And the surrounding warehouse-type buildings have become an outdoor art gallery so there's much to see and do in just this one area.

 

[4season]

On another note, here's a bit of old Hawaii on the windward side of Oahu next to a busy thoroughfare:

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/ulupo-heiau-state-historic-site/

 

[ProfessorC1983]

...okay but what about in the summertime?

I'm on Oahu with three medium-format cameras and not much else to do for the rest of the week. The palm trees, flowers and sea spray have already used up quite enough of my Ektachrome and I've yet to break the seal on the FP4. What should I not leave the island without committing to film?

 

[BAC1967]

The Treehouse is a great shop, I bought some film and chemistry there last year. Also check out Hungry Ear Records next door. I was working in Honolulu from January to March last year spending my time off exploring the island, taking pictures and developing film. Definitely go to the North Shore to see the big waves but it will be difficult to get good shots without a long lens. Check out the Byodo-In Temple in Ahuimanu, the Sanju Pagoda in the Kyoto Gardens and China Town in Honolulu, I enjoyed shooting film in those spots.

I’ve been to all the major islands and they all have something to offer but my favorite is Kauai. It has the Na Pali coast, Waimea Canyon and many other great sites and places to hike. I like Kauai best because I think it has the most natural beauty but do your own research, I really don’t think you can go wrong no matter which island you choose.

 

[wiltw]

Download an app to your smartphone, called GyPSy. One app for Oahu, another for Hawaii. It follows your location and direction of travel, and delivers custom narration pertinent to your location, and tells you alternatives for turns to other interesting destinations. We had GyPSy Kauai and it was wonderful. Well worth the modest expense. I plan on checking for GyPSy for future destinations we travel to.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I completely forgot I started this thread so long ago. However, it's revival is well-timed, I'm considering a trip to Hawaii in March (for work) as it seems the most likely destination I can travel to from Japan once we open up again (I hope we will be open by then - meaning, no quarantine upon return for vaccinated travellers). At the moment I'm trying to figure out where to go during the 2 weeks I could conceivably spend there (minus 2-3 days for the conference).

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I completely forgot I started this thread so long ago. However, it's revival is well-timed, I'm considering a trip to Hawaii in March (for work) as it seems the most likely destination I can travel to from Japan once we open up again (I hope we will be open by then - meaning, no quarantine upon return for vaccinated travellers). At the moment I'm trying to figure out where to go during the 2 weeks I could conceivably spend there (minus 2-3 days for the conference).

I go over to Japan every couple of years. Had to cancel last year. This is the longest I've been out of Japan. I'm planning to get over there, Christmas break, 2022. They better be open by then!! I hear vaccinations are moving very slow over there?

 

[Wallendo]

I completely forgot I started this thread so long ago. However, it's revival is well-timed, I'm considering a trip to Hawaii in March (for work) as it seems the most likely destination I can travel to from Japan once we open up again (I hope we will be open by then - meaning, no quarantine upon return for vaccinated travellers). At the moment I'm trying to figure out where to go during the 2 weeks I could conceivably spend there (minus 2-3 days for the conference).

I have enjoyed my trips to Maui. The road to Hana, although well traveled, is well worth an all-day drive. To be honest, I haven't been in a long time (22 years), but look forward to returning soon. You can also take a day trip by ferry to Lanai for a change of pace, but that island is less lush than the others, and primarily a pineapple plantation.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have been to Hawaii many times, so

The months of January and February are the off season but the weather is good. Go then to avoid the crowds and save money
Hawaii the big island: see both the east and west side. They are very different.
Maui

• make a reservation to see the sunrise on Haleakalā, well worth it, walk some of the trails in the morning before it gets hot
• drive the road to Hana, and see the Seven Sisters falls
• the island is shaped like the infinity sign, on the west side of the east side, around Wailea take an introductory scuba class or snorkel with the sea turtles
• Lihaina, the west side of the island is very built up with resorts, it has some charm but the name means "unbearable heat" so beware in the summer.

