I am trying to make a plan that will allow us (family of 4) to visit Maui for the majority of our vacation and visit Oahu for 3 days. Our vacation will be 11-12 days total, including travel days.

We lived on Oahu for a year and have seen most everything there, that is why we want to visit Maui, but I have a friend on Oahu that I'd really like to see also.

So this is my plan so far.

Fly to Maui, stay for 6 days with rental car at moderately priced hotel. Fly from Maui to Oahu for 3 days, stay with friend, fly back to Maui, stay one night at the Grand Wailea for use of pools, shuttle etc. and fly back home.

What do you all think?

I wouldn't want to fly back to Maui for one night. I'd do the Oahu bit first and get it over.

Or fly home from Oahu. Why return to Maui?

If what you're trying to accomplish is to stay at moderate hotel most of the time with a splurge for one night on Maui, fine. But I agree that I still wouldn't fly back and forth twice. Do Oahu at end or beginning. The saved airfare for 4 might get you another night at GW instead of just one.

Four air tickets will be enough to buy you an extra night at the Wailea, not to mention the hassle of going back and forth to Oahu.

Definitely put Oahu at the start or end of the trip, unless you've already purchased your tickets in and out of Maui.

oops. Had this reply sitting on my computer for a while and dfr posted the same thing!

I would fly into Oahu and out of Maui (or the other way around). Returning to an island for 1 night just to catch a flight home makes no sense (and waste money) imho.

Thanks for the input everyone. I was thinking the same thing about flying to Oahu and then to Maui and then home but when I checked ticket prices on both scenarios it seemed to cost more to fly into one and out of the other, but doing less flying makes the most sense. I'll look into it again, and no I have not booked anything as of yet.