Erica and I love Ko Olina after living there for 2 years. Leave your questions on Ko Olina in the comments and we will answer quickly. Mahalo for watching!
Am thinking of taking my family wife and 3 kids for a school year ( kids will be 10, 6,5) want them to experience school in another state. Was thinking of a 9 month stay in the condos across from the hotels as they are furnished, is there a lot of other families sending kids to school? Thank you
Just got back from a week at a Ko Olina resort area and it was great! Snorkeling was decent there along the rocks and visibility was better in the morning during a low tide as wave energy from the ocean was lower. Saw turtles, crab, an octopus and literally every fish on my fish ID card with the exception of a shark and a few others. One of the highlights was seeing a large Bluefin Trevalley that came out of the shallows and did a "pardon me, excuse me, pardon me" on it's way back to hide in the rocks. It was great! Love the area!
1. How far is the best snorkeling (beginner) from ko olina? 2. Does the shuttle still run? 3. Besides bfast, can rental guests get day passes for other Disney activities? Thanks so much for this vid. Super helpful!
Very helpful general info, thanks! Your website's been a lifesaver for our stay over the holidays this year (12/2022) planning, with both Waikiki and Aulani reservations. I see by the time stamp this video was originally posted in "the before times" prior to the new world we're now experiencing. If/when you get a chance to do an update, I'm sure many of us would love to know what's STILL available (e.g., eating spots at that lovely shopping center!) and what's no longer available (e.g.: shuttle still in use?). Thanks for your very helpful and informative guides and video content! I'll be watching a lot more as we firm up our plans!
We have already filmed the update, just need to get it released! Ko Olina hasn't changed much but the shuttle was gone during our last visit. Thanks for reading our website!
I went on a non-stop flight from the east coast of the US to Oahu this January. It was tiring, but from the time we landed and until the time I got to the airport for the flight back was AMAZING. I stayed at the Aulani Resort, it was beautiful.
Ko Olina was an amazing vacation place, restaurants were nice, beaches were amazing, and the hiking on Oahu is amazing overall. This guide covers everything you need to know, including the full guide. Thanks for the great video! (By the way, it is depressing to leave Hawaii and come back to snow and ten degree weather after 10 days at Aulani.)
We are thinking of staying in the villas this summer (pending COVID restrictions). Do we have access to all of the lagoons? What about the swimming pools at the other 3 hotels? Would they allow us to use the Disney swimming pools without charge?
All beaches in Hawaii are public so the lagoons are all public access. You must stay at the hotels to use their swimming pools, including Disney's Aulani. They do not offer day passes and guests get pool bracelets. Have a great vacation!
Hi, thank you for the video. I’m traveling with my family there soon. You guys lived there for 2 years. Any issues with all the fuel storage and refineries nearby?
Watch our updated one: The ULTIMATE Guide to Ko Olina Resort | Disney, Four Seasons, Marriott, and More! ua-cam.com/video/futdCYees3A/v-deo.html The refinery and import terminal haven’t been an issue. The wind blows offshore. The closest refinery is now an import terminal so little emissions. The blast radius of the propane tanks touched the Marriott but I doubt they use them now.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thank you for being willing to entertain such an unpopular question. By “the blast radius of the propane tanks touched the Marriott” you mean they would touch the Marriott or did an accident already happen?
I’m not familiar with a beach rental shop in Ko Olina. They have sup rental at lagoon 4. You can find rental in Kapolei and Waikiki and other places on the island.
Thank you for the VDO. It's very helpful and I can imagine about Ko Olina now. I plan to travel in Hawaii and stay at Marriott's Ko Olina for 2 weeks. I travel alone so I would like to save transportation fee. Is it possible to travel by bus? Like, I stay in Ko Olina and go to visit places in Waikiki.
The Bus is the best on Oahu compared to public transport on other islands but it will take a long time to travel across the island using the bus. Check the schedules before you commit.
Have not been here since 2012 but coming early 2022. We stayed at the JW Marriott Ihilani in 2006, which in 2012 was closed for a massive renovation. Apparently part of that (or maybe after) was it becoming a Four Seasons. Are there still sharks in those pools by the walkways? That was super cool. I asked where the ice machine was and they said they deliver it. 30 seconds after I hung up it was at the door. Yeah, nice place. Was also fun (for me) to go down to that ginormous lobby very early AM and wait for the coffee to come on. Me and like 30 or 40 other guys from Eastern US still on our Eastern US internal clock. Lots of fun conversations.
good memories. When the Pro Bowl was on O'ahu, all the players, families, etc. would stay at the JW in Ko Olina. The movie Blue Crush opens with them cleaning rooms at there, fun to see it. The sharks are gone when they converted to the Four Seasons but it still looks like the JW, not much has changed. They did another remodel during COVID but not extensive.
