Hawaii (State of) Tourist Traps

 
by Onedragon
 
  •   Tourist Traps
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  •   Tourist Traps
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  • Waterslide heaven at a price
      Waterslide heaven at a price
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  • Overpriced!!!
      Overpriced!!!
    by Nathalie_B
 

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Hawaii (State of)

1.

International Market Place   Honolulu

International Market Place, Honolulu

 8 Reviews  There's a stall or 2 that sell perfume. These look like name brand perfume (only slightly cheaper than Duty Free). We bought "John Gaulteir Le Male" for $50 yet on getting this home we found it was... 

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2.

Shopping   Waikiki

Shopping, Waikiki

 4 Reviews  Notice that the high-end shops in Waikiki and Ala Moana (Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Rolex, YSL etc.) are gorgeous and well-stocked. If you're from Japan or somewhere else where there are ridiculous... 

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3.

Jaggar Museum   Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Jaggar Museum, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

 3 Reviews  Also a tiltmeter is on display in the museum providing real-time data about the volcanoes. Rapid increase in tilt can indicate that magma is accumulating at shallow levels within the volcano and is... 

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4.

Volcano Winery   Hawaii (Big Island)

Volcano Winery, Hawaii (Big Island)

 1 Review  I was a little disappointed with this visit. It's merely a storefront for a winery. You get no tour unfortunately. You do get to taste their different wines, which are made right on the grounds. This... 

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5.

Waikiki   Honolulu

Waikiki, Honolulu

 9 Reviews  If you just slide up (north or maka) Kapahulu Ave within about a mile, you'll find a much more authentic Hawaii. Restaurants, coffee bars, surf shops, a couple of off-beat bars. Going even further... 

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6.

Taxi-cabs, Shuttles & Trollies   Honolulu

Taxi-cabs, Shuttles & Trollies, Honolulu

 4 Reviews  Honolulu Airport Shuttles is owned by someone who owns 3 other taxi companies. So they tell you you are getting a good deal as compared to other companies, which they own and offer you "VIP deal" just... 

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7.

Much Over-priced! Shop around   Honolulu

Much Over-priced!  Shop around, Honolulu

 8 Reviews  Well I'm ashamed to say that I was sucked in big time by a lady selling crystal. It was my first ever visit to Waikiki and I guess I was high on the thrill of just being there! I went into a gift shop... 

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8.

Free Breakfast deals   Honolulu

Free Breakfast deals, Honolulu

 3 Reviews  One trap is the Free Breakfasts offered by tour companies. Because we were first-timers, we went, even though I read it was a tourist trap. It boils down to - you get what you pay for. The free... 

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9.

Scenic Disappointments   Honolulu

Scenic Disappointments, Honolulu

 4 Reviews  Honolulu and Waikiki are nothing but one way streets so be sure to have a map handy AHEAD of time. Don't be stuck like we were driving around for two hours, trying to navigate all of the one way... 

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10.

PCC & other Luau's   Honolulu

PCC & other Luau's, Honolulu

 4 Reviews  This place is a total rip-off. It looks more like a bad Disneyland ride from the 50's--and the show finishes with an advertisement for the Mormon Church. Even met a guy that used to work there at our... 

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11.

Package Deals or Steals!   Honolulu

Package Deals or Steals!, Honolulu

 4 Reviews  Never leaves any value in your car. Thieves are watching for tourists-cars and are waiting until they are out of sight and in less than a minutes they will have broken into your car taking off all... 

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12.

Sea Life Park   Honolulu

Sea Life Park, Honolulu

 2 Reviews  Sealife Park was a nice place to visit for free (luckily) ... but if i had to consider the entry fee I wouldn't think it was worth it. It is pretty small and you wouldn't be able to spend a whole day... 

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13.

Hilo Hatties   Honolulu

Hilo Hatties, Honolulu

 2 Reviews  This is a waste of your time, and not worth all the hype in all the travel magazines. The store has limited options, and in all honesty you can find absolutely everything there for a lesser price, if... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Town of Lahaina-Mainland Strip mall?

by monsterjay

Although the town of Lahaina is beautiful in its own regard, I found much of the city to be a tourist trap as it was mirror like of your typical mainland suburb. Horrible images of McDonald's, Outback Steakhouse, Burger King, Starbucks, Foot Locker, and Office Max bunched up in pristine locations around this city.Strip malls everywhere and congested traffic that is just overflowed with tourists. Although traffic is always busy here, it is best to avoid driving to or out of Lahaina from the hours of 2pm to 7pm as the traffic can be at a standstill comparable to Los Angeles traffic. Amidst the over commercialization however there are a few notable places that shouldn't be overlooked. Here are a few places that one should stop at on their way into Lahaina, and in the town as well:Fruit Stands:Although you will encounter many if you decide to take the 'road to Hana,' these really are worth...

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Airport

by DnDRanch

I was on my way to Australia when we stopped over in Hawaii. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit. I thought the short layover would be nice here BUT the doors to the airport we left open the whole time making it miserably hot and humid! Was NOT a great condition to get on a 15 hour flight after waiting!

Paradise Cove Luau and the "Orientation Breakfast"

by 8Novels

That free orientation breakfast cost us TIME and that is the stuff vacations are made of. They basically lock the doors and hard-sell you tours and luaus and crapola. I tried to get out of my chair to use the ladies' room and the salesman actually blocked my chair so I couldn't get out. We stupidly ended up buying tickets to the Paradise Cove Luau -- we had seen a promo for it on our hotel's "Hawaii Channel" and thought it looked good. What a mistake!! We were looking forward to the bus trip because we hadn't rented a car and this would be a chance to see a little more of the island. But they "entertain" you the whole way, with the kind of interactive, put-the-tourist-on-the-spot entertainment that doesn't allow you a minute's peace. My husband is shy and hated being forced to sing, shout ALOOOOOHA, etc. The luau itself was a nightmare. It starts with an hour or so of wandering around...

