vp4

I and my son (16 yr old) would like to visit Hawaii in June. We have two major attractions on the list that can't be skipped. The Volcanoes National Park and Pearl Harbor museums. We like nice, uncrowded beaches as well. We will be flying in from New York, yikes...I am not looking forward to a 12 hour flight but worth it. Since the two attractions are on different islands, what would you folks recommend that we do and in which order. Any recommendations for hotels, food (we love eating local when traveling) and other attractions are greatly appreciated. We have 10 days including flights to and back. Thanks.

Tomsd

10 days IMO is plenty of time to see some of Oahu (including Pearl Harbor) and then kick back on the Big Island for say a week?

I suggest Oahu first as you will be landing there after a long flight and also - still amped up a bit - and then when you get to the quieter/outer island - you can kick back more.

There are plenty of other posts in here about accommodations/etc - but for the best tour of Pearl Harbor - take the "Navy" tour - the only one to actually stop at the USS Arizona. Go online to check about buying your tix and suggest you go early.

Also - while on Oahu head out early one morning to snorkel at Hanauma Bay - while the water is the clearest/calmest usually - and the least crowds.

If you can fly into Hilo - it gives you a beautiful view down the east side of the island - and then you are also closer to the Volcano, where you would spend a night or two (at the visitor's center - Volcano House - or one of the places at the nearby Volcano Village) - and then on to the sunny side - Kona - for your beach time.

suze

I agree with spending 3 days on Oahu at the beginning of the trip. Honolulu/Waikiki is a busy area (but very fun) so that won't be your "quiet" beaches part. It's about 20-30 mins to central Waikiki (loads of hotels there) from the international airport where you'll fly in.

Besides Pearl Harbor, there's the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, if either interests you and your son. There are two beautiful parks Fort de Russy (naval museum there) and Kapiolani at either end of Waikiki. A small zoo. Activities like boogie boarding and surfing at the beach. You won't need a rental car unless you want to leave Waikiki, to do a circle tour or see other parts of the island.

What approx. price range and ammenities do you want for the hotel? You'll have no problem finding local food at various small restaurants, farmers market, even Food Courts at the shopping malls.

I think 7 days on the Big Island would be great because it's... well, so big! You will need a rental car for sure. (i've yet to go to BI myself so can't help more than saying that).

Enjoy!!!

ChiSue

Ten nights is enough time to stay on both Oahu and Big Island of Hawaii. If all that interests you on Big Island is Volcanoes National Park, you can consider a daytrip out of HNL, or come for two or three nights and just stay Hilo-side. (Reserve your rental car(s) now.)

That would give you at least a week on Oahu. You might split a stay between buzzy Honolulu and Oahu's typically tropical and quiet North Shore.

Or, slice this the other way, with a couple nights Honolulu and the rest of the time split between Kohala Coast and VNP on Big Island. (Fly into one side and out of the other to avoid a second long drive across the island; airports are ITO and KOA.)

Do you have your flights to and from Hawaii yet?

vp4

Thanks for all the feedback. The 10 days includes flights. So, we may have about 8 days in Hawaii. Budget is around $300/night. I haven't booked any flights, cars yet. I am still researching options. It is overwhelming....what island has what...etc.

suze

Since Pearl Harbor and the Volcano are your 2 must-dos, that decides your islands for you (Oahu and Big Island) so you don't need to look at Maui or Kauai, narrowing things down, since you have just the 8 days to work with.

You're right Hawaii can seem overwhelming (I know it was when I planned my 1st trip) but once you get a few things decided like which island and your flights, things do kind of fall into place.

Outrigger Reef is a nice hotel in Waikiki, beachfront, in that price range.

jamie99

IMO with just 8 days (is that 7 or 8 nights) you don't have enough time for two islands and you'll lose half a day changing planes to fly from one island to another. So I would pick one or the other.
Haven't been to Oahu so others can advise about that, but the Volcano has not been real active for at least 6-8 months although it has been reported that you can see a bit of a glow at night at the Jagger. When it was active, it required a rugged 5-6 mile hike to see the lava. But that does not mean VNP is not worth seeing, it most definitely is very good place to see, just wanted you to know what to expect.

sylvia3

If you do stay overnight in Volcano NP, you might enjoy "camping" in these: http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/cabins-campsites/. Fun, inexpensive, and a great location (staying overnight allows you to stay close and watch the glow from the crater).

