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05/09/2019 12:57:01 PM · #1 |
Hey guys!
Hope everyone is doing well! Been a while since I've posted anything in here! I do come in from time to time to poke around at some challenge entries and such but recently I haven't had much time for my photography due to work.
That said though, I made sure to take some time for me and planned out a Hawaii vacation to visit my brother and his family who are stationed out there on the Army base.
I've got some questions for you guys if you don't mind helping me out.
- For those of you who have been out there, do you have any good spots for food? I loooooove food and especially seafood!
- Although I have the list of generic "must do" places like north shore and Pearl Harbor, I don't know any local hide aways and I've come to realize a lot of those spots are the best places to end up. So if anyone knows any of those type of hidden gems, I'd love to add it to my list.
- Lastly, has anyone used borrowlenses.com? If so, what are your thoughts on their service? I'm looking to rent a lens for when I'm out there and want to make sure I'm working with a good company to do so. If you have any other rent-a-lens sites, that'd be awesome to hear about more.
Thank you!!!
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05/09/2019 10:22:44 PM · #2 |
I have no info on Hawaii, and it's a big hole in my education -- so I think you should bring me with you!! :P
Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend lensrentals.com. I heard about them from Art. And even though the recommendation came from him, I tried it anyway. :)
They're fantastic. Good quality equipment. Very easy to rent from. Extremely easy to pack up and return. Great quality, customer oriented, business. |
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05/10/2019 03:17:37 PM · #3 |
I second the recommendation of lensrentals.com, it is a first-rate outfit.
Wish I could help with some of the local places, but last time we were on Oahu was '05 (!). Now Maui I could be much more informative on, LOL!
I definitely recommend the Pearl Harbor memorial sites. A hike up Diamond Head would also be cool. Perhaps Waikiki Aquarium? |
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05/10/2019 06:26:43 PM · #4 |
I spent a week on Oahu a couple of years ago and had a great time. We rented a car and drove all over the island. We had great food wherever we ate, but my big insight is to go to the local supermarket and try the Poke (specially the spicy Poke). It's fresh and taste amazing. There are several different types, but the Spicy Ahi Poke was out of this world and we saved so my money and ate like royalty.
If you have loads of cash there is a place called Mitch's Seafood, or Sushi, or something like that and it's near the airport in a warehouse district, very unassuming place. It's small, expensive and hard to get a reservation, but it's the best Sushi you'll ever have in the states.
Have fun!
Message edited by author 2019-05-10 18:27:49. |
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05/11/2019 11:47:09 AM · #5 |
| Second the recommendation to find some good poke... mmmmm! |
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05/11/2019 12:13:23 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
Second the recommendation to find some good poke... mmmmm! |
It's my understanding that Hawaii is the center of SPAM (the canned meat) cuisine -- I wonder if anyone's created a dish combining it with this latest food fad called Pig in a Poke ... |
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05/11/2019 01:20:53 PM · #7 |
Oahu is beautful and a great place for photography!
Fish - the ocean is so clear, you can get great pictures of fish from above about anywhere you can find a place that looks straight down into the water - even the docks in Honolulu.
Besides the obvious tourist spots... the Palace, Pearl Harbor, Sacred Falls Park ($16 +- admission), National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery), Waimea Bay, Dole Plantation, Polynesian Culture Center, Queen Emma Summer Palace (if you're into history), Diamond Head Crater... I loved the Na'uanu Pali Lookout - at the summit of 61 crossing from Honolulu to Kailua - hang on to your hat - the up winds can be so strong that they'll lift you off your feet, and before the road was built, there used to be a one-donkey wide path that led across the mountains.
It was also fun to have lunch at a roadside cafe out near Waimea Bay.
Some things I'd suggest avoiding: 1) Driving out the sacred cave (Kaneana or Makua Cave) on 93 - the cave only goes back about 200 feet and when I was there was thoroughly graffiti'ed mostly with names. The drive is long and slow (think 25-30 mph), and unless folks living in clusters of vans with blankets to shade from the summer, poverty areas, etc. are your thing, not much to see along the way. And, the road does NOT connect to 930 - it dead ends in the ocean, so you'll have to go back the way you came.
