My wife and I will be in Hawaii in early March for 13 days. We are going to spend 3 days on Oahu and 5 days on Maui (can't be changed). We are having trouble deciding where to spend the remaining 5 days. Which island would you recommend? Would one choice round out the itinerary better than the other?

I have been to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, so I would recommend the Big Island! I am sure Kauai is great, and I am looking forward to visiting there, but the Big Island was spectacular!

It is so diverse and unique from the other islands that it was a wonderful addition to visiting Oahu and Maui, which were more similar to each other. The Big Island is covered in black lava rock, and the visual contrast with the blue Pacific and the green palms is beautiful. Also, Volcano National Park is like no other place on earth.

If you click on my screen name and scroll down, you should be able to find the 3 trip reports I posted on the 3 islands when we returned. Good luck!

It's hard to give advice on "rounding out an itinerary", when you have not stated what kind of things or activities you would like to include in that itinerary

The Big Island has alot to offer but in my experience also means you'll likely be doing more driving than on other islands to cover the sights. Kaua`i is smaller but has more sandy beaches than the B.I. and spectacular tropical, ocean and mountain scenery. On our first trip to Hawaii we spent 2 days on the Big Island and 4-5 days each on Maui and Kaua'i-it was a great trip and I don't believe you will go wrong with either!

If you're going to be getting a lot of beach time on Oahu and Maui, then it would be we well worth it to go to the Big Island. The volcanoes are amazing, and the rest of the island is really neat, too. 5 days will give you plenty of time to explore and get a good feel for it.

I have been to the Big Island and to Kauai twice. Right now I would go back to Kauai. You can see more in 5 days on Kauai than on the Big Island. To see the BI in 5 days means a lot of driving. The BI deserves more time because of the size.

Both the Big Island and Kauai have jaw-dropping scenery, just very different. I agree with the above poster who said that if you're going to have a lot of beach time on Oahu and Maui, go for the Big Island. I think five days will give you time to enjoy a lot of it!!! I love all the islands, and you just can't go wrong, really, whichever you choose!

I'm expecting a comment from Kal about now??? OSB

I just returned from Kaua'i last week and I really enjoyed it. Everyone's vacation interests are different; however, I found Kaua'i to have a good mix of relaxation and activity. Of course, we spent days lounging at the beach. But we also were able to do some great hiking, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, etc. You can drive around the whole island in a few hours and the scenery is breathtaking.

The Big Island has more to see than Kauai. Both have one main road that goes arounf the island. Kauai is a very slow, laid back island. I remember when they only had 3 stoplights on the entire island.

The Big Island is the only place to see "active" volcanoes. There's a lot of neat places to see and also to relax. I would go for the Big Island.

Dandy is right. Kauai is pretty, but it rains a lot, there are not many things to do and it is WAY too relaxing. I keep going back hoping it will change, but it just stays pretty much the same.
-Bill

Dear Jamq,

I hope that you will continue to be disappointed. I hold my breath whenever I return to Kauai, hoping to find that no "improvements" have been made.

>
Why ANYONE would even waste their time going to Kauai again and again is beyond me.

Rain, no nightlife, no shopping, expensive, rude service people, mosquitos...I can get that here!

In fact, in about 81 mo' days my research will continue into this phenomena.
It will consist of 21 days of tiring, extensive and sometimes exhausting study of "Just what IS the attraction of Kauai?"!


The things I do for this board. O

hulahoop,
amen bruddah/sistah!
-Bill

21 days Kal? Have you lost your mind man?!!! No one can stand that much rain and boredom. I respect this all in the name of science thing, but are you sure you're really up for the task? It is THE RAINIEST SPOT ON EARTH!!!!

Oh if only, if only I could talk some sense into you. But I know you. You're willing to risk it all, to find answers for the good of all. We're setting up a hotline, in case you run into trouble. Godspeed Kal! I will personally tie a yellow ribbon round my old oak tree in 80 days?!!!!!!!!!

DrJimmy: It really is like asking which flavor of ice cream is best... Whether the Big Island or Kauai is better depends on what your definition of "round out" is.

If you want to simply relax on a beach somewhere, either island will do.

If sunny weather is a priority, stick with either the Kohala or Kona Coast on the Big Island. That area gets the least amount of rain anywhere in the state.

But if you want a real taste of lush, green tropics, don't mind a lack of nightlife, don't want to do a lot of driving or exploring, and don't mind a little rain (and maybe more than a little), Kauai would be the better choice.

yup, it's all good!!!!

Kauai would be a great choice. Easy to drive with many attractions, activities, interesting shopping and great dining.

Hi Dr.Jimmy,
I guess you and I have the same schedule. My wife and I will be in Hawaii for fifteen days the beginning of March 05 as well. We leave new york on March 4th for three nights in oahu. then we head out for 6 nights in Kauai and the final six nights in Maui. We chose Kauai over the big island because we are not that much into sight seeing and decided we wanted to see lush and tropical kauai. We want to do a catamaran on the Napoli coast and take a helicopter tour over Wamaei canyon. We are staying at the Hyatt on both Maui and kauai and the hilton Hawaiin village in Oahu. If you want to email me I can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks. looking forward to hearing from you. Dr.Bruce