Our trips to the Hawaiian Islands

Oahu, Kauai, The Big Island, Maui

Many years ago---around the year 1998--- Ken and I went to yet another timeshare presentation in St. Louis (for the entertainment and free stuff they gave us), but this time we ended up buying into it.  This presentation was for Pahio Resorts (specifically Kauai Beach Villas---- one of the 4 Pahios on Kauai).  We had never been to any of the Hawaiian islands and didn't really figure we'd go to the Pahio resort, but we were sold on the idea that we could bank the week into RCI and go anywhere, anytime, that we desired.  We were so naive back then!!!  So we bought a 1 bedroom/1 bath EOY (every other year) unit.  

About the same time that we went to the presentation, I came across a great TWA Getaway Vacations to Oahu for $599/person which included airfare from St. Louis and 5 nights on Oahu ( at the Maile Sky Court Hotel which we extended to 7 nights for a couple hundred dollars more).   With our first year at KBV set to be 1999, and we already had reservations for Oahu for Nov. of 1998, we banked the KBV week into RCI---and began to learn what "go anywhere, anytime you want" really means - go anywhere that is available, at the worst times of the year!  That usually means somewhere over saturated with timeshares (like Orlando or Las Vegas); or where you really want to go (usually only available during off season) if you're lucky enough to catch it as soon as it's banked.  Since we had a really good time on Oahu in 1998, when our next EOY week rolled around in 2001, we decided to go with the sure thing and see exactly what we bought.  We even booked 3 nights on Oahu that year, too, in case we didn't like Kauai.  Ended up liking Kauai even better then Oahu!

And that was the beginning of my Hawaii love affair!  We never banked that week again.  In fact, we bought more and more weeks at Pahio until we had 2 weeks every year (1 bedrooms in even years and 2 bedrooms in odd years).  That worked so well, that when Wyndham took over as the management company (around 2007), we studied up on what Wyndham had to offer and ended up converting our weeks into Wyndham points by buying another EOY 1 bedroom unit at Bali Hai in 2009.  With that purchase, all our Pahio weeks were converted into Wyndham points-so we thought (more on what that means later).  We lucked into a rather inexpensive way to become Platinum VIP in Wyndham (which has been great!).  Part of what got us to convert, was we were told we'd be able to reserve ocean view rooms 13 months out.  That did work for a couple years, then they "learned" that we could only reserve our original type units that far in advance.  But it worked out.  With lots of persistence and patience, we still got a lot of ocean view rooms in the 10 month Wyndham open reservation window and often within the 60 day reservation time when our VIP ((Platinum privileges kicked in with 50% off the number of points normally needed and free upgrades if they're available.    

Since we didn't yet have an even year timeshare week in 2002, we decided to check out the Big Island that year by renting a week at Kona Coast Resort.  Then we went back to Kauai in 2003 and started picking up more Pahio weeks at Kauai Beach Villas.

   (2025 update: A lot has happened to our poor Kauai Beach Villas ownership in the last couple years!  First---a couple years ago they finally "fixed" their error making us VIP Platinum owners.  We used those VIP benefits for a lot of discounted trips and free upgrades!!!  We really should have been VIP Gold.   I'd heard they realized the mistake for awhile, but didn't have a way of correcting it until they totally redid their website a couple years ago.  Of course in the last 15 years or so, they also upped the amount of points needed for the various VIP levels so we no longer qualified for Gold.  Fortunately they Grandfathered us into Gold.  Still a good deal!  In 2023 we were hit with a pretty hefty special assessment for KBV, which I paid.  Unfortunately, in 2025 KBV actually voted to go bankrupt and close at the end of 2025.  That's when I found out "converting to Wyndham" doesn't really mean "converting to Wyndham".  According to Wyndham, it's up to Kauai Beach Villas what happens to our points and they aren't making a "deal" for us to change our home resort with Wyndham---like the other resorts going through bankruptcy this year are.  So, looks like as of 2026 we'll only own the 1 EOY week at Bali Hai in our Wyndham membership.  Some consolation is a Wyndham customer service guy did say we'd maintain our VIP Gold status for that week.  In a way, I'm disappointed since we got some incredible deals with our VIP points.  But I'm also thinking this could be a "happy coincidence" since it would be an easy way  out of a costly timeshare maintenance fee.  Especially since we haven't been able to travel in almost 5 years and the kids aren't able to use that many points.  So, now to wait and see what actually happens.)

