Looking to go sometime in August and trying to figure out which island to stay at. Anyone have recommendations on island/hotels and what activities to do while I'm there?

The good thing about Hawaii is that you can do just about anything you want / like to do. That said, there are some islands that give you more or less of those things.

If you've never been, Maui is a good option. There's good shopping, dining, lodging, and plenty of outdoor things to do as well. In other words, it's a pretty good mix.

If you want something more outdoor-oriented and are willing to give up the (upscale) shopping, Kauai is a good option. Still nice places to stay and eat, but the focus there is really to get outside and enjoy the island.

I've never been to Oahu, but obviously you'll have a larger city in Honolulu, and you can visit Pearl Harbor / the Arizona (something I would love to do one day), etc...

Anyway, I don't think there's a bad choice. It comes down to what you want to spend your time doing. Have fun!

It depends on what you're looking for, how long you'll be there, etc.

We've been to Maui, Kauai and Hawaii and you can get the "Hawaii experience" on any of them, but each island has it's own thing going for it.

We bought "Hawaii for Dummies" and would recommend that to anyone, both to help plan the trip and as a local guide once you're there.


Maui - we spent most of the time relaxing at the hotel/resort and on the beach. The Road to Hana is a "must do", plan on a FULL day to do some side hikes to see some waterfalls. Go to Haleakalā National Park your first morning for the sunrise (you have to wake up at 3am, but that's 9am CST)
Old Lahaina Luau (I've been told) is the best in Hawaii.

Hawaii - We wanted to focus on the Volcano National Park, we did some pretty rugged hiking, but there are driving tours and "nature walks" for the less adventurous. Go down to the coast at night and you can see the red hot lava pouring into the ocean.

Kauai - Most natural of the easily accessible islands (think Jurassic Park aerial scenes). Lots of hiking options. We enjoyed the catamaran/snorkeling tour off the Napali Coast. Waimea Canyon is a nice visit even for non-hikers.

We haven't been to Ohau, except for an intentionally long layover to visit Pearl Harbor on our way home.

We prefer Kauai. If its just the two of you, stay here. You absolutely won't regret it.

http://www.vrbo.com/95898

Maui, Kuaui

If you have never been, Maui and take a day trip to Oahu to see Pearl Harbor. If you have been before, I vote for Kaui.

Wait til late November or December.

Oh, and follow the advise from 12Th Man if you've never been.

[This message has been edited by AGSPORTSFAN07 (edited 6/20/2012 9:45a).]

Thank you for all the advice! We actually booked yesterday and are going to be on The Big Island and staying at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Helicopter tour of the volcano, snorkeling, windsurfing etc. are all in the works. We will be spending one day in Honolulu at the end of the vacation and I'd love to visit Pearl Harbor.

Suggestions on places to eat?

[This message has been edited by agEE09 (edited 6/20/2012 10:43a).]

The Big Island is very cool. We've stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa twice in the last two years and loved it.

I highly recommend the Mauna Kea Summit Adventures stargazing tour. maunakea.com They take you up to the observatories to watch the sunset from above the clouds and then part way down for stargazing through high quality telescopes. We did it on both trips and would definitely go again.

As for dining, try Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill in Kailua-Kona. We drove past the chain restaurants over the complaints of my hungry teen daughters, but once we got there, they absolutely loved this place. One of the best meals we had. Save room for dessert! It is a haul from Waikoloa, but everything is.

Have fun!

We are also looking to go to Hawaii. This will be our second trip to visit my brother who is stationed over there. Last time we took the 7 night island cruise. This time we want to stay on either Kauia or Maui for a few days after the family visit. Anybody have any other hotel suggestions? Preferable somewhere to relax an sit by a pool and sip on some drinks.

Do yourself a favor...while you're on the Big Island, go visit the Prince at Hapuna beach. Thank me later.

I'll be on the Big Island next year for my family reunion. I'm looking forward to my kids meeting their Ohana on the Hawaiian side. Should be interesting cause only one of my kids actually looks Hawaiian. The rest take after their haole mother.

Kauai!!

The best thing you can do is buy the book Big Island Revealed. The Revealed series is the absolute best set of Hawaiian travel guides out there.

quote:

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Wait til late November or December.

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Why? Can anyone provide pros/cons to going to HI at different times of the year?

Planning first trip for wife and I. no idea where to go/stay or even when to go.

If this helps - we will want to scuba and do other outdoors stuff- biking, hiking, ATV etc. and will want a good beach at our accomodations. Don't give two craps about shopping and we're too old for clubbing type of night life.

Just got back last week from a 10 day trip. We spent 5 nights on Maui at the Grand Wailea, and 4 nights on Oahu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Grand Wailea was awesome, with a nice pool complex with slides and a great beach. We did a helicopter tour of west Maui and Molikai - the waterfalls, valleys, & sea cliffs were amazing. We also did a snorkeling trip to Molokini and turtle town and it didn't disappoint either.

On Oahu, we did an all day tour that took us to Pearl Harbor, North Shore, & the Dole Plantation. Waves weren't real big at North Shore, and Dole was packed. We've been to the Big Island before, and prefer it and Maui. You must see Pearl Harbor though........

The North Shore is very calm at most locations in the summer, very good for snorkeling. The big waves don't arrive until Novemberish and last through the winter.

Maui: luau, see the sun rise at Haleakala, then bike ride down 29 miles (lots of fun for any age), nice golf courses to choose from, drive the Hana road. Sugar museum, Pa'ia, Spend the day shopping in Lahaina. Then fly to Hawaii (Big Island). Stay on the west side (dry side). Highly recommend a helicopter tour of the island. Drive to the Kilauea Volcano & tour. Shop in Kona. Make sure your departing flight from Oahu is in the afternoon. That way you can visit the Arizona Memorial that morning.

Can't go wrong with any of the islands. But do spend a night or 2 on Oahu so you can go to Pearl Harbor. It is very moving and is something every American who makes it to Hawaii should do.

Heading to Oahu this afternoon from Houston for a week.

Thinking of spending 6-7 nights in Maui, all of the above suggestions are great. Hawaii is the best.

I just booked a 14 day trip arriving in Maui and leaving Kauai. I haven't booked the inter-island flight yet but I'm thinking 7 days in each. This will be my first trip to Maui...can't wait!