Regardless of who owns Turtle Bay, it shouldn't have any impact on visitors. The resort recently underwent a $70 million renovation, which covered everything on the property. The 42 oceanfront cottages, if you can afford $950 a night, are honeymoon-worthy. There are oceanfront villas that rent for $1,200 to $2,500 a night. The hotel also has 443 guest rooms and suites that cost closer to $460 a night. Turtle Bay has four restaurants, two pools, a surfing school, spa, helicopter rides, horseback riding and hiking.
Frank Kares brings his two kids from Danville, Calif., every December. "We came out last year, we came out this year and we're coming back again next year," he says, getting ready to tee off on the 18th hole of the Palmer Course. "Tomorrow we're going to the Polynesian Village. Last year we did Pearl Harbor. There's a lot of stuff to do. I even went on the 40-minute helicopter tour -- and I'm afraid of heights."
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
A FINE NINE
A few miles down the country road from Turtle Bay is the Kahuku Golf Course (co.honolulu.hi.us/des/golf/kahuku.htm). With four holes running along the Pacific Ocean,
it's arguably one of the greatest deals in nine-hole golf. Out-of-towners play for $10. You can fit the amount of pretension at Kahuku (right) on the tip of your tee.
TRADITION
Immerse yourself in South Pacific culture at the 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center (polynesia.com), where you can take in "the largest Polynesian song-and-dance show in the world." There's a luau every evening.
FEELING CHUMMY?
How about climbing off a boat into a cage and going face to fins with such sharks as the Galapagos, grey reef and the occasional tiger or whale shark (sharktourshawaii.com)?
The price: $120, or half that for kids under the age of 12.
RACK 'EM UP
Lei Lei's Bar and Grill, next to the golf shop of the Palmer Course, is a great spot for food. The fish is as good as you'd expect in Hawaii, and the fall-off-the-bone pork ribs are memorable. The Tiki-torch dining and casual atmosphere make this a more fitting option than 21 Degrees, which is very formal for Hawaii and whose service is sometimes slow.
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