Hawaii - 1st Timer
Oct 18th, 2005, 07:53 AM
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Hawaii - 1st Timer
My husband are starting to plan for a trip to Hawaii. Neither one of us have ever been there before and we don't know where to start. Any tips on which Island(s) to go to and "must see" items would be appreciated. Also, what is the best time of the year to go. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Oct 18th, 2005, 11:48 AM
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We'd love to see the sites, bike riding, hiking, I would like to snorkle (but husband doesn't enjoy), relax by the pool with a drink with a small umbrella in it. We'll have approximately 2 weeks and we're flying from Wisconsin. Thanks!
Oct 18th, 2005, 12:44 PM
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Pick up copies of the Hawaii Revealed book series, and start reading. What sites do you want to see? As for bike riding, hiking, relaxing by a pool etc, you can do those things on any of the islands.
Here's a vastly oversimplified summary:
Kauai: Lush, rainy, what most people envision when they think of a tropical paradise. South shore is more developed, and drier. Not much nightlife on the island.
Maui: Upscale, more expensive. Lots of nice resorts, lots of nice beaches etc. East Maui/Hana is lush and relatively undeveloped. Good snorkeling at Makena and Molokini.
Oahu: South side is crowded, touristy, extremely developed, with a lively nightlife. North side is much quieter (except during high surf season) and less developed.
Big Island: It's big. Just about anything you want can be found here. Two major population centers (Kona and Hilo), small towns in between the two, and upscale resorts along the Kohala Coast. Most of the west side of the island is barren lava flow, while the east side is rainy and lush. Has what many people consider to be the best snorkeling in Hawaii, along with an active volcano.
Molokai: For people who really want to get away from it all, and don't mind a lack of development and infrastructure.
Lanai: Privately owned former pineapple plantation. Has two resorts, both of which were recently bought by Four Seasons.
Here's a vastly oversimplified summary:
Kauai: Lush, rainy, what most people envision when they think of a tropical paradise. South shore is more developed, and drier. Not much nightlife on the island.
Maui: Upscale, more expensive. Lots of nice resorts, lots of nice beaches etc. East Maui/Hana is lush and relatively undeveloped. Good snorkeling at Makena and Molokini.
Oahu: South side is crowded, touristy, extremely developed, with a lively nightlife. North side is much quieter (except during high surf season) and less developed.
Big Island: It's big. Just about anything you want can be found here. Two major population centers (Kona and Hilo), small towns in between the two, and upscale resorts along the Kohala Coast. Most of the west side of the island is barren lava flow, while the east side is rainy and lush. Has what many people consider to be the best snorkeling in Hawaii, along with an active volcano.
Molokai: For people who really want to get away from it all, and don't mind a lack of development and infrastructure.
Lanai: Privately owned former pineapple plantation. Has two resorts, both of which were recently bought by Four Seasons.
Oct 18th, 2005, 01:05 PM
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We're just back from our first trip to Hawaii (won't be our last). We loved it. We really wanted to get an overview, taste many places so we'd know where we wanted to go back to. We had 2 weeks, so left out Big Island -- I think that needs a trip to itself.
We spent the first 2 nights on Oahu to recover from jetlag (we live in CT) and to visit Pearl Harbor. We also had time to take a drive round the island, eat at the shrimp truck, and try shave ice from Matsumoto's.
Then on to Maui, 4 nights at the Sheraton in Kaanapali. Lovely beach, great snorkeling, lots of things to do, places to see, and to eat.
We finished up in Kauai, 4 nights in a condo next to Princeville Hotel (quieter and very scenic north shore) and 4 nights in a condo in Poipu (south shore, more developed). I'm going to do a full trip report when I get time -- there's so much to tell.
I started planning (quite a project) with reading: first the Frommer's guide about all the islands to get an overview, then (on many recommendations from this board) bought the Revealed guide for each island we wanted to visit. I read them all (and that's a lot of reading time!) On top of that, I spent a lot of time on this board and FlyerTalk, reading posts and searching. There is a wealth of information right here.
By the way, we chose September because it is after the summer rush and before the second rush for winter holidays. Rates were a bit more reasonable, but it's not a cheap trip, for sure. We were also celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, so were ready to splurge a bit. I'm glad we did.
