Hawaii
 

Will be in Los Angeles in April for a wedding and thinking about going on to Hawaii - looking for advice and recommendations. Should we travel on our own from island or take a cruise? Recommendations on islands, sites and cruise lines if you think that is best way to see these --

How long will you have? The general concensus is one week per island, although I've done two islands in 9 days and it was fine. Are you more interested in pool/beach, nature, or lava/volcanoes? Like crowds or peace and quiet?

Same question as above :-) How long do you have to be in Hawaii total?

Will you be flying back to LAX? Or going home directly from Hawaii?

Tell us a few more details & we can help you plan. aloha, suze

To add to suze's and sf's questions~how many of you are traveling? Will you have children with you? If you are going home directly from Hawaii, where is home? Flights are plentiful from LAX to Honolulu, but it may add significantly to your cost if you're flying back to the east coast of the US or Europe. Five cruise lines offer cruises in length from 7-17 days. If you've never been to Hawaii, it is a good way to get a feel of each of the islands. One of the advantages to cruising is that your accommodations and meals are paid for.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiset...rtDate=2018-04

If you have at least 4 nights or more from Los Angeles, I would definitely recommend going to an island instead of a cruise. I've cruised many times, but to visit Hawaii, cruising doesn't let you see a lot of any particular island.

We've been to Hawaii several times; we are planning our 6th trip in late spring. It's one of our favorite places in the world. Every island has its own unique qualities, and I'm glad we've been to the 4 major islands. We've never been to two smaller ones, but maybe some day.

Come back and give us more information about how long you have, how many and the ages of the travelers, and some of your general interests, and we can help you a little more. Aloha!

If it's really a short amount of time - less than 9 - 10 days - my thought is single island, if you have never been before stick to Oahu and don't over do it. If you have 10 days to two weeks, two islands. I have not done the cruise, so can't comment. But, we've seen lots of day trippers in Kailua-Kona and Hilo from the boats and they always just seem rushed and lost at the same time. It looks like they run around a lot, but waste time - seemingly at the same time. Go for quality over quantity.

Fly to Hawaii. See one island if you have less than a week. See two islands (fly between them) if you have 2 weeks.

What date in April? Easter is April 1 so many places may already booked since schools will be out for the most part. Also are you looking for a condo or hotel? If you provide a few more details as far as what you would like to see and do, people can make better suggestions. Otherwise folks will just tell you what their favorite island is.
My parents took the cruise and did not care much for it, said it was too rushed with not enough time on land. You can read reviews on "Cruise Critic" as well.

I would fly to the islands and see just one or two depending on the time you have. I generally would think about 5 days per island, but everyone is different. Flying between the islands takes time and wastes a day. Also , a lot will depend on whether you are traveling as a family or couple, what you like to do, whether you are just lay on the beach people, etc.. More information will help everyone guide you to the right place.

Thanks so much for all your responses - these are very helpful - here are more of our details (a work in progress):
We'll be traveling there around April 22nd and expect to be there for 2 weeks. It is my husband and I (both retired but in good health, no children) and one other couple may be joining.
Based on this collective feedback, we will not be doing a cruise but plan a trip on our own (we've often done this on other trips throughout Europe, etc.).
Would want to visit Oahu to see key sites and drive around that island ( we often rent a car and get around to get a feel for the local attractions and hidden favorite sites).
We'd really would like to visit other islands - we don't mind crowds but really appreciate peace & quiet and beautiful beaches - would love to see the volcanos but are not aggressive hikers.
Finding a condo or Air B&B place, esp. on islands other than Oahu would be great.
Hearing more recommendations and favorite sites, places to stay, restaurants and ways to get between islands would be great
PS we will be returning home (Boston) at the end of the trip

The only way to get between islands is to fly (or swim😄). There is one ferry I think, but realistically, tourists fly.

Peace and and quiet and beautiful beaches= Kauai. I think a combination of Oahu and Kauai would be great.

Well sounds like Oahu is a for-sure. That's good. There's a lot to do there. Honestly it would be easy to spend the entire two weeks only there.

For an active volcano that would mean going to Big Island. So you'd need to decide how important that is on your wish list.

For "peace & quiet" I think most would recommend Kauai (I have never been so can't speak first hand).

I think Maui is very beautiful and has so much to see and do. And plenty of lodging options, organized activities. But that's also because the island is more "touristed". Haleakala is spectacular (not active but most definitely a 'volcano').

Heh...maybe two erupting volcanoes "soon" on the Big Island. This was in the paper this morning...Mauna Loa showing signs of next eruption.
Not if, but when? Inflation of Mauna Loa hints at possible eruption - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Thanks - very helpful

Have tentatively made our plans, with the help of a AAA Travel Agent -- going to arrive in O'ahu, spend 3 nights, go on to Maui for 4 nights and then to Hawaii for another 4 ---friends had suggested Kaua'i but agent said that Maui offered more. Given your experience, which would you suggest?

I would do 2 locations, not 3. Too much moving around. I would do the 3 on Oahu then the rest on Maui or Kauai. I found AAA travel agents more interested in selling than actually helping plan an enjoyable trip.

We held off on visiting Kauai as the last of the four largest islands for us to see; it's the smallest of the ones most commonly visited by tourists. You can't go wrong with either one (Maui or Kauai). My only observation is that while Maui and Kauai offer more typical Hawaiian beach vacation opportunities, Hawaii Island is more of a sightseeing / road trip place. You may want an additional day there and split your time between windward and leeward sides at a 3-2 split. Otherwise, you end up doing a lot of driving just to get home after going to Hilo, Hamakua Coast, Volcanoes NP and Southern Ka'u district. Even if you stay on windward side for two nights, still due to size, a bit more driving involved than other islands.

