For a 1st time visitor to Hawaii for 7 days, what would anyone suggest the best Islands to visit?

For others to help you, suggest you provide more info.

How long would you want to stay per island, if visiting more than one?

What do you want to do or see while there (e.g. see an active volcano, visit Pearl Harbor (Arizona) Memorial, etc?)

Do you like a bustling city experience or prefer a relaxed, tropical setting, or are you really trying to get away from it all? Any favorite outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, snorkeling, off-roading)?

Here is a link to get started:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...781010002.html

Feel free to ask more, many are glad to help.

For our first Hawaiian trip (in '01), I started with a good overall guidebook (I bought Fodors) to get a "feel" for the islands in general, and then researched individual islands based on what appealed to us from all the choices.

I think too that you're gonna get replies that suggest that 7 days is only enough time to get to know one island. I know that in our case 10 days was only enough time to barely scratch the surface of Oahu - it was an awesomely wonderful vacation.....

I have to agree. I have resisted the temptation to visit more than one island per week visit to Hawaii. Instead, I have taken two trips, each 7 nights- but only one island each trip. I am not sorry one bit- I will just have to make at least two more trips to see the other islands!

PS. My vote if you were only going to do one island would have to be Maui. It is a well rounded island with plenty to do (day/night), but still unspoiled beauty.