Polynesian Cultural Center

by sasch

Probably it is the #1attraction on O`hau for tourists , but in my mind it is absolutely not worth to go there as it is sooo expensive and 2nd it is really boring.the good thing is, PCC has 1,400 employees. PCC is about people and learning their cultures.so its up to you!For more information please visithttp://www.polynesia.com//

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Maui - Lahaina Luau's Are Just A Tourist Trap!

by kcbrit

We were unable to get into the Old Lahaina Luau which is highly recommended by locals so we went to the Royal Hawaiian instead. It was an insult to our senses and wallet. the cost was $60 a piece for crappy food from a buffet which had a large rat that ran across the beam over the buffet bar. The drinks were disgusting and we were crammed into an area school canteen style at tables with barely enough room to bend your elbows. Go to the Old Lahaina if you have to go to a Luau. they also do a breakfast program which I also hear is quite good. If you want to see hula dancers and fore dancers go to a show specially for that reason. Old Lahaina Luau is suppposed to be good but I didn't go so I can't back up that info.

Don't rent a car from Enterprise!

by joiwatani

It's not that I am against renting their cars. No! No! No! They have good service! And, their daily price is very reasonable. The thing is, once you get out from the airport baggage claim, their rental car office should be right there! But, no! You have to get out from the baggage claim and wait for their pick-up van to bring you to their office! (We wasted probably two hours from waiting the van and from checking out of our car rental). So, next time, I told my husband, we will just rent from other car rental companies which have offices at the Aloha International Airport. Rent from other car rental companies that have offices at the luggage claim section of the Aloha International Airport! At least, you can register and check out your car while waiting for your luggages! 1. Rent from Avis. Their office is at the luggage claim! Also, rent from National. The thing is I haven't rented...

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Hilo Hattie

by H-TownJourneyman

Hilo Hattie is billed as "The Store of Hawaii". Well, that may be, but is is most assuredly the "Overpriced, Tourist Trap Store of Hawaii" as well! The chain has stores all throughout the islands, as well as some stores on the mainland U.S. And to be honest, they do have some decent items for sale. But everything in these stores is way more expensive than other retail shops on the islands. I can't argue with their marketing campaigns and promotional ploys to get people in their stores, it seems to work. Many hotels in Hawaii have "discount" coupons to take to the stores, but they are to the affect of "Buy $100 worth of stuff, get a free t-shirt" sort of thing. Most of the discounts offered initially require a purchase of some sort. Nice store, heck of a price! If you do plan on buying items from Hilo Hattie, I would suggest sticking to smaller items, small souvenirs and such. Stay away...

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Snorkeling trips by boat. Ask this question first

by Vegasniceguy

We went on the Lahaina Princess for a 6 hour+ snorkel to Molokini Crater and Turtle Reef. Told to get there at 7:30, didn't take off until 8:20. Lahaina Princess not a very good boat, lot of diesel smoke from the engine, not good if you are at the back of the boat. Boat was old, 1979, not real clean and not that well maintained. $85 before tax.Twenty minutes into trip to the Crater, the Captain announces there are box jelly fish there, he has called other boats that have already visited there. He says we are going to Turtle Reef first and then will decide what to do for the rest of the trip. Turtle Reef was nice. However, it is very accessible from the beach. No need to pay $85 to be taken here. Molokini you can only get to by boat. There were some turtles there, nice coral, and an okay amount of fish. Nothing else special, but a nice place to go to.We stayed there an hour, then went...

Ala Moana shopping centre

by sarsparilla

It's like a swift version of hell. Go into the food court. Venture further in. Realise it's HUGE. Look at row upon row of Soylent Green pre-materials. Catch the round island bus services instead - 52 or 55 from Kona, behind the Ala Moana shopping centre, and leap off whenever you see a cute shop, like those at Hale'iwa.Or: dodge the crowds and dive into the Crack Seed Centre to get some bubble/pearl tapioca tea -ask for a low sugar version, though, if you value your teeth. The pearls are huge black bubbles that you suck up through an extra thick straw. I can't say they're tasty, but they're unusual.Another alternative is to grab a tray of fresh pineapple slice and head out with it towards the ocean, and wander around the pretty jogger's beach at Magic Island - a little calmer than Waikiki.

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Don't expect to find topless wahine...

by 75Roman

Don't trust all the advertisement you'll see with unspoiled white beach and topless wahine by the water.You may have a chance to find that in French polynesia...on a postcardmaybe...ah!ah!ah! Cocktails will help you spend the day in front of the hotel between German women,who knows after few drinks your dreams may come true...!PS: I love german women too! Go naked on the beach others may follow...

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Top 3 Hotels in Hawaii (State of)

Halekulani  Honolulu

 4 Reviews and 864 Opinions  Upon arrival to the Halekulani you are greeted at the desk and assigned a staff member to tour you... 

 Hotels in Honolulu

Royal Kona Resort  Kailua-Kona

 5 Reviews and 888 Opinions  The hotel room I had, had a balcony. When I looked to the right, I had a view to the ocean. 

 Hotels in Kailua-Kona

The Place

Reviews and photos of Hawaii (State of) attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Hawaii (State of) sightseeing.

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