I have visited the islands but I have not camped there. I do love this website and I think it might be a good resource for you - http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/accom/dxcc.htm

Anini Beach is a nice place to camp on Kaui.

What is an affordable accomodation rate in $$USD?

I posted this one (Big Island) elsewhere a bit ago; love the location (Waikoloa Beach resort, swim and snorkel A-Bay), and I don't think you could get a more affordable place (we actually paid more for this unit). Nice 2 bd, 2 bath, great pool, etc. If they are booked (I didn't check the calendar), there are lots of condos in that area on VRBO: http://www.vrbo.com/413069

starrs, thanks for the website recommendation. I'll check out their camping/cabins section.

placename, as far as what's affordable, I want to say $100-125, but that doesn't seem to be realistic for Hawaii (esp. considering cleaning fees, resort fees, parking, etc.). Hence, camping seems like our best bet.

Sylvia, thanks for the recommendation. That's exactly what we are looking for, but all these places seem to have a 5 night minimum, which doesn't work for us.

You might try bed and breakfasts. They are in that price range. In Kihei on Maui, What a Wonderful World might work for you. See the website. We have also stayed at B&Bs on Kauai and Big Island. You are not usually on the water, but you're normally not far away.

We stayed here when we visited Volcanoes - http://www.haleohia.com/rooms.htm We were in Cottage 44 - slept in the water tank - but they have a couple of suites in your price range. We really liked the location.

Not sure if you are interested in staying a few nights on the Hilo side, but we stayed here and it was a beautiful condo at a great price. $95 a night.

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/231062

There are no roads to the "beautiful cliffs" in Kauai. You can only see them from boat or helicopter.

Have slept on a boat in Hawaii - but never camped there. Would be great. Hope you file a post trip report.

We once rented a camper on the Big Island- don't know if they are still doing that but we sure had fun- however, that was a few years ago - don't want to admit to how many.

There are fairly inexpensive, rustic cabins on Kauai in Kokee.Should be able to find a link on line.

There are state park cabins on Maui in the Hana side as well as on the Big Island.

I would not recommend camping in Hawaii. That is from a local's perspective.

okoshi, why do you say that? Safety reasons or just inconveniences (eg. weather)?

We stayed for 4 nights at that condo; we also got 2 nights at a cottage in Kapoho, 1 B&B night in Volcano, and another place (near where you could walk to the lava, but I've forgotten the subdivision) for only 1 night. All of these had longer minimums, but their calendars were open and they accepted fewer nights when we asked.
I suggest calling or emailing if there's a place you think you'd like, and just asking; all they can say is sorry, no, or they might agree!

thanks sylvia, I didn't realize they are flexible on the rules. that was really holding me back from contacting any places, but now I will!

another question to anyone who has been to Maui, would the north/west (eg Lahaina) or south/west (eg. Kihei) be better for beaches and snorkeling? What about restaurants?
thanks!

Our friends from Waimea had a cabin up in Kokee (The Mauka cabin - which was before the State of Hawaii decided to foreclose on all of the locals' cabins. Guess they wanted to hasve a monopoly on renting out cabins. Such a shame.)

It was so peaceful - and you had to cut the wood for the fire that warmed the hot water.

There was a stack of some old comics over in the corner (this was back in the 70's) - and I told them I thought they had some collectors items that were worth some coin.

They showed us such Ohana. Their niece worked with my wife - and the four of us (two couples) just had a blast - as these 67 year young grandparents showed us all around Kauai - just wore us out.

They also gave my wife a Niihau shell necklace (one of their friends at the local hospital was from Niihau) and years later, we were up at the Grand Canyon/Kokee - at an overlook - when a guide for some bicycle group told us the necklace was now probably worth a $1,000. Double

We have snorkeled at the far north end of Maui - and it was great - and also at the far south end of Kiehei (that was years ago) - at La Perouse Bay (you had to drive over lava rock to get there way back when) - and that was also great.

There is also good snorkeling out along the Black Rock? - by the old Sheraton in Kaanapali.

And when we were at La Perouse Bay - a couple local guys shot some fish there (spear fishing) and they were stoked that they were going to have a big party that night. Think it was Ulua which are very tasty. http://tinyurl.com/8yatjr8

Today - I think it's much easier to get to La Perouse Bay than it was in the 70's. http://www.hawaiigaga.com/maui/attractions/laperouse-bay.aspx

BTW - I think Okoski might mean camping may not be the best idea if you are a Haole. Some locals, rightfully so IMO - feel it's really their beaches to camp at - and the tourists can go just go stay elsewhere. So it wouldn't be surprising if your camp site was picked clean of valuables.

