pholstien

Ok - so I've booked a trip for me and my wife based on a lot of the talk here at the forums as well as the Maui and Big Island Revealed books for April - so far:

BI for 4 days @ the Waikalea Beach Resort
Activities: Drive around and see the beaches, sites around Kona and then out to the Volcanos for a very full day excursion

Maui for 4 days @ the Renaissance Wailea
Activities: Old Lahania Luau, Paragon sailing and snorkel trip to Coral Garden/whale watch, Blue Water Rafting Molokoni and Kanaio combo, full day for the Road to Hana

Rented 4WD Jeep Wranglers at both islands just in case we feel adventureous.

Any suggestions on other stuff that we HAVE to squeeze in?

Thanks!!

ALF

On the Big Island, I'd suggest driving to the 9,000 ft. level on Mauna Kea to the Onizuka Visitor Center (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/stargazing.html). Each evening, there is a stargazing session there under what is generally some of the clearest skies in the World. While the grade is steep, the road is paved and any car can make it. Beyond Onizuka, the road gets steeper and rougher, and only 4WD vehicles are allowed. It gets darned cold at 9000 feet, and most visitors are not prepared - there is a box of hats and gloves, and hot chocolate is supplied as well.

EmilySD

On the BI, if you take the southern route from Kona to Volcano, try to stop at Punalu'u Beach, it is black sand and you may see large sea turtles, we did.

I hope you have an amazing vacation!

MistressMina

The Black Sand Beach..... forgot the name.... is quite a sight.

ezron

When you go to Hana---hike thru the Bamboo forest to the waterfall(the name escapes me but its near Oheo Gulch and anyone can give you more precise directions). And go to Lahaina for at least dinner one night and maybe lunch at the Hula Grill in Kaanapali.

xaimimgr

For a fun evening on Maui, take in the Warren and Annabelle show at Lahaina.

joan

I second ezron about the hike - fabulous. And try to eat at Mama's Fish House while on Maui, mmmm! Bring lotsa $$$!

10273eko

Old Lahaina Luau was great - did it last summer. Good for first timers in Hawaii.

Annable and Warren' s - DON'T get the dinner. The food was gross. Its a 2 part show - Annabel part was annoying, Warren part was great. Can't skip one so you have to do both. IMO, I would not do it again.... Not worth the money if you ask me.

Did not have a chance to get to Mama's Fish house - but heard fabulous things about it.

Road to Hana was fun, but SO long. It took us about 10 hours to do. Wish we had a jeep, because you can take a shorter back route home if you have 4 wheel drive. If not, you have to travel the same very curvey/scarey road back.

We went to an awesome meal at Nicks in the Kea Lani resort in Wailea. The food was great and really nice atmosphere. We also really enjoyed Lelanis (spelling?) in Kaanapali. Make sure you ask for sunset reservations at all of the restaurants. Beautiful sunsets in Maui...

So jealous. Have fun!

jayseadee

If you have any $$$ left, I would recommend a helicopter ride over the Volcano's. It was a great experience.

Enjoy.

beachkomer

Just a note, I rented a Jeep Wrangler
on the Big Island. If you haven't driven one before, check at a similar model at the local Jeep dealer. Maybe even drive one. Here were my observations:

1. It is very 'tin-ee', cheap and sort of loud. Talking was almost a yell.
I drove from Kona up to the tip top of BI and it was so loud driving. I was alone, but this would be something to consider if you want to have nice long conversations without raising your voice!

2. I had a soft top, and could not 'lock it up'. This would be very important while you are swimming that someone isn't taking all your stuff.
In fact everytime I went into Kona and shopped, I had to figure out what to do with my stuff. I ended up going back to the hotel a lot, and dropping off my packages.

3. There is no trunk, and the back seat is all you have for luggage. My stuff alone, filled it. I used a bike lock to secure my luggage to the frame!

4. With the soft top, I had a plastic
zip-down window. This was so annoying. Once you zip it down, it was like, "where do you put the window?" you sort of tuck it into the frame of the top. Maybe a hard shell this is taken care of with a roll down window?