Tomsd

Plenty of time for two islands. Cut back Oahu to two days if you have to - and then get to know Big Island.

Big is relative - as it's only about 30 minutes from the Hilo airport to the Volcano/Visitor center - and from there - another two hours or so to get over to Kona.

I have made it in less - as have driven it a number of times - and knowing more about driving over there - am not afraid to pass slower moving cars.

Tomsd

BTW the inter island flights are sight seeing trips in their own right.

suze

Staying on Oahu the entire time with a 1-day-trip arranged with a tour company just to go see the volcano is definitely a possibility. Or a helicopter ride over it.

There's plenty to see and do on Oahu to easily fill all your time and barely scratch the surface, if that's what you decide to do. Often Oahu is the easiest for a first trip because many people have to fly thru Honolulu anyways.

sylvia3

"I have made it in less - as have driven it a number of times - and knowing more about driving over there - am not afraid to pass slower moving cars."

vp4, please disregard anything this poster advises; he is a known "been there once 20 years ago" self-proclaimed "expert" and can steer you very wrong.

Tomsd

sylvia - get a life and quit stalkng me.

I was there a few years ago - and yes, I have been driving that road since the 70's.

The reason I would suggest you spend more time on Big Island this trip - is that if you want to return and explore more of Oahu - you can always do that more easily on a "bargain" - package - for a week or so.

If you have 10 days this trip - definitely get to an outer island - where the "real" Hawaii can still be found.

ChiSue

Ah, so only eight nights IN the state...maybe just one island, but possibly a split stay on that ONE. Choose: Oahu or Big Island of Hawaii. I'd split the stay on either one. If you choose Big Island, through check any luggage on to your destination both ways and just sit two hours in HNL each way, without going into Honolulu. Put all the flights on a single ticket so you don't have to claim and re-check luggage at HNL. (You can probably do this with carry-on only.)

Best flights are on widebody nonstops into HNL. (We avoid 757's and west coast connections.) You can find these flights out of JFK and Newark. Your first day in Hawaii will be spent adjusting to the six hour time difference -- don't plan any special events that night. You'll wake early and fade early.

Check rental car availability before you choose. Summer brings LOTS of families to Hawaii.

suze

<where the "real" Hawaii can still be found>

Uh Tomsd, you can find the "real Hawaii" on Oahu too. Or you can let all the people living there know they aren't really in Hawaii. I'm sure that would surprise them to know!!

Tomsd

suze - it's more of a saying for trying to find the older, less busy/congested times. Nowadays on Oahu - you really have to work to get away from the sprawling city of Oahu - and the second major enclave of Kailua.

Close to a million people now live on Oahu - with less than 400,000 spread among the outer islands.

That's one of the reasons the north shore of Kauai remains our favorite locale.

ElendilPickle

vp4, we just got back from Hawaii (Oahu and Maui). I'm in the midst of writing my trip report, but Pearl Harbor was a must for us as well. I wrote about that in the first day of my report; next up is our daylong drive around the island visiting LOST filming sites.

It's not at all hard to get out of Honolulu if you're planning to rent a car.

Our lodging budget was less than yours, but we were really pleased with the Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel, which suze recommended to us. www.sandvillahotel.com

Do reserve your Pearl Harbor tickets at http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDe...O&parkId=72369 as soon as possible. You'll need to reserve your car soon if you plan to rent one. We used www.discounthawaiicarental.com on both islands and were really pleased with our vehicles.

Lee Ann

suze

>

Well I assume you mean "Honolulu" (city) not "Oahu" (island)... but I don't want to "get away" from it. I love it there. It's as "real" as any place else.

suze

aloha Lee Ann, Glad Sand Villa worked out for you. It's a sweet little hidden gem for a budget hotel in an expensive city.

Shar

If you are a member of Costco then I highly recommend renting at least your vehicles from them. you will save quite a bit of money. They waive the extra driver fee that is mandatory in hawaii and at $10-12 A DAY that adds up. I saved well over $200.00 on our last trip of 10 days. We have used them for renting hotels as well. If you are looking for condo then the Waikiki Banyon or Waikiki Sunset on Oahu (Waikiki) are below $300.00 and only 2 blocks to beach. Both have ocean views albeit some buildings might be in the way. Have also rented Sea Lodge in Kona-Kailua area all from VRBO.com.