Best to do list on Hawaii
 

We are going to Hawaii for my niece's wedding in early July and then on to Oahu for three days. I know we want to see the volcano on Hawaii and we've been told the beaches are amazing, but that we need to rent a 4-wheel drive or be prepared for big hikes to see them.
We've also been told that sunrise, sunset and seeing the volcano at night are must dos...

My son is a full ROTC student at Norwich [18 yrs old] so for sure we're going to see the USS Arizona/Missouri on Oahu.

Are there any other "must see/dos" that we are missing or any recommendations on the "need" to rent a jeep wrangler vs a "regular" car?

Any tidbits from someone who's been there more frequently than me [almost 30 years ago...] would be greatly appreciated. :)

Most beaches are accessible by regular car and short walks. The same with the volcano. There are more rugged adventures but why not do the easy stuff? Rather than a must do list, I would recommend buying a travel guide book. It is helpful to have more detailed info than just a list.

You do not need a 4WD vehicle for the Big Island. There is no place that your rental car contract will allow you to drive it so don't waste the money. If you want to go to the top of Mauna Kea, then rent from Harper's (expensive and hard to deal with....only rent for the day you need it). They are the only rental car company that allows their cars to go to the summit. You will need 4wd for the summit or take a tour and let someone else do the driving. Especially if you suffer from altitude sickness.

Where are you staying? Early July is super popular and rental cars sell out and lodging becomes scarce. It is probably best to fly into one side (Hilo or Kona) and out the other. Spend a couple days in Hilo or Volcano to see VNP and then head over to the west side for the beaches and snorkeling.

Most of the best beaches on the Big Island are in South Kohala and they all are accessible by regular rental car and have parking lots, etc. Kuana'oa, Hapuna, Wailea, Kukio are among my favorites.

I don't consider any one of these "must do" but on Oahu there are lots of interesting things:

around Honolulu/Waikiki - Diamondhead, Chinatown, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, various Farmers Markets, free music/dance shows, Waikiki Beach, Kapiolani and Fort de Russy parks, Foster Botanical Gardens, ShangriLa Estate.

then there's the "Circle Tour" heading around the island and including the North Shore.

Hope you will be staying Kohala Coast, as that's where the good (and vog-free) beaches are. You don't need any 'special' vehicle. (If you want to go up Mauna Kea, take a tour. Do not drive yourself. You *can* get up to visit Madame Pele's abode on your own, but what you can see and do will be limited by how active she is while you are there. (Bring her a tribute of gin; somebody has to calm her down!)

If the Hulihee Palace (Kona) is open, stop by. The docents know a lot of interesting history about the island. I prefer the northern route from west to east. The transition from dry to wet sides in Waimea is amazing. Hamakua Coast is lush, with waterfalls longside the road as you get near Akaka Falls and Hilo.

taitai, imo your claims about 4WD on the BI are way overstated. A 4WD vehicle comes in very handy in lots of places on the island, e.g. you can drive almost all the way to green sand beach at South Point with one, instead of hiking, lots of places in Puna District and along the Hamakua Coast require 4WD etc, in fact a friend of ours lives in Captain Cook and his house is accessible only with 4WD.

Especially for people who don't like to stay on paved roads, 4WD isn't an option, it's a necessity.

The problem is that your rental car contract doesn't allow you to drive on all those unpaved roads unless you rent from Harpers. So, really, there is no need for a 4WD. Plus, they scream tourist so are a major magnet for break-ins. No major rental car company allows the road to South Point, for instance, or down into Waipio. Of course, you can still do it. They don't have trackers on the cars. However, if you get into any trouble your insurance (either private, via your credit card or purchased through the rental car agency) won't cover you.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It's always helpful to get the insights of people who live there! :)

Go to the north shore of oahu- turtle bay resort. You can see over 50 turtles in one afternoon its absolutelyyyy amazing. Also go to waikiki beach & you could climb diamond head :) have fun!

You certainly can go on the paved road to South Point in a rental car. (No further, of course!) You can go a mile past the parking for viewing South Point and there is a gravel parking lot for taking the trail (~5 miles round-trip) to Green Sand Beach. Someone there might offer you a lift via their 4WD, and a lookout for your car while it's in the lot, for $$.
Another myth is (used to be) Saddle Road and the Observatory; but of course you could always drive it, and drive to the lower-level public Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, just not farther up the road.
No one who isn't used to 4WD should drive into Waipio.
You'd have to check your insurance to find out what is and isn't covered by your personal policy for other adventures.

Actually, all the major car rental companies prohibit the road to Ka Lae (South Point) so that is out. They all also prohibit the road into Waipio Valley.

Do it if you want. You won't be covered in case of an accident by either the rental insurance, credit card insurance or your private personal car insurance. So, it could be a very costly adventure or maybe nothing at all.

Actually, all the major car rental companies prohibit the road to Ka Lae

Not true.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...ii_Hawaii.html

Apparently there are restrictions.

All the majors (Hertz, Alamo, etc.) don't allow South Point. Maybe Harpers does. Could check with them.

taitai, are you saying you've actually read all the 'majors' current fine print contracts?

Nana, if you refer to "Saddle Road", the entire road has been widened, replaced, and even renamed, and was never prohibited.
I've read the contracts, and the South Point road information given here is incorrect.

The Drive Guide all the majors give you specifically prohibits South Point, Waipio and the drive to the summit (not the Vis). Saddle was allowed once the rehab was completed. All unpacked roads are prohibited.

Obviously, everyone needs to decide to do what they think is best. However, if you drive in violation of the contract, no insurance will cover you be it rental, credit card or personal.

Have a great trip.

"Drive Guide"? Try reading the contracts. (Saddle was always fine to drive).

The saddle has been fine for a couple years.

A drive Map rag filled with advertisements is not a binding contract.