Tierom

We are making plans to go to Hawaii on Aug 5th, 2017 for 10 days. 2 adults, and 2 teens (12 yr old girl and 15 yr old boy). We are looking at staying on two islands only, but will take your advice if this is too much to cover. What island(s) would you recommend? Any accommodation suggestions (with kitchenettes), places to visit and beaches to visit? Any other advice. Thanks.

FaceInTheCrowd

You're leaving a little over two weeks from now, and haven't yet booked flights, accommodations, and/or car rentals?

Every island has "places" and beaches to visit so you'll need to provide more info about lodging budgets and particular interests for more focused advice. But if it's a first-time trip for you all, with 10 nights, I'd suggest 3 in a Waikiki Beach hotel, and 7 in a condo at Princeville on Kauai or on the west coast of Maui, between Kaanapali Beach and Napili.

sf7307

I would agree with either Oahu/Kauai, or Oahu/Maui, but it really depends on your interests. Kauai is more "outdoorsy" with fewer specific sites to see/things to do than Maui, but it is also, in my opinion, far more beautiful. But Maui might be better for teens - they might be bored on Kauai unless they're into water sports, beaches and hiking. I personally prefer Poipu on Kauai to the Princeville area -- the north shore of Kauai (where Princeville is) is spectacularly beautiful, while the south shore (Poipu) is very nice but not as jaw-dropping gorgeous, however, Princeville is far too manicured for me (it's a planned development - golf courses, houses, condos, hotels). If I were going to stay on the north shore, I'd stay in Hanalei.

suze

Oahu & Maui are a classic combination for a first trip.

Maybe look at lodging availability and pricing as well as plane fare to help with the decision since time is so short to plan?

If you end up on Oahu, and in Waikiki, White Sands Hotel offers kitchenettes and is moderately priced.

FaceInTheCrowd

"If I were going to stay on the north shore, I'd stay in Hanalei."

Or better yet, Haena. But other than Hanalei Colony Resort, there are no condo complexes west of Princeville, which leaves the OP with a vacation rental home as the only option. So...first time visitors (presumably), short planning window, good time to visit the gorgeous north shore...Princeville makes sense. And frankly, if we're not staying on Kauai's north shore, we're on Maui, or much more likely, the Big Island.

jamie99

Hanalei is gorgeous but the main problem is the housing is all cottages with no pools and lots of teens might want a pool. Which pretty much leaves Princeville condos. It's only a 10 minute drive into Hanalei and there are a few places to eat in P'ville.
Oahu and Maui are the two most visited so I would only pick one busy island and one less busy island.

Suzette85

I disagree about Oahu unless you want to see Pearl Harbor and want more of a high-rise city feel vs a beach one.

If you want to chill, go to the beach then I would skip Oahu. I definitly recommend Maui and then either Kauai or the Big Island. The BI is very spread out and more remote/rural. Kauai is less so and has lots of outdoor activities.

You can also do 10 days just on Maui. If you want to split up the stay, get a timeshare / condo unit for a week then a hotel for 3 nights.

We like the Marriott Vacation Club properties - resort amenities for the kids and condo units. We stock up at Costco and the supermarkets.

suze

<want more of a high-rise city feel vs a beach one.>


Yes that describes the city of Honolulu, but there's an entire island of Oahu beyond that that does not have a "high-rise city feel".

sf7307

Oahu has some sensational beaches with not a highrise in sight - on the southeast Lanikai and Kailua, on the northwest, Sunset, Waimea.

Personally, I wouldn't want to stay on Maui for 10 days, but that's a personal preference, I like to "get around".

nanabee

Oahu has so much to offer.

You have the history of Pearl Harbor, the Iolani Palace (the last of the Hawaiian monarchy), the Bishop Museum where there are archaeological artifacts from early cultural and natural history.

Oahu has some of the most striking and beautiful landscapes of any island such as the Pail lookout, Diamond Head (which you can easily climb) and Hanauma Bay a stunning underwater reserve. Oahu also is the most diverse and culturally different than other islands -- Such as the Bodhi Tree Meditation Center (Buddhist) and Chinatown in Waikiki.

Then you have the most iconic surfing locations in the world in the North Shore (Sunset, Pipeline, Waimea Bay to the cute beach/surf town of Haleiwa Beach.)

FaceInTheCrowd

I hope that by now you've made all your reservations, Tierom, but if you're still reading... 10 days is kind of an awkward time for two islands; it might give you enough time on each to see highlights, but it's usually not as efficient cost-wise because condos usually discount stays of a week or longer. So while lots of folks would agree with Suzette about Oahu, most first time visitors still want to see Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and maybe hike Diamond Head. Hence the recommendation for 3 days on Oahu.

Tierom

Enormous thank you to all for all your suggestions! Looks like only 1 island now, and we are leaning towards Maui or Kauai, but perhaps a little more strongly towards Maui. Any suggestions on hotels or places with kitchenettes, car rentals and places to see. How long will it take to drive around the island? Any special hidden gems for eating?

sf7307

There are distinct areas on Maui so you first have to decide where you want to be (Wailea, Kihei, Paia, Lahaina, Kaanapali, north of Kaanapali).

Do you like local and funky (Paia - hippie/surfer vibe) or manicured (Kaanapali Beach resort)?

Equally important, what's your budget? Maui has condos in all categories.

sylvia3

Many options for your dates at very reasonable prices, across the streem from the Kamaole Beach parks, near shopping, restaurants, etc.: here are 2 bd/2bt

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rental...1-7a26a3d63f5e

jamie99

For car rental try www.discounthawaiicarrental.com
Used them for my last trip to Kauai, got a nice Avis midsize.
Haven't been to Maui in a long time, but liked the area around Napili, West or South Maui is personal preference.
For Kauai I would stay North Shore in August.

nanabee

As far as Maui - there are a number of nice larger type resorts that front onto beautiful beaches. There is the trip to Hana and the Haleakala National Park which is a volcanic crater. Many enjoy the trip to Pail which has a lot of shops and a few very nice restaurants - it is up in the hills.

We have always loved Kauai because it is so beautiful. There are a lot of water activities such as surfing, snorkeling, diving, etc.

With two teens though I still think Oahu has a lot more activities to offer.

If I was going for ten days I would split it 5 on Oahu and 5 on Kauai.

FaceInTheCrowd

Staying 10 nights you'll definitely want a condo (vs. a hotel), but until you give us a budget, we're still shooting in the dark. That said, you'll find condos (all of which have kitchens) in a range of prices lining the west side coast from Honua Kai on Ka'anapali Beach, north through Honokawai, Kahana, and Napili, to Kapalua. As Sylvia suggested, Kihei is another area, and most condos there are priced lower as few are beach/oceanfront. A little south of there in Wailea, two you might check are Elua and Ekahi Villages, either of which will be higher than most in Kihei.

Based on the little info you've given, I'm wondering what it is that has you leaning towards Maui. And more particularly, why you still apparently haven't made any reservations for a trip that's less than two weeks away.

nanabee

Faceinthecrowd, we made flight (Hawaii) reservations with something like 5 or 6 days notice. And didnt get confirmation for our time share exchange until a day before we made flight reservations. Fortunately all worked out at the last minute.

sylvia3

The page of condos I linked to were all available for the dates given by the op...might even be able to get a last minute discount!

Tierom

Thanks everyone for your advice and recommendations.
Tierom