Booked everything ourselves, and the flights from LA to HNL and inter-island with help from Panda Travel <http://www.airtohawaii.com> -- very helpful, and good prices. And for the special occasion, we decided to use our US Air points for first class tickets from CT to LA, where we stayed overnight. Great flight -- only problem is that we are now spoiled, don't want to return to the cheap seats which is where we usually sit!
For me, the research phase is part of the fun, and I really enjoy it. Well, okay, I do get a bit obsessed -- but reading this board, I suspect I'm not alone in that...;-)
We spent the first 2 nights on Oahu to recover from jetlag (we live in CT) and to visit Pearl Harbor. We also had time to take a drive round the island, eat at the shrimp truck, and try shave ice from Matsumoto's.
Then on to Maui, 4 nights at the Sheraton in Kaanapali. Lovely beach, great snorkeling, lots of things to do, places to see, and to eat.
We finished up in Kauai, 4 nights in a condo next to Princeville Hotel (quieter and very scenic north shore) and 4 nights in a condo in Poipu (south shore, more developed). I'm going to do a full trip report when I get time -- there's so much to tell.
I started planning (quite a project) with reading: first the Frommer's guide about all the islands to get an overview, then (on many recommendations from this board) bought the Revealed guide for each island we wanted to visit. I read them all (and that's a lot of reading time!) On top of that, I spent a lot of time on this board and FlyerTalk, reading posts and searching. There is a wealth of information right here.
By the way, we chose September because it is after the summer rush and before the second rush for winter holidays. Rates were a bit more reasonable, but it's not a cheap trip, for sure. We were also celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, so were ready to splurge a bit. I'm glad we did.
Booked everything ourselves, and the flights from LA to HNL and inter-island with help from Panda Travel <http://www.airtohawaii.com> -- very helpful, and good prices. And for the special occasion, we decided to use our US Air points for first class tickets from CT to LA, where we stayed overnight. Great flight -- only problem is that we are now spoiled, don't want to return to the cheap seats which is where we usually sit!
For me, the research phase is part of the fun, and I really enjoy it. Well, okay, I do get a bit obsessed -- but reading this board, I suspect I'm not alone in that...;-)
Oct 18th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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I'm a Minnesota native. Before I moved to Hawaii, I visited in Dec, Jan, or Feb just to break up the winter.
Mid-November through mid-April is the best whale watching season.
Oahu is the best. It has much more to do than any other island.
Lots of things to do on Oahu. Many of the websites are good for all islands:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34652188
Maui:
www.mauihawaii.org
www.visitmaui.com
Big Island:
www.bigisland.org
Kauai:
www.kauaidiscovery.com
www.kauai-hawaii.com
Mid-November through mid-April is the best whale watching season.
Oahu is the best. It has much more to do than any other island.
Lots of things to do on Oahu. Many of the websites are good for all islands:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34652188
Maui:
www.mauihawaii.org
www.visitmaui.com
Big Island:
www.bigisland.org
Kauai:
www.kauaidiscovery.com
www.kauai-hawaii.com
Oct 19th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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We just returned in August. The Sheraton Resort in Maui was excellent, They have a great pool, beach & you can snorkel at the Black Rock located right on their beach. There is an indoor & poolside bar. There is also a beach path to the Whalers Village & the Hula Grill( a great beachside bar/restaurant with nightly live music)We loved the resort. It was very clean ,friendly, & the staff is willing to help in any way.We stayed a week & traveled around the island site-seeing between beach days.Valley Isle excursions was a great trip for the Road to Hana. They picked us up at the hotel. Their website is www.TourMaui.com. We also enjoyed hiking at Iao Valley, & at a variety of sites along the Maui roads.The Maui Revealed Book was excellent. Opt for a bike ride down Haleakala.(all downhill. No peddling!)
Hiking at Volcano National Park On the Big Island was great too.Enjoy your trip.
Hiking at Volcano National Park On the Big Island was great too.Enjoy your trip.
Oct 21st, 2005, 01:21 PM
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For hiking and bike riding my advice would be Kauai or the Big Island. With 2 weeks you have time to do both. Kauai has good mountain biking, great hiking at Kokee Park/Waimea Canyon and also good hiking in the mountains above Kappaa. Road riding is ok, but not great. I have a good ride from the Poipu area that I can share if you contact me.
Alan
Alan
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