First-Time Hawaii Advice
 

Hello,

My husband and I are contemplating a September trip, probably about 10 days, to Hawaii. We've never been. We'd prefer to just do one island since we don't want to spend too much time traveling once we arrive. We were thinking of the Big Island but really aren't sure - we would like to spend some time relaxing but also doing fun outdoors activities - hiking, snorkeling and the like. We are not looking for super luxury and would be interested in staying in non-resort places.

Is September a good time to visit the Big Island? Should we be thinking about a different island? Itinerary advice?

Thanks!

IMHO 10 days is too long on The Big Island. Perhaps fly to Honolulu and enjoy Waikiki/Oahu for a few days, then a short hop over to Hawaii for the remaining time and fly home out of Kona.

IMHO 10 days on the Big Island is barely scratching the surface.

Lodging in two separate areas of the island is advisable, as it is big and there is plenty to explore on all four points as will us up in the clouds. Check out vrbo for a start on private homes and condos in various areas.

Different strokes for different folks! We spent 7 days on The Big Island in March and wished we had booked another week. Agree with LG, split your time on The Big Island. Until this year, Kauai had always been our favorite island....but,we loved the Big Island and will definitely go there again.
Have fun!

There's no right answer. If Big Island appeals to you the most, there's certainly plenty to do to fill 10 days time. Many people do 5 days one side, 5 days the other side there.

But each island has it's pros and cons (and devoted fans). Oahu, Kauai, Maui, all offer what you ask for ("fun outdoors activities - hiking, snorkeling and the like:).

I've only been to the Big Island once; we barely scratched the surface in a week. It really is big, compared to the other islands, and to get around to areas of interest you will do a fair amount of driving.

If you don't want to stay in a resort, I would suggest you get a good, detailed guide book to the island. see what specific areas you may want to focus on, and then look online at VRBO listings in those areas, and/or look at what low-key hotels or b&bs are there.

If you have any respiratory problems, do be aware the BI is the most likely place to encounter vog.

For my first trip to Hawaii, the diversity of the Big Island really appealed to me, and I was not disappointed! With your ten days, perhaps a couple of nights in Honolulu then the rest of the time on the BI might be right. I enjoyed the iconic environment of Waikiki for a few days to get into the aloha spirit, then really appreciated even more the experience and the activities on BI. If you click on my name, you can see my recent trip report. I can't recommend more highly the Horizon Guest House which is very reasonable if you take advantage of their seven nights for the price of six.

Wherever you decide to go, I hope it is the trip of a lifetime, like it was for us!

I'd prefer to visit the southernmost of the the Hawaiian Islands in a month other than September (hottest month in the state). You might enjoy Kauai's beautiful north shores then. You could have a fine time splitting a trip right on Oahu -- staying Waikiki a few nights while you see historic sights, then spending a week or more in a condo on the north shore.

My vote would be Kauai. I "liked" the BI--had a really good time. I did split my time between the Kona and Hilo sides. If I never gwent to Kauai I would have said the BI was amazing.

But ... then I went to Kauai's North Shore and LOVED it. For me, that's my idea of the lush, tropical South Pacific paradise I imagine when I think of Hawaii. No comparison. But I know people who love the BI.

As others have said, there's no "right" answer. I'm guessing you'll have a great time whichever island you choose. They all have beautiful beaches, snorkeling, amazing places to hike ... but I'm stickin' by my fave--Kauai!

Until I visited and spent some time on the BI I, too, thought Kauai was my favorite outer island. (I still like Oahu best, and spend time there every year, usually in September.) Now that I have spent more time on the BI exploring both Hilo and Kona areas, I have to say, the BI is my favorite outer island now.

I agree with spending the first few days on Oahu and then flying over to the BI for the rest of your island vacation.

As Chi Sue raised the weather issue, that was a concern - which is the best island to visit given we're going to be there in September? I'm fully hoping this is not our last trip - but the last we'll have without children for a long time.

I've been to the BI and still love Kauai and Oahu the best.

Oahu has so much in the way of history (Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, Bishop Museum, Chinatown, Byodo Temple etc.) and beautiful locations (Diamond Head, the North Shore, the most beautiful white sandy beaches, Hananuma Bay (the best snorkeling), etc.

There is a real feel to Oahu and Kauai of historical Hawaii. Both islands have long time families of Japanese and Hawaiian families. Kauai is stunningly beautiful (especially the North Shore) with lush landscape and waterfalls. Both seem more tropical and lush to me.

Kauai reminds me of what the islands were like 100 years ago.

We've been on Maui and Kauai over the years in late September and early October and the weather has been glorious.

Hawaii is fairly far south (although not on the equator) to be pretty warm year round. Their climate doesn't change much throughout the year. The north & south shores of each island are similar (regardless of the time of year). It will be more rainy on the north shores and drier on the south shores. However, even if it rains it will be warm and beautiful. The rains just keep everything clean.

Lois-dc, I wouldn't worry about the weather. The southern tip of the Big Island is only about a couple of hundred miles south of the north shore of Kaua`i. I think September is a great time to visit. To get to a cooler spot, you can go up to a higher elevation. Normally the tradewinds will be blowing so there is always a nice breeze. But if you have lodgings at sea level, you may want to be sure you have air conditioning for sleeping at night. Otherwise, i would not worry at all about the heat!

We like/love all the islands - and Kauai is our favorite with BI being 1-A. Be sure to snorkel at Hanamua Bay if you spend a couple days on Oahu, which gives you a bit more of the whole Hawaiian experience.

yeah, tomsd - it's such a challenge deciding where to go in paradise! all decisions should be so difficult :)

I'd choose northern Kauai or Oahu in September, given that you want more rural and less man-made. Look for condos *with* A/C. You might also enjoy the Hana area of Maui.

The heat on Big Island isn't just because it is farthest south, it's also because it is largely bare lava -- AND there is often vog from the volcanic gasses. People who LIVE there try to escape in September.

Trust me and if you don't then go to wunderground.com and put in a September date for either Kailua Kona or Hilo and go back a billion years. The temps are usually between 75-82...EVERY YEAR.

Honolulu: count on 80-something degrees every day

Thanks for all the advice everyone, very much appreciated. We have settled on the following (partially dictated on the free flight options we had available using United miles): Arriving around 2pm in Honolulu Sat. Aug 31. Spend 2 nights in Waikiki (we've never been, figure we should see it and adjust). Fly to Kauai early Mon. then spend 8 nights on the North Shore.

We'd really like to get a condo or something similar with a kitchen. Any recommendations?