2026 update:  KBV did close, but did work with Wyndham to allow us to swap our weeks to Wyndham Club Pass (the group of resorts that split their maintenance fees and there's no individual home resort).  But as of July, Wyndham still hasn't worked it out.  At least we still have quite a few points left and still have our Gold VIP status with just our EOY Bali Hai week.)   

In 2006 I finally made it to Maui with my Dad.  I had read that if you love Kauai as much as we do that you'll hate the hustle and bustle of Maui.  Wrong!---I loved Maui, too.  But we're snorkelers and the shore snorkeling there is fantastic.  I went again in 2012 with my sister.  Hubby was reluctant to go to Maui because he had read the same things about Kauai lovers hating Maui that I did.  But I finally convinced him to go there in 2013 and he loved it, too---probably even more then Kauai.  Since then we've been going to both Kauai and Maui. 

1998 Oahu - first trip to the islands (Jan)

2001 Kauai - first trip to Kauai (Jan.: Helicopter tour, Blue Dolphin Napali cruise, )

         2nd trip to Oahu (Jan.)

2002 The Big Island (Jan)

2003 Kauai with Dad (March)(buy a 2nd week) (Kalalau hike; resort scuba dive; Waimea Canyon)

2003 Oahu with Dad for Sean's reinlistment (Aug. 9-15)

2004 Kauai with Tim and Faith ( March: fern grotto,   McBryde Gargens, Keahua Forestry Arboretum, Smith's luau, Waimea Canyon )

2005 Kauai  (Feb. 7-16: Queen's bath, Niihau snorkel tour, Kipu falls, Waimea Canyon)

2006  Kauai with Tim and Faith, then Dad  (Jan. 29-Feb. 12: Limahuli Gardens; Kauai Museum; Sleeping Giant hike; Kukuiolono golf course; sunset cruise, )

2006 Maui father/daughter trip - first trip to Maui (Oct. 30-Nov. 6)

2007 Kauai (Feb. 26-March 11:  Tandem surfing; Moir Gardens; Secret Beach; Mahaulepu Beach)

2008 Kauai  (March 1-14:  Bike East side trail; Keiki hula; giant North shore waves)

2009 Oahu by myself (Feb. 18-22)

         Kauai with Ken, Angie and Josh (and we convert to Wyndham)  (Feb. 22-March 8:  Napali cruise, Smith's Luau, Waimea)

2010 Kauai with Tim and Faith, again  (Feb. 19-March 5:  Moloaa beach; Gaylord's train; Smith's)

2011 Kauai  (Feb. 10-25:  Shark; vog; Hanapepe; Waimea Canyon; Na Aina Kai Garden; Kanikapila Kakoa Concert)

2012 Kauai with Schneiderjans  (Feb. 16-March 2:  Na Aina Kai; Smith's Luau; Just Live Zip Line; Coffee Plantation; Waimea Canyon; Polihale)

2012 Maui sisters' trip (May 28-June 4)

2013 Maui with Baileys (Feb. 18 - March 6)

2014  Kauai  (Jan. 18-Feb. 4:  Kauai Coast Resort; biking East trail; Smith's Garden; Allerton Garden; Na Aina Kai)

2015 Feb. 6-26
          Kauai  (Feb. 6-12:  6 nights: Lydgate; Anini; high surf)
          Maui  (Feb. 12-26)

2016  8/18 - 9/14 (2 weeks each place)
          Maui   (Aug. 18-30)
          Kauai starting 8/31 (Aug. 31-Sept. 14:  Waimea; St. Regis)

2017  no Hawaiian islands!!!!

2018  Maui for 4 weeks  with Fischers (Jan.-25 - Feb. 22)

2019  Kauai with Carolyn (Jan. 19-Feb. 2) and Maui (Feb. 2-9) by myself

2020  Dang COVID and husband's Glioblastoma cancer diagnosis, our 4 weeks on Maui were cancelled!!!

2021  Covid still raging and Ken's still battling Glioblastoma.  At least I had booked our reservations through Worldmark, so I was able to cancel with no penalty.   I sure miss Hawaii!!!!

