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Hawaii Trip - Maui, Kauai and Honolulu in 9 days

Hawaii Trip - Maui, Kauai and Honolulu in 9 days

Old Aug 18th, 2014, 09:02 PM
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Hawaii Trip - Maui, Kauai and Honolulu in 9 days

Hello Fodor friends,

I and my wife are travelling to Hawaii: Maui, Kauai and Honolulu for 3, 2, 3 days respectively. Initially we decided on only one island but decided to do Island hopping.

Please advise on the must do activities in each island.

Thank you!
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Old Aug 18th, 2014, 09:32 PM
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OAHU: Circle the island. Byodo-in (exact reproduction of a temple in Japan). Laniakea (turtle) Beach, Waimea Bay, Shave ice in Haleiwa or Dole plantation for a snack. North Shore shrimp trucks. Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial and museum. Hanauma Bay. Iolani Palace. Bishop Museum. Pali Lookout. Doris Duke's Shangri-la. Contemporary Art Museum. Waikiki Beach. Surf lesson at Waikiki Beach. Diamond Head Hike. Hike to Manoa Falls or Olomana trail. Kayaking in Kailua. Eat at Ono Hawaiian Foods. Eat at Alan Wong's.

Maui:
Haleakala Crater for sunrise/sunset or ranger guided tours. Pipiwai trail
Road to Hana, stopping at various waterfalls, bamboo forest, etc. Iao valley. Ohe`o gulch pools Mama's Fish house. Makawao town. Lahaina. Lahaina customs house. Bailey House museum. Feast of Lele. Maui Ocean Center Surfing. Windsurfing. Snorkeling

Oh, wait....3 days on each island? Cross out ½ the above, and skip Kauai!
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:41 AM
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Hmm we got a lot of flak for doing three islands in 14 days. We managed it with only a couple of days relaxing time. Nine days choose just two islands.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 05:29 AM
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I also agree that you should only be spending time on one island, max 2. Usually people build in a day of activities then a day of relaxation for a nice balanced vacation. but it is fine to just do a whirlwind visit. Just note because traveling from island to island takes time, even though the flight is short, it's the transfer time to get to the airport, through security, another rental car, drive to the hotel etc...will take away hours each day, so you travel days may essential be only half days on an island.

What are you guys into? Outdoor activities? Cultural and historical sites? Water sports, or spa/dining? It'll be hard to fit it all so let us know what your specific interests are so we can tailor our recommendations. In a nutshell, here's what I'd do if I HAD to go to 3 islands in 9 days.


Maui - I would do the Road to Hana - I really think it really opens your eyes and makes you feel like you're in Hawaii. It's a very special journey - make a lot of stops along the way to visit key sites, waterfalls, black sand beaches. Past Hana is the Oheo Gulch which is very pretty. The whole trip takes pretty much a day. Your other 2 days I would spend on the beaches of Maui - there are beautiful ones and the snorkeling is great! Depending on where you are staying, you may want to explore other beaches around the island. I'd also get in a meal at Mama's Fish House as it's extremely romantic and has old-school Hawaiian/Polynesian decor...kinda hard to find nowadays, even in Hawaii! If you are not too keen on beaches then I would spend half a day visiting Haleakala crater for sunrise or sunset and then a couple of hours after or before driving around Upcountry. Visit the lavender farm, surfing goat dairy. Very beautiful views from all of them, also some nice restaurants (Hali'imaile General Store for example) - and boutiques and shops in Makawao. If you want to go to a spa, I highly recommend the Awili Spa at the Andaz Maui in Wailea or the Kapalua Spa. Lots of other great restaurants both high and low end on Maui.

Kauai - Since you're only here for 2 nights, I wouldn't plan anything much...just spend time on the North Shore one day and maybe the south shore the other....both are beautiful. If you want to see the island the most "efficient" way, I would suggest a helicopter tour. Make sure it includes the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon, 2 of the most amazing sights in all of Hawaii!

Oahu - If you're staying in Waikiki, which is where most people stay, I would spend half a day just walking around, going to Waikiki Beach, and taking in the sites. I would walk through the Royal Hawaiian, the Westin Surfrider, and the Halekulani hotels as they have a lot of history. Sunset drinks at House Without a Key at the Halekulani is lovely.
I would spend a morning at the KCC Farmers market trying local produce and foods, then maybe a climb up Diamond Head Crater for an amazing view.
I would rent a car and drive around the island one day as Oahu is not just Waikiki and Honolulu. Head to the east and check out Kailua and Lanikai beaches...they are gorgeous. Drive to the north shore and spend some time on the beaches there, maybe watch the surfers and the giant sea turtles. Check out the town of Haleiwa and get some shave ice from Matsumotos. Maybe some shrimp from the shrimp trucks. I would also do a nice splurge-y dinner at Alan Wongs in Honolulu. It's one of my favorite restaurants. No view, but fabulous food. And if you have time, a visit to pearl harbor is a must-do I think.

Hope this helps!
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 07:05 AM
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Can you change this? How far are you flying to get TO Hawaii? You're going to be thrilling to the wonders of airports, highways, and car rental counters. Hope you're doing carry-on only.

