august honeymoon in hawai'i
 

We are in need of any information for our honeymoon. Information on traveling between islands (planes vs ferries) , things that are a must see and those that aren't , places to stay (resorts and vrbo etc. no children ). We plan to visit for 2 weeks, leaving from New Jersey( United Airlines has the only non-stop flights_there and back ) We would like to stay on the outer islands more so than O'ahu & Big Island. I am sure I will think of more questions when a few ideas come, thanks to all

Big Island IS an outer island, even though it’s really big! Also, why do you NOT want to include Oahu and the Big Island? What do you want to do while there - sites of cultural significance, museums, history, nature, gardens, beaches, the pool? Resorts or hotels or a condo? What is your nightly budget?

Each of the islands is unique. You would do well to get a guidebook to the islands to give you a sense of the differences and the.experiences available on each island. It isn't clear to me what you think is available, especially given your comment "We would like to stay on the outer islands more so than O'ahu & Big Island " What do you think you will avid by skipping the Big Island and Oahu? And are you think of just Maui and Kauai or are you considering Lanai and Molokai?

Hey there & aloha. I think you are still in your information gathering phase and there are a couple of things that come to mind right away...first is that there are no inter-island ferries except for Lanai to Maui. There are four islands usually visited by guests: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (the Big Island). As is my frequent recommendation to first time / only time visitors, and in spite of us being major fans of the Big Island, if this will be your only trip to Hawaii a visit to Honolulu and Oahu is almost required. Even if you just visit for 5 - 6 days, you'll want to see Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, North Shore, Pali, Dole Plantation and other things that catch your attention. These are all visitor events and will help you get a flavor of the 50th state. Mainland states have their own "cultures" but Hawaii actually does have it's own, distinct and proud culture...

As far as non-stop flights go, if you are considering NJ (Newark?) you may also want to look at NY JFK departures from Hawaiian for another non-stop option. Although it's popular to beat up United, we're UAL frequent fliers and find them to be very good. I just completed a long nonstop from EWR to Tokyo (Over 14 hours long) and United economy was way more comfortable than ANA Economy (flying on miles...economy). For what it's worth, we've flown Hawaiian several times and found them to be good too. Those non-stop flights all go to Honolulu (Oahu). **Edit** Again, depending on where you are, it may pay to look at Dulles if it's reasonably close to you**

Finally, at least for this first reply, I suggest you limit to two islands for two weeks. For us, a few days on Oahu is enough and we only visit every couple of years. If you are beach people and want that sand and palm tree experience, Kauai or Maui for a week might test your limits if you have a hard time sitting still. If you want a more on the go, exploring type of vacation combine Oahu with the Big Island - it is very big. Each island is different and provides a different experience. Our part of the Big Island...very rural: https://beachwoodhawaiicondo.com/kau_hawaii/ Volcanoes National Park is on so many people's wish list...only on Hawaii Island :-)

So many people post and don't follow up...everyone here loves Hawaii and would enjoy helping you...let a few questions fly!

"if this will be your only trip to Hawaii a visit to Honolulu and Oahu is almost required."

I've gone to the islands about 20 times and still haven't stayed in Oahu. (I do have my must do's when we finally go)
My maiden voyage landed me a week on Maui including a couple of nights in Hana and a week on Kauai. Uncle Larry Elison has turned his fiefdom into a playground for the wealthy and Molokai lacks the tourist infrastructure since losing the Ranch. But loved visiting Kaluapapa on mules. and a rural eastern rental that was extremely secluded.

Come back with narrowed down choices.

Just a quick note above to agree with Inakuaidavidababy: if you will be making trips to Hawaii a regular part of your life, you may want to give serious study to Oahu and choose somewhere else that suits your interests better. We also travel there every year, on a couple occasions twice a year, so Oahu is pretty low on our list. But, if you are pretty sure this is a "once in a lifetime" type of trip - or it will be 30 years before you plan to return again, I will stand by the recommendation to plan Oahu into that. My grandfather was (passed away in late 2016) a Pearl Harbor Survivor - so I naturally think for this reason alone, a visit to Honolulu is important. But, that's my bias. There's a lot of easily accessible Hawaiian cultural history here and important American history - among some awesome landscapes, friendly people (every island, really) and primo beaches.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...042b3c356f.jpg

T Miller, 98th Coastal Artillery, Schofield Barracks circa early 1941.

As you can see from the [very educated] posts above, everyone has their favorite places in Hawaii. Many people adore the Big Island - it’s my least favorite of the four majors, at least in the areas most tourists visit (I do love the northwest-north portion of the island). My favorites in order are Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Hawaii. But again, ask four people, get four different answers! By the way, I’ve been to Hawaii at least 10 times and have never visited the Dole Plantation or Polynesian Cultural Center, and probably never will. I have hiked into Haleakala, driven to Hana, watched the surfers on the big waves n the North Shore, kayaked in Kailua, etc.

