To those of you who have been to Hawaii many times, what do you consider to be the most adventurous and exciting day trip? We'll be in Oahu in June and will have about three full days. I've read that you can fly to other islands for around $200 per person. Is it worth doing that; and if so, which island would you choose? We'd love to do a rain forest hike and maybe some snorkeling/SCUBA/sailing. I would so much appreciate any advice you can share. This is our first time there. Thanks so much!

You can fly interisland for a lot less than $200 per person. If you really want to leave Oahu, consider flying to Hilo for a day, maybe even staying over night. Explore Volcano National Park and the Hamakua Coast. Yoiu will have a volcanic moonscape or a rainforest, depending on elevation alone. It is beautiful. We saw our first moon bow in VNP at night. We also enjoyed the Tsunami Museum in downtown Hilo. It was easily worth a couple of hours of our time.

We've been to Hawaii 3 times, visited Oahu, Maui (twice) and Kauai (twice). If you want a great day adventure, with beautiful scenery, go to Kauai and hike the Kalalau trail. It's an amazing hike along the Na Pali coast, where you see everything from rain forest, to beautiful beaches, waterfalls and amazing cliffs. Keep in mind: go early, bring water and food, bring a camera and sunscreen, and be careful! It's a relatively strenuous hike where the path can get very slippery, and there are NO handrails!

Thanks so much for the replies. Dawn, can you please tell me which company you recommend for inter-island flights?

If you go to Google and type in "discount inter-island coupons" you'll have too many choices. We usually book our inter-island travel through Pleasant Hawaiian (922-1515)or King's Travel (593-4481).

However, don't overlook Oahu. It is our favorite island followed by the Big Island. On Oahu there is Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Polynesian Cultural Center, Diamond Head hike (take a flashlight for the tunnel), Sunset Beach and North Shore, not to mention Waikiki Beach and the historical Hawaiian monarchy buildings.

Aloha Air and Hawaiian Air fly to all the islands. If you want to go through a tour, Roberts Tour of Hawaii does that kind of thing. You see those shttles and buses all over Hawaii.

There is talk that Hawaiian Air will buy Aloha it really does not matter which one you choose. I always like the seats on Aloha but the flights are so short it is like trying to select the most comfortable shuttle bus service. I like to see who offers the most flights because if you miss one you can just hop on the next one ,space provided but no asigned seats much easier than you would expect.

Kauai is my favorite island but I would not mind flying to Maui for the Old Lahaina Lua. The flight to Kauai is about 20 minutes. With only 3 days I would stay put on Oahu.

Go to Iolani Palace, drive to the North Shore Heau and Windward side. Visit Byodo Temple, Queens Summer residents. You have a tremendous amount of Natural Beauty on Oahu why tack on travel time to your already short 3 days.

About volcano last I checked about 3 weeks ago the lava glow was not visible from the pali it was traveling through volcanic tubes underground an into ocean. I think less is more for travel in Hawaii this is why I would jump over to Maui for dinner at the most. Still such a hard call as so many award winning chefs on Oahu.

The Hawaiian-Aloha merger is kaput. Maybe they'll start talking again in the future but it is over for now.

Lily, I agree with NotDawn. Spend more time in fewer places. Each island has unique charm and appeal. You can easily spend a week enjoying Oahu and you can also spend 3-4 days on each of the other islands.

Hanauma Bay has some of the best snorkeling in the state. We enjoyed a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Go to Pearl Harbor early in the morning to avoid long waits. Most luau's are over-priced. Waikiki has lots of people but is still a nice beach.

Check Hawaiian Airlines website for $49.99 (each way) airfare specials.

I just bought an interisland flight during busy Easter week (Spring Brake) and saved 25 bucks each on one way tix Oahu to Kauai by booking online. Both Expedia and Travelocity had the same lower price -- calling he airline direct was $25 more per ticket.

All my guide books say Aloha Air is preferable to Hawaiian: they are the #1 on time airline of any in the US, including all major mainland airlines. THey are the two that offer the interisland flights nd prices and availability are totally equal, so I would go with Aloha if possible because it is supposed to be on time and maybe a bit more friendly or professional.

In my research for my trip, I have found a good starting point is About.com Hawaii page, which has an A-Z index of all Hawaiian topics, tons of info.

If you are not really fit/adventurous, you can also see the beautiful Na'apali coast via a cateraman sailin excursion.On About.com is a traveller's photo illustrated online journal of such a trip -- beautiful! We are going to hike the trail (11 miles) and my friend who has done it says to start out very early in the morning (obviously). Her group of friends got off to a late start and she said it was terrifying the last 2 hours back hiking in pitch black darkness with steep cliffs overlooking the ocean on one side at one point. I am starting early, but also packing a flashlight!

kcd - were you expecting handrails on a hiking trail? would anyone?

Guess Irony is lost on you P. Get a grip KCD was just letting us know Kalalau trai is no cake walk. That trail was listed by the sierra club as one of the nine most difficult hikes in the U.S. Some of us did not know that until after we did the trail. Good for you to know Lily it is certainly doable but I like doing this trail in over cast with little chance of rain that is hard one on Kauai but oh so glorius if you can get this day as we did last August.