BayouGal

Both of my daughters will graduate in May--one from high school, one from college. I've been saving every penny for a few years now so the three of us could take a trip for their graduation gifts. They're hoping for Hawaii, and this would be a first for all 3 of us. From our reading, Maui or Kaua‘i might be great "first" islands for our first trip to Hawai.

We are on a budget so we're looking for deals, and we'd appreciate any and all helpful hints and suggestions. Fodor's has helped us plan many family vacations and we're counting on you again. Plus, we're studying the Hawaii board for ideas, but really want your "current" input.

We're flying out of New Orleans. (Yes we suffered losses from Katrina. And the oldest daughter's college graduation was postponed from Dec. to June, but we're not letting anything stop this trip!)As always, thanks for your help!

bashfulLV

BayouGal - unless you have your heart set on going to Maui or Kauai, I'd consider Oahu for your first trip - for two reasons: 1. First-timers usually "get their feet wet" on Oahu since there's so much to see and do and save the other islands for future trips, and 2. you said you're on a budget and looking for good deals - you will find more "deals" due to a bigger selection on Oahu than the other two islands - on just about anything from food, hotel, activities.

Oahu is a busy place, but you don't have to stay in Waikiki/Honolulu if you're looking for a quieter scene. Waikiki is the best, though, for budgets because there's more of everything so you can find lower prices.

Your trip sounds like fun - I hope they realize what lucky girls they are to have such a great mom to save up for such a special trip. My mom took my sister and I for our first trip to Hawaii and I'll always treasure those memories.

issy

What a great way to celebrate the graduations!

When you close your eyes and think about Hawaii, what do you see? If you see lush vegetation and waterfalls, then Kauai it is. If you see big gorgeous beaches, then Maui. If you see a city on the beach, then Oahu. Granted each island has more than just that, but I think that is a good starting point for your planning.

Depending on how many days you will be in Hawaii, I'd try to get to two islands. If you are there for only a week, stick to one (I'd choose Maui). If you are there for longer, I'd suggest Oahu and Maui.

Oahu has much to offer (the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, great markets, etc), but it is my least favorite. Waikiki is very crowded with few hotels on the beach. It also seems very dated to me. Other parts of Oahu are nicer. If you have the time, stay in Oahu for a few days, see the sights then go to Maui for the fabulous beaches. Renting a condo is usually more economical than a hotel. You might want to check the Kihea and Kannapali/Lahaina areas on Maui for condo rentals.

Travel agents often have some good package deals to Hawaii, so that is worth checking out.

Good luck. And don't worry....no matter what you decide, it will be a fabulous trip. You have to try really hard to NOT have a good time in Hawaii!

Samsaf

BayouGal: Congratulations to your daughters! We've taken our 3 kids to Hawaii a couple of times, and they all love it. They've been to Maui, Oahu and Kauai.

I think Maui is a good "first island" to visit, although if you like to do lots of outdoor activities (hiking, snorkeling, etc.), then Kauai is also a great island to visit. We've not been to the Big Island (going there in summer 2006), so can't comment on that one.

Our family loves to travel, and I am always looking for deals. We got amazing deals on our last trip to Kauai this past summer. I think the key to finding deals is to do tons and tons of research, so you're able to know what's a good price and what's not.

One thing you might be able to do is call some of the resorts and ask if they have a 'timeshare rate,' where you get a greatly reduced rate in exchange for agreeing to go on a timeshare presentation. We saved about $1,500 on our lodging this past summer by doing that.

Priceline is another option, although you have to do lots of research on that, also. (Biddingfortravel.com is a good site to research Priceline.)

You could do Priceline for your rental car.

We like to snorkel from the beach, so if you do lots of research on beach snorkeling, that saves the cost of a boat trip. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment and not have to rent it.

Also, breakfast and lunch in the room (or as picnics) can save lots of money.

Hiking is almost always free and lots of fun.

Have fun planning!

dusty56438

Oahu is the best island becaus eof the many things to do and see there.

Here's a thread with lots to do on Oahu. Many of the sites are good for all islands.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831

Here is a link with many "budget" ideas for all islands:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...aii/index.html

Here is a link with lots more Oahu things:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...081901179.html

You can click on Snap Guide for a free download.

excited_confused

Congratulations on your daughters' graduations! Just got back from Hawaii & we definately preferred Maui to Oahu, ran into a lot of traffic there which is frustrating on vacation. In any case, the Embassy Suites in Maui has a wonderful rate if you attend a 90 minute timeshare presentation, it is worth paying a little extra for the oceanview room, we had a wonderful oceanfront & I could not get enough of the view! They are 1 bedroom suites, all newly remodelled with huge bathrooms. I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel & the grounds. The offer is available on their website - http://www.mauiembassy.com/minivac/s...Amenities.html.

BayouGal

Thanks for the great suggestions, links, and ideas. Each of us are researching for this trip, but I know from our trip last summer to Alaska that good research continues right up to travel time, and often the best leads come from right here on Fodors. Thanks for all the great leads . . . since we have work/school, we couldn't do it without the help of Fodorites! ;-) I know we'll have even more questions as we begin to fine tune our trip. Thanks, again!

Candy210

Go to Maui. It is very diversified & has lots to see & do. Young adults will love it. We stayed at the Sheraton In Kanapaali. It had great snorkeling on their beach at the Black Rock, swimming at both the pool & the Beach,it's walking distance to Whaler's village(by the beach path), you can drive or use the transportation to Lahaina(a town full of shops & restaurants). We loved the area & plan to take our family of young adults. Enjoy!

dusty56438

More sites:

Maui:

www.mauihawaii.org

www.visitmaui.com

Big Island:

www.bigisland.org

Kauai:

www.kauaidiscovery.com

www.kauai-hawaii.com

BayouGal

Wow! Thanks everyone! Your help is invaluable to us. Hope you are prepared for the list of questions we'll be posting soon. ;-)

alanwar

Let me add a plug for the Big Island. It doesn't have nearly as many "nice" beaches as the other islands but there are definitely some awesome ones. I found that it is the most interesting landscape and natural areas. And of course it has the volcano.

