nelsonian

Hawaiian Airlines has bought out some discount air fares from Auckland to Hawaii, AIr NZ has now matched them so seriously thinking about a trip May/June next year.

I know it is the dry season, and there will be high humidity which I am not used to at all. Is this actually a problem or it is just me?. We would also have to rent a car, which again is a bit daunting as we would have to drive on the other side of the road. DH has said well it is probably a lot different driving there than in say NYC.

Not sure whether to do 10 or 14 days. The only reason I am wavering on the 14 days is the additional accommodation cost for the extra days.

It has been a dream of mine to visit Hawaii so I should just take the plunge and do it, even through it is an 8 hour flight from NZ.

It has been suggested that if we stay for 14 days we could do three islands, if we only do 10 it would make sense I guess to only do two.

Any thoughts and suggestions welcome.

brendonb28

Driving in Hawaii is probably the easiest driving I have done in my travels. The only part that scares me if driving on one lane roads near the cliffs with no guard rails. I have been to Hawaii 20 times and I am almost 29 and have been to every island and still love going. It is about a 6 hour flight to Honolulu from here in Seattle and it goes by so quickly. If you emjoy city life Honolulu is the best bet. The big Island has the volcano, captain cooks bay(best snorkeling spot in all hawaii), cirt of refuge and ipen air folk musuem showing the ways on the ancient Hawaiins. Also has a wonderful black sand beach and a really nice lava tube. Maui is my favorite island, has tons of snorkleing spots. Haleakala mounatin. The Io needle park is also worth a visit. Kauai is very reaxing with lots of beautiful natural scenery. Waimea canyon, Napali coast, Opaekaa and Waialua falls. If you need some help. let me know!

taitai

Think of it this way, one week, one island. 14 days two islands. Travel between the islands, while they are short flights, can take up the better part of a day between getting to the airport early, dropping off the rental car, etc. Look for condos in order to keep the costs down. Much less expensive than hotel rooms and you get lots more space, ability to self cater a bit, washers and dryers, etc.

Have fun exploring.

sassy_cat

My advice?

Go!

For as long as possible I'd recommend a max of 2 islands for 10 to 14 days. Spend less time island hopping and more time enjoying Hawaii.

If you pick Big Island then you'll need at least a week preferably more as it's, well BIG. Our first trip there was 11 days and we loved it so much we back the next year for 12 days..
So much to see and do plus relax.. it's Hawaii after all..

voyager61

The driving in most of Hawaii, with the exception of Honolulu where you don't really want a car, is not difficult, but some roads are narrow and twisty in certain areas along the ocean, so you have to pay attention. We haven't driven in NZ, but we have driven on the other side in the UK, and it's probably comparable to parts of rural England. That said, changing sides of the road can be very stressful depending on your age and how easily you adjust to things. My husband found it quite stressful (he was around 52 at the time), so he tended to not want to drive around as much as we normally would. And definitely don't try it with jet lag! Recipe for disaster.

Look into the Wailea, Maui area. You can easily get to a lot of places from there without having to drive too far, and the beaches are very good. I wouldn't try the drive up to Haleakala; take a tour bus instead. It's a scary drive even when you're used to driving on the right.

You could combine Maui with Oahu (where you wouldn't need a car if you stay in the city), or combine Oahu with Kauai.

jamie99

The driving is pretty simple, as most times the speed limit is pretty slow and the roads are mainly two lane, at least on Kauai. The only place I remember that did not have any guard rails was when we drove around North Maui, that was one scary drive with the one lane road part of the way. Luckily we did not meet any other traffic. I use this site to book my cars:
discounthawaiicarrental.com - they rent from the majors, last time I had a nice car from Avis.

nelsonian

Thanks everyone. I think driving will be okay, NZ has narrow winding roads too!! Will humidity be a problem?

voyager61

I don't consider Hawaii to be that bad on the humidity scale of tropical locations. Try to stay as near to the beach as you can for breezes in the condo. Try to get air conditioning if you can, which is widely but not universally available. And on most of the islands, of course, higher elevation is cooler.

We are interested in a New Zealand trip sometime from Seattle!

nelsonian

Thanks voyager61 it's sounding better all the time.

Brian_in_Charlotte

We have only been once (10-12 hour flights from here), but are so glad we did. We split 9 days between Maui and Kauai and thought that was a good mix. I agree you may not want to try to do 3 islands as travel takes longer than you'd think (especially if there is adverse weather on your travel days like happened to us). Also agree that driving is a piece of cake.

girlonthego

We travel from the east coast of the US to see Hawaii. So, it is a long day from here and never seem to get a direct flight!
I would definitely choose two islands and take the full 14 days. I would recommend renting a condo to save on the hotel costs. With a condo, usually the rates are weekly and it gives you the kitchen to eat your breakfast and some meals in. It will be a great savings and give you more room.

Since I live in a pretty humid area of the US, I have never noticed a high humidity in Hawaii. (have been twice, once in Dec and once in March).

I would recommend the Big Island for being the most unique island with lots to do and great snorkeling. It is just very different from the rest. You will have no trouble driving. I would not rent a car in Honolulu. You could easily stay there for a week and possibly rent a car for a day or two excursions. Oahu would have the city on the beach feel with lots to do and see and some nightlife. But Maui and Kaui are both quite pretty *haven't been to Kaui yet, but have been to the rest.
Any time I fly more than 8 hours, I think I need two weeks. We flew to Hawaii and had 12 days and two of those days were travel days and of course the one day in between for flying between the islands. So, 3 days were lost for travel. You will be happy you took the 14 days!

suze

I say take the plunge! I'm in Seattle so for me it is an easy 6 hour non-stop flight. I've been 6 times so far (5 to Oahu and once to Maui). I'd live there if I could figure out how to swing it.

