My fiance and I will be going to Hawaii from September 5-18th this year. We arrive at night on the 5th and we leave at night on the 18th so we really have about 12.5 days total. We are flying into and out of Honolulu because we wanted to fly direct. We will be going to Kauai, Maui and Oahu in that order and trying to decide how much time to allocate in each. Oahu will be either 1 or 2 nights just to see Pearl Harbor and be close to the airport when we leave on Sunday. Right now I am looking at 5 nights in Kauai (4 full days), 6 nights in Maui (~5.5 days) and 2 nights in Oahu (~2 days). We lose about a day traveling between the islands. I am trying to decide if that's enough time in each place. I originally though we would 3 days in Kauai and spend the extra time in Maui, or we could also just stay in Oahu for one night and extend our stay in Maui. Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks!

Are you sure you lose a full day traveling between islands? Those usually are 20 min flights + a few for getting in/out. Just asking, not contradicting.
Been to Oahu and Maui so I'll just give a little on those. depends on what want to do. Honolulu/Waikiki are more built up; city type. A lot of the Hawaii history; palace, punch bowl etc is here. The North shore is popular. If you like snorkeling(or are interested in trying) you must go to Hunama Bay just up the coast from Waikiki. Also Diamond Head is worthwhile.
Maui is more natural and offers more secluded areas for a honeymooners. It's a relatively small island. Exploring wont take long. Drive the Hana hwy. Start early, stop often, be careful. Worth the effort but read up on it if you haven't.
My understanding is Kauai is even more secluded.
Really comes down to what you plan to do. Relax and take it easy or be active and see as much as possible. We did 4 days in Oahu and felt like we got it all. 3 days in Maui for the same.- snorkled out at Molekini(sp)- island crater just off west coast. Also did Haleakala volcano. Awesome pics.
Not sure if I answered anything but maybe some perspective.

I think allowing most of a full day to change islands is correct. Once you figure checking out of hotel, taxi to airport, waiting for flight, taking flight, taxi to next hotel, checking in.

I think your planned allotment of days for each island is just fine. There is more "to do" on both Maui or Oahu imo. But Kauai is a favorite of many people but less touristy things.

There are direct mainland flights to Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii.

I'd investigate that further and omit the two days in Honolulu.

Thanks everyone. We have already booked our flights to Oahu so that can't be changed. There were no direct flights from NY to the Hawaiin islands except for the one to Honolulu and I prefered to have to connect once in Hawaii. We could just hop over from Maui to the Honolulu aiport on the Sunday that we leave but that makes me a little nervous so we will probably spend at least so one night in Oahu. That considered, I am still trying to figure out how much time allocate between Maui and Kauai. I want to have a good mix of relaxing and doing activities... We will be staying on the North shore in Kauai. I am also debating whether or not to split time between each side of the island if we end up there foe 5 days +.

I think the extra day(s) should be spent on Maui only because Kauai is physically a smaller island with shorter drives and less activities. Trips to Haleakala or Hana on Maui normally will take up a full day each.

I personally would not start moving around on the island with such a short stay. That will just further interrupt your time imo with the packing and unpacking, checking in and out of hotels extra times.

OK that's a good point. We will stay on the north side only. So here are my options:

5 nights Kauai
6 nights Maui
2 nights Oahu

5 nights Kauai
7 nights Maui
1 night Oahu

6 nights Kauai
6 nights Kauai
1 night Oahu

Oops last one should be

6 nights Kauai
6 nights Maui
1 night Oahu

Well I would go
2 nights Oahu - 1st night sleep, explore the next morning and take an early flight out after second night

I notice you are looking at two properties in Kauai. what are you considering for Maui? I say start slow on Oahu and end at the best property/island. If Kauai is the big resort destination then I would do

5 nights Maui - I prefer Wailea or Napili/Kapalua

and then

6 nights Kauai - so you have plenty of time to enjoy the luxury of either resort you are considering and still have time to explore.

Or I'd do - 4 nights Oahu, which I've never explored, but would check out the northshore and then spend the rest in a beach house in Hanalei. . .northshore of kauai.

Don't spread yourself to thin timewise. Leave a lot of time to simply take the islands in and savor what they are about. Start with the most frugal and end with the most luxurious wow lodging.

