Hawaii... confusion
 

Thought we had our May 2013 plans cemented. We were going to do 3/4 days Maui and then 3/4 days Kauai. NOW someone has told us we SHOULD see the Big Island.

Help! Any advice? This will be our only visit to Hawaii. We will travel from LA and on the return trip make a brief stop at Pearl Harbor.

Thanks.

All of Hawaii HEAVEN or the Bjg Island or Maui or Kauai???

IMO - there is no perfect answer - and only after you check and check - might you think you have it right - and then it could still change. :)

Our favorites are Kauai (especially the North Shore) and the Big Island - but others love Maui - and you can even find a lot of neat things on Oahu.

Check out the other blogs in here and then google away - or go to a bookstore to find out more of the things each island offers - but it's all "paradise".

Just stick to your original plan and don't listen to other people. You can always go back and see the Big Island. It's big, by the way, so you really should have more than just 3-4 days there. The other two are small and can be seen in that amount of time.

Don't change your plans. You already have too little time on each island.

Are you serious? "This will be our only visit to Hawaii." (And you live in LA?)

One week = ONE island. Not two. Absolutely not three.

If you feel you MUST glimpse the highlights of Hawaii, book the NCL cruise that departs Honolulu every Saturday afternoon and goes to Kauai, Big Island of Hawaii, and Maui. You'd have time to see Pearl and Punchbowl on a Day 1 or a Day 8, depending on your timing in and out of HNL.

What time of year would you visit?

We did one island, plus one day flying to the Big Island for quick highlights. I can't imagine being that close and passing up the opportunity to see a live volcano!

I agree that you should stick with your original plan. Sometimes it's striking a balance between doing everything you can possibly do in a short amount of time (which I am guilty of too), and really enjoying and relaxing on your vacation. Know that Hawaii and the Big Island will always be there for your next visit, so don't think about it too much and enjoy your trip!

If you have the energy - you might consider flying from Maui on a one day trip to the Big Island to tour the Volcano - which is just amazing.

And hey - for a survey type trip - 4 days on an island is great - but some also like the idea of kicking back for a week in one place. Moi - I would rather see more - but hey - to each their own.

Some of the best beaches in the state are on Oahu..that place a lot of people here wouldn't be caught dead.

I would stick to my original plan and don't get intimidated by people who imply you are being unreasonable because of where you live. They have no idea what your finances are; what your likes and dislikes are, etc.

Stick with your plan and ignore that someone who says you must go to BI. Also ignore the post about living in LA and this being your first trip. That was very rude. Personally, I'd choose either Maui or Kauai, but that is simply my preference of traveling. Trust you plans, see a bit of Maui and Kauai and Pearl Harbor. Hopefully you will have the means and opportunity to return someday and see more. Happy trails and Aloha

You have to think about the reasons you are making the trip. What kinds of things do you want to do? If you are looking for gorgeous beaches and overall scenery, Maui and Kaua'i will fill the bill. If you want to see an active volcano, you do need to go to the Big Island. in that case, could you add a few days to the trip? But for beaches, the Big Island actually has less shoreline that is beach, because it has had less time for erosion to occur.

If you have already booked everything, i would not change plans just because of one person's (or a whole forum of people's) advice. You really can't miss with whatever island(s) you choose, it is all beautiful.

And, one never knows ahead of time, just how active the flow will be or not be.

IMO - a number of posters seem to forget their first time visiting someplace new - and how - at least for some of us - the Wanderlust is to see more the first time - call it a type of survey trip if you like.

To me - new discoveries are very stimulating - and simultaneously energizing - and on subsequent trips - one can spend more time kicking back at the places one has selected from what has been "discovered" on the first/initial trip - as well as adding a few new spots.

And it's not just about seeing lava flow when one visits the Volcano - but rather the whole experience of seeing how the islands were born, what the god of fire - Pele - shaped, and how the islands have evolved since then.

Driving around the main crater (11 mile drive) is a once in a lifetime experience, and there are plenty of other fun things to see/do - such as hiking through a temperate rain forest to get down to a smaller Cauldron - Ke Iki Hale - or more currently called - Kiluea Iki http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisi...kilaueaiki.htm .

As you walk across it - you know it hasn't blown since '59 - but as the steam vents hiss - you do pick up your pace across the mile long floor of the crater and up and out the other side. :)

Surely you have your reasons for choosing Maui and Kauai as the two to visit - stick with it and don't let others deter you. You simply cannot go wrong with spending time on any island. They are all unique and wonderful in their own ways, and no matter what you will have made the right choice.

I tend to agree with the one week, one island mantra - but ultimately it's your decision to budget your time as you see fit.

Everyone has their own opinions on what you *should* see...but the truth is you should see what YOU want to see.

Have you checked out gohawaii.com? You might want to give it a shot for some unbiased advice on which islands to choose if you're still in doubt.

"You have to think about the reasons you are making the trip."

Best advice on this thread, IMO.

"Are you serious? "This will be our only visit to Hawaii." (And you live in LA?)"

Not everyone who visits Hawaii can afford to go back and traveling from LA doesn't necessarily mean they live in LA.

I have flown cheaper from Boston to Hawaii then prices listed from LA to Hawaii. I think we get an automatic suffering longer discount!

Once you visit Hawaii - I think you will try to find a way to get back. :)