Nice photo TJM

You might enjoy ordering a copy of "Tommy's Wars" by Howard Fields.
I also enjoyed Julia Flynn Siler's "Lost Kingdom Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America's First Imperial Adventure". The bibliography is an nearly 100 impressive pages of research

Our maiden trip was a one trip in our lifetime. The OP is a honeymooner just beginning their life together. I'd guess 9 out of 10 Northeasterners think their first trip is the trip. Life evolves. When I took my bff to Kauai, as we floated in Hanalei Bay the second day she said she only visits islands once. She's been back thrice!

I knew before I posted my Oahu suggestions that I might face some ridicule, or strongly different opinions :-) I, too, have also never visited the Polynesian Cultural Center (we're planning it for a future trip to Oahu, though as we want to see it), but about 12 years ago we did visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation...and as a gardener, it was very enjoyable. Same with Hanauma Bay...once was enough. It all comes down to personal interest as is always noted in the advice that's offered. If the OP will chime in about his / her interests, it will make the posts more productive than speculation and posting merely about our own individual interests. As with about anything in life...not really right or wrong answers, but easier to help if we get some feedback.

So, Harleyman....where are you? All of us are waiting to help! What kind of trip are you wanting? Where do you want to go? What have you always heard about? What is drawing you to Hawaii?

Information on traveling between islands (planes vs ferries)

There aren't ferries. You'd need to fly between the major island.

We went to Maui for our honeymoon and loved it. Went back a few years later to the Big Island and Kauai and loved those too. Kauai is probably our favorite though. The helicopter flight along the coast is one of our favorite memories ever. All the islands are beautiful, but Kauai had the most natural beauty for us.

A few thoughts from an island girl (Kailua, Oahu born and raised)
Maui has fantastic beaches and amazing snorkeling---if you want to spend the vast majority of your time at the beach or in the water, I would definitely reccomend Maui as an excellent choice. There are also some gorgeous hikes - my three favorite are in PoliPoli state park in Kula, I'ao State park (take the unmarked trail past the viewing platform) and Waihee ridge. I personally prefer to stay in Makawao or Paia to the resort areas of Lahaina or Kihei-- but it depends on whether you are looking for service or more local flavor :) Generally I would say that the restaurant scene on Maui is expensive and the food is good, but not great. Because alot of the land is privately owned there is limited hiking, though the few trails that are open to the public are wonderful.

Kauai is absolutely stunning, but it's a small island. You could easily experience alot of the islands highlights in a 2 night, 3 day jaunt. I highly reccomend staying on the North shore (the st.regis princeville is incredible if you want to really splurge) and hiking the first part of the Kalalau trail (half day hike to do 5 or 6 mile roundtrip hike). You can also explore the Napali coastline via sailboat. Other highlights are the cute town of Hanalei (for a tasty and low key dinner in a converted plantation house try Postcards cafe) Waimea canyon is also must see.

Oahu probably offers the greatest diversity in terms of the activity and cultural experiences. Oahu has amazing beaches--- don't let the pictures of Waikiki beach dissuade you from thinking that Oahu is not a beach locale--- Hanauma bay has some of the best snorkeling in the state, Lanikai beach is consistently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, boogie board at bellows beach, walk 3 miles of pristine beach in Kailua, swim in the deep calm water at sunset beach (summer only), kayak in Kaneohe bay etc. Oahu also probably boasts the greatest number of hikes--- check out Lanikai Pill boxes, Kuliouou ridge, Manoa cliffs, Maunawili Falls,Mariners Ridge, or if you are a very daring and experienced technical hiker Olomanas first peak is absolutely incredible (avoid 2nd and 3rd peak though for safety reasons)---- and this is just a tiny taste of the hiking opportunities. Oahu definitely has the best food scene--- head into Chinatown and Kakaako for the best restaurants on island-- highly reccomend The Pig and The Lady, Lucky Belly, and Senia . You might also check to see if your trip coincides with any first Friday events or Art After Dark events in Honolulu ---- some of the restaurants and bars have special events and many of the art galleries are open late...plus it's often an opportunity to actually meet the artists. If you decide to stay on Oahu--- I reccomend not staying in Waikiki or Koolina ---both of these areas are expensive and sadly tourist bubbles. You won't get a real sense of Hawaii's culture staying in either area. I'd reccomend an airbnb or vrbo in the downtown area (somewhere between bishop street and Keaumoku st), in Kailua, or on the North shore depending on your vacation priorities and your willingness to drive for activities.

On the Big Island I'll simply mention that there are at least two standout other worldly experiences to be had--- the ability to hike next to lava and watch it roll into the sea (can be done both during the day and at night) and the opportunity to snorkel or scuba with Manta days at night. Additionally the Big Island is also beautiful and the culture is distinctly local (especially if you stay in waimea, hamakua, hawk, or hilo)

trailandtide, I've been to Hawaii many times (easy from California) but thank you so much for your very informative post! (and I think you're very lucky to live in Kailua!)

I also urge you to include Oahu. Besides all the history, WWII as well as Territorial, it offers so much natural beauty.

amazing and quite impressive. You have planned things quite nicely. Best wishes for you :)