Actually I've just been horribly MIA lately. The tonsils aren't coming out till the 28th, so I've just been busy lately, you know, fixing V-Dubs and all...
I was lucky when I got here in that the airstation had some rooms on base that I could stay in, and didn't have to deal with hotels. I may not be too much help in that regard.
I do live in Kailua though, one of the places you were talking about. It takes me 45 min in the morning to get to work across the island, and I'm usually moving at the speed limit the whole time. That's around 6 am to 6:45 To get to sand island I'd probably take the H3 into Kaneohe, then the Likelike over, that'd keep you heading south and west, which is away from town, where everyone else is headed, unlike the H3 to the H1, which curves back towards town and will join you with all the traffic. This all probably means nothing to you yet since you don't live here and know the island, but who knows. Basically, I live on the windward side of the island and absolutely love it, it's gorgeous and totally worth the drive. If you have any more questions though, don't hesitate to call - 480-678-2457. And you're totally fine to write and ask about whatever you want here. It's Hawaii, and we look after each other here.