However Kauai is my choice because of the great beaches and natural beauty all over the island. (So far) it is less built up than the other islands. I have these suggestions for staying on a budget:

1. Stay at a condo so you can do most meals there or as a picnic.
2. Buy produce from the sunshine markets.
3. Go to WalMart for some food, sunscreen, souveniers, etc.
4. Skip the helicoptor tours. They crash way to frequently anyway.
5. Don't bother getting a 4WD drive rental but get the smallest car you can fit into. Gas is expensive.
6. For a condo, don't bother paying extra for ocean view. Look for places on the east side of the island (Kappaa, Wailua). Also there are some reasonable places in Poipu. Search the internet for rental companies and individual owners.

Alan

BayouGal

Alan, would you mind explaining, "For a condo, don't bother paying extra for ocean view. Look for places on the east side of the island (Kappaa, Wailua). Also there are some reasonable places in Poipu."

Do you mean find a place a few blocks from the beach, or what? And why do you make that recommendation? Just to save money, or is the beach within walking distance from most condo?

Thank for the budget ideas. I plan to use them all if I can understand your reasoning/logic and it works for us.

Thanks for the Go Hawaii Card recommendation, longwayhome. I'm not familar with it, but will check it out.

gigib

For good aerial views of the hotels and/or condos you are considering, check out www.wizardpub.com. This is the publisher of the Hawaii Revealed series, and you get an excellent idea of a property's proximity to the water. Condos in Kapaa are an excellent bargain, but the beach there is just OK for swimming.

jgoebel

BayouGal - how many days do you have for your trip? We spent a total of 12 days on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island recently and here's what we found....

We enjoyed Pearl Harbor, hiking Diamondhead and having lunch on Waikiki in Oahu...however, after 2 days the traffic and crowds started to wear on us.

If you like nature, you cannot beat the Big Island. The snorkel trip to Captain Cook's monument was the best I've ever been on; the horseback riding is amazing, and the Volcano was once in a lifetime!

Maui is probably your best bet if you only have time for one island. The road to Hana is specactular , the beaches are great, and there's lots to do...not as remote as the Big Island, but not as crowded as Oahu.

BayouGal

Oops, that's an important factor to leave out. We're looking at 7 to 10 days . . . depending on finances.

Thanks!

alanwar

Many people will pay 10 - 50% extra for a condo that has a view of the water and the sound of the ocean. Those condos closest to the water can command even more. So if you like saving money more than a possibly nice ocean view then go with a garden view or mountain view. Note that garden view may often mean parking lot view or dumpster view. However note that the less expensive condos may not be kept up as well as the more expensive ones, althouth that is not always true.

Kauai has 3 major resort areas: Poipu, Princeville and the east shore (also known by its marketing name the Coconut Coast). Poipu and Princeville are planned resort areas while the east is more of a strip of hotels and resorts along the water with shopping centers and strip malls on the other side of Kuhio highway. Along Kuhio highway is traffic. You can find some good condo deals along the east, although you can also find good deals in Poipu as well. The feel for the 3 different resort areas are very different so you should try to figure out where you would be most comfortable. I like Poipu are best because of the better weather and easy access to swimmable beaches. If you are looking for inexpensive resorts in Poipu then I can suggest

Prince Kuhio
Poipu crater
Waikomo stream
Kiahuna Plantation

There are others. Look at the web site for wizard publications as they have a great arial view of resorts and contact info.

Alan

nancy1013

Aloha BayouGal,

If you have saved this long, then take the perfect trip, Maui is by far the best, for a first time experience. We have been three times now, and will be going back in May also, for our daughters wedding. We have always used VBRO.Com. and found great deals renting directly from the owners. We have stayed at different ends of the island, and much prefer Napili, which is north of all the congestion. But, their are great deals all over. Use the website, and you will find what you are looking for. Have a great trip. Don't miss Kihei Cafe for breakfast. cheap and the best on the island, also Paia Fish Market, just as good as Mama's but half the price. Pick up a copy of Maui Revealed. It has great tips. Mahalo, Nancy

travelina

May is my favorite time to visit Hawaii! Weather is perfect, little rain and no crowds. I would stay on Oahu and leave Honolulu after about 1 day. Head to the east or north side of the island. Fewer people, tons to do, beaches are first rate...

ggrtist

Everyone has a different "favorite" island. It seems another main consideration is what your daughters would enjoy doing. IMO, girls in that age range tend to like Oahu & the action in Waikiki. That would be the best island for variety & budget and please keep in mind, Oahu is not just a city on the beach, that is only one part of it. There are beaches like Kailua & Lanikai which have been named in many travel guides best beaches lists. (Lanikai named #1 recently on Travel Channel http://travel.discovery.com/fansites...anbeaches.html) Plus there is the well known Hanauma Bay and surfing vibe on the North Shore and you can even get a little history thrown in with a trip to Pearl Harbor (very moving presentation).

My 2nd choice would be Kauai, very beautiful, lush & green and IMHO, gives the most tropical island feel.

BayouGal

Girls want beach time, of course, and both are very atheletic and enjoy seeing nature--none of us are into the touristy or shop till you drop stuff.

All of your advice is great. Working on airfare now. Is there a best/worst time to purchase for May travel? Thanks!