You will need to fly into HNL (Honolulu / "Daniel K. Inouye") airport, which is about a 20 minute drive from Waikiki and an our drive from the wedding venue & accommodations.
If you're flying out of Boston Logan, there is one nonstop flight on Hawaiian Airlines available most days (but not every day) of the week. The average price is around $350 each way, but you can sometimes find it for less (check different dates if possible). The flight here is about 10.5 hours and the returning flight is roughly 9.5 hours; while it's long, it is an easier journey than you'll have with a connecting flight.
Connecting flights average around 12 hours each way. Choose a flight that has ideally at least a 1.5 hour layover to avoid running through the airport if your flight is delayed. It's also wise to avoid connecting in cities that are prone to snow storms due to potential closures.
We invite all guests flying in to stay with us for 3 nights (Oct 24-27) in Makaha Valley, within walking distance of the venue. This is a remote area of the island with stunning views & beaches, and little else.
We are arranging rooms for off island guests in shared airbnbs. They are in a gated community within walking distance of each other and the venue. All of them have 4 bedrooms and a full kitchen.
Please let us know on the rsvp if you'd like us to reserve a room for you. There are also more airbnbs in the same neighborhood in Makaha if you want to book a private house nearby.
If you'd prefer to stay in a hotel, both Ko Olina and Disney Aulani resorts are about a 25 minute drive and Waikiki is an hour drive without traffic.
Friday, October 24
4 pm or later : check into airbnbs
6 pm : welcome dinner at host's airbnb
Saturday, October 25
2 pm : wedding starts
lunch & dinner served throughout the day
sunset: ceremony
10 pm : quiet afterparty
Sunday, October 26
at your leisure : beach day at yokohama
picnic lunch
Monday, October 27
10 am : check out of airbnbs
The most convenient place for visitors to stay is in Waikiki, which is 20 minutes from the airport and also from our house on Woodlawn Terrace Drive. Waikiki is a bustling Honolulu neighborhood that caters almost exclusively to tourists, offering ample hotels and restaurants on (or very close to) the beach all within easy walking distance.
Deanna's immediate family will be staying in Jim's favorite, the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is very much a family resort. If you're looking for a more relaxing environment, check out some of the boutique hotels in the area like Surfjack, Laylow & Romer House.
Note that all of Waikiki is very touristy (think a little bit of Las Vegas on the beach). Once you cross over the border (east of Kapahulu Avenue and north / west of Ala Wai Boulevard), you'll get a more local experience. There are a handful of hotels in Honolulu 0utside of Waikiki.
Due to very strict interim transit laws, Airbnbs are extremely limited here. If you prefer to go this route, feel free to reach out to Deanna before booking to confirm it's a good location.
We will be around before and after the wedding weekend (no immediate honeymoon) so we would love to spend as much time as possible with everyone who makes the trek! Halloween on Oahu is also a very fun time to be here if you decide to stick around for it.
Please get in touch with us for assistance in choosing the best accommodations!
If you are staying with us in Makaha plus just a night or two in Waikiki on either end, you can probably manage to avoid renting a car. We will coordinate carpooling to Makaha Valley for the 24th - 27th, and once there you really won't need a car. You can easily uber between the airport and Waikiki for about $30-$40.
If you're staying longer and would like to explore more of the island while you're here, then renting a car is the way to go. Oahu has so much more to offer outside of Waikiki, including spectacular (and much less crowded) beaches, gorgeous hikes for all skill levels, amazing restaurants and unique events & attractions.
Note that parking at hotels in Waikiki can be pricy, so check inquire with the hotels you're looking to book with.
NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING VALUABLE UNATTENDED IN YOUR RENTAL CAR. Car break ins are a problem here, and rentals are especially targeted. Keep valuables on you or in a locked trunk.
Oahu has pretty consistently warm temperatures year round. Daytime in late October is usually in the high 70s up to mid 80s. It can get slightly cooler at night, typically in the mid to low 70s (almost never below 70º).
Attire in general is casual throughout Hawaii: shorts & tee shirts or aloha shirts for men, and beachy dresses, tanks, shorts, skirts or light pants for women.
Pack for hot days and bring just an extra layer or two for cool evenings. A long sleeve shirt is usually enough, but a jean jacket or hoodie that you can layer is plenty. Note that the planes will often be colder than any weather you'll experience here, so keep your warm layers accessible in transit!
We will just be entering into the rainy season but hopefully days will stay fairly dry for most of the island. A light rain jacket can be useful if you want to potentially do jungle hikes or outdoor exploring in rainy weather.
Make sure to bring a hat & sunglasses, a couple of bathing suits, comfortable sandals for the beach & beyond, and sneakers you can walk and hike in (leave the heels at home). Be sure that your sunscreen is reef safe, or pick one up here.
For the wedding: sundresses or garden party attire for women, and aloha shirts with shorts or pants for men. Flat sandals are recommended ~ we'll be on the grass, and it will be hot!
If you have a layover, I highly suggest packing light and sticking to carry-on bags only.