I really like Oahu and know it best. There are more cultural things to do like the palace and museum and Pearl Harbor. So at least 2 nights. For me 3-4 would be better, with 5 nights each the other two islands.

But this is absolutely personal preference. There's nothing wrong with your 1 night only plan if you aren't all that interested and want the time in other places.

If you did Oahu at the start as suggested above, can you fly home without staying that last night in Honolulu (find a morning flight back from Maui or Kauai and just stay at the airport and connect to your flight home all the same day)?

I do have the option to fly back from Maui to Oahu on Sunday, without having to stay there at all. We have a 9pm flight Sunday night. I would like to go striaght to Kauai once we arrive because we are going right after the wedding and I'm sure I'm going to want to spend my first day relaxing on the beach or at the pool. At this point I'm wondering if I should save Oahu for another trip.

Yes. As I've said I personally love Oahu but I think it's breaking up your trip too much. If you could, even if you do have to pass thru the Honolulu airport, I think going directly to Kauai, then returning directly from Maui is a fine idea.

Personally I would save Kauai for last as it is the most laidback. Have not been to Oahu yet, but compared to mainland USA it should be very relaxing I would think. I'd do Oahu, then Maui, then Kauai, fly back to Oahu and take your redeye flight home with no overnight on Sunday. Also you state your flight from the mainland arrives at night, which is another good reason to spend that night in Oahu.

Most places will not let you check into your hotel until 3-4pm unless you get lucky, so you can do a day or two of sight-seeing on Oahu, then take an interisland flight to either Maui or Kauai, your choice. I like Hawaiian Airlines for those flights.

The North Shore is beautiful and you will love it that time of year. Will just miss you by a week, arrive Sep. 25. Have a wonderful honeymoon!

Thank you all! We decided to add a night to the trip and do Oahu for the first two nights followed by 6 nights in Kauai and 6 nights in Maui.

That will be great. You'll be happy to have the extra night on Oahu because it will give you time to drive around the island to the north shore beaches/Haleiwa (don't miss shave ice in Haleiwa), the east side (DiamondHead and Kailua/Lanikai). I'd highly recommend the drive through the center of the island on the H3 - spectacular drive.

congrats on making the decision. sometimes that is the hardest part. sounds like a plan!

I got engaged on Maui and had my wedding a year later on Maui...so I am VERY partial to Maui.

6 nights is plenty to visit the entire island of Maui. I suggest buying the book "Maui Revealed" it's one of the best tour guide books out there. It gives detailed stops by mile marker for the Road to Hana (a must do but wake up early b/c it definately is an all day adventure with lots of stops) and other great places to see. I'd head into Hana one way and exit continuing on that road til it ends, don't turn around and go back the way you came. Locals will tell you it's longer to take it all the way to the end, but it's not, it's shorter. Just have to drive past the national park where the seven sacred pools are. Also if you go to the park, they have an AMAZING lava-rock sheer wall with a gigantic waterfall. The hike is like 3 miles but well worth it through a bamboo forest and they even have an infinity pool atop a waterfall (prohibiting signs but you just walk around it). There is also a winery (Tedeschi Winery) on the back way to Hana.

I'd also see the Na'akalele blow hole during high tide. Very cool and if you get the guide book if you travel past the blow hole to this tiny town, they make the most amazing home made banana bread and coconut candy.

We stay in either Ka'anapali or Wailea. Napili is a little overcast most of the time.

The best beach by FAR...is the Hamoa Bay on the road to Hana. Soft surf, not crowded and beautiful.

So there's my two cents. Have fun!

With such a short time in Oahu I'd recommend a "Circle the Island" type tour. I felt like I got a good overview in a full day, with pick-up and drop-off at the hotel, and a stop for a delicious lunch at a shrimp truck. Pearl Harbor (which I chose to skip) could be most of your additional day.

You'll find people who prefer each of the islands. My #1 is Kauai -- North Shore. Be sure to take a full day to drive to the Kalalau Lookout and Waimea Canyon on Kauai. It's actually less than a 2-hour drive from the North Shore, but you can make lots of stops along the way -- including Wailua Falls and Opeaka'a Falls--and the coffee plantation if you're coffee lovers--and then have time to do the Canyon Trail in Koke'e State Park.

You'll have a great time.

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