The only sane way to see (just highlights) of three islands in one week is to take the NCL cruise that departs Honolulu every Saturday afternoon for Kauai, Maui and Big Island of Hawaii.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 09:01 AM
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Thank you all so much and especially tifa2276. Unfortunately we cannot alter the schedule at this time. We debated 2 vs 3 islands given the 9 days time (excluding travel from mainland)but we choose 3 as we are not sure of coming back again.

Hope it does not get too stressful!
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 11:08 AM
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Sounds like a terribly rushed and stressful trip to me as well, I'd only go to one island. Can you pay a change fee? Have you already booked hotels or condos?
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:10 PM
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When is this trip? If it is far enough in the future, do think about 1 or maybe 2 islands. Sounds not fun.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:17 PM
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Jamie & Michelle - This is pretty soon and we are doing multi city round trip which means there are 2 inter-island flights instead of 3.

22nd evening,23,24,25 in Maui

26 afternoon, 27, 28th in Kauai

28th late night,29,30, 31st late night flight from Honolulu

This is our schedule.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 12:18 PM
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You really don't need more than one formal activity for each island, because that's all the time you are going to have.

Highlights people most often visit in Honolulu/Waikiki include: DiamondHead, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum. You can choose one of those for Oahu.

On Maui my favorite things were the Old Lahaina Luau (if you want to do a luau this is the one to do) and going up the Haleakala crater. You can fit both of these into your short time, make a reservation for the luau in advance as it's very popular.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 01:07 PM
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We're really "fast" travelers and even we wouldn't try to do 3 islands in 9 days, but it is what it is and you know that! I'd take lcuy's, tifa's and suze's lists and just know that you won't be able to do a fraction of it. Given that you may never be back (it's hard for me to imagine, because I live in California, which makes Hawaii a hop, skip & a jump, and we love it, so we go fairly often), I'd recommend at least one island "tour" on each island -- on Kauai, a helicopter or boat tour, or a drive up to the Kailua overlook in the south, and up to Hanalei and the beaches in the North, on Oahu, a drive to Diamond Head (climb up - about 45 minutes), then Kailua/Lanikai beaches, then cut across the island on the spectacular H2 to Haleiwa, and on Maui, the drive (at least part way) on the Road to Hana, maybe even drive up to Haleakala even if not at sunrise or sunset (we did a mid-day hike last time) and then drive through upcountry (Makawao etc.) on the way back. On the "other" day on each island, relax, have a maitai, read a book, find some hula dancing to watch, take a walk on the beach.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 01:09 PM
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@suze - thanks for your suggestion. "Which Luau?" was my next question
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 01:19 PM
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You're very welcome. I was only on Maui one time for a family reunion party with a group of 10 of us. My parents made the arrangements. I was hesitant to go to a luau at all, thinking it would be "too touristy" and not enjoyable for me. But Old Lahaina is was a fantastic experience... the setting, the music and dance, the food, the entire thing was really special. It's expensive and popular so do book that in advance if you're interested. Feast of Lele is another option in Lahaina, that's more a dinner theater kind of version of a luau, if you want something more intimate.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 01:34 PM
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@suze - I immediately called Old Lahiana Luau and got waitlisted (says chances are good). In case we miss that out will try Feast of Lele. Do you have any recommendations for Luaus in Honolulu?

We are planning to do Horseback riding in one of the islands. Any recommendations anyone?
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 02:01 PM
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Feast at Lele you are served at your table, but on the beach with a view of the sunset. We loved it. They highlight about 4 or 5 Polynesian cultures with the food and dance to go along. The food and drinks were great. If you have not been to a luau, then really try to see the Old Lahaina Luau.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 02:19 PM
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No, no recommendations for Honolulu. There's Smith Family on Kauai would be my next suggestion.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 02:37 PM
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Food and drink are higher quality at Feast At Lele. This and Old Lahaina Luau are run by the same group that operates some restaurants in Lahaina. FAL is not limited to Hawaiian lore and it has a fire dancer.

BTW, the plural of "luau" is "luau" -- no 's'. Be careful of the letters; a "lua" is a restroom.

I wish you could drop at least one island. People visit Hawaii to get on Island Time and soak up the Aloha, not to run a checklist of sights and events.

Day One will be a partial day as your body adjusts to the time change. No Departure Day is a full day either.

Maui has the best luau. I'd skip Road to Hana since you are going to Kauai. Can you get out on the ocean on either Kauai or Maui? On Oahu, do Pearl and Punchbowl and just Waikiki.

I wouldn't bring gear to ride horses in this hot climate. I can't see where you'd have time, and nose-to-tail isn't very interesting anyway.

Is it a secret where you are coming FROM?
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 02:41 PM
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Please stop criticizing, they've already said their itinerary is set and can't be changed.

I do agree, you won't have time to be riding horses ;-)
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 06:29 PM
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We went horseback riding while on Oahu. We went to Kualoa Ranch

http://www.kualoa.com/oahu-tours/horseback-tours/

We got up early, hiked up Diamond Head, drove to Kualoa Ranch and did their 2 hour ride. Afterwards we drove up around the North Shore stopping at a shrimp truck for lunch. We then drove down to the Dole Plantation and back to Waikiki. It was a long day but we only had one full day on Oahu, so it was fine for us.
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Old Aug 19th, 2014, 06:34 PM
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Thanks Cougfan
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