Yes, you can go in and walk around as the restaurants are public. You can walk around Aulani too as one can go to the character breakfast when it opens again.
Have to comment on the "green flash" eyeroll. It's a real thing. A nautical classic reference "The American Practical Navigator" by Bowditch (fellow Navy folks may just remember it as "Bowditch" )tells about it. 4 years of ocean sunsets and I never once saw it. Have never seen it at KoOlina, either. But it IS in the book. Jordan is right about it being a real thing.
She has come around to it. I now have my son never blinking at sunset. Once I showed her the Wikipedia page, she started to believe me. I will see it someday. Never. Give. Up.
It was a great place to live! Our jobs took us elsewhere. I will say one thing to know is that at times it feels very secluded being so far away from other spots on the island and the traffic can be tough.
There are public parking lots at each lagoon. Follow the signs. The lots have about twenty to thirty spaces. Lagoon 4 parking lot is the largest with over 100. We give parking tips in our itinerary.
Erica and I love Ko Olina after living there for 2 years. Leave your questions on Ko Olina in the comments and we will answer quickly. Mahalo for watching!
We're sailing to Ko Olina from Mexico in the Spring - very excited!!
Am thinking of taking my family wife and 3 kids for a school year ( kids will be 10, 6,5) want them to experience school in another state. Was thinking of a 9 month stay in the condos across from the hotels as they are furnished, is there a lot of other families sending kids to school? Thank you
@@gameingwithk4693 Aloha! When we lived in Ko Olina we did not have kids. Our neighbor who had kids your ages sent them to private school.
Just got back from a week at a Ko Olina resort area and it was great! Snorkeling was decent there along the rocks and visibility was better in the morning during a low tide as wave energy from the ocean was lower. Saw turtles, crab, an octopus and literally every fish on my fish ID card with the exception of a shark and a few others. One of the highlights was seeing a large Bluefin Trevalley that came out of the shallows and did a "pardon me, excuse me, pardon me" on it's way back to hide in the rocks. It was great! Love the area!
thanks for sharing! that is cool that you got to see a large bluefin!
You guys honestly do all the work for us. Thank you so much, I’m excited to visit.
Have a great trip!
Love the hosts (Sweet Baby Little Big Man included) and content. Ready for my island getaway!! Thanks
thanks for watching this oldie but goodie. we are looking forward to remaking it. Have a great trip to Ko Olina!
You guy's are ROCK STARS !!! I love your videos on Instagram !! Extremely informative ! Keep up the good work !
1. How far is the best snorkeling (beginner) from ko olina?
2. Does the shuttle still run?
3. Besides bfast, can rental guests get day passes for other Disney activities?
Thanks so much for this vid. Super helpful!
Thanks x th video , remenbering my stay on Aulani 4 years ego, it was one of the best experience in my whole life ...!
We need to bring our son there for a stay. He would love the water park. Thanks for watching and I hope you can make it back soon.
Fantastic info on the area, thank you!
thanks for watching! we are remaking it but the info here is still good. The Ko Olina shuttle stopped running.
Thank you! Very informative! Arriving Aug 31st!
check out our new Ko Olina Guide here: ua-cam.com/video/futdCYees3A/v-deo.html
Very helpful general info, thanks! Your website's been a lifesaver for our stay over the holidays this year (12/2022) planning, with both Waikiki and Aulani reservations. I see by the time stamp this video was originally posted in "the before times" prior to the new world we're now experiencing. If/when you get a chance to do an update, I'm sure many of us would love to know what's STILL available (e.g., eating spots at that lovely shopping center!) and what's no longer available (e.g.: shuttle still in use?). Thanks for your very helpful and informative guides and video content! I'll be watching a lot more as we firm up our plans!
We have already filmed the update, just need to get it released! Ko Olina hasn't changed much but the shuttle was gone during our last visit. Thanks for reading our website!
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide Thanks!
I went on a non-stop flight from the east coast of the US to Oahu this January. It was tiring, but from the time we landed and until the time I got to the airport for the flight back was AMAZING. I stayed at the Aulani Resort, it was beautiful.
Ko Olina was an amazing vacation place, restaurants were nice, beaches were amazing, and the hiking on Oahu is amazing overall. This guide covers everything you need to know, including the full guide. Thanks for the great video! (By the way, it is depressing to leave Hawaii and come back to snow and ten degree weather after 10 days at Aulani.)
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear you had a good time. We just got back from Ko Olina too. Always a nice experience
Are the tents and umbrella seating on Lagoon for public use? If not staying at the resorts?. Also any good spot for family breakfast close by?
We are thinking of staying in the villas this summer (pending COVID restrictions). Do we have access to all of the lagoons? What about the swimming pools at the other 3 hotels? Would they allow us to use the Disney swimming pools without charge?