I'd stay 14 days, just look for cheaper/basic accomodations. And don't drop a bunch of money of fancy activities like helicopter rides, sunset cruises, luaus, etc. You can eat cheap by doing your own food (grocery stores, farmers market, plate lunch, shrimp trucks, etc.)

Oahu is the only island you don't need a rental car (or at least not for the entire time). There's very good public transportation there, especially around Honolulu/Waikiki.

ChiSue

Do come! Many people visit Hawaii and drive 'wrong side' every year. The passenger may need to remind the driver to 'stay right' on turns and to 'look left first' when crossing a road. (Pedestrians also need to remember to 'look left' first.) You can do without a car within Honolulu, but I'd get one anyway. You don't want to waste time waiting for a bus. At least hire a car for a day to drive Oahu's pretty east and north shores. (You could even split a stay right on Oahu, staying Waikiki and North Shore.)

If you want a second island I would push on through upon arrival, going on to whichever other island you want without leaving HNL airport. Then you can go back and 'do' Oahu last. Most flights to AU depart early morning, meaning you have to be in Honolulu the night prior. Many visitors from your part of the world also want to take advantage of lower US prices; makes sense to shop last.

I like a hotel in Honolulu and a condo on any other island. "Home from Home" is perfect in casual Hawaii. You need to reserve a rental car for airport pickup on your 'other' island. Then you can DIY tour, try different restaurants and beaches.

May is a great time to visit, before the US mainland schools are out and families flock to Hawaii. Everything will be in bloom, and you can enjoy every part of every island. Trade Winds keep Hawaii cool -- except when they die. I wouldn't book anywhere if A/C was not an option -- and we visit (Maui) in January-February.

This site has aerials and reviews of almost every lodging in Hawaii: www.hawaiirevealed.com You may get slightly lower rates in May; they go up over all mainland holidays.

tifa2276

I want to say that nothing compares to the humidity of East Coast USA summers...Hawaii was wonderful in comparison. The ocean breezes were great. Note that every island has a drier and wetter side so you can experience different climate zones. I vote for Oahu and Maui or Kauai. I would do Big Island but for at least a week or longer. Enjoy your trip! 8 hours is nothing! I travel 10.5 hours every year just to go to Hawaii!

nelsonian

I think you have convinced me!!!! Might consider May though instead of June. Better for me work wise too. Good idea about going to the other islands first, although the Air NZ flight gets in at 10pm so probably would have to stay the night anyway.

ChiSue

OK, you'll stay in Honolulu at first. What time do you depart HNL for home? Maybe you'd do Oahu first, then go to Island #2. I was trying to keep you from having to leave the airport and return to it well in advance of your flight to a second island. While 'air time' is short, every hop is a typical US airport experience with TSA inspection, etc. Maybe you'll do a 'sandwich' with your other island in the middle of two stays on Oahu.

Shar

now you know how we americans feel when we drive in the UK or in NZ. get an automatic can as it will be easier - you won't have to think about which way to shift with the opposite hand.. 2 island for 10-14 days. Islands depend on what you like, busy or laid back? busy would be Oahu and Honolulu, laid back is Kauai but still plenty to do. checkout VRBO for condo availability. same price as hotel and lots more room and option to eating in, grilling something or going out. Personally I cannot eat every meal out for that long and I do enjoy the extra room that a condo offers. Lots of trade winds keep things comfortable. Have been there when there were no trade winds and it was pretty sticky but that is rare. get yourself a good book at the book store on the islands. they will have plenty of ideas on things to do, etc

Songdoc

Hi Nelsonian --

Aloha from Kauai--where I am right now. I'm so in love with it that I've been spending four months each year--when I'm not visiting NZ ;-).

First, I'll address the humidity ... at this moment it's horribly sticky and humid--but that is very unusual. It's because the trade winds have stopped blowing--and as Shar said, that's pretty rare. If you stay in a location that typically receives trade winds (i.e., facing the ocean), it's like having natural air conditioning much of the time. I'm staying in a VERY upscale condominium. It's exquisite with no expense spared in the architecture and decorating, perched on a cliff above the ocean--and it has no air conditioning -- because it is so rarely needed.

I prefer a condo, but if you stay in a hotel it will likely be air conditioned. But even when it's humid and breezes stop, it's nowhere near as bad as some of the REALLY humid places I've been--i.e., Puerto Rico and some of the Caribbean islands.

I strongly recommend Kauai as one of your choices, and would probably stick to 2 islands, although you could cram in three. It depends on the kind of trip you want. If you want to go nonstop and check things off your list then do three islands in 14 days. But that's not Hawaii is about for me.

Waikiki on Oahu is like a cross between Beverly Hills and some of the Los Angeles area beaches. Crowded, high-rises, designer boutiques, fancy restaurants, etc ... It also has lots of cultural and historical attractions. Oahu's North Shore is much more scenic and laid back. I "like" the Big Island--and for me, the main reason to go there is if you're interested in volcanoes. But bear in mind that the lava may not be flowing. But while I "like" the Big Island and Oahu, I "LOVE" Kauai--especially the North Shore.

I've never gone to Maui because my friends tell me I wouldn't like it--too developed for my tastes. I'm sure it has beautiful places and more nightlife and excitement than Kauai. But I come for the scenery--and for me, Kauai's Napali Cliffs, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels beach, Waimea Canyon, Ke'e Beach, and Maha'ulepu can't be beat for sheer beauty.

Come to Hawaii. There are few places where the driving is easier. On Kauai there's basically just one main road circling the island. You'll love it. It's one of the few places that can rival New Zealand's beauty--but in a completely different way!

Katzgar

you are over thinking it.....just go.

Katzgar

oh yeah....The islands are mountains and they most always have a dry and a wet side.