Oop, my rec on the Banana Bungalow was based off of a few positive reviews I've read...I've never stayed there, but my rec is to just be wary of your surroundings especially when things are "shared". Have never stayed at a hostel before!

I just went to Hawaii for the first time in May. I expected it to be my one-and-only time there, so I opted for 3 islands and 13 nights. I spent 5 nights on Oahu, 4 on Maui, and 4 on the Big Island. It was an amazing trip. I did not have a vehicle on Oahu, but I did on Maui and Big. I budgeted for one somewhat expensive outing on each island, and each one was excellent! On Oahu I did the full-day photo tour with Oahu Photography Tours. On Maui I did the Sunrise Special tour with Haleakala Bike Company. And on the Big Island I did the Morning Snorkel Cruise & BBQ aboard the Fair Wind II with Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides. Being that the trip was my one-and-only visit to Hawaii, I put a lot of research into determining which activities would offer the most bang for the buck, and honestly I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THESE THREE OUTINGS. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, IMO they are all must-dos! I would list getting to the top of Mauna Kea for sunset as a must-do as well; it is simply awe-inspiring. Although I realize you're only planning two islands, which is really all you can reasonably fit into a ten-dayer. It is truly an amazing state. Have a great trip!

ddubya, Thanks for the clarification, because that's definitely not what you said in your other post. You hadn't mentioned anything about traffic or loving your time there!

I don't rent a car. Maybe that's why I don't find Honolulu so terrible to navigate. The Bus is a great public transportation system.

Thank you everyone!