My husband wants to see most of the highlights of Hawaii and would like to use a Tour Company so all transportation/accommodation/tour matters will be taken care of since we want to visit most of the Islands when we go. Does anyone have any recommendations on the best to go with and ones to avoid.

Talk to a travel agent you trust. A tour package can often be cheaper than booking the various "elements" on your own (unless you're traveling solo), but that isn't always the case.

You can easily tell whether you're talking to a good travel agent. A competent, knowledgeable travel agent should tell you is that seeing "most of the highlights of Hawaii" and visiting "most of the Islands" on one trip is not a good idea. You might be able to find a tour with a "if it's Tuesday this must be Hilo" itinerary, but you'd be missing Hawaii! Hawaii is a laid-back (or lei'd-back) place where life is slower and the balmy breezes gently carry away the stress and strain of everyday life. The "highlights" aren't necessarily the volcano, the canyon, or the tourist luau, but lingering on the way to smell the flowers, marvel at the unnamed waterfall, or just stand back and take in the sea spray.

Hawaii is definitely not a place for ticking off boxes in a jam-packed itinerary. Speeding past the "highlights" in an air-conditioned motorcoach-- in between packing, unpacking, and standing in airport queues-- misses the whole point of visiting the Islands.

I'd suggest visiting at most two islands, a combination package available from a great many tour operators. A travel agent can help you choose the islands that offer what you're most looking for. If what you actually want is a whirlwind, he or she should probably suggest one of the many other destinations more suited to that sort of touring.

Tauck $$$$

Globus $$$

Collette $$$

If you want everything planned, soup to nuts, you might also consider a cruise. But I think most here would agree that's not the best way to "see" the islands either.

To add to JB's comments, for me, Hawaii is less about what I see than how it makes me feel. And it's difficult, if not next to impossible, for me to get that feeling from the seat of a tour bus.

Beachbum, I had similar thoughts about suggesting a cruise. I haven't taken one myself, but my parents have and they very much enjoyed it. Their cruise was round-trip from (I think) Ensenada to California, which meant they spent most of their time sailing between the mainland and Hawaii. That suited them fine, and they did get to see some of the "highlights" without the hassles of packing, unpacking and driving that they would have found difficult. My mother has told me that one her fondest memories of the cruise was simply sitting on the deck enjoying the balmy breezes and smells while looking out over the islands. So you do get some of that experience.

There are also cruises that are only within Hawaii (some with the obligatory stop at the nearest speck of foreign territory to comply with laws that forbid foreign ships from sailing between US ports). Again, RedETogo should talk to a travel agent who knows the various options.

Thanks for the responses so far. My husband definitely does not want to cruise--does not want to be trapped on a boat. I cruised once--a Carnival "Fun" Boat--ugh. Could not wait to get off.

I have been on tours where I felt trapped also. I'm going to look at the itineraries very carefully before choosing one and will definitely be talking to the travel agent.

We appreciate your input.