Howdy everyone,my neighbor has a class project to write a report on how he would spend one million dollars on a trip of no longer than 4 weeks to Hawaii(no buying real estate allowed).My wife and I recently visited Maui for 2 weeks and he asked for our ideas,which we shared with him.Being a long time follower of this forum I know that some Hawaii "experts" out there must have some great ideas on how to spent that million bucks(places to stay,things to do,etc.,etc.),so let's hear about them.
Thanks a bunch !!

I believe Bill Gates rented out the entire island of Lanai for his wedding. That could put a pretty good dent in your budget.

My suggestion would be to stay at a nice resort on a couple of islands with reasonable luxury and then donate the remaining $990,000 to a worthwhile local charity. (What is this assignment supposed to teach - how to waste lots of money?). A better assignment would be to see how to budget for a realistic vacation, which would be useful to him in the future.

Whoa there JC, lighten up partner.The object of the exercise is for the students to do an indepth study on their chosen vacation spot using the internet and any other information they can gather to put together a package within the stated guidelines.Rather than set a budget of $100 a week and stay in a flea trap,eat at Micky D's and vegatate on the beach for the month it is hoped that having a virtually open purse the students will look at everything a place has to offer.They should also gain experience on the search engines in pricing hotels,fares,tours cars etc.,etc.It is hoped they will gain experience in planning,research,geography,etc.,tis not meant as an exercise in humanitarianism.

If this is your neighbor's question, why isn't he/she doing the posting instead of having a neighbor do it? And why isn't your neighbor responding to posted questions? How does he/she hope 'to gain experience on the internet using various search engines' if he/she doesn't even take the 1st step ... sounds to me like your neighbor wants others to do the legwork for this project instead of learning 1st hand what to do.

Speak up neighbor !!

Jeez ! Thought this would be a fun/fantasy topic,didn't mean to promote a child guidance clinic.Forget I asked.

Sorry I can't be of any help on the subject, as I've never been to Hawaii, but I did want to come to your defense, Charlie! The reason I am following this post is because it sounded like alot of fun - which, I gather, is why you posted in the first place! Not because you wanted to do some kid's homework for him or because your neighbor is lazy. I suggest everyone read Charlie's first post again. Lots of time people post "fantasy" questions or off-beat threads on this board on they are alot of fun. So back to the original question - what would you do in Hawaii for 4 weeks with a million dollars vacation budget?

I think some are missing the "POINT." It will occur rather quickly that this large sum of money will be difficult to spend on a trip. A very important lesson--can money bring happpiness? It will teach truly how far money will go. Most of us have a pretty clear understanding of the budget trip already. What's to learn in that lesson, if you are living it already. I have been very enlightened by this boards comments of travelers living a much "higher" lifestyle than I.
It has been a real EDUCATION. How you could find the ideas and opinions of others, the lazy approach is beyond me. This communication option opens the world to ALL. Lighten up fellow travelers. I'm sure you have some creative ideas and points of view that will support this person.

Charlie, This has been interesting to follow--with some not so interesting, or fun answers. Let's have some fun now--without using search engines...you did not mention "how many people" could he take? Ok?

So, here's what "I" would do, if given a $1 mil, told to "only" spend it on a Hawaiian trip.

Bring hubby, 2 daughters, 2 boyfriends, 1 son, (all adults), a few nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and special friends, put them on a plane (possibly a private charter), rent a bunch of condos, travel to all the different islands, rent cars/buses, see EVERYTHING we could - or they each wanted to, experience all the flavors and sights and sounds of the islands, get on the plane and come home. The planning would come after I had them all invited, then figure out where & how to spend the money. But, be certain to give each one their input as to what "they" wanted to do-or divide up the money then and let each plan their own trip, insisting it follow the class project.

(P.S.-while on an Alaskan cruise in '90 I met a lady whose husband's aunt (90 yrs. old) was taking 17 members of her family on the 12 day cruise, train, air trip through that gorgeous state. She told us that a couple of years before, the Aunt had taken 24 members to Europe for a few weeks. Unfortunately the lady didn NOT need any more relatives to adopt at that time--but what a wonderful gift and wonderful memories.)