My suggestion, get the Cherokee instead of the Wrangler! I think this would solve most of these problems.

spval

The helicopter ride over the volcano was definitely a highlight of our trip to the Big Island. It was so amazing to see the lava just oozing across the ground and then falling over the cliffs into the ocean.

joan

Disagree with 10273eko: we had a rented convertible, and drove all the way around Hana, took that back road, no problems, slow going due to potholes in some areas, not to be missed IMHO. We saaw a monk seal sleeping on the beach on that road!

GatorLadyUSA

MistressMina ----- I think the black sand beach is on Molokai. It's been a loooong time since I've bene in Ha'waii though!

methinks

Just came back from the same 2 Islands.
My opinion :
Skip the Jeep and get a convertible - I would recommend the sebring convertible over the mustang. The sebring has more trunk space (we fit all our luggage in the trunk - a large duffle and a large hard sided garment bag, also two small carry ons).
On the Big Island:
Spend the night in the volcano national park area and go to the end of chain of craters road at night. You may not need to even walk out to see the lava flows, we could see the glow from the ocean entry from the end of the road. (don't stay at the volcano house - it is waste of money). If you snorkel consider one of the night dives to see the manta rays and there is a good beach to snorkel from, Kahalu'u Beach Park, just past Kona. We saw sea turtles. (we are NOT good snorkelers - it was our first time)
Consider also Rainbow Falls in Hilo - go early to see the rainbows

Maui:
Definitely do the road to Hana, but give yourself lots of time and wear your bathing suit to go swimmimg in the waterfall pools.

Have great fun!

10273eko

Crap - people kept telling us that the road was horrible and do not take our car (a convertible too) on the back road. Wish we would have known.

pholstien

Thanks for all the input!!!! We are very excited!

circa

Since you are at the Waikoloa Beach Resort...and not far from the Kohala coast area....perhaps you plan to go to Hawi.....lunch at the Bamboo Resturant....further up the road to Kapa'au and see the "original" statue of King Kamehameha....continue on hwy 270 to the Pololu Valley lookout....The Kao gallery next to Bamboo resturant is very nice(Kao wood items).....just a note....I have been to the top of Mona Kea in a standard car....it is not recommended....the road from the 9000' to the top is very steep and gravel...top speed 15-18mph.But the view is wonderful....all the observatories is a sight..

have a nice trip

Loungin

Yes, definitely do the Road to Hana and make sure you drive all the way around. Do not turn around and go back the way you came. There are some beautiful sights that you will miss. My wife and I were in Maui for our Honeymoon last May. Before we did the Road to Hana I had read different posts on this activity, some saying to go all the way around and some said don't go all the way around. We decided to keep driving and go all the way around and we do not regret it at all. It was incredible. Would do it again, definitely. Also, there is one activity some people are forgetting about that we thought was fascinating. If you have the time, go watch the sunrise on the top of Haleakala in Maui and then ride bikes down the mountain. It's beautiful. Have fun and have a safe trip.

nicknik

Road to hana, make sure you bring food for two meals and snacks , drinks , plenty of film , and explore the many stops. Wife and i found several black sand beaches , and some with fresh water falls pouring over cliffs into the ocean. We drove all the way arround in a 4 door integra, pot holes but worth every mile for some beautifull scenery. You may want to change to a sedan i agree with others you need the trunk space , to lock up goods. Brother you got the bases covered for maui activities ,if time allows go the whalers village in kannapalli ans snorkle at black rock in front of the sheraton , and lunch at one of the beachside cafes , then shop some in the open air stores. have a blast nick

Quinty

Back to the vehicle...
My husband and I always insist on a jeep wrangler. We drive SUVs at home and are used to being up a little higher. You can just see more that way.

We also, one time, got a Sebring on the Big Island and I strongly preferred the jeep. You are sitting down inside a car and it is hot! Seems to hold in the heat so much more than the jeep.

Yes, you have to watch your stuff in the jeep, but there is usually a locking console and glove box. I've been to Hawaii several times, leaving my snorkel gear, beach bags, etc. in the jeep and nothing has been stolen.

When you take the windows out you roll them up and put them behind the back seat. It is not super convenient, I admit, but it is worth it for that "wind whipping through your hair" feeling. Just make sure your wife has hair ties and a hat, which will make life a lot more pleasant for her.

One more thing, there IS that black sand beach on the BI called Punalu'u Beach and it's about 10 minutes off the main road on the southern tip of the island. Very neat, definitely worth the side trip just for the sight of it!