6 Days in Hawaii - 1 or 2 islands?
 

Hello,

I am flying into Oahu Sunday night on a 9:30 flight for 6 days (leaving saturday).

We are thinking of staying in oahu for either 2 days, or flying directly to maui that night/the next morning (are there even flights that late?). We don't really care too much for the city as we are from NYC, but I'm sure we would still enjoy it (we even thought about going to Kauai for 2 days first). Should I be splitting this time up or commiting fully to Maui for 6/7 days?

Any chance that we could the majority of Maui in 6 days? (including Hana and the other 2 points of interest on the west side)?

Thanks!

For 6 nights, flying from the east coast, I would only choose one island.

Maui or Kauai.

It looks like Hawaiian Airlines has 27 nonstop flights from HNL to OGG on Maui, beginning at 5:05 am with the last one at 9:50 pm

Maui, for 6 days is just about enough time but the longer the better!
Don't attempt to split your stay further.

One week = One island. Sounds like you only have five nights. Long flights for such a short reward! Stay Waikiki. You don't have extra hours to spend sitting in airports

Your first day will be a blur as your body adjusts to the time change. Without air, lodging or car reservations in advance, you will have better luck just staying Honolulu. It has bus service, and distances are short enough that a taxi won't break the bank. You might rent a car for a day to drive Oahu's beautiful east and north shores. You need a rental car everywhere in Hawaii outside of Honolulu proper.

Your flight arrives HNL too late to fly on to Maui that night.

To specify, I am flying in from Vegas and back to LA. Thanks!

Sure you could see a lot of Maui in 6 days, if you want to skip Oahu entirely.

But since that's where you're flying in/out of, why not stay on Oahu, but somewhere other than Waikiki (since you want to get out of the city). Stay a night at the beginning and end in Honolulu/Waikiki to see the sights, then rent a car and do a slow circle tour and see the rest of Oahu.

Or don't even leave the airport, get a connecting flight, and just book your entire vacation on Maui.

6 days is definitely NOT enough to really "see" two islands.

For me, visiting Pearl Harbor was a "must" for any visit to Hawaii, so we stayed in Waikiki before flying on to Maui. However, if Pearl Harbor is not a priority for you, go straight to Maui. It is beautiful and there will be plenty to occupy you for the week, especially if you are doing Road to Hana (allow one full day). I also recommend driving up Haleakala (at any time of day, not necessarily for sunrise). Have fun!

Personally, I think Oahu offers much more of a real Hawaiian feel than Maui. Maui is a much drier island (not as tropical) and less Hawaiian culturally.

Oahu has a long & diverse Hawaiian history - with a lot more to do and see. There is Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Japanese Temple, China Town, the North Shore (where the famous surfing beaches are - Sunset, Pipeline, Waimea). Oahu has the best beaches and great snorkeling at Hanauma Bay


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanauma_Bay

Depends where you are and what you are doing on ANY of the islands you choose. Sorry but I don't believe you can broad brush them saying one is inherently more or less "Hawaiian culturally".