Hawaii Itin Help
 

Dear All,

My wife and I are going to Hawaii for 7 days, not including air travel time. We're flying to HNL and would like to also spend time on Maui. I know that the usual wisdom on this board recommends against this but we've checked the flights and they seem short and reasonably priced. A few questions then:

1) Is it really as easy as it seems to get from HNL to OGG? We'd like to spend out first 2.5 days in HNL and our last 4.5 days in Maui before flying back to HNL to catch our outbound flight.

2) Does anyone have any suggestions on a suggested itin for Maui for the days there?

3) Does anyone have reasonable b&b suggestions for Maui? We very much like smaller places and we will be renting a car.

Thanks in advance,

DKG50

Maui recommendations depend on time of year and your interests but I would definitely put Haleakala and the road to Hana on the list.

The resoning for not doing what you mention is.
1 Takes 5 hrs to get to Honolulu from the west coast

2 There is enough to keep most people busy on either island busy for 7 days

3 The hassle of checking in and unpacking and trying to do what you have chosen to see and do in a short time then repacking checking out so you can checkin at another hotel and unpack

4 This is suppose to be a vacation


In response to your questions yes it is that easy about 20-25 minute flight.

The road to Hana is almost a must on Maui and many like the sunrise on Haleakala

I would do the two islands, although you could do just one, and I would split them equally. Yes, it is very easy to fly inter-island. I would do the road to Hana IF neither of you has a problem with motion sickness, and definitely do Haleakala.

Make sure to go to a luau on Maui.
It's worth every penny. We went to Old Lahaina Luau and it was wonderful. Also, spend a little time shopping in the quaint town of Lahaina. Spectacular beaches are everywhere, but Napili and Kapalua are especially nice.

We just returned from Ohau, the Big Island, and Maui.

If you have never been to Hawaii before, I suggest 3.5 days on each island you name.

On Oahu, we especially liked three drives: (1) to the north shore returning to Honolulu via the scenic drive along the west coast, (2) to Diamond Head and Makapuuo Point returning to Honolulu via Route 61 (stopping at Pali Lookout), and (3) Round Top Drive just outside Honolulu.

On Maui, the drive to Mt. Haleakala on a clear morning was spectacular. We also enjoyed the drive north from Maalaea until Route 30 turns into a one-lane road. We drove the road to Hana, and on our next visit we would go only part of the way, stopping at Hookipa Beach Bay to watch the surfers.

There are several interesting little towns on Maui. Our favorite was Lahaina.

Spend 3-or 4 days on Oahu & the rest on Maui. There is more to see & do on Oahu than any other island.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

on Maui- drive up Haleakala, Old Lahaina Luau or Feast of Lele, historic self-guided walking tour around the town of Lahaina.

Yes the flights are short but you have to... pack, check out of your hotel, drive to the airport, turn in your rental car, wait for flight, take flight, from next airport get new rental car, drive to and check in and unpack at new hotel. You basically lose one day, the day you change islands.

On Maui, we did the sunrise at Haleakala - dress warmly for this; it's cold up there. Also drove the Road to Hana, did a whale watching tour with the Pacific Whale Foundation, went to the Old Lahaina Luau - book this before you go since it's really popular, and took a Trilogy tour out to snorkel Molokini - really enjoyed it all. We stayed at the Renaissance in Wailea because we got a discount with the Entertainment book; we found Maui to be the most expensive of the islands we visited, but it was beautiful.

We spent most of a morning going from HNL to OGG, leaving us the afternoon and evening in Maui.

If you've never been to Hawaii, I can understand the desire to see 2 islands. It's certainly possible and not a bad idea. I also suggest at least 3-4 days on Oahu and the rest on Maui.

Highlights on Maui:
1. Haleakala
2. Old Lahaina Luau - if you want to go to a luau this is definitely the one to do.
3. Road to Hana, but allow all day - not good if you are prone to motion sickness.
4. Snorkel somewhere - ask at Snorkel Bob's or Boss Frog for advice on where to go when you are there as conditions change.

Highlights on Oahu:
1. Pearl Harbor and the Arizona - this is free
2. Drive to the north shore
3. Stop at Pali lookout
4. Bishop Museum & Foster Botanical Garden
5. Chinatown
6. Iolani Palace
7. Outrigger ride on Waikiki Beach
8. Free concerts in Kapiolani park with Hawaiian singing and hula
Much more!!!

The Chinatown in Honolulu is my favorite of all those in the USA and Canada.

Doable...couple of suggestions to attempt to maximize your time.

Book a bed and breakfast in Hana. There are several that book for one night.

Take a morning flt. to Maui. Get your car ((stop and get some eats-opional!!!). Leasure drive to Hana.

The next day you can sight-see in the morning, and leave before the "crowd" gets to Hana, making the drive both ways much more pleasant.

Don't know what time your flight arrives Honolulu. However, this is what I do to maximize my arrival day. ((I usually arrive 11a.m.-1p.m))

Call hotel and let them know you have arrived and will check in later in the afternoon. ((check-in time is usually at 3p.m., and many times you cannot get into your room before 3p.m.))

Pick up car and take a drive: I go up to the Pali Lookout((Hwy61);stop for the view. and over to Kailua. Stop by Kailua Beach and then proceed to drive around the south part of the island, arriving in Waikiki around 4-5p.m.

Arizona Memorial...go EARLY. Make it the first thing on your list that day and get there at least 1 hr. before opening. ((long waits at this venue))

Hawaii...it's all good!!!

Enjoy