2022 Covid not so bad, but Ken still battling GBM and now bedridden.  Reservations cancelled again.

2023  Ken still fighting GBM and entered hospice in Oct.

2024  Ken still fighting GBM and still bedridden

2025  Ken a long term GBM survivor now, still bedridden, still in hospice, and my lock down continues. 

2026  Ken still hanging on with GBM!

With 20+ trips to the islands between 1998 and 2018, we obviously LOVE the islands!  It feels like another home to us!  Can't wait to go home again!

2019 Kauai and Maui:

2019 Kauai and Maui:  (Jan. 19 - Feb.10)

Back in March of 2018, I came across a couple exchange weeks in RCI for Wyndham Shearwater in Kauai for the weeks of Jan. 20th and Jan. 27th.  I know Ken's not a big fan of changing islands, but I was really missing Kauai.   So I asked Ken if he would spend 2 weeks there and 2 weeks in Maui.  He said "whatever", so I immediately booked it before he realized what I was asking.  Sure we're Wyndham owners, but the weeks through RCI for The Shearwater are half the points they would have been directly with Wyndham --- booking that far in advance.  It was like being able to use our Platinum VIP advantage before the 60 day mark!  Except that we couldn't cancel without penalty, and we did have to pay the exchange fees of something like $200/week.  OK, so there are serious advantages to using VIP Wyndham status---which came really apparent shortly before this trip!  But at that time, I was excited with the thought of another trip to the islands.  
Then in April, when a 1 bedroom exchange with RCI came available for The Sands of Kahana for Feb. 2 - Feb. 16, I booked it, too.  Usually we like to get a 2 bedroom unit, but a 2 bedroom exchange in Maui is hard to get, especially in  Feb.  I was even able to book that one as 1 exchange---meaning only 1 exchange fee for the whole 2 weeks.

I also started watching for award travel on either American or Alaska Airlines.  In March, American had a good 20,000 mile fare itinerary for Jan. 19th.  So I booked it.  1 day before our exchanges started, but I'd worry about that later.

Now we were set!   Until June rolled around and Ken's right ankle collapsed due to diabetes---Charcot's.   That changed everything!  To avoid amputation, hospitalization and visits to Dr's became routine.  He had surgery in Oct. to fuse the ankle bones and had his leg broken to lengthen it to make up for the compressed ankle.  With an external fixator on his leg, we knew a trip to Hawaii was out of the question for him. 

2019 Kauai

2019 Kauai (Jan. 19 - Feb. 2):

 After only spending 5 days in Kauai since 2015, I was excited about finally getting back there.  This will be a different trip.  It will be with my sister instead of hubby, but I'm looking forward to seeing her, too.  She has never been to Kauai.  This will be my 15th trip to Kauai since 2001.  It feels like home!  In fact, hubby and I have been on Kauai longer then we've actually been in our current "home" in Perry, Georgia!

2-2-19 Kauai-Maui

Woke up and finished packing up our stuff.  Took more trash and stuff out.  Including these flowers.  I was surprised how well they lasted the whole 2 weeks we were here!  Or almost---we got them on Monday at the farmers' market by Koloa.

 As I was loading the car, it dawned on me that we actually have the condo until tomorrow morning.  So I mentioned to Carolyn that she could come back up here and hang out after dropping me off if she wants.  I believe that's what she did.  (But since she doesn't have a phone, I don't really know.  I do know she turned the car in at 6:30 since the bill was emailed to me. ) 

We still left about 10.  I wanted to get brunch and to the airport plenty early for my flight.  I even let her drive this morning.  I was happy to be able to take pictures from the car again.   So I took these along our drive from the North side to the East side.
Princeville was still pretty well socked in with clouds. 

 Love all the Norfolk Island pines here.  The docent at Na Aina Kai said they were brought to the islands by the early sailors in case they needed new mast poles.

 There's even a waterfall along hwy 56 a short ways from Princeville.

 This clump of trees always fascinated me in our trips back and forth to Princeville.

 as did these trees covered in house plants.

 The mini golf course---sure is landscaped pretty!

 Next to the mini golf was a farmers market.  It seemed to be there several days a week.  I thought it would have been nice to check it out, but didn't get around to it.
and more Norfolk Island pines.

 Love these mountains near Anahola

 blue skies as we made it to the East side

 some of the walking path on the East side near Kealia Beach.

 Even saw a Great White shark!

 The Birkenstock store in Kapaa where I got my new Chacos.

 Didn't even make it to Bubba's this year! 

