I saw your post re: Oahu/Big Island combo. We're doing just that (family of 4 - 2 kids ages 11 & 12) this June and would love any advice you can offer. We're wanting to do the following excursion wise: Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Hanahama Bay, Diamond Head, and of course the beach. Only able to spend one day on the Big Island, so we plan to fly in early (8am) spend entire day, and fly back at 7:30pm same day. Any tips would be appreciated!

I topped the Oahu report by makai1 in case you haven't read it yet. It has been several years since I visited this island and so am planning to visit it summer 2005. (This summer I'm visiting Maui and Kauai.) I recommend for you AND me spending some time on the north shore. For this reason I'm looking at Turtle Bay resort and those cottages where they filmed "The Big Bounce". Things I loved on Oahu include dim sum in Chinatown, the International Marketplace, the parade at Polynesian Cultural Center and Iolani Palace. Diamondhead, of course, must be visited. Truthfully, I was not crazy about Pearl Harbor. I guess all of us Americans feel sort of obligated to visit it, but it's a long ordeal. Where will you be staying on Oahu? I will look forward to your trip report to help me plan my next visit! The things you have listed to see and do sound great.

On the Big Island, given only one day, I would not miss Volcano National Park. I also loved the Place of Refuge.

Come on, other Fodorites, jump in here! If you have time on the Big Island, it might be fun to visit those warm thermal tidepools in the Kapoho area north of Volcano National Park.

The Big Island doesn't lend itself to day trips because, well, it's big. Distances to and between most attractions are long.

Flying into Hilo and spending the day at Volcanoes Nat'l Park is one option, if seeing live lava isn't a priority -- this usually requires either nighttime viewing or a helicopter tour.

Another option would be to fly into Kailua-Kona airport in the morning, head north and take the scenic route all the way to Hilo, stopping at Hapuna, Waimea, Waipio outlook, Akaka Falls and Hawaii Botanical Gardens, then fly out of Hilo that evening. For a day trip that's what I would do.

I posted a longish reply to your post of yesterday entitled "Hawaii" on this subject that had some options on the Big Island. Really though, it's hard to get my mind around only one day on the largest island. I'm sure it will be great - after all, you will be in Hawaii!

Aloha all,

Definitely experience the north shore on O'ahu... we didn't do PCC... did Old Lahina Luau on Maui, and that satisfied the luau thing... have read great things about it though.

If I only had 1 day on BI, it would be a toss up between VNP and a snorkeling excursion. One day, tough choice.

Aloha and happy planning!

I could go on and on about the wonders of the Big Island, but if you have allocated only about 12 hours there, it would be of little use to you. On our first trip to the Islands, my husband and BIL did a daytrip to the B.I. from Oahu, were there about 11 hours. They concentrated on Volcanoes Park, ate lunch in the lodge there, also stopped at a Macadamia nut/flower farm on the way back to the airport in Hilo. If you do VNP justice, you won't have a lot of time to see any other sites because there is such a driving distance between them. I would just make the most of my time in the Park........ and plan to spend several days on the B. I. next time!

To Bonnie: We are going to the BI in the summer for 10 days. How far is VNP from the Marriott outrigger and what are your recs. to do besides that? Thanks, Larry