Hawaii suggestions
 

My wife and I are thinking about going to Hawaii next summer for our anniversary. We are sure that we want to stay in Maui for at least part of the trip, but not really sure what other island we should try. This is my first time to the islands and want to make it special. We will be there for about 8 days. I am thinking about The Four Seasons in Maui, but also need to find a really nice place on another island. I have heard that maybe we should combine Maui with the Big Island or possibly Kuaui. We are into hiking, biking, beaching and exploration of waterfalls(i.e maybe via helicopter). Could someone give me some ideas as to which
island(s) I should look at and which hotels. Also, since we will be starting in Maui, how do we travel from one island to the next..air,boat, etc?? Thanks for the help.

Hello,
We have only stayed at condo's on Maui and feel that just being on Maui will feel special. It is difficult to do more than 2 islands in 8 days. Maui has the most activities to offer, while less people can be found on Kauai, and more open space can be found on the Big Island.

Kauai is small but has incredible scenery, hiking and long sandy beaches to offer. Most feel the top 2 resorts on the Island are the Princeville Hotel and the Hyatt. Since you are talking about a summertime visit I would recommend the Princeville Hotel, we have honeymooned at the adjacent Hanalei Bay Resort, and also stayed at private condo's in the Princeville Resort.

The Big Island is the only island with an active volcano, and if you visit Volcanoes National Park you may get to witness lava actively flowing down to the sea-a one of a kind experience. Things are farther apart on the Big Island and sandy beaches are less prevalent than on Kauai, but suggest you consider a resort on the Kohala coast. The BI 4S for example, has been rated by the Travel Channel as the top resort in all of Hawaii, and there are many other upscale choices on the Kohala coast. We stayed at the less costly Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Marriott and were pleased with A-Bay and the adjacent Hilton Waikoloa resort.
Flights are made between Maui (OGG) and Kauai (LIH) or Big Island (KOA) by using interisland flights offered by either Hawaiian or Aloha airlines, check their websites or a Hawaiian Travel Agency (can find online). Many airlines are Frequent Flyer partners with Hawaiian or Aloha and you can redeem 5,000 to 10,000 miles for an interisland flight (~$70 to $130 each way). Some flights connect through HNL airport on Oahu, try to get one that just stops rather than connects if no nonstop interisland flight is available between islands. The only interisland boating option for tourists is a ferry between Maui and Lanai, and boat trips from Maui to Molokini.
Suggest you see www.wizardpub.com for best source of info regarding activities planning with guidebooks: "Maui Revealed", "Hawaii-The Big Island Revealed", & "The Ultimate Guide to Kauai".
You will be fine with any of the above islands-Hawaii is ((R))Paradise((R))!
:S-

Thank you for your input. Any things that we should definitely "not miss" on our 2 island adventure. I really appreciate the input.

John D is a great poster and i agree with all his comments. If you chose Maui and Kauai all i can say is Kauai has my most memorible hikes. The hike of baby grand canyon to the sacred pools was awesome , and i cant say enough about the hikes at napali coast ( kee beach area ) that include great snorkeling at kee beach. So 8 days huh! First 4 nites Maui and leave for kauai late for 4 nites. Or if you plan it out as far as activities 5 nites Maui and 3 nites Kauai. At any rate you will have a great time what ever you chose. nick

Mucho Mahalo to sail10 for your kind words and apt phrasing of hiking until:-dbecomes:-[

Bankerboy, suggest you (re)search this forum using keywords like "Top 10 in Maui" for activity ideas, etc

<u>Favorite Hawaii Activities</u>
<b>Kauai</b>:
1. Kee Beach snorkeling, on a calm day.
2. NaPali coast trail (for rugged hikers, or do helicopter or boat/snorkeling tour) entrance at Kee Beach, where the road ends, north shore.
3. Waimea canyon (Hawaii's Grand Canyon)
<b>Maui</b>:
1. Road to Hana (dinner at Mama's Fish House)
2. Sunrise at Haleakala
3. Whalewatch from Lahaina
Note: snorkeling conditions vary from day to day, always good to have a back up plan.
<b>Big Island</b>
1. Volcanoes Nat'l Park (red hot lava at end of chain of craters road, Thurston Lava Tube)
2. Snorkeling Boat Trip to Captain Cook Memorial, on Fairwind II from Keahou
3. Snorkeling at Honaunau, visit ancient Hawaiian Park next door
4. If you scuba, you might consider diving with the manta rays (have not done, personally-also can snorkel with)
5. Visit Hilton Waikoloa village, for dinner for example.

Correction: boat trip from Maui to Molokini is a snorkel trip, another tourist boat trip option is from Maui to Molokai.