Qiaoyi

First time to Hawaii. I plan to fly into Honolulu, fly out of Big Island, and visit Maui in between. How do 3 nights in Honolulu, 5 nights in Maui, 6 nights in Big Island sound？ Considering our 3 kids are 12, 9 and 3, should we stay longer in Maui? My kids love hiking, even the 3 yr old. And of course they all love the beach and the older two kids love snorkeling. Is it possible just stay in one hotel per island? Or do we have to switch hotels in Maui and Big Island? And do we need car rental in O'ahu? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.

jamie99

You should not visit more than two islands with 14 days, the interisland flights are expensive and take a half day each.

I would spend at least 7 days (10 is better)on the Big Island, staying a couple nights in either Hilo or Volcano and the rest in Kohala coast (maybe look into one of the Mauna Lani condos) and 3 nights on Oahu.
OR split evenly between Oahu and Maui.
You do not need to change hotels on Maui unless you want to stay overnight in Hana, but you do on Big Island.

Qiaoyi

Thank you very much. My plans are restricted by my daughter's schedule. She will performing with her girl choir in Honolulu(6 days there) and Maui (3 days). I don't want to spend one whole week in Honolulu, so I plan to arrive few days later than my daughter, and when she is done with Maui, I will take her, add 2 more days for her in Maui, then fly to Big Island. We just really want to see Volcano National Park. But maybe I will consider your suggestion of splitting between Oahu and Maui, and save Big Island for our next trip. It is just the tickets are so expensive, we don't know when the next trip will be. Sigh. Never enough time and money when it comes to traveling.

suze

I like the idea of only two islands much better. Divide the time however you like. Save BI for another time. I've been to Hawaii 5 times, my 6th trip coming up this weekend, and I've yet to get to Big Island.

sf7307

3 islands is a lot of moving around with 3 kids in tow.

You don't absolutely need a car on Oahu, it's the one island that's well served by a public bus system, but getting everywhere will take you much much longer than if you have car.

You definitely need a car to get anywhere on Maui.

tifa2276

I agree with the only 2 islands in 2 weeks. I'd rather spend my time enjoying fewer islands than packing and traveling from one island to the next. However, it is not unheard of to do 3 islands in that amount of time. In that case, your breakdown should work out. I would give the most days to the Big Island. Also note that there are going to be long drives on that island. Something to keep in mind if your kids dont' like to be strapped in that long.

If your family likes history - Oahu is a great place and would deserve more time to explore the Bishop Museum, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, etc. Also there is the Diamond Head hike and Hanauma Bay snorkeling. Waikiki is a bustling place, but you don't need a car although I always like to have one. I really enjoy driving to the North Shore and watching the surfers at Sunset Beach, eating shave ice at Matsumoto's and then visiting the Dole Plantation for dole whip.

I really love Maui, it's beautiful, the beaches are fantastic and there's a lot to see as well. I wouldn't necessarily change hotels here. One hotel will suffice for your trip. I think you'd probably like the Kaanapali Beach hotels - right in front of a great beach. Car is a must.

On the Big Island I have stayed in one location for my entire trip and it was fine (but yes long drives). This would be the island to do a split stay if you have to. Maybe a few days at one of the Kohala Coast resorts and then a few days in Hilo or down south nearer to the volcano. I love the snorkeling on the island and there are tons of activities. I highly recommened the volcano, Punalu'u black sand beach to visit the turtles, and Hapuna Beach. Also breakfast in Waimea at Hawaiian Style Cafe is a must for me. Car is required.

Have fun! When is your trip planned for?

Qiaoyi

Thanks everyone.

tifa2276, our trip dates are pretty much set. My daughter and her choir's performance tour is from July 9- 19, 6 dates in Honolulu, then 3 days in Maui. So the rest of the family plan to arrive at Honolulu on 7/12, and leave 7/26 at night. If not for my daughter's performance, we prob. will skip Maui this time. We really want to see the volcano park, and my daughter's favorite animal is turtle, so your recommendation of black sand beach is greatly appreciated.

tifa2276

I love turtles too! Other places we saw turtles were: Blackrock in front of the Sheraton Blackrock on Kaanapali beach on Maui as well as a small beach near Makena in South Maui. Oh Oahu we always see turtles hanging out on the sand at Turtle Beach, which is near sunset beach. You will see a lot of people parked there to check out the turtles.

Ah I see, I guess you will have to spend some time in Maui then. Maui is wonderful and you'll how much less people there are than in Honolulu. 3 days is very short...but you can probably do some things like Haleakala crater for sunrise or sunset, and then maybe a quick visit to I'ao Needle and spend the rest of the time at the beach.

Have a great time!

sf7307

Don't waste your time visiting the I'ao Needle if you only have 3 days on Maui unless it's combined with a trip to upcountry /Haleakala or the road to Hana.

emalloy

The kids will love the volcano, and let them walk in the lava tubes and onto the lava at the end of chain of craters road. Don't skip the big island.

Qiaoyi

sf7307, we will be in Maui for 5 days(add 2 days to my daughter's 3), Big Island 6. Yes, a bit rushed, but hopefully we will be able to do the road to Hana.

Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions. With two and half months to go, more detail planning is on the way.

sf7307

>>

Resist the urge!

jamie99

If you just want to see the volcano, you can do it as a daytrip, Roberts does a tour but it costs $300pp (just read it on another thread) so that is one pricey trip, plus right now the lava is not doing much, it is a 5-6 hour hike to get to where the lava is, or taking a helicopter ride (again pricey and they only fly during daylight I believe). Or you can DIY, fly over from Oahu, rent car, tour VNP, fly back that night or the next morning. Again, pricey, one way will be at least $80pp on interisland.

I think you need to evaluate cost vs. reward and see if it is really worth it or not.

Qiaoyi

sf7307, thanks. I know what you mean. Though I was referring to hotel and car etc. Yesterday I tried to find lodging near Volcano national park, but almost all of the hotel have only rooms for 4 person. Very frustrating.

Thank you jamie. Indeed this trip will be quite expensive. I will certainly need to think more about cost and reward.

jamie99

Not sure about the Big Island, been awhile since I was there. But the 4 per hotel room is I believe a fire department law, at least it is on Kauai.
No idea if there are any condos in Volcano, might be in Hilo, so look into that option maybe. You would have more room, also a kitchen to prepare breakfasts and maybe some picnics and lot of them have a washer and dryer.

Qiaoyi

Thanks Jamie. I always tried to book rooms with kitchen or kitchenette and was able to booked a condo on the west side of the island. I even found one lodging place accommodating 5 people near the volcano-- according to Expedia, the last room!