Coming to Hawaii in June

I will be visiting Hawaii from June 11-25 and was trying to decide whether or not to bring my own protein or if I should buy it there so I don't take up space in my suitcase.  I will be 6 months out from my RNY and looking forward to enjoying your beautiful state.  The last time I was there - I was very slim ( about 27 yrs ago) and didn't worry  about getting in all my protein! LOL!   But this time I don't know what I will be eating and plan to have some protien bars and a few powdered protein packs to supplement just in case.  I am eating almost everything, but have a few issues with some foods that give me an occassional problem, so I don't want to be without something on hand.  Could you suggest some places to pick up protein items, powders, bars etc.  On Oahu we will be at the JW Marriote, on Kauai the Hyatt Regency and Maui - the Hyatt as well.  My son, daughter, their spouses, my 3 granddaughters and DH are taking this long awaited and planned vacation together. My son-in-law, and the grandkids have not been in Hawaii before so it should be very exciting for them to see it for the first time.  I have been taking the stairs and riding a bike to get in shape for the hike to Diamondhead and the trip down Haleakuela.  It will be a great trip and can't wait to get there.  Would love to meet some WLS while on the islands!

Congrats on your surgery and weight loss so far. You' are doing so good. If I were you, I would pack protein powder with you in little individual snack pack ziploc bags. Foods and specialty items such as protein mixes are so dang expensive here!

I live on Kauai. The Hyatt rooms don't have kitchens, neither does the suite. As far as getting your protein in, if you order a smoothie from the bar near their awesome pool, bring one of those little baggies down to the bartender and ask him to whip that right into your smoothie for you. Bring single serve Crystal Lite packets with you(they are much cheaper to purchase where you live).......and just keep bottled water with you in your hotel room to mix it into a wonderful SF drink. You may also want to use the unflavored protein powder and carry it in your purse with you so you can sprinkle some in your foods through out the day. I know how hard it is to concentrate on getting in all your protein when traveling.

How great you and the whole fam get to experience this together!! How old are the grandkids?

aloha,

michelle 

Hi Michelle - thanks for the reply and nice comments.  I did ordered some sample packets from the Vitalady web site, so I think I will pack them - they are in single servings so no measuring.  I already have some crystal lite ready to go into the suitcase!  I usually like a protein bar in the morning, but I may have at least a few times, a lite breakfast at the restarant.  No more breakfast buffets for me!  Even a regular breakfast at the hotel will be too much, but a protein drink and fruit should do it most mornings. You asked about my granddaughters  - My daughters girls are: Karissa is 14, her sister Mikaela is 11. My son's daughter Hannah is 7.  They are great girls and growing up so fast.  We have been having "Hawaii vacation" meetings all year.  We've been meeting at our home and my husband and I decorated the house for our first meeting with palm trees, birds, and my orchids were in bloom so they made a great centerpiece.  I made up some Hawaii menu items and we had fresh fruit salad, macadamia nuts,etc. I printed some Hawaii landmarks from the computer and had them hanging all around.  When they arrived, we put plastic leis on each of them and had plastic flowers for the girl's hair.  It was a great party to kick off our planning session.  Since then we have had monthly get togethers to narrow down all of the wonderful choices of where to go and what to see.  This holiday weekend will be our last official planning session for last minute discussions.  It's three weeks today that we leave, so now we are concentrating on the packing.  All of our reservations are made.  My son called me a few minutes ago and asked if I wanted to do the helicoper tour on Maui.  I would love too, but I don't know if hubby will - he doesn't like heights.  So we will discuss this on Monday.  I'll be getting the decorations out again!  The night before the trip, we are having a pizza party here, then we leave our house at 2:45am to get to my son's house where we will leave the cars and take a limo to the Cleveland airport.  Our flight leaves a few minutes before 6:00am and we are on our way!  We are so excited - can't you tell? Were you born on the islands?  Do you live near the Hyatt?  We have been looking at maps to get a sence of where things are.  It looks and sounds like a wonderful place to live, but I imagine that like most of us, the locals have jobs and aren't on vacation year round.  Sometimes we forget that like other places in the world, life goes on!  Well, thanks again for your reply.  I really appreciate your help.  Aloha!

You sound so excited and so ready for this vacation. And so so so so organized. Wooohoooo! Sounds fun to have all that Hawaii paraphanelia out during the planning and brainstorming stages of the trip. Puts people in the right mood. Cool! I am going to use that idea next time we go somewhere big with the family.

I was asking the ages of the kids so I could give you ideas on what would interest them. Most older aged teens tend to get bored on Kauai but love Oahu. 14, 11 and 7.........there is Tubing in the mountains. I heard that trip is pretty mellow. And for a more adventurous group there is Zip Lining........heard that one is a blast. I recently a few weeks ago went to the Botanical Gardens for my first time ever...........it was neat! A zodiac ride on the Na Pali Coast is fun fun fun.........i loved it! If any of you have bad backs, or other health issues, a better way to see the Na Pali Coast would be by Catamaran. It's a wonderful day trip.........snorkeling, lunch and beach...........so so so so awesome. And of course a luau is a wonderful family dinner and show.....a great way to experience all of our ethnic Hawaiian foods........okay, maybe for you.....you could just taste. Maybe even ask for a childs price and show them your WLS card when booking the reservation.

I was born in California and moved here when I was 6. My dad was born and raised here. I live about 11 miles from the Hyatt. In fact, up until February, i worked at the resort right next door to the Hyatt for many years. One of my good friends works at the front desk at the Hyatt. Her name is Norma. Kauai is a VERY wonderful place to live, Beautiful, small, lots of different people........basically a melting pot. Only downfall........it's super expensive to live here. Take a peek at a gallon of milk if you guys make it into a grocery store......oh gosh! $8.59 when it's not on sale.

Let me know if you need any ideas, info or recommendations.

aloha,

michelle

Thanks for the ideas!  My son called yesterday and asked if I wanted to do a helicopter ride!  I am up to it, but don't think hubby will.  We are meeting on Monday to make our final plans, so if I have any other questions, I'll be back on.  You have been very helpful.  And I hope I can meet Norma while we are there.  You mentioned the milk expence - Wow that's really high.  I suppose that gas is high as well.  We are around $4 a gallon now in Ohio, a bit lower than some other nearby states. I will post again before we leave! 

Gas at Costco was yesterday was either $4.06 or $4.09 per gallon for Regular........ugggh!!

Just let me know if you need anything else.....

aloha

michelle

ps-and have an awesome weekend!

Yes - gas prices are a big problem here.  My hubby travels alot and was calculating how much it would cost to go to Canada next week which is 600 miles.  It would take three days too, so he may think about a flight to Toronto.  It's a concern but he needs to do what his boss asks. Well, tomarrow we are going to try to picnic but expect scattered thunderstorms.  There are lots of tornados in the midwest and sometimes they come into Ohio.  Some of the storms could get severe!  But since they are scattered, we may not see a drop of water.  Thats the way it is here!  I just finished the potatoe salad, jello and pasta salad, along with the veggie tray and just need to clean up the mess!  We will grill steaks if we don't have a storm. Hope you have a great holiday too!