Where to Stay #3

This is west side. Downside of this location may be strong surf (aka big, strong waves) in winter months. Used to be the or near the old mecca of Hawaiian surfing until the discovery of the North Shore.

Check out the 2BR, very inexpensive, on-beach bungalows on the Makaha Beach page.

Where To Stay #2

Another possibility would be near Honolulu for the first part of the trip and then elsewhere for the latter part.

One place that fit that bill and perhaps could be a full 8-day stay location (depending on what I learn) is Ewa Beach. The southern end of Oahu has of course Honolulu and Pearl Harbour but also a beach near the opening of Pearl Harbour - Ewa Beach.


Go to the Ewa Beach page to check out the rental I found right on Ewa Beach.

Where To Stay #1

My first thought was to stay near Lanikai Beach on southeast side of Oahu. It has soft, fine white sand beaches, a calm surf, the Mokulua Islands just off shore and a quiet residential neighborhood feel.

My only problem has been a lack of variety of rental choices. Not many places listed there on VRBO and little to no commercial real estate like larger condo complexes (which is a good thing, IMO), but results in fewer choices. I have found one house about a block from the beach that I like and have exchanged a few emails with owner but no reply to my last few questions.

Close by is Kailua Beach, which is also very similar in look and feel to Lanikai with views of the Mokolua Islands as well. Have started looking there at rentals.

Why Oahu?

So we are going to Oahu in mid February when oldest is out of school for Mid-Winter break. Our first family vacation of any grand scale since our road trip in summer of 2008 (check out that blog here).

Why Oahu? Well, it's Hawaii in February versus Seattle in February. Come mid February us Emerald City folks are so wracked by sun withdrawal symptoms that an escape to a warm, sunny beach is heavenly.

But in large part Oahu because we scored roundtrip tickets plus tax for $340. We can't fly back to see my Dad in Mississippi for less than $350, so the draw of a remote-feeling tropical island in late winter Seattle weather when the last big family trip of any note was in 2008...Oahu it is!!

Not to mention we all want to see the Pearl Harbour Memorial in person and check out all the sights and sounds of the most populated of the Hawaiian islands.

Let the blogging begin...