what kind of budget do we need to make for food during the trip?
How much will we want/need to go to another island to see/do things
how much would it cost to go to another island
any must do excursions/activities, probably not doing Aulani again for a while
any other tips, things to think about while planning
mikewdw
Aulani, as you might have noted when looking at it on Googlemaps, etc, is located in a developed area called Ko'olina on Oahu's west coast, which is an area tourists should not be wandering around in. It has about 6 high end resorts along the coast, along with a golf course and homes/rentals. The resorts are connected by sidewalks along the beach and road. There is an area with shops and restaurants in Ko'olina, across from Aulani, but to get to any other places outside of Ko'olina (or if you don't want to walk) you will need a car.
For food, if you eat only at Aulani or neighboring restaurants across the street from the resort, you'll need to budget anywhere from about $15 (quick service) to $50+ (table service or buffett) /person/meal, not including snacks.
As for what else you want to do, that really depends on you. If you are content to stay at a resort for several days and just chill, you'll like Aulani and the area. It is beautiful and has several fun pools and a nice cove beach. If you want to see and do more, I would suggest you take a look at what day trips Aulani offers and read up on the areas around Oahu- North Shore, Hanauma Bay, hikes, water sports, Polynesian Cultural Center, etc and check for prices.
Traffic here can be bad since most areas have only 1 or 2 roads serving them- the North Shore, Ko'olina area, Hanauma Bay/Makapu'u Lighthouse area, etc. One accident or the ever-present pot hole patching crew can cause delays. (There is also an overhead Rail project going on and resurfacing of North Shore's Kam Hwy) Traffic backs up in the mornings and again in the late afternoon/early evening. The famed North Shore is beautiful, but parking areas are limited and many visitors have to park on the side of the road. It is not uncommon for traffic to back up for a mile or more in the evenings up there.
Theft is our major crime, so leave nothing of value in your car and always lock it- even though it won't deter a thief, but at least you'll have done what you could. Do not leave packages or gear in view, and certainly not a purse, even if it is hidden, for even just a few minutes.
Roundtrips to the Big Island are running about $170 now, and resort prices are going to vary, but aren't cheap as you'll see when you check on the Internet. The other islands are not as crowded. Personally, I usually suggest visitors take a look at Kauai, Maui (although it is pretty built up), and the Big Island before deciding on crowded Oahu.
