Hello all you seasoned Hawaii vacation travelers! I need your help. I'm-a- longing (hence my screen name) to go to Hawaii. I want to plan a 2 wk. trip, since this will be our one and only time going to the Hawaiian islands, for me and husband of 25 yrs. On a budget! (under 4k if possible). Need help finding best deals, whether it be fly (from Tampa, FL) and island hop or fly and cruise. We can travel anytime that is more reasonable, but thinking May or Sept. of 2005. Is buying a package from a travel agent cheaper than putting all the parts together yourself? I'm thinking Big Island, Maui, Oahu & Kauai. We enjoy outdoor activities, snorkeling, etc. If any one out there enjoys this kind of thing, please help. We rarely travel (we camp), so I am not expereienced with all these travel sites, etc. Being happy campers, we don't need to stay at luxury hotels-just clean w/ tropical settings. So - if you are willing to help a couple of inexperienced travelers sort through all this to create a memorable (on a budget) trip, have at it. Thanks in advance!

I would suggest going through a travel agent. Tell them your budget, and go froom there.

Keep looking to see if you can do it cheaper. I have always gone through an agent for things like this.

Many times the airfare is cheaper because they can do bulk air.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.

I have gone to our highly praised local travel agent on two recent trip ocassions. However, I've always been able to beat her prices! Saved $400 on our trip to the Carribean! I also find they tend to limit my choices. There may be a TA in your area that can do better, but that's not been my experience.
Go, get their price, then check it against your own research! The time factor of you putting it together yourself is the difference. Those that don't want control, want it done for them whatever the reason (usually time)usually find the TA the best route.
Now, I'll tell you I've never been to HI but we have plans to go to Maui and Oahu in July of this year. Therefore, I've become a sleuth, reading the Maui Revealed and Oahu Revealed books and haunting this board on a daily basis! Also compared Frommer's and Traveladvisor comments.
I, too, want to conserve funds in the accomodations so we can "Do the Islands" (activites and nice restaurants).
My research has landed me in the Maui Kai, West Maui (carbogillian is a big fan as are serveral others) and Mana Kai (South Maui). Do a search on these properties and visit their websites for more info. Gotta go for now. OSB

My husband and I did Hawaii last year for 2 weeks for $4200 total and went through a travel agent. That included airfare (from Detroit) and hotel and rental car. we went to Oahu, Kaui, and Big Island. It was a trip of a lifetime. We went for our 5 year anniversary. I want to go back so bad!!! Someday..now we have a 6 month old so we will have to wait a bit.

Maui is very expensive, however feasible if you want to go.

When I work with a travel agent, I also priced out each segment to see if I could do it cheaper. Basically it ended up being cheaper with the agent, but things can vary. However, I just helped my parent plan theri trip next month. they are going for 12 days for $3300 and going to Maui. they used an agent for the hotels because it was $500 cheaper than if booked seperatly, but they booked theri air independent because it was cheaper. it pays to investigate.

NEED HELP!!! We are planning our HONEYMOON for June and having a difficult time finding somewhere unique to stay. We would like something unique with special rooms, etc... Something crazy and out of the norm from a normal hotel room. Something in the heart of MAUI. PLEASE HELP!!!

Imalongin....there are deals to he had if you want to put in the time to do the research. Lots of good resources can be found by browsing this forum. You can do 2 weeks for your 4k budget but you'll have to be thrifty. Especially if you're including meals in that amount. Doing multiple islands will add to your overall cost. We're doing 15 days on Kauai in a 1 br Princeville condo, compact rental car, airfare from east coast for $3k not counting meals. Check out vrbo (vacation rentals by owner) for decent deals on condos. Half the fun of trips is planning it yourself! Good Luck!

Our $4200 did not include food or other misc. items.

The fact that you rarely travel makes me think you'd be better off using a travel agent. Maybe go to a couple of them and see what they can do for you.

It's true that doing it on your own could possibly lead to some savings for you, but you must be willing to do quite a bit of research, etc. If you like that sort of thing, give it a try and see if you can match what the travel agents can get for you.

"Online" travel agencies like Expedia and Orbitz are another option.

The condo i posted earlier is great and it's only $100 US/night - includes tax. It's on the oceanside - not luxury but very clean and very nice. Email to [email protected] or look up kapulanakai kai on the website

Doing OAHU for less than $4000 is a snap.

Just a couple suggestions:

Doing 4 islands is 2 weeks is ambitious. Can be done, no doubt. But consider that you have to travel between islands, rent car, check in to another hotel.....If 14 days allotted....2 day travel to and from, and another 1 1/2-2 inter-island travel, that leaves less than 3 days per island.

Big Island - my favorite. Have a couple suggestions for you. If you stay on the Hilo side to see the volcano and east side sights....Dolphin Bay Hotel...reasonable, has kitchen you can fix own meals...check website www.dolphinbayhilo.com

On the other side of the island...in the town of Captain Cook...about 20miles south of Kona...the Manago Hotel...clean, very reasonalble ((interesting))...check out the website
www.Managohotel.com

Hawaii...it's all good!

