For the last month, I've been amassing lodging information and am ready to make some calls. We are landing in Honolulu, and are planning to fly to Kauai and Maui, returning to Honolulu for home. We plan to spend 7 nights on Maui (five nights in Wailea and two in Hana), 5 on Kauai (three nights on Hanalei and two in Poipu) and 4 on Oahu (Mandarin Oriental). My inclination is to do them in exactly that order. I'm confused about flights: If we fly from Maui to Kauai, it's my understanding that they land at Honolulu before going on to Kauai. Is that considered two trips (i.e. twice the fare)? Any knowledgeable advice on our travel plans are appreciated. This is our first visit to the islands. P.S. I know this is a lot of moving around, but it is intentional.

Maggi-
Start on Oahu, then Kauai, then Maui. You will be terribly disappointed in Oahu if you go there after seeing the other islands. Also, I'd spend just one night in Hana. There is nothing to occupy you for two nights.

My last trip to Hana, round three nights not enough...so two is definately in order if you plan on relaxing at red sands or other beaches, seeing blue hole, going to the pools....

ditto what Julie said and I would make Hanalei North Shore my last stop as it will be the grandest scenery IMHO. I also would consider spending all time on Kauai. We broke up just two weeks between two islands last August and were disappointed last year. Kauai just winds you right down, to travel on after this breaks up the peace of your vacation. Also keeps you from exploring the interior of any island. I can probably name 5 hikes that are not to be missed on Kauai alone going and sitting on the beach is great but something is lost when you don't do at least some mild hiking. Actually mild hiking is the only kind I do. Went with friend who protested hiking with me until she saw that I meant walking on unpaved paths with light weight hiking boots, not the image of mountain woman she had in her head when I first requested we spend some time hiking. After the trip she told me she would have liked Oahu better had we hiked more. Kids with us loved hiking.

Lighthouse bird sanctuary gives guided tours reserve ahead of time, kalalau trail to first beach (strenuous but not too bad in overcast weather), Kahala trail near lihue, Alakai swamp boardwalk in Kokee national park. Waimea Canion area see Kauai the ultimate guide for more and clearer details on these.

As for the flights from/to Maui & Kauai, we had direct flights and planned them that way. Although most of the flights connect, some are direct. And you should only have to use one coupone for the entire one-way, stop or not (we actually had a layover from Kauai to Kona and only used one coupon).

Maggi, You sound like a traveler who likes to see alot and do alot on vacation. If this is your first trip to the islands you'll want to spend enough time on Oahu to see some of the historical and cultural anchors. Otherwise, it may feel like you haven't really been to Hawaii.

None of the islands have a beach to compare with Waikiki. Sure it's a little crowded but it has just the right size waves all day long anytime of the year. It is also the most scenic with a gentle curve and Diamond Head in the background. The street running alongside Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue, is quite commercial but also offers the best dining and best shopping in the islands.

Pearl Harbor is not spectacular but is an essential part of Hawaii's history. Worth a visit. Diamond Head is close enough to Waikiki to do a morning hike and then cool off in the surf. The Polynesian Cultural Center on the scenic North Shore provides a fascinating introduction to the performing arts and culture of several Pacific island nations.

The Pali lookout gives a spectacular vista of the windward side of the island and is the historical site of a key battle by Kamehameha when he united the islands under one king. He forced the opposing army to jump to their death off from the Pali cliffs.

Sunset Beach, also on the North Shore, roars during the winter with waves of 25' and sometimes 30' high. Gives you the chills just to see them come rolling at you.

Kauai is green and lush and less crowded and has the thrilling north coast. Maui has Haleakala, the drive to Hana, whale-watching, Lahaina town and 'Ulalena, but we find the crowds on Maui to be about the same as Oahu. Visit all three but anticipate many of your highlights coming from Oahu. It is our favorite island.

Buy yourself the book The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii. There is a wealth of info in this book.
Also I would try to fit the Big Island in your trip. The black lava is awesome and so is the volcano. It is what Hawaii is all about. Good Luck

My family and I love the Big Island. You might try swapping the Big Island for Maui.