Oahu the most built up on the south side

• See the Punch Bowl, Diamond Head
• Drive around the island starting from Honolulu, up the east coast, to the north were the Polynesian Cultural Center, along the north shore, cut through the center to return. Take your time and discover for yourself
• The Pearl Harbor Memorial is very moving, take your time there

Kauai is my favorite island, the least built up, the wettest and most beautiful.

• The south is built up with resorts but is worth seeing including the Spouting Horn.
• East side is less built up, small but very good restaurants, the river tour with the Cave of the Winds, tidal pools to wade in
• North shore is where the movie South Pacific was filmed, beautiful beaches
• West side is the so called Grand Canyon of the Pacific, take a drive up and back.

​

 

[gone]

I never really liked the Kona side of the B.I., and lived many years over on the Hilo side, which is much more local. There was a vibrant art community there then. Not sure about now, but a friend had a sculpture placed in a park in Hilo recently that's been quite controversial. He's had a big sculpture in a park downtown that everyone loves, but this new work is very different. You can actually do some street shooting in Hilo and Pahoa. The weekend Farmer's Markets are going to be packed again now that the virus protocols are being taken away.

The Kona side is a desert technically, but the Hilo side gets more rain than any other town in the US.

Finding anything to do on any holiday is always a challenge in Hawaii. There's surely something happening downtown in Hilo. Kona might have more, and for sure O'ahu would be a better bet for that. The Wainaku area of Hilo has an old steel bridge that's good to shoot, and there's waterfalls to the left of the post office. Downtown offers lots of shooting possibilities. Buildings that look like they're about to fall down, and do sometimes. Sorta third worldish in places, and you'll see and hear chickens. There's some great restaurants downtown, and Bears Coffehouse is best for people watching. Hilo really has everything within walking distance. Walgreens, KTA grocery, fruit and veggie stands, a health food store, restaurants, library, post office, parks, the waterfront, etc.

 

[wiltw]

About 15 years ago, we stayed south of Kailua Kona, and went snorkeling at a beach that seemed like swimming in an aquarium...really big turtels and fish as long is you. IIRC Honaunau

 

[mooseontheloose]

I go over to Japan every couple of years. Had to cancel last year. This is the longest I've been out of Japan. I'm planning to get over there, Christmas break, 2022. They better be open by then!! I hear vaccinations are moving very slow over there?

Ugh - don't get me started on the vaccines. They were starting to really get on a roll and then the government only just discovered that they are going to run out of vaccines so now all places have stopped accepting new appointments. On the day my voucher came in the mail. (!) In theory my university will offer vaccinations at the end of the month, but that's up in the air too with this supply problem. Whatever timeline the government has proposed (currently everyone vaccinated by November) is a pipe dream but I imagine the country will be open sooner rather than later (for me, ideally after the new year, but by spring at the latest). Another issue right now is vaccine passports - Japan wants other countries to accept their version, but fully vaccinated people coming here will still have to quarantine for 2 weeks. Some countries are balking at the lack of reciprocity, so I imagine they'll be shamed into accepting everyone (who is vaccinated) sooner rather than later (just like they were shamed into letting long-term foreign residents back into the country). I guess the thing to look for in the coming months is how disastrous the Olympics will be for this country - if more variants and infections come in with all the athletes, support staff, and reporters who are allowed in the country without needing to quarantine, nor needing to remain in their "bubble" (it's just a request really, and athletes have already been spotted sightseeing around Tokyo) - well, if nothing too bad happens it will really be because of luck, but if things get worse then Japan will locked down for quite a while yet.

