My husband & I (early 50's) will be traveling to the Big Island and Maui in May as an anniversary trip. We like nature, but prefer shorter hikes (1 mile or so max). We normally do a mix of attractions on our own and some tours depending on the ease of the drive.

I am trying to get information from those who have done both islands to compare the Waipio Valley/the Heritage Drive, Akaka Falls,etc on the Big Island to the Road to Hana in Maui. We would do the Waipio Valley through a tour and the Road to Hana as tour to allow my husband to enjoy the scenery without worrying about the road.

Is it worth doing both or should I do one versus the other? Time and car sickness are factors, but this a first trip/anniversary trip so, we are willing to spend extra time and take medication if needed. Please note - we will arrive on the Big Island late one night from Oahu to allow for a helicopter ride and then tour the Volcanoes National Park, so the other attractions on the Big Island would be in addition to the volcanoes and would be done on the following day.

If the Big Island attractions are a must do in addition to the Road to Hana on Maui, how long would it take to do a paid tour of the Waipio Valley and see Akaka Falls etc on our own? I'm wondering if it all could be done in 6 to 7 hours. We will be staying near the airport in Hilo, so we need to leave either on the 2 pm or 5 pm flight to Maui to avoid spending a third night on the Big Island.

I'm not prone to car sickness or air sickness but have had my share of sea sickness.

Waipo is glorious sacred land, but the road down and back up again is STEEP. We took a van down for a wagon tour that didn't go so well but was quite memorable, and it was hold onto your seat steep. These old legs and lungs would sadly never be able to do the climb back up, but one might get nauseous driving down in the back seat. Same with Hana. I'd rather be in the front seat then in the back of a van if I were prone to car sickness. Discount Hawaii Car Rental often offers rates with free additional driver, so you could switch back and forth.

Akaka Falls is a busy tourist spot and a lovely walk.

I've stayed in Hana and done the drive many times so have no first hand experience with tours other then watching them go by.

The Road to Hana is an example of activities I recommend visitors do themselves if possible, with a self-guided audio CD/tour. The road has many opportunities for stops and viewing, and with a group tour you get the same amount of interaction with what you're seeing as watching a TV show at home. Pretty silly imo, so a group tour would be a last resort. Another advantage to doing it yourself is that you'll have control over driving speed and distance, to deal with possible car sickness. The previous comment about vans is absolutely correct imo.

Since your staying in Hilo, and car sickness is a concern, definitely take the Waipio Valley tour. If you cut on anything, the Road to Hana is longgggg but does have several short hikes available. Another idea is Haleakala Park on Maui, which we enjoy far more than VNP on the Big Island

You are only spending two nights on the Big Island which is bigger than all the others combined? Seems like a shame as there is so much to do, but it is your trip.

We've done both, driving ourselves. They are both very different experiences, and both beautiful, in my opinion. I would get sick in the back of a van. Also, if you drive yourselves you can, as noted above, stop when you want and for how long you want.

I'm sorry to see anyone spend money and time to visit Big Island for less than 7 - 10 nights.

How long do you have in Hawaii? What's the whole itinerary? Where is 'home'?

Is this all 'set in concrete', or can you consider changes?

Akaka Falls is right off the highway; easy DIY. Waipio is a hot, humid excursion into a deep valley. Quite different from driving and exploring along Road to Hana. RTH can be a 12-hour drive OR you can go as far as you're happy, then turn back (but only if you are driving).