I will be travelling to Oahu for 10 days in July and up to this point have just planned on staying in Oahu the entire time. Now I am second guessing my decision since this is my first time in Hawaii and want to see as much as possible to get the real Hawaiian experience.

Should I add a second destination to my trip??? Any opinions on what other island to add???

Thanks!!!

Ken

I would definitely add a second island to your trip....and Kauai would be my choice.

Kauai is very lush and serene, and a nice compliment to the general rustle and bustle of Oahu (and I said general to all those Oahu fans...I know not all of the island is that way).

You must do Oahu to see the requird sites, but I think after 3 days you will be tired of the hectic pace there and want to realx. I am partial to kauai and travel there every year, but I would probably rethink and try to see at least 2 islands while there. Oahu is busy, Maui is next busiest, Kauai is verylaid back and relaxed, with some of the best scenery in the State.

Doug: You beat me to the punch on Kauai. I love that place and go there every year, travelling from Pa. Glad to see another Kauai Nut< I know Kal who posts here is another.

You're going to get a wide variety of opinions but here's my 2 cents. I just returned from 12 days on Oahu and while going to more than one island is great, you can easily spend 10 days or more just on Oahu. We spent several days doing the north shore, several days in Kailua and several more on Waikiki.
I would not advise 10 days on Waikiki and most people who eschew Oahu in general, I suspect, have never ventured very far away from the strip.
Another reason we chose to stay put is that we already spend more than enough time in airports and thats the least favorite part of my vacations. Last year we did Oahu and Maui and the travel to/from Maui was atleast an additional day of airport,security,luggage,car rental etc. UGH. In addition, interisland air fares are high right now, around $85/person.
In 12 days on Oahu we still did not see and do all we wanted and this was my 5th trip. Let me add that we do not need or particularly want to be on the go constantly. Atleast half of our vacations are spent simply enjoying a beautiful beach, a long swim and a good book.

You don't say where you're planning to stay on Oahu, but even Honolulu/Waikiki can get old in ten days unless you're a beach person and shopaholic. All of the islands have their charms. Since nobody's mentioned the big island yet, I'd like to suggest flying over to Hilo for a day or two to check out Volcano National Park. How often can you see an active volcano in action? This would be the location I would chose to take a helicopter ride and view the volcanic activity.

On our visit last year ( our first time ) we went to Oahu,Maui ,and Kauai total 14 nights. Now after going i would change a few things ( hind site 20/20) but for the most part it was all good.

If i had your 10 days i would spend 4 nights oahu, and the rest in maui. Dont get me wrong Kauai is great but Maui offers more activities and a greater diversity. Everone has an opinion and you should base your on your level of activity and desires. It seems to me you want to see a lot so i would go to Oahu and Maui. Read up on fodors about maui activities and oahu activities and you find what you need.
As for Oahu activities, north shore visit all the beaches, dole plantation, 1/2 day snorkle hanamua bay( not spelled right) free hula show on the beach waikki most nights with lighting of the tourches up and down beach hotels, of course diamond head and pearl harbour. And a super beach in front of the mandrian hotel, oahu.

Maui offers, snorkle molikini, and lanai, with several free areas including black rock ( free in front of the sheraton hotel)this area also boasts a great shopping open air area and great grills to eat all the way up tp up scale restaurants, with a long board walk to strole in front of all the hotels good 1/2 day trip, the fish bowl,wailia beach area, etc. And the mother of all activities The road to hana many rain forest hikes and water falls( go all the way arround) everyone wants to see black sand beaches well there are many on the other side of hana, most people dont look for them so they never see them and books talk little about them , just keep your eye open for them. And if you go maui road to hana, bring 2 meals , they dont call it the road to hunger for nothing. Get a tape or cd for the trip its a must. then there is the bicycle ride down mountain( cant remember the name) unreal experience.Then there are dinner sail cruises, whale watch trips, scuba and snuba trips many to chose from and good luaus. so thats my 2 cents worth from a first time visitor. nick

I think age and activity levels have alot to do with which islands are favorites....

Wow, thank you all for your responses, except now I'm even more confused?!?!!? I want to do them all!!! Well I feel my initial question has been answered -- so I will be checking out another island. Now which one....?

Icee you are right age and activities go hand and hand for the most part so I'll let you all know that I am 24 and like nightlife which is why I chose Oahu. I will be there the week of July 4th and though it would be nice to celebrate the holiday in the most populated part of the state. So I was thinking as soon as I get in to head over to Maui or Kauai for some relaxing and scenery. From what I gather from all your responses, I can't really go wrong with whatever island I choose!!!

-Ken

My husband and I are also going for 10 days over the 4th of July. We are staying on Oahu the first half to do all the touristy things. Then we are headed to the Big Island to relax and explore Volcano National Park and the Black Sand Beaches. I know that even with 10 days there is much we won't get to see.