In the meantime, I'm looking at renting a car and driving around Shikoku and/or Kyushu (kind of want to do both but will have to choose one, kind of don't want to do either in the middle of August (!)) and if I end up in Kyushu will go exploring the old mining legacy in Kumamoto and southern Fukuoka. I may be in contact for any tips you have for visiting that area. I can't really plan anything yet though, until I know what's happening with the vaccine. If I get an appointment that'll take priority over everything else.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Ugh - don't get me started on the vaccines. They were starting to really get on a roll and then the government only just discovered that they are going to run out of vaccines so now all places have stopped accepting new appointments. On the day my voucher came in the mail. (!) In theory my university will offer vaccinations at the end of the month, but that's up in the air too with this supply problem. Whatever timeline the government has proposed (currently everyone vaccinated by November) is a pipe dream but I imagine the country will be open sooner rather than later (for me, ideally after the new year, but by spring at the latest). Another issue right now is vaccine passports - Japan wants other countries to accept their version, but fully vaccinated people coming here will still have to quarantine for 2 weeks. Some countries are balking at the lack of reciprocity, so I imagine they'll be shamed into accepting everyone (who is vaccinated) sooner rather than later (just like they were shamed into letting long-term foreign residents back into the country). I guess the thing to look for in the coming months is how disastrous the Olympics will be for this country - if more variants and infections come in with all the athletes, support staff, and reporters who are allowed in the country without needing to quarantine, nor needing to remain in their "bubble" (it's just a request really, and athletes have already been spotted sightseeing around Tokyo) - well, if nothing too bad happens it will really be because of luck, but if things get worse then Japan will locked down for quite a while yet.

In the meantime, I'm looking at renting a car and driving around Shikoku and/or Kyushu (kind of want to do both but will have to choose one, kind of don't want to do either in the middle of August (!)) and if I end up in Kyushu will go exploring the old mining legacy in Kumamoto and southern Fukuoka. I may be in contact for any tips you have for visiting that area. I can't really plan anything yet though, until I know what's happening with the vaccine. If I get an appointment that'll take priority over everything else.

And I thought it was bad here with vaccine rollout start, sputter, start, repeat... We are actually doing write well but. PM me if you decide to go to Kumamoto!

 

[DREW WILEY]

Most of the Big Island is private property, and driving the perimeter of it takes an entire day. Probably not a good idea for a second destination unless you develop some connections ahead of time. Maui or Kauai have a lot more to photograph, but not on a rush basis. If you have an extra week for one or the other, that's a different story. Car rental fees there are astronomical over there right now as things are officially opening up, at least to those with proof of full vaccination. Winter rates vary widely, depending on how busy it will be. Being a couple weeks off peak Holiday season is recommended if possible. The quieter Islands like Molokai would sure interest me; but my wife has her favorite snorkeling spots on Maui, so that's where we generally go. Make sure you have a raincoat in your camera bag. Or if you are lucky enough to get to the top of one of the peaks like Haleakala atop Maui, you'll definitely need a reasonable coat. It's an incredible spot, but apt to turn a view camera into a kite. I've learned my lesson and now take MF there. 4X5's can be nice along the shore or at mid elevations.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Most of the Big Island is private property, and driving the perimeter of it takes an entire day. Probably not a good idea for a second destination unless you develop some connections ahead of time. Maui or Kauai have a lot more to photograph, but not on a rush basis. If you have an extra week for one or the other, that's a different story. Car rental fees there are astronomical over there right now as things are officially opening up, at least to those with proof of full vaccination. Winter rates vary widely, depending on how busy it will be. Being a couple weeks off peak Holiday season is recommended if possible. The quieter Islands like Molokai would sure interest me; but my wife has her favorite snorkeling spots on Maui, so that's where we generally go. Make sure you have a raincoat in your camera bag. Or if you are lucky enough to get to the top of one of the peaks like Haleakala atop Maui, you'll definitely need a reasonable coat. It's an incredible spot, but apt to turn a view camera into a kite. I've learned my lesson and now take MF there. 4X5's can be nice along the shore or at mid elevations.

Thanks Drew. I'm still trying to break things down based on what I want see, do, and photograph, and how to minimize the amount of time I'll need to rent a car (if I can, the way things are going now).

 

[benjiboy]

I completely forgot I started this thread so long ago. However, it's revival is well-timed, I'm considering a trip to Hawaii in March (for work) as it seems the most likely destination I can travel to from Japan once we open up again (I hope we will be open by then - meaning, no quarantine upon return for vaccinated travellers). At the moment I'm trying to figure out where to go during the 2 weeks I could conceivably spend there (minus 2-3 days for the conference).

I suggest you ask David Goldfarb, one of this website's moderators he lives in Hawaii and might be able to help you.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Haleakala sunrise in August requires a down parka, so be sure to dress warmly.