Honeymoon in Hawaii

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Groton, MA

Does anyone have any suggestions for Maui or Kauai? My fiance and I are going to these two islands for our honeymoon. He found a GF luau that I am very excited to try. I have my triumph dining book, but haven't found a lot of places other than the usual Outback. Our rental places will have kitchens, so we will be able to cook, but it would be nice to eat out a couple of times for our honeymoon.

The wedding is 6 weeks from today and we leave for the honeymoon August 27th.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

--Manda
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aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA

VERY COOL!!!

Have you got all your planning done? 6 weeks will be here tomorrow Wink

If cultureslayer doesn't see this, you might PM her. She spent some time in HI not too long ago [last year maybe].
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Groton, MA

Thanks, Al!

Now that you mention it, I remember Lauren saying something about Hawaii. I will have to search for the post again.

The wedding plans are pretty much done. We aren't doing anything overly complicated and I am EXTREMELY organized, so it should all pull together. Just waiting for the invitation responses to come back to order the favors and book the rehearsal dinner. (Most of my fiance's side is out of town) The next 6 weeks are going to be crazy. A business trip July 23 - 26 won't help, but at least I will be home after that. No business travel in the month of August. (In another 4 weeks, I'm sure I will still be running around like my hair's on fire Shocked

)

--Manda
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cultureslayer · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 769 Location: NC

My time in Hawaii was on Oahu.

Your biggest enemy is shoyu (soy sauce) Bring a bottle with you, and realize that it's in almost every sort of pre-made seasoning. Some furikake (seaweed and sesame, VERY good and I'd suggest trying it if you like seaweed), senbei (rice crackers), crunchy mochi, etc.

When you mention food, make sure you always remind them that soy sauce is bad for you.

If you are a light breakfast fan I'd suggest getting some li hing dried mango, apple bananas, and a chocolate bubble drink (or one of the other milky ones, those were my favorite when they'd put crushed ice, tapioca pearls, milk, and some chocolate, coffee, or fruit flavor but ask because some places use ovaltime for chocolate and it's got malt flavor).
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Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2484

I spent a week on Kauai and a couple of days in Honolulu. I think Culture stayed in Honolulu.

Regarding Kauai, there is a tiny little health food store in Hanalei which is on the far north side of the island near the end of the road. The store had a few things but not much.

There is a Walmart centrally located on Kauai. I can't remember what town it's in, but we stayed at the Marriott in Lihue and it was maybe a 5-10 minute drive from the hotel.

I would suggest you take a foodcase with you though because eating out was difficult due to influence of Japanese sauces, etc. Hopefully, you're staying someplace with a full kitchen. We reserved a suite because we were told that it had a kitchen. In reality it had a well equipped mini-bar complete with a microwave, large sink and dishwasher.

I'll post a photo and explanation of what's included in my foodcase in another thread.

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Groton, MA

Thanks, Lauren! I have my Triumph dining cards to send into all chefs. Smile

I will make sure to stress that soy sauce is NOT GF. We will have to pick up a bottle in Hawaii to bring to all the restaurants. (Not really something I want in my suitcase for that long of a flight.)

Do you know if the shaved ice is GF or not? Or does it depend on the stand?

Thanks!

--Manda
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cultureslayer · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 769 Location: NC

Forgot to add:

SUNSCREEN

since it's closer to the equator in Hawaii I had to buy waterproof 45 for any sort of outdoor activity, even though I can get away with 15 for all day stuff at home.

Better to not be quite as tan when you get home than have to be miserable and red the whole time. Go up at LEAST a level or two over what you normally use, and buy some sunscreen for your face too (it all causes acne for me, but the face specific isn't as bad).

Definitely try snorkelling. I can barely swim but with the fins you will be good and the water is so clear. Get a waterproof camera, preferably one you can change the film in and take it with you.
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Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Groton, MA

cultureslayer · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 769 Location: NC

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2484

Regarding shave ice, you're going to have to look at the individual bottles and skip the add ins. I subsisted on shave ice during our trip.

Hiking the Na'Pali coast should be on your list of things to do.

luvscowznh · Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 327 Location: Groton, MA

cultureslayer · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 769 Location: NC

I have two shades. Pasty white and bright red. Wink

If you are going to cook, I'd suggest stopping by a Maruki (sp) market once there. The one on Oahu had lots of fresh fish, and I'd suggest picking up some furikake (look at the labels, only 2 flavors don't have soy sauce) to put on the mahi. very, very good with GF soy sauce. They also have fresh local fruit, tons of dried fruits, and mochi. Smile

I love mochi with red bean paste.
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Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2484

There are farmer's markets all over the island. I bet the conceirge at your hotel/condo will be able to tell you where it's located each day of the week. We started most days with a trip to the farmer's market because we were generally awakeat 4-5AM. We got fresh fruit/veggies snack throughout the day.

There were a few remote things that required driving that we didn't have access to because we rented a convertible sedan instead of a Jeep. One of which was seeing where Jurasic Park was filmed. I would suggest you rent a Jeep Wrangler if that's in the budget.