2) Avoid trying to drive from one end of the North Shore to the other. There is very heavy and slow traffic on 83 and 830. Pick the road to cross the island that comes out closest to where you want to be, and split the ends into different trips. Of course, if you enjoy following city and school busses, garbage trucks, etc., it may be just the thing for you.
Oahu, like most Hawaiian Islands, has a wide variety of climates - from lush tropical to harsh dry desert, as well as elevation-dictated temperature zones. It has few to no bugs (depending on the area) and outdoor dining is truly outdoors - (no screens), and no snakes (except in the zoo).
Good luck and enjoy your visit!
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05/11/2019 02:08:17 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by dtremain:
Oahu is beautful and a great place for photography!
Fish - the ocean is so clear, you can get great pictures of fish from above about anywhere you can find a place that looks straight down into the water - even the docks in Honolulu. |
A polarizing filter can be useful here.
Also, I've seen ads for some cheap (<$100) P&S waterproof (up down to 10m ?) cameras which might give you fun and unique if not technically excellent pictures. |
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05/11/2019 02:40:27 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by kirbic:
Second the recommendation to find some good poke... mmmmm! |
It's my understanding that Hawaii is the center of SPAM (the canned meat) cuisine -- I wonder if anyone's created a dish combining it with this latest food fad called Pig in a Poke ... |
It's been done... |
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05/13/2019 10:16:27 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by dtremain:
Oahu is beautful and a great place for photography!
Fish - the ocean is so clear, you can get great pictures of fish from above about anywhere you can find a place that looks straight down into the water - even the docks in Honolulu.
Besides the obvious tourist spots... the Palace, Pearl Harbor, Sacred Falls Park ($16 +- admission), National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl Cemetery), Waimea Bay, Dole Plantation, Polynesian Culture Center, Queen Emma Summer Palace (if you're into history), Diamond Head Crater... I loved the Na'uanu Pali Lookout - at the summit of 61 crossing from Honolulu to Kailua - hang on to your hat - the up winds can be so strong that they'll lift you off your feet, and before the road was built, there used to be a one-donkey wide path that led across the mountains.
It was also fun to have lunch at a roadside cafe out near Waimea Bay.
Some things I'd suggest avoiding: 1) Driving out the sacred cave (Kaneana or Makua Cave) on 93 - the cave only goes back about 200 feet and when I was there was thoroughly graffiti'ed mostly with names. The drive is long and slow (think 25-30 mph), and unless folks living in clusters of vans with blankets to shade from the summer, poverty areas, etc. are your thing, not much to see along the way. And, the road does NOT connect to 930 - it dead ends in the ocean, so you'll have to go back the way you came.
2) Avoid trying to drive from one end of the North Shore to the other. There is very heavy and slow traffic on 83 and 830. Pick the road to cross the island that comes out closest to where you want to be, and split the ends into different trips. Of course, if you enjoy following city and school busses, garbage trucks, etc., it may be just the thing for you.
Oahu, like most Hawaiian Islands, has a wide variety of climates - from lush tropical to harsh dry desert, as well as elevation-dictated temperature zones. It has few to no bugs (depending on the area) and outdoor dining is truly outdoors - (no screens), and no snakes (except in the zoo).
Good luck and enjoy your visit! |
This is fantastic! Thank you so much!
I'm not the biggest fan of impoverish areas so I'll be sure to stear clear of those areas. (Noted in my travel notes for this trip)
I'm bringing my go-pro for underwater stuff though I doubt I'll want to go too crazy with underwater stuff. Not much of a swimmer anymore. I'm more of a lay on the beach or hike in the mountains kinda guy although with that said I do wanna try my hand at surfing as I've never tried it.
Poke is amazing so I'll be sure to be on the look out!
And lastly, the photography question I had... You guys answered perfectly. Now to book my rental!
Thank you all again for the recommendations. I'll be sure to share photos (and possibly video) when I get back!
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05/13/2019 10:18:56 PM · #11 |
Adding this response...
When I rent the lens I want, I will be renting the polarizing filter that fits the lens I'm getting. This was already on my list of things to rent.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
A polarizing filter can be useful here.
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