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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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 Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:24 am Post subject: Honolulu/Oahu Is. |
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Hello,
It seems as though I'm going to be in the fortunate position of having 3 or 4 days in Honolulu, or anywhere on the island I guess, in late January.
I am interested in snorkelling, perhaps scuba diving, and general nature taking-in of. Also, Watching surfers on the North Shore (I've dones some research). Nightlife isn't too important. Mobility is important, however, as I'd like to avoid renting a car (budget, budget). I'd probably rather stay in/close to the city and take a day trip up to the north shore. But I generally have no idea what I'm talking about.
So, Hawaiians or those who have been there. Tell me everything. I'm pretty ignorant of Hawaii, I never expected to end up there. |
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Fofazoju
Joined: 09 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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If you only have 3 or 4 days, I would highly suggest renting a car. You can do so pretty cheaply as my boyfriend and I rented a convertible for 8 days and it was less than $300. You can get the cheapest car for 3 or 4 days for under $150 or so Im sure.
While the island is very small, and is easy to get around, you may spend a lot of time on the bus, and waiting for bus transfers. I know to get to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north coast, I had researched the bus system cause I wanted to do budget also, but I came to find out that while it is only an hour's drive from Waikiki, the way the bus system worked, it would have taken about 4 hours with transfers etc. I mean if you have to you have to  BUT, with 3 or 4 days, Id say budget your hotel room, rent a car so u can REALLY see as much as possible. And GET OUT OF WAIKIKI. I would spend as little time as possible there. In fact, stay on the north shore and do day trips around there. Tip: east coast is better for beaches than the westcoast. The northcast was nice around Shark's Cove etc. BUt if you plan on snorking etc, dont do westcoast. Obviously, good snorkling around Hanauma Bay (south-west coast) but there is a tonne of tourists.
Anyways, not much help sorry. Here is the website of the transit system http://www.thebus.org. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Hawaii rules....nuff said! Been there 3 times.
Spend 1 day in Waikiki-on a nice day, although poserish-it's a nice playground for swimming, surfing easy waves, and grabbing a bite and a drink........
Hiring a car is a great idea....the islands not as big as you think- you can drive around it in 1 day easy....
Just grab a tourist map and check the Dole Pinapple Plantation, factory shops and all the touristy things....
You mentioned you like herb...um....there's a dealer on the main wharf in Waikiki or just ask the surfies.
Mahalo! |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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I'm another one who is totally in love with Honolulu/Oahu.
While its easy enough to get around without a car, it'll be a severe loss of flexility, and just a damn pain in the ass without one.
A rental car is really the only way to go. |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Does it require a credit card and big deposit to rent a car or can you pay cash for the car and it's insurance? |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| Does it require a credit card and big deposit to rent a car or can you pay cash for the car and it's insurance? |
The major companies always want a credit card (even as backup even if you do want to pay with cash).
There are some rental car companies in Waikiki that might go with cash only, not so sure. (They are owned independently of any large chain).
If someone doesn't want to rent a car, then Waikiki and downtown Honolulu and Aloana Mall are all very easy to get back and forth to by public buses. If someone wanted to do ONLY those areas and go up once to North Beach for day, that would also be easy without a rental car.
If someone wanted to explore all over the island of Oahu and check out all the beaches everywhere, that would be best with a rental car.
