thank you all for your advices. You've been very helpful.

Definitely see two islands - and the inter island hops are short - 30+ minutes or so from Oahu to Big Island.

The best snorkeling in the islands is on Oahu at Hanauma Bay - which also has a nice beach. We like to take sushi - or picnic lunches there - and enjoy the morning thru lunch.
Go early for the best visibility and to beat the crowds to the best spots on the beach.

And rent a car and drive around both Oahu and Big Island.

The best beach IMO on Big Island - and the one Rockerfeller chose when he built the first real destination resort on the BI was Mauna Kea - which is a little up the road from Kona - but it's also close to Waimea town, and driving to the top of the island at Hawi.

It's also next to Hapuna Beach - another very good beach and this add from the Princess Resorts group says stay 4 nights and get the 5th free: http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/m...FShyQgod-0sAtg

If you want to rent a condo - check some of the timeshare places which rent out their units for the owners. You make the reservation and check in at the front desk - and work with the management - v. with private owners.

Here's one page you can check for timeshare rentals on Oahu:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsLis...zfp135748.html

Tom: you are talking to yourself (what else is new, but this time it's a fact ) the OP is months old - the thread was topped by an advertiser . . .