Cruise to HI islands need help
 

I am new to this forum and am so happy to see that people give their honest opinions on Hawaii. I am doing a cruise that leaves from Honolulu, then goes to Maui, Big Island and Kaui. Not sure of the exact order at this point. What would be considered the must do's on these islands? We definitely plan on doing a helicopter tour, hiking to a volcano, snorkeling, luau-probably in Maui since we depart at 10:00 pm. Not sure which island would be best to do those things and anything else that we should cover. <BR>Thanks for the help in advance.

It really depends on how much time you have on each island. A nice luau on Maui is The Old Lahina Luau. The only active volcano is on the Big Island in the Volcano National Park - you'll have to rent a car or take a shuttle of some sort to reach the park from Hilo (or wherever the cruise stops - may be too far from Kona) - time allowing. Seeing Pearl Harbor on Oahu is well worth an effort. And I guess that leaves Kauai for the helicoper tour of the Na Pali coast. <BR><BR>Have a good trip.

Thank You for the suggestions.<BR>The most time we will spend on each island will be from 6-8 hours. Maui being the longest. Although many have told me to go to Volcanoe National Park, my fiance and I don't feel comfortable being so close to an active volcano. We thought we could do a helicopter tour there instead. Are we worried for no reason?

The volcoano on Hawaii is the leaky kind rather than th explosive kind - so no worries. (If it were the explosive kind you wouldn't want to fly over it any more than walk on it, BTW.) It is safe - and the park service is very good about monitoring conditions and keeping people in safe areas. The volcano is closely monitored - so if something were to happen there would be plenty of warning in advance. (Remember - Mt St. Helens - explosive type - lots of warnings in advance.) When the volcano gets active people rush TO the park to see the lava - it is safe.<BR><BR>It is a 40 minute drive from Hilo to the park - if you have time you could drive down chain of craters road and walk out to the flow - which may or may not be on the surface and may or may not be visable during the day. Best to check at the park headquarters near the enterance. Otherwise, take one of the many hikes available in the park, drive crater rim drive, see the steam vents, lava tube, eat at Volcano Inn - at a table overlooking a huge caldera (not active now). Or - take a helicopter tour.

Thanks scigirl. It would make sense why would we be able to fly over the volcano but not walk near it? We are very much up in the air on what to do in Maui, but leaning more towards a helicopter tour. Then driving around seeing the sites and hiking possibly followed by a luau at the end of the night. I have plenty of time, I am just ansy to get there already! LOL<BR>Thanks again.