 Did make it back to Olympic Cafe---for breakfast.  We shared a ham and cheese omelet this time.  It's just the right amount of food for 2 people!  This was my half!

 Looks like there was a market going on just down the street from Olympic Cafe today, too.

 and  a lot of carved wood pieces on the corner.

 As we were leaving, I noticed these pineapples painted on the side of a building not far away.  Really cute!

 We had planned to turn here to get back to the highway, but there were lines down.  Guess it was windy here, too.

 made it to the Wailua bypass.  More pretty East side views.

 back on 56, I found the old Coco Palms to be rather interesting.  Last time we were here it was still boarded up.   Wonder how long it will look like this?!

 cows playing king of the hill

 Made it to the airport.  I was TSA precheck and got through security very quickly.  Then settled in for a 2 1/2 wait for my 2:30 Hawaiian flight.

 Finally on our way!

 bye LIHUE!  Hope to see you next year!  If not sooner!

 Hanamaulu beach near the airport.

 Almost to Kauai Beach Resort.  I specifically picked a seat on the left side of the plane so I could see the Kauai coastline.

 another view of Kauai Beach Resort and Villas (where we usually stay and stayed 6 nights spread out throughout our 2 weeks this trip)

 looks like a tug boat towing something.

 Love that they give you Hawaiian drinks on their flights.

 Lots of clouds still

 flying over Oahu

 more of Oahu

 Hanauma bay

 Lanai?  Molokai?

 A first for me!  Being above a rainbow!

 I had carry on only and hoped to get to the car rental place and be on my way quickly.  Well, that didn't happen!!!!  Instead of going with Budget like I usually do, I had gone with Thrifty since it was about $100 cheaper.  Unfortunately, they didn't have any cars ready.  They had excuses that 4 planes came in at the same time and they were swamped.  I was told my wait would be 45-60 minutes. 

 60 minutes came and went.  There were lots of unhappy people. 

 2 hours later!!!!  I was on my way.  Pretty bad when you have to wait over 2 hours at the airport and another 2 hours for a car for a 40 minute flight!  But I'm here and made it to Sands of Kahana without delays.  Maybe because it was dark and everyone was out to dinner.  But so far I'm impressed with my 1 bedroom unit!  Looks like it's been pretty recently remodeled.  Love the decor!  Can't wait for daylight so I can explore more of it.

2-1-19 chillin' out on the North side

Literally!  It was chilly and rainy.  But it also produced a nice rainbow to welcome the new day.

 It came and went a few times.  Got very vivid for awhile.

 After giving my sister some lessons on the computer, we decided breakfast/lunch was in order.  It was about 2pm.  Ended up heading to Hanalei.  I had hoped we could walk to the pier after lunch, but it was pretty rainy.  Anyway, we decided to go to Tahiti Nui. 

 cute little place.

 Not much going on this time of day.

 The menu looked pretty good---especially the Nana burger!  But I ended up getting the basic burger. 

 Love the posts for the bar stools.

 For as uncrowded as it was, our sandwiches took a long time to come.

 Love the carved tables with the resin over the tops.

 My burger was about $14, but it was good.  As were the fries.  As I was eating it, a lady came in and went to the table next to us.  As she turned to take her back pack off, she knocked my water over.  Ice water on my feet was a bit cold.  But at least it didn't get into my plate of food.

 We went back to the condo and started doing some stuff to prepare for our departure tomorrow---throw trash away, take the recycles out, wash dishes, wash clothes, start organizing all my junk that's managed to spread all over the place!  Also went to the office and printed out my boarding pass and return chairs and noodles.  One last look at the pool area looking towards our unit to the right of the opening between the buildings!

 ok, one more look at the pool towards the office

 Love the foliage along the walkway between the buildings.

 our condo is on the right.  Bet the building on the left has some amazing ocean views!

 When it was time to take a break from "packing", we headed out to throw the petals of our leis into Anini.  On our way, I had to take a picture of these little guys.  Had to quickly take the picture before they ran under my car!  Seen quite a few of them get run over while we've been here!

 This looked like a good place to throw the petals in.  It's been our tradition to throw the petals in the ocean on our last day here.  The first time we came here someone told us if you throw the petals into the ocean and they come back to shore, you'll be back.  It's worked about 20 times so far!  Sure don't want to jinx that!

 Not many people here today

 I even let Carolyn throw some of the petals in.

 Yea!  They came to shore! 

 We will be back!