I am planning our honeymoon trip to Hawaii next March (2006). We will have about 7 days in Hawaii and I can't figure out what to do! I think, based on the excellent tips posted on this board, that we have narrowed it down to the Big Island, Kauai, or Maui.

Is it worth it to try to visit 2 islands in such a short period of time? We are looking for cheaper accomodations (prefer B&B to big hotels), great beaches to snorkle and relax on, and a minimal amount of driving (although I recognize some will be necessary).

I have done some research and found some beach bungalows or garden cottages on Kauai (both north and south shores)--is it "safe" to rent these without having seen them?

Any and all advice is much appreciated!

I really mean this to be helpful, although I'm sure I'll be slammed for trying to help as there are some people who don't think it makes sense to try to help people to better use this site.

But all people who post questions here are looking for advice. Your title says nothing to attract the very people you want to attract. I for one clicked on it, but have never been to Hawaii, so I can't help you there. Meanwhile someone who HAS been to Hawaii and may have the perfect advice for you, may easily skip right over your post because it says nothing to him.

I suggest you repost not only including your destination, but an indication of what you're looking for. I'd think "Budget Honeymoon in Hawaii questions" would make a good title and will likely get you better answers.

Well, you asked for advice, and you got some!

Would suggest that you name the places you are considering to stay at in the title of your post as others may have info.

Here is a link to a guidebook I found helpful with regard to condo rentals on Kauai:
www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html

For 7 days, would either stay on one island, or 4 days Maui, 3 days on Kaua`i.

I think Kauai would be perfect for a Honeymoon destination. It's smaller than the BI and Maui, so the amount of driving you do will be dependent on what sights/ activities you choose. I wouldn't try more than one island in 7 days. I don't know which beach bungalows you've found but you can try checking TripAdvisor for ratings.

Also, the "Revealed" books have excellent recommendations for lodging. Why not check them out (don't buy until you know where you're going) at your local book store, write down a few leads and then check those out online?

With 7 days I would go to only one island. Especially on a honeymoon the last thing I'd want to do after getting the spirit of aloha & relaxing for 3 days or so (!) is pack up, check out of the hotel, go to the airport, return rental car, fly to new island, get new rental car, get to the next hotel, get my bearing in the new place, etc.

I would choose either Kauai or Maui for the most romantic IMO. I believe you'll find more reasonably priced accommodations on Kauai. If you have a particular place in mind check on tripadvisor.com and post the name here for feedback.

lovely, if there's any way you can beg, borrow or steal to stretch your honeymoon to ten days, I would try to do it, especially if you're coming from the East Coast. Then I would split it 7 days Kauai/3 days Oahu (seeing Pearl Harbor, the North Shore & Waikiki) or 5 days Kauai/5 days Maui. If you stay a week, then I would make it the South shore of Kauai! Happy planning ...

I gotta back Patrick up here. The only reason a wise aleck like myself clicked on this thread was because I thought I'd be answering another round of, "Where can I find parking?" questions.

But, since I'm already here.....I think 2 islands is do-able, although you could reasonably stay a whole week on any one of those islands and enjoy it.

Oh, I don't know ... seems to me the title attracted some folks, but now there's no advice about HI, just about posting. So, here's mine: try Maui ... you don't have enough time for two islands. Your flights to and from HI will take long enough ... don't add more to it thru inter-island travel. By the way, some are proprietary with this site ... bear with them and show patience, LOL, they mean well and are actually good people. Ciao.

What an amazing post that last one was. Yes, for those who think I'm now being rude here, I gladly admit it, but there's no way I'll admit to being rude with my first post.
"proprietary"? Because I calmly and very politely suggest to a new poster how to get even better answers?

"but now there's no advice about HI, just about posting." Huh? One post (mine suggesting improvements on posting, and one quick "back up" along with more Hawaii tips, and four detailed tips. I guess, you can't read huh, RnRforever?

No one with an IQ over 50 could describe what has been taking place here as at attempt to be proprietary, or suggest that the bulk of the responses are about posting. You can draw your own conclusions to what your post says about you.

Once again. Yes, I'm being harsh or even rude here. But only to a poster who has been rude first!

There was only one thing you said in your post that made sense. "they mean well and are actually good people." Too bad you said it only to be sarcastic. Unfortunately I can't say the same thing about you, since you took the effort to come here to run someone down rather than to sincerely attempt to help.

"I really mean this to be helpful, although I'm sure I'll be slammed for trying to help as there are some people who don't think it makes sense to try to help people to better use this site."

See what I mean?

Damn, you got me. Clicking on RnRforever, now I see that this is a new reincarnation of that idiot who has posted meaningless posts for the past couple of years under a whole slew of troll names (usually involving the word "laughing") and stalking down me and other well meaning posters. Why did I think this was someone actually being serious?
Yep, you got me.

Yes Patrick, the same person. Now watch me get slammed!!!

Lovely, ignoring the trolls, Patrick's advice is truly very good. The title "Advice, please" could be about anything.

Lovely,if you stroll through various threads I think you will see which posters really make clear what help or advice they need and which ones leave others not having a clue as to what information they are looking for.

This subject of titles is brought up constantly by good people here on Fodors that try to help new Fodorites get the most out of Fodor's that they can. Helpful tips are just that - people are not nitpicking - they are trying to help. Best wishes to you for your honeymoon in Hawaii. P.S. With seven days I would pick one island for the seven days. You can visit later for a vacation and see the other islands.

Hi lovely, to add to the other helpful tips, you can type "Hawaii" in the search box and you will get so much information to help you.

There are many, many people who know a lot about Hawaii on this board!

Good luck planning your trip.

Yikes! Sorry about the title--this was my first (and last?) post.

Thanks to those of you who provided helpful advice.

No, no, lovely, don't let it be your last post. Just copy and paste your message BUT just give it a more detailed title. You will get more information than you'll know what to do with

I agree Lovely! You're lucky that Patrick took the time to tell you how the forum works. His advice on posting is great and it really will get you all the information you could ever want, and more! Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

lovely
I have to cast my vote with bonniebroad.
It's just what I would have suggested.