Are you ready for the real Hawaii?

All these years as a travel writer, and I’ve never been to Hawaii. But that changes tomorrow.

Following our critically-acclaimed Southern California blog series this summer and our trip to Washington in July, we’re trekking out to the Aloha state. All five of us.

I’ll be touring Hawaii with my family and reporting on the experience. You can read about it on National Geographic Traveler’s Intelligent Travel blog and here, on this site. You can also follow me on Twitter for the very latest on our trip.

Some of you, particularly those who attended my presentation at the Travel Bloggers Show last weekend in Orlando, may be doing a double-take. Did I just refer to myself as a travel writer? What happened to the consumer advocate?

Well, as I said in my presentation, travel will always be part of my portfolio. And the opportunity to see Hawaii with my whole family — how could I say “no” to that?

I wanted to acknowledge everyone who made this trip possible, particularly Nathan Kam and my friends at McNeil Wilson Communications. They’ve been on my case for years to visit Hawaii, and I’m happy we could finally manage to do this.

Also, a big “thank you” to Jessica Ferracane at the Big Island Visitors Bureau, Darlene Morikawa at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and to all of our friends at the O’ahu Visitors Bureau.

A big shoutout to the folks who are getting us there, too, including Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Avis.

A nod is also in order to Mauna Lani Point, Lava Rock Villa at Kapoho Beach Hawaii Holiday Vacation Rentals, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and Outrigger Reef on the Beach, where we’ll be staying.

This is not going to be your typical Hawaii adventure. Not even close. We are going places that few tourists visit.

I don’t want to give too much away. You’ll see.

(Photo: David Winie/Flickr Creative Commons)

  • cjr

    “We are going places that few tourists visit.”

    My wife, who lived on the Big Island for a decade, awaits your report to judge how ‘non-touristy’ your trip really was. ;)

  • http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog pam

    Wait, wait? I’ve been visiting the fake Hawaii all along? Darn it, I knew it was too good to be true.

    Have an awesome time, Chris. I LOVE the islands AND the people who put your trip together. If I’m sick with envy, it’s only because I know how great it is there.

  • Roger

    If you’re going to be on Kauai, I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Smiths Family Luau in Kapaa. The food is incredible and the show is amazing.

  • Mel

    I hope you have an amazing time. If you stay out of the tourist traps, you’ll see the best those beautiful Islands have to offer. My husband is Hawaiian, and we’re fortunate to get visit every year or so. My favorite is the Big Island (Hawaii) which is less “infested” with tourists and much more naturally beautiful than the very crowded Oahu. But don’t miss the Bishop Museum and the Queen’s Palace to get a taste of Hawaii’s history.

  • John C

    You have to do a helicopter tour around Kauai. It is amazing with all of the waterfalls. A boat trip along the Na Pali Coast is worth it was well. Can’t beat snorkeling with the dolphins.

  • LadySiren

    Like cjr’s wife, I’m highly interested in seeing what you consider a “non-touristy” site. I’m a Hawaiian transplanted to NC (go ‘Heels!) and I’m always curious as to what visitors think of as the “real” Hawaii.

  • http://www.tandemworld.org Tandem World

    We had put Hawaii on the bottom of our list for many years, fearing that it would prove to be the tourist trap about which we had always heard. Several trips to the Islands later (and a month long trip to Kauai on the horizon) we can assure you that we were WAY wrong.

    There are some very touristy areas to be sure, but the overall “aloha” experience – coupled with the unbelievable beauty of islands – more than compensates for a few overrun beaches.

    Have an amazing time. We will be looking forward to your blogs entries and tweets.

  • http://golodgings.com Martin Smith

    I hope you will do some honest reporting. I have been to Hawaii many times since I was first there in the Air Force many years ago. The last visit was two years ago and I was sorely disappointed. The hotels were run down, the prices very high, the people arrogant, and things were just generally too expensive and the service mediocre at best. It will be interesting to see how candid your writing is about your experience.

  • Chicky

    Have a great trip, Chris! Looking forward to reading about your adventures. I’ve never had the opportunity to go to Hawaii, and I too, am envious! Have major amounts of fun!

  • http://www.amauiblog.com A Maui Blog

    Following you on Twitter and that’s where I heard you are coming here to Hawaii. A warm welcome Aloha to you and your family :)

    Liza

  • kiki d

    see you in kona! please don’t be the tourist who stops in the middle of the road to consult his map–we already have plenty of those :)

  • http://www.govisithawaii.com Sheila

    Enjoy!

