jessmarie323

Hi Everyone,

I'm still working on plans for my 2 week Hawaiian Reunion with my Husband who will be meeting me there from Iraq in October. Only 6-ish weeks left!

Our original plan was to visit 3 islands during our 2 week stay, however I am concerned about spending too much time traveling between islands and I am trying to convince my husband to only stay on 2 islands. The majority of the trip will be spent on Oahu, with 4 or 5 nights on Maui. We originally wanted to spend 2 nights on The Big Island, only to see the volcano and the lava flow. However I don't think that packing, flying, changing rental cars and hotels for 2 nights is worth it.

So I am considering doing a 1 day trip to The Big Island from Oahu. I have found a few sites that offer day trips ranging between $200 and $300 per person and offer air and land tours of the island.

Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Any recommendations?

Is it better to fly to the Big Island for the 2 nights, deal with the airports and transfers, to get a better feel for the Island? We had planned to stay at one of the little cabins at the Kilauea Military Camp which is located in the town of Volcano.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance...

montereybob

Wow, I can imagine how excited you are about this reunion!
I agree that 3 islands in 2 weeks replaces a lot of romantic relaxed time with not -so-fun travel hassles. So I like your idea of a day trip to BI especially if it includes a helicopter flight over the volcano.

Samsaf

Congratulations to you and your husband! You'll have a wonderful time.

Re your question, I personally would skip the Big Island this time. I've been there, and I love that island, but I don't think it's worth taking a whole, long day to see the volcano (and see or not see lava flowing, depending on the day).

I also would not take the trouble to go there for 2 days. You will have so much to do on Oahu and Maui. I've seen the cabins at the Kilauea Military Camp, and they are VERY isolated and seem very basic, way out in the boonies.

Once you see Hawaii, you will probably fall in love with it (as my husband and I did) and you want to return many times. The Big Island is worth a visit all by itself; my husband and I spent 10 nights there and could have stayed a lot longer. So, in my opinion, I would save that island for a future trip.

Happy planning! And tell your husband thank you from a grateful American.

jessmarie323

YES montereybob I am getting so excited for Hawaii! When I meet him at the airport in Honolulu, we will have been apart 6 1/2 months. We are lucky enough to be able to talk every day, and we spend a lot of our time talking about our Hawaii plans!

Samsaf, thank you for your reply. From what I've read, the Big Island is so big it deserves its own vacation. I appreciate your comment about the KMC. There are very few reviews out there about the cabins.

We are staying at the Hale Koa on Oahu and are most likely staying at the Sheraton on Maui. Right now we are planning 4 nights on Maui, mostly due to cost. We are getting such a great deal at the Hale Koa! Anyone want to convince me to stay longer on Maui? We have 14 days total on the Islands.

Anyone else have comments on a day trip to the Big Island??

Kailani

I have not done a day trip to the Big Island, but I researched the trips and was surprised that the cost of a tour from Oahu was about the same as a helicopter tour. ($199 per person)

It is a bit daunting to figure out where to go and how to see the lava for the first time. A tour might be a memorable way to spend the day.

Here is a link with some reviews. http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/us/h...94/ag/8250/vc/

montereybob

The Sheraton Maui is a wonderful place to stay because you won't have to drive anywhere to get to a great beach and fabulous snorkeling-----both will be right in front of your hotel. Plus you will be able to go to all the great shopping and restaurants in and around Whalers Village by just walking south on the beach path.
You've pick a great place for a romantic reunion.
There is so much to see and do on Maui that, if money was not an issue, 5-7 nights works really well.
Have fun!

JohnD

A consideration might be when will you next be able to return to the Big Island

Lava flow can vary from time to time despite the current 20+ year eruption and an aerial tour will provide the easiest overall access, though our most vivid memories are from hiking to and witnessing the heat, color, and tiny explosions of <red>lava <black>flowing by our feet as the evening darkens. Would also like to experience the lava boat tour someday.

dakotapie

We were married on Maui and spent our honeymoon on the Big Island. We also just got back from the Big Island on Monday. Truthfully, with 2 weeks I would totally recommend you see both. You might not be able to see the lava flow (although there are boat tours that can take you out on the water or helicopter tours, which I have taken and were great) you can hike the Kilauea Iki crater, a lava flow from 1959 that has active steam vents. We did it and it was AMAZING. If you split the trip, you won't be disappointed that you did.

glitzy40

I am so excited for you and your husband. I can't think of a better way of celebrating your reunion and first anniversary! You will enjoy the Hale Koa, it's very nice, but I hope you don't spend too much time on Oahu. You sound like you would enjoy seeing all that Hawaii has to offer so I would encourage you to cut short the time you spend on Oahu.

Maui is gorgeous and a lot less crowded than Oahu. You can get some great prices at resorts by bidding through Priceline with the Sheraton or Hyatt coming up for the Kaanapali area ($140-150) or the Marriott Wailea or Maui Prince for the Wailea area $85-$95). Check out betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com. I booked a friend's trip to Hawaii for her family and saved them well over a thousand dollars.

The road to Hana is beautiful, but to fully enjoy it and hike the trails and not be exhausted, I would suggest staying in Hana for a night. There are many homes you can rent by searching the internet.

We have stayed at the military accomodation in Volcano National Park. It's pretty primitive. I think you could find better places to stay for a little more money. If you check craigslist/vacation rentals for the Big Island, you'll find some very nice places to rent. Also on the Big Island, through Priceline I have seen the Hapuna Prince go for $80/night!

Let me know if I can help you out in any way. I have a heart for military families......having been there myself!

jessmarie323

glitzy40-thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions!

I have to be honest with you.. your post added even more confusion and questions to my Hawaii planning!!

The biggest issue I'm having is that I want us to see as much of the islands as possible, but I am very concerned about wasting time switching hotels and traveling between islands.

The reason we're spending the majority of our time on Oahu is because of the great deal we get at the Hale Koa, and right on the beach! Not only is it a great rate, but they give us an extra discount for my hubby being on R&R, both on the rooms and for restaurants and shows at the resort. Can't pass that up! We are doing 5 nights on Maui and the rest on Oahu with a day trip to the BI-unless we change our minds again!

We do want to see the Big Island, but right now the decision is to just take a day trip. We have to start and end on oahu, so if we spent a few nights on the Big Island, that would be 3 airport transfers and hotel changes. Seems like a lot to me for only two weeks. Besides, this won't be our last trip to the island, maybe next time we can split our time between the BI and Kauai!

Any thoughts??