A package is NOT necessarily cheaper, simply more convenient. You may even find that booking everything yourself, independently, may be cheaper because you will shop for hotels which are having specials.

It is cheaper to go to only 1 or 2 islands generally...less transportation costs, and also many hotels offer some nights for free if you stay for a certain number of days. Look at hotel web-sites for these specials.

We've been to Maui and Kuai. We prefer to do only 1 island per trip because you see more that way and can really relax and get to know a place.

You are young, you never know, you might get to Hawaii again someday for a second trip!

However, starting out from Florida, I would recommend you head the other way to the Caribbean, which has some great islands and is closer for you. My husband actually prefers the Caribbean over Hawaii, but we live in San diego so Hawaii is lots closer.

We have enjoyed St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. John in the Caribbean. didn't like St. Thomas as well.

My husband and I went for a 3wk trip last June well actually it was 2 days short of 3 wks. Anyway we had saved all year long for our 20 year anniv. and our best friends daughter who is like the child we never had on this trip with us for her graduation.(promised to her if she graduated with honors.)Now on deans list at college.(looks like another trip if she keeps up the grades) Anyway I planned everything myself air, car rental, hotels. We are the adventurous type and don't need fancy eats or hotels. We paid for everything except for her food and suvieners. Total trip cost with food gasoline laundry, yes we did laundry only packed for about 7 days, film developement everything $5000. It was a trip of a life time. If you want more info.. Please email me at [email protected] to post everything would take to much space.

longin,
Here are my suggestions:
-booking a package with an agent or an on-line service will be easy and convienient. I've booked trips through Pleasant Holidays and Suntrips and it is a good way to go.

-However, since you are on a budget and it sounds like you would be okay with lower-end/alternative lodgings you will get more bang for your buck if you book your own arrangements. As was said above, this will be a little labor-intensive, but it can be worth it in the end. Cottages, condos, b & bs, guest houses are all options that can save you money. A few years ago I stayed in a cottage in Hana for around $85 a night. There are some low cost choices in Kaua`i too that would probably show up on a package deal from an agent.

-Alternative Hawaii's website is a great resource for locating accomodations.

-Tripadvisor.com is also a great place to cross-reference accomodations that you have found that LOOK interesting.

-Do two islands. the Big Island and Oahu would be good islands to start with. Even though it rains all the time, there is nothing to do, Kaua`i is my current favorite and I find snorkeling the north shore beaches in the summer heavenly.

Hope this helps,
-Bill

If you are ususally into camping I don't thinkyou would enjoy the big resort hotels nearly as much as the smaller B&Bs, cottage rentals, and condos. We have been to every island at least twice. Our favorite is the Big Island, but I leave next week for another 3 week trip to Oahu and Kauai. And yes, I, too live in FL and much prefer HI to the Caribbean (have beeen there several times as well). I have found places to stay for an average of about $100/night and they are all interesting. There are so many rentals on the web - VRBO and Alternative Hawaii are a good start. Also, do a search on B&Bs and check out the recommended ones on Tripadvisor and Frommers.
I agree with others who say limit to 2 islands since those interisland fares add up quickly.
Check here for my trip report in March and I'll let you know about some of our cottage rentals. Good luck!

Have you thought of cruising? this way you can see different Islands without the hassle of packing and repacking.

I visited Kauai last Memorial Day. Kauai can be done on the cheap. In fact, it is the best island for campers. If you're planning on visiting in late spring or summer the north shore is pure heaven. If you don't want to "rough it" camping on the beach you can rent a condo. Cheap condo rentals can be had in Princeville at Pu'u Poa or Hanelei Bay Resort. For Dining, I HIGHLY recommend "A Pacific Cafe." Best meal I've ever had. Though not cheap, it's worth splurging. For activities, the Kipu Ranch ATV tour was AMAZING. Napali coast tour was also nice. For free activities try Aniki beach, Hanalei Bay and Queen's Bath. I recommend investing in a copy of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. Other books by same authors: Maui Revealed, Big Island Revealed. The books will have a password that allows you to access detailed web reviews of hotels, with direct links to hotel websites. For condo rentals check vacation rentals by owner www.vrbo.com

A side note: A Pacific Cafe is apparently closed now.
-Bill

1- Hale Koa Hotel for 14 days @ $106/day= $1484.00
2- Round trip fare to HNL for two from BWI= $1200.00
3- That leaves $1316.00 for two weeks. There's no problem in keeping the two week vacation to cost $4000.00

Try some travel clubs. I belong to Traveler's Advantage (thru Super 8 motels). Small fee per year, but I've saved way more than that each year, plus you get a 5% cash back bonus on everything booked thru them. www.travelersadvantage.com or 1-800-678-3029. I book all hotels/motels thru them, get much better rates + the bonus. Recently booked car rentals on 2 islands & resort in Maui thru them and got a GREAT deal. Lodging in Honolulu is free for going to a time share presentation while in Las Vegas and husband has a convention in San Diego, so we'll go on from there to the islands. We leave Feb. 24th for SAN, then Mar. 2nd for Honolulu for 4 nights & then Maui for 3 nights.