All beaches in Hawaii are public so the lagoons are all public access. You must stay at the hotels to use their swimming pools, including Disney's Aulani. They do not offer day passes and guests get pool bracelets. Have a great vacation!
Hi, thank you for the video. I’m traveling with my family there soon. You guys lived there for 2 years. Any issues with all the fuel storage and refineries nearby?
Watch our updated one: The ULTIMATE Guide to Ko Olina Resort | Disney, Four Seasons, Marriott, and More!
ua-cam.com/video/futdCYees3A/v-deo.html
The refinery and import terminal haven’t been an issue. The wind blows offshore. The closest refinery is now an import terminal so little emissions. The blast radius of the propane tanks touched the Marriott but I doubt they use them now.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thanks for the prompt reply! Awesome videos and beautiful family!
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thank you for being willing to entertain such an unpopular question. By “the blast radius of the propane tanks touched the Marriott” you mean they would touch the Marriott or did an accident already happen?
If you don’t have beach equipment. Can you rent?
I’m not familiar with a beach rental shop in Ko Olina. They have sup rental at lagoon 4. You can find rental in Kapolei and Waikiki and other places on the island.
We love your family & your program.You energy is inspiring.We might be in Ko Olina next year..🙂
Thank you for the VDO. It's very helpful and I can imagine about Ko Olina now. I plan to travel in Hawaii and stay at Marriott's Ko Olina for 2 weeks. I travel alone so I would like to save transportation fee. Is it possible to travel by bus? Like, I stay in Ko Olina and go to visit places in Waikiki.
The Bus is the best on Oahu compared to public transport on other islands but it will take a long time to travel across the island using the bus. Check the schedules before you commit.
Have not been here since 2012 but coming early 2022. We stayed at the JW Marriott Ihilani in 2006, which in 2012 was closed for a massive renovation. Apparently part of that (or maybe after) was it becoming a Four Seasons. Are there still sharks in those pools by the walkways? That was super cool. I asked where the ice machine was and they said they deliver it. 30 seconds after I hung up it was at the door. Yeah, nice place. Was also fun (for me) to go down to that ginormous lobby very early AM and wait for the coffee to come on. Me and like 30 or 40 other guys from Eastern US still on our Eastern US internal clock. Lots of fun conversations.
good memories. When the Pro Bowl was on O'ahu, all the players, families, etc. would stay at the JW in Ko Olina. The movie Blue Crush opens with them cleaning rooms at there, fun to see it. The sharks are gone when they converted to the Four Seasons but it still looks like the JW, not much has changed. They did another remodel during COVID but not extensive.
Do any of the four resorts allow and sell day passes for pool and restaurant use for non-guests?
Restaurants are open to all but day passes depend on the hotel. Many stopped offering them during the pandemic.
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide Thank you! Love your videos
Can you go inside those hotels even you are not a guest?! If you just wanna see the grounds and walk around.
Yes, you can go in and walk around as the restaurants are public. You can walk around Aulani too as one can go to the character breakfast when it opens again.
Can I go to lagoon 1 even if I'm not staying at any of the resorts? Where to park?
all the lagoons are public and there is public parking lots at each lagoon. have a nice trip!
@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thank you for putting in the work it's very helpful.
Have to comment on the "green flash" eyeroll. It's a real thing. A nautical classic reference "The American Practical Navigator" by Bowditch (fellow Navy folks may just remember it as "Bowditch" )tells about it. 4 years of ocean sunsets and I never once saw it. Have never seen it at KoOlina, either. But it IS in the book. Jordan is right about it being a real thing.
She has come around to it. I now have my son never blinking at sunset. Once I showed her the Wikipedia page, she started to believe me. I will see it someday. Never. Give. Up.
Thinking of moving there why did u leave.?
It was a great place to live! Our jobs took us elsewhere. I will say one thing to know is that at times it feels very secluded being so far away from other spots on the island and the traffic can be tough.
Where s the public access ? You can use the hotel parking and go to lagoon????
There are public parking lots at each lagoon. Follow the signs. The lots have about twenty to thirty spaces. Lagoon 4 parking lot is the largest with over 100. We give parking tips in our itinerary.
Dear sweet friend: wich country on this country
how strict are mask and social distancing laws right now? Are masks required on the beach?
They are strict. Masks required when walking the beach but not sitting
any cheap/free parking?
there is free public parking at each lagoon. The largest lot is at lagoon 4.
I keep finding the opposite that Turtle Bay is WAY more expensive that Ko Olina. Maybe it's because it is being remodeled.
Yes, they have increased their prices with the remodel. We will see how that goes for them. The place is going to be very nice though.
Maybe some prices would be good! NFL players staying there. I guess just the elite can afford to stay there for 2 weeks . Give me a break!
Take out a second mortgage to stay at the hotels there
3:05