  • Ed

    My wife and I visit Hawaii every few years or so. We’ve been to Oahu, Kaui and the big island. Two years ago, we took my parents and my sister for a two week Hawaiian vacation on Oahu and Maui. Next year, My wife and I are going to visit Maui and the big island for a week each to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We’re hoping to get family on both sides to join us.
    Needless to say, we love Hawaii…To honor Hawaii, I wear a Hawaiian Aloha shirt every day. I have over 50 of them to choose from in my closet.
    You should post your itinerary before you leave. I’m sure you’ll get some great advice from people here if they know where you’re going. And while I’ve been there several times, I still consider myself a novice when it comes to Hawaii and places to see and do. That’s why I use a guide book to help me out…One of the best I’ve found is the “The Ultimate WHATEVER Guidebook” series. (Ultimate Kaui, Ultimate Oahu etc…)
    What makes these so good is that the writers have actually gotten sued by some proprietors on the island because they don’t take money or gifts for their recommendations…I found this to be a compelling reason to read these books. They also got in trouble from hawaiian residents because they were giving away things that the locals wanted to keep local and away from tourists. This is the kind of “tilting at windmills” I can get behind!

  • http://www.travelocity.com Joel

    Ah, Hawaii. I was just there a month ago with my family for vacation mainly to escape from emails from you for a week. It was great. Hope you have a nice time!

  • Jasper

    What is wrong with touristy places? I never get that. Touristy places are only wrong when there are too many tourists.

    Also, since Hawaii strongly depends on trourism, how can you see the “real” Hawaii *without* going to touristy spots? They are touristy *because* they’re so great.

    Just get the blue books, pick some let visited sites and you’ll have a wonderful time.

    I recommend the Pihea & Alaka’i Swamp Trails on Kauai, all roads on the north side of Maui, a hike through the crater of Hale’akala, SCUBA in the cathedrals of Lana’i and the magical SE side of Hawaii. If you want to travel back to the 60s, go to Paia on Maui. Stay away from anything that looks like it could exist elsewhere in the US – go visit those places when you’re elsewhere in the US. Oh, and eat lot of fresh local pineapple.

  • Ed

    How will you know you are seeing the “real” Hawaii? You gonna eat some hamburger patty covered with brown gravy and egg? :-)

  • http://damontucker.com damon

    Ask to meet the “infamous” Damon Tucker while your on the Big Island if you want to meet a real Kama’aina.

    I can’t say real Hawaiian… but I do live here.

    Hope you have a blast!

  • Bill

    I’ll be interested to read what you have to say as I have not been to Hawaii yet either. Have a nice trip.

  • http://themomwhotravels.blogspot.com/ FabulousTerrah

    Yay! I will be staying tuned to hear all about your adventures. Be sure and tell the always-happy Stacy from Oahu VB that I said Aloha. Have fun! ♥ !

  • Mike Klubok

    A few years ago we were in Hawaii. If you get the chance, here are 2 great restaurants:

    Cafe Oriente on Maunakea St in Honolulu had really great Chinese food and good service. Employees were delivering take out to those waiting outside in the no parking zone and we tasted why.

    Hana Ranch Restaurant on Hana Highway – Burgers and service were superb. The burgers were fresh. For dessert their feature which is the cookie dough ice cream sundae is a must. Portions are plenty.

    Also the Pearl Harbor Monument is a must. There is a 2 hour wait but definitely worth it. A good time to walk the grounds.

    Enjoy. The islands are truly beautiful.

  • Joe Farrell

    The REAL question is how will Chris and his SO handle the boys waking up at 1am . . .

    That first night with travel from the East Coast into a 6 hour time change – yep – thats pleasant – just about time the kids adjust to the time zone -its time to go home.

    I would, if I could, get into Hawaii late in the evening – lets the kids sleep a little late in the am – take a 10am flight to LAX – then a 4pm flight to HNL or wherever – the kids may sleep a little but they will get up when its time to deplane – and if you can keep them up until 7pm local in HST – you MIGHT get them to sleep until 4am which would be a major accomplishment.

    That was worst part of our trip with our son to Hawaii was the 1/4 day time change from the East Coast – living in SoCal now – well – its alot easier. . .

    You can ALWAYS pick out the new arrivals in Hawaii – they are ones at the Walmart and supermarket at 5am . . .

  • http://www.lindaballouauthor.com Linda Ballou

    Sept. is Aloha month on my blog.
    You may be interested in my interview with Kumu Dane Silva or my article Healing Hawaiian Holiday posted there.
    Linda
    Author of Wai-nai, High Chiefess of Hawaii

  • Anonymous

    Oh u mean the real Hawaii with crystal meth addiction, racism, car theft, gambling houses, fist-fights at any occasion, homeless indigenous Hawaiians, chicken fights, horrible traffic, and high cost of living?

    YAY!!! Hawaii no ka oi!!!

    Stay away mainland haoles….ur fears of a “tourist trap vacation” pale to the realities of life in da islands.