Waipio Valley on big Island also is amaizing

sixteen days; 10 days Kauai four days Maui. Or two weeks big island (more driving)two days Maui. that is how I would do it.

I would never think of spending ten days on Kauai and four on Maui as Ross suggested. You definitely want at least a week on Maui.

Why spend a week on Maui when there is so much to do on the other islands? I have been there twice - was ready to go after four days both times.

Wow, everyone sure does have their favorite places! I thought, a week on Maui to start with, to "unwind". I do love sun and beach trips. I think we might be ready then to do more active sight-seeing. Helen, by the way, what is "Ulalena"?

I would go to B&N take a look at Andrew Dougherty guides to Maui, Kaui, Big Island see all that there is to do and then see which island calls you. I also agree that people that hop around on the islands miss much of each island. I met people on Kauai last year that take two weeks there every year on a different side of the island. They have been to other islands but this one calls them back.

Oh I see Oahu reference was left out above. Oahu has a lot of historical info about Hawaiians and recent imigrant pops on it. No other island can match the historically significant sights of Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum and others. If you are also coming to understand the cultural of Hawaii then I think Oahu is a great stop. Anyway the book process I mentioned is how I cancelled out extra islands on my trip this summer.

'Ulalena is a stage production performed at the Maui Myth & Magic Theatre in Lahaina. Type "'Ulalena" into your search engine and it will give you more information and several booking options, or you can go to Ulalena.com. The producers of 'Ulalena had help from Cirque de Soleil when they were putting it together. The best seats are halfway to two-thirds back. That way you can see both the stage and the drummers.

Helen,
Thanks so much for the tip! We are big fans of Cirque de Soleil and this looks perfect for us. We'll definitely make a point of going.

Like most of the other postings, I would highly encourage you to land in Honolulu do the tourist stuff there (Pearl Harbor and Waikiki beach, then go to either Maui or Kauai to spend the rest of your vacation. I did what you are planning to do many years ago, and I calculated that I spent 24 hours of my vacation in the airport, not a good way to go. You end up packing and returning cars, checking in and out of hotels/condos. Just pick one + Oahu and enjoy.

What are the coupons that are mentioned for flights and where do you get them? Cost?

We just got back from a very similar trip and I'm worn out! We spent a total of 16 nights in Hawaii. First, we spent 1 week in Maui (We loved it and would definitely go back). I think I would shorten your stay in Hana to 1 night, though very beautiful but very isolated also. Kaua'i was beautiful and we had planned to stay 1 week also but there was such a storm the first 3 days, and the forecast was the same for the entire week, that we then went to the big island. I'm so glad we were able to see this, as I would totally recommend it also. As for Oahu, we spent 1 night there so we could visit Pearl Harbor. This was definitely a good idea to see this, but I would never go back to Honolulu. You will be very disappointed, as many of my friends had mentioned to me prior to leaving. Waikiki Beach is a sight to see just once, not that nice, very congested, noisey big city. If you're into that, then you will enjoy it. I know we will never to back to Honolulu again. There are so many other beautiful sights to see in the other islands. Our flights were direct to the other islands, some do stop in Honolulu and then go on to the other islands. You will definitely enjoy your trip, whatever you decide! Aloha!

Hi Raquel, thanks for your report! Sorry about the storm on Kauai. We will be there in September, so I hope less rain. We have decided and booked, so we are locked in now to: 1 week on Kauai, then 1 week on Maui (5 nights in Wailea, 2 in Hana)and 3 nights on Oahu before we fly out of Honolulu. I hear the north shore of Oahu is beautiful. Am hoping to find a nice accomodation (house, cottage or private accomodations at a B&B) on the north shore. Alternatively, we are considering spending the three nights at the Kahala Mandarin. I have been reading rave reviews about that. So, now the question remains: Oahu north shore accomodations, or Kahala Mandarin?