Mr.BlackCat mentioned nature, mobiliity, snorkeling, not into nightlife, so it seemed more essential for him to have a rental car to do all of that, particularly mobility as its combined with nature and other beaches. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Next time I go to Hawaii, I definately want to try Maui or Hawaii island itself. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| renzobenzo1 wrote: |
| Next time I go to Hawaii, I definately want to try Maui or Hawaii island itself. |
Maui no ka oi, or in English, Maui is the best. The big island is great, too, especially for more remote places and hiking, but Maui has the best of all the islands and the most beaches. Be sure to rent a car and drive to Hana. |
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Wishmaster
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:16 am Post subject: |
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Yes, I`m also another that loves Hawaii. I love everything about the place. The only negative: it is freaking expensive. That is the only negative about the place. Snorkelling: Hanauma Bay. No contest. Cheap living place: Try one of the hostels on Waikiki...great value considering what you would pay if you didn`t stay in one. Hike Diamond Head. Shopping before coming back to Korea: Ala Moana(which also has an excellent beach park across from the mall) and Wal-Mart. Load up on the goodies. In all, the only place that would beat Hawaii would be Thailand or the PI and that is because they are considerably cheaper. By the way, TheBus is an excellent transportation system. Gets you around the island. True, a car will get you to the places that the Bus can`t access but you will pay the high price of rentals, fuel,etc. that will neutralize the benefit. I`m moving to Hawaii in January PERMANENTLY. So excited...from Korea to Hawaii. Like going from the outhouse to the penthouse.  |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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Wishmaster, you are correct about the costs. The average stay of a newbie to Hawaii is around 1 year. Unless you are a professional (hotel manager, doctor, lawyer, etc.), work construction or wait tables at a good restaurant, it's hard to make good money.
Other problems with Hawaii: Racism, the equivalent of Hawaiian-rednecks, the meth problem and theft. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Wishmaster wrote: |
| Yes, I`m also another that loves Hawaii. I love everything about the place. The only negative: it is freaking expensive. That is the only negative about the place. Snorkelling: Hanauma Bay. No contest. Cheap living place: Try one of the hostels on Waikiki...great value considering what you would pay if you didn`t stay in one. Hike Diamond Head. Shopping before coming back to Korea: Ala Moana(which also has an excellent beach park across from the mall) and Wal-Mart. Load up on the goodies. In all, the only place that would beat Hawaii would be Thailand or the PI and that is because they are considerably cheaper. By the way, TheBus is an excellent transportation system. Gets you around the island. True, a car will get you to the places that the Bus can`t access but you will pay the high price of rentals, fuel,etc. that will neutralize the benefit. I`m moving to Hawaii in January PERMANENTLY. So excited...from Korea to Hawaii. Like going from the outhouse to the penthouse. |
The Hawaiians I met will treat you like an outsider at first...show some humbleness then they will let you in unless you are a real ass..
What are you going to do for work there? Most of it is service stuff. |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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renzobenzo1 wrote:
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| You mentioned you like herb...um....there's a dealer on the main wharf in Waikiki or just ask the surfies |
Like I said, its strictly for academic reasons. I would never publicly state such a thing, especially in such a hostile environment. Because its not true. At all. I'm scared of American cops and Korean jails. I'm a very good boy.
Akward silence.
Anyway, thanks for all your advice and tips. I managed to get a good price using one airline from Australia to Honolulu, and then another onwards to Toronto, so I decided to make a mini-vacation in Hawaii. In theory I could spend a as long as I like there. However I do want to spend some time back home before coming back here (if that's possible with the new regulations, or maybe now we have to walk on water across the Pacific to show our dedication as part of our E2 applications. But I digress).
I'll have to see what I want to do and the costs to decide the car rental/bus debate. I'll decide when I get there. I'll be on the Great Barrier Reef for the 3 weeks before this, so I don't know how much more beach and sun I'll need. Some, I expect. |
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Wishmaster
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| Well Renzobenzo, I`m moving on up and out of Korea and couldn`t be happier. Yes, believe it or not, life exists after that vortex of Korea. About my work...well, it will be a management position and it will not be teaching ESL |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Wishmaster"]Well Renzobenzo, I`m moving on up and out of Korea and couldn`t be happier. Yes, believe it or not, life exists after that vortex of Korea. About my work...well, it will be a management position and it will not be teaching ESL [/quote
Congratulations.
Why do you feel the need to post this all over Dave's and make so many topics. Jerk. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Wishmaster wrote: |
| I`m moving to Hawaii in January PERMANENTLY. So excited...from Korea to Hawaii. Like going from the outhouse to the penthouse. |
Keep us informed how that works out. I'm particularly interested, as I have similar plans for whenever I leave Asia to move to Hawaii - although it my case, it might not happen for at least a year or two or three.
Are you going to go to Oahu or the Big Island or another island? |
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