There are places you should not camp because of theft, intimidation and some incidents of violence, which did include the murder of two tourists. These would be Issac Hale, Mackenzie, and Milolii on The Big Island. There are problems with some poorly maintained campsites (trash accumulations, damaged toilets or showers). Ho'okena used to be a problem area, but it is operated as a supervised private campground and is safe now. There is camping at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, but because of the elevation, it is quite cool and can be rainy. You need to be prepared.

http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/camping.shtml


On Maui, portions of the La Perouse Bay Marine Preserve are closed to snorkeling.

In south Maui, Malakua Beach (in front of Makena Resort) is a very nice beach and has good snorkeling.

Please make sure and double check that the information given on some above posts is current. Someone's reminiscences from 30 years ago probably will not reflect current situations.

tomsd, thanks - I didn't realize that camping could be seen as intrusive or disrespectful to the locals. That is the last thing I would want to do when visiting a place Are there camp sites that are more appropriate for visitors to camp at?

You should also check posts on the Hawaii branch of TripAdvisor.com

There are many more respondents, many of whom live on the islands and can also provide current information.

"Some locals, rightfully so IMO - feel it's really their beaches to camp at - and the tourists can go just go stay elsewhere"

I'll remember to give the stink eye to all the out-of-staters next time I drive by campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park, because I'm a local.

"theft, intimidation and some incidents of violence, which did include the murder of two tourists."
Sadly, sometimes there is no aloha.

For your 6 nights on Kauai, the Sealodge is in your budget.
http://hestara.com/listings.htm

My husband & I have been to Kauai three times and LOVE it! We are going back next June (2013). Every time we stay at the Sealodge. It is located on the North Shore in Princeville and situated on a bluff. There is one cleaning fee added to the total nights/tax but there is NO resort or parking fee.

It is really easy to book...just send an email with your dates; Geri is quick to respond and easy to work with; reserve with $250 of your total and the rest is due 30 days before your trip.

We absolutely love the North Shore!! We drive down to the south shore during our stays. We don't mind the drive since we have the convertible top down and listening to music. We can't imagine staying anywhere but the Sealodge.

Hawaii's campsites are very small, not well developed nor maintained and yes, if you not pay attention to your surroundings you may end up somewhere beautiful and remote, and unfortunately vulnerable.
These are not like campgrounds at Yosemite or Rocky Mountain with pits for fire, a bathroom every several hundred yards, amphitheater for night talks. I just want to be sure you have a realistic picture. While just throwing up a tent under a vacant tree on the beach might be tempting, it's not a good idea.

"just throwing up a tent under a vacant tree on the beach' is not only illegal, it is dangerous. You can only camp in campgrounds, or on some areas of the major hiking trails.

It seems like those camping at Anini Beach (Kauai) are mostly locals--but I've seen lots of other varieties of campers at the beach down the trail from the Westin Princeville resort. It looked like a very peaceful, beautiful place to camp--but I didn't notice any showers or other facilities, so it might not be a "legal" place to set up camp.

But for me ... it's gotta be Sealodge. If you check around, you might find a unit with a less desirable view for $95/night. The primo views will run around $150/nt.

When I've needed a place for a few days I've also gotten great rates through Priceline--but I'm not fussy. I got the 3-star Marriott Courtyard on the Coconut Coast (not the big resort in Lihue) for $79/nt -- and I liked it.

There are other, even cheaper hotels that you can find on any of the hotel websites.

Yo Placename. Why do you think I provided the LaPerouse webpage?

I will commend you for your good BI info. Once the sun goes down, and if the spirits are flowing - or being inhaled - some locals get a bit bolder about everything in Paradise belonging to everyone. Old Breadtree custom, no?

Campsites in the islands are plentiful but either in Hawaii State parks lands or the county parks lands of which you are in ie Kauai or Hawaii counties.

You must have a permit to camp in these parks(beaches) and can apply for them at either the DLNR for the state and the Kauai and Hawaii county sites. Googling will get you there. As said above it is illegal to camp on any beach in Hawaii overnight without the proper permit. Anini and other beaches might be dangerous not because of the local camper but the transient(homeless) campers, most of whom are given one-way tickets to Hawaii in the winter months by our colder US states "friends"......how convenient. We then have a problem trying to send them back over the year usually having to pay for a one-way flight back to their home states....