Hello all -

We are planning our first trip to Hawaii in March '08. We'll have about 10 days and are thinking of 2 islands.

Now, of course the question is - which two???

I've been once before and stayed on Kauai, which was beautiful. I was only there for a few days and my husband has never been.

I'm thinking of Maui for one, and am torn between the BI or Kauai, but am open to any suggestions.

We like to golf, will enjoy sightseeing, nice restaurants, will likely rent a car. We are not much for a 'big city' feel (ie. shopping not so important).

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks

My favorite islands are Kauai and Oahu.
Oahu is always overlooked in favor of the BI or Maui, but I think Oahu has more to do, wonderful beaches, a variety of terrain (the south vs north shore), historical sites, etc.

I would choose Oahu and Maui.

I would pick Kauai and the Big Island. The Big Island is great for the variety between different sides of the island. Black sand beaches, volcanoes, farm land and the tropical side, Hilo. Kauai is awesome for hiking, beaches, boat rides to see coastline, etc. For the best banana pancakes, be sure to stop at the Tip Top Cafe on Kauai....yummo!

No matter what, you can't go wrong!

I would pick Maui and the BI. Another more radical approach, is to just pick the big Island. There would be plenty to do, as Monica H. mentioned for the full 10 days.

Do you have anything that particularly interests you? Like if you want to see live volcano, then the Big Island is a must. If you want the chance for a bit of nightlife than Waikiki on Oahu, or Lahaina on Maui might be included.

Oahu & Maui

Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

I would pick Kauai and the Big Island. The Big Island is really diverse; we stayed in the Volcano area to see the park and also stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince for beach time. We went to Maui for our honeymoon and loved it, but even by Hawaiian standards, it was really expensive. I'd highly recommend doing a helicopter tour of the Na Pali coast on Kauai.

Looks like it is pretty evenly divided.
Oahu = three
Kauai = three
Maui = three
BI = three
Makes it tough!

Maui and Kaua'i. Actually, if it were me I do 10 days on Kaua'i. Boring...

I think it depends on what interests your husband and yourself may have. Do you love beaches, scuba, or does the volcano activity interest you? I loved Kauai myself. I would want to always go back there, and by all means, do the helicopter ride. It is a memory I will always treasure. I liked the volcano as well. My husband and I like that quite a bit too.

Maui and Kauai pull ahead....

Diann and Suze have a point about it depends on your interests.

I'm w/ iamq & would pick 1 island for the entire 10 days if it were my trip. I hate to move hotels, take taxi, schlepp back to the airport, wait around, take flight, transpo to next hotel, get and return rental cars, whatever.

And am hard pressed to do much of anything, instead slow down to local pace once I hit "island" time. I don't even pre-book tours, because likely I won't really want to go when that morning rolls around.

All that said, I live in Seattle and can get back to Hawaii to see other places on the next trip.

If you are coming from further away, I can understand the desire to see more than one island. Maui & Kauai or Oahu & BI would be the way I'd pair them (one busy & one more quiet island together).

Hey, Trippin said one island for 10 days also (the Big Island) in an earlier post! LOL.

Maui and Kauai. My husband and I returned earlier this week from Maui, Kauai and Oahu.

Maui was beautiful and there was a lot to do.

Kauai was also incredibly beautiful and there is a lot to do if you like to be outdoors.

Both islands are laid back and easy to drive around.

Oahu was a lot of fun, but it has more of the big city feel.

Ni'ihau - if you can get a reservation. Kaho'olawe, if they cleaned up the military landmine junk.

Oh and Kaua'i doesn't suck, but Maui mo bettah~

Kauai IS boring!! I'm still getting teased by people here in Honolulu for my little trip to Kauai last January. ha!

I'd go for Oahu and the Big Island. You have a plethora of nice restaurants on Oahu and can drive outside of Honolulu proper to escape the big city.

You could spend 2 weeks on the Big Island and still not do all there is to do. I hear the golfing is nice there, too.

hi Kealalani: is it possible to get a reservation to visit Ni'ihau? i thought you had to be a native Hawaiian?
I've always wanted to go there.

definitely bi and maui. go to niihau on business, never knew you could make reservations.