We have a condo on the big island and love it there...every island is different.. Kaui is something like 8 million years old and the big island around just 300,000 years. Time and tide effect to each is astounding and fascinating. Each island will appeal to you differently and having adequate time is important in appreciating. Your plan sounds good as far as coverage of lots of space, but you'll be in perpetual motion with the short amount of time in each place. Traveling between islands eats up a lot of time - TSA, arrive 90 minutes before your flight, return your rental car, etc. I understand visiting as much as possible, but remind you to not forget to slow down and enjoy the pleasant pace of life in Hawaii.

Between Kauai and Maui, I'd pick Kauai - it's my favorite of the islands, but Maui is great, too. Kauai is called the "Garden Isle" for a reason - it's lush and gorgeous. Maui also has nice beaches, Haleakala and up-country, but "down low" it's more developed than Kauai.

The Big Island is an altogether different experience. I like the parts north of Waikoloa, but am not as enamored of the more touristy areas (the landscape is more lava than palm trees). But for some people, that's their favorite island.

MichelleY has a good point~you'll lose a half day to travel every time you change islands. I fully understand the desire to see and do as much as possible, but I think you'll be more able to enjoy the islands if you stick to just two. Each island has so much to offer, and they're all different. If you really want to see different things, I'd suggest Oahu and the Big Island. Spend part of your time on the Kona side, and part of it on the Hilo side. They are both vastly different~Kona has the beautiful beaches and is warmer; Hilo is more lush and green. There is also Volcanoes National Park~you can view the active caldera from the visitors' center and take some great hikes in the park. I'm a bit partial to the Big Island, particularly the Hilo side, but I have family there and have been able to "live like a local' while I'm there.

For a first trip I think Oahu and Maui is excellent. I'd drop the Big Island, only so you won't be running around so much.

I agree with sticking to only 2 islands with what, 11 days. Not sure why you feel you need a travel agent to visit a US state, but hey it is your trip. I would stick to 2 smaller islands, Kauai and maybe Oahu.

For a lot of people, going to Hawaii is a one time trip. So, I can see the want to see three islands instead of just 2. If you don't mind spending a half day traveling each move, it can be done and you can get a taste of hawaii.
The one island I have never been to is Kauai and from what I hear, it is absolutely stunning in its' lush landscape. We were supposed to go there one year and it was flooded from storms so badly, we changed our trip to the Big Island.
So, here is my take on the islands that I have been to:
Oahu has a lot to offer. Honolulu is literally a city on the beach. We really enjoyed our last stay there because our kids were older and we did so many unique things. We ran an 8k sunrise race up Diamond head. We participated in the floating of the lanterns on Memorial day, very moving. Honolulu also has Pearl Harbor, Hanumana Bay to snorkel, lots of great restaurants etc..
The Big Island Hawaii was the most unique place I have ever seen. You get off the plane and you swear you have left the planet. It is all lava rocks. It has so many different landscapes that makes it a truly unique island. We stayed in the Waikoloa area which is usually the sunniest. But rent a car and go everywhere. We had a great time. Beaches are great, snorkeling was very good, a great laid back feel to the island. I liked it more than Maui.
Maui haven't been in a long time, but it is beautiful, but felt that the Big Island was more of something to see. If I were to choose three, I would drop Maui and go to Kauai, probably because I haven't been there yet, but more because it is the lushest island and also more unique.
You can't go wrong with any island you choose really!

I agree that Oahu is great for 3 nights. There is so much to do there! If you get a chance, rent a car and drive to the north shore, and if you can, eat lunch from a shrimp truck!

Four nights on Maui would be okay, but four nights on the Big Island is not enough, in my opinion. The island is very large (hence its name!), and you could easy spend 8 nights there. My husband and I spent 10 nights on the Big Island -- we stayed 3 nights in Kona (in a B&B overlooking the town and the ocean, and close to activities), 2 nights near Volcano National Park, and then relaxed for 5 nights in the Waikola area (at the Fairmont Orchid).

For this next trip in a couple of months (our 6th to the Hawaiian islands), we are returning to Kaua'i (for the 3rd time) and will spend 7 nights there. The posters above are correct in stating how extremely beautiful this island is. We prefer to stay on the South side; some people prefer to stay on the northern, more lush side of Kaua'i.

In my opinion, if you really want to see 3 different islands, Oahu/Maui.Kaua'i would be better than Oahu/Maui/Big Island. I don' think you could see enough of the Big Island in 4 days.

The guide books by Andrew Doughty (Kaua'i Revealed, Big Island Revealed, etc.) are my absolute favorite guide books, and I always get the latest edition every time we go to Hawaii.

Stick with two islands, as others have said. Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Big Island are all great. If you go to the Big Island, the two sides are very different. By Kona and Waikoloa, it’s very dry with palm trees and volacanic rocks. The beaches are great. The Hilo/Volcano side is very wet and lush. You could do a day trip to Volcano from Waikoloa. It’s a long day, but doable. Or, maybe do an overnight in Hilo or split your time.

Thanks very much to everyone for all your advice and suggestions - we've incorporated several into our plans (and extending our time to really enjoy). Have also ordered the guidebooks suggested. (We live in Boston so getting to Hawai'i is a long trip --so taking advantage of a wedding in Los Angeles to get there.)
Going in late April/early May. Will post experiences on tis forum --again, thanks for all your collective advice.