Hawaiian Honeymoon Itinerary Help Please!
 

Aloha! We'll be spending about 15 days in Hawaii after our September wedding. I used to live on the Big Island and know Maui quite well so we'll be going to both of those islands plus Kaua (I've never been to that island). My thought was to start off on Maui then Kauai then head to the Big Island (Kona coast). My finance has never been to Hawaii. Our idea was to spend 5 days each on Maui and Kauai then our final four nights on the Big Island. Does that seem like enough time or should we limit our time between two islands only? Our main goal is relaxation with some daytime excursions. I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

I'd do a week on the Big Island where you lived, to share some of your history, and a week on Kauai to explore something new together.

Agree with Looking Glass, stick to two islands with 15 days, it is supposed to be a nice relaxing honeymoon. Enjoy.

Or you could toss out the BI and go to Maui and spend a couple of the 7 nights in either Lanai or Hana. Now that's relaxation!

Great ideas! Thanks!

Two weeks = Two islands, especially on a *honeymoon*. (I'm sure you remember hot HOT it is in Hawaii in September, too.)

In the minority - but I would first show him Kauai, the most verdant/green isle - hence the nickname - the "Garden Isle" - for maybe 4 or 5 days - a great place to start your honeymoon.

Then spend maybe 3 to 4 days enjoying Maui and then kick back on the BI for your last week.

It's a short/easy flight from Oahu to Kauai (20) minutes, then you probably have to connect back through Hono to Maui, but direct flights from there to say Hilo - and back from Kona.

For our 15 (or was it 16?) day honeymoon - we spent two fun days on Molakai, a week on Big Island and then a week on Kauai. Rented a jeep on BI and I had a good tan/surf bleached hair and my accountant - who had an office down the hall from me in La Jolla - didn't recognize this guy waving at him from a jeep in the parking lot (wearing just a pair of swimtrunks) - while he was having lunch on the deck of the Don Drysdale restaurant - above south Kona. (Don't think it's there anymore).

When I got back to the office some two weeks later - he couldn't believe that was moi waving to him. He thought it was some local lad:)

3 islands is a lot of unpacing and flight time. even short flights take a lot of airport time so a good part of the day is shot. I'd stick with Kauai and BI

How much does one really pack for Hawaii? A swim suit - and an evening outfit perhaps? :) Dive/snorkel mask?

And getting around the inter-island airport in Honolulu is easy - as are the smaller airports on the outer isles.

And since you know Maui quite well and used to live on BI - no sweat - and Kauai is the easiest one go get around. :)

Do you face long flights to and from Hawaii? Have to go via HNL?

I also agree with just two islands. The north shore of Kauai is what your fiance imagines in a tropical, South Pacific island, so that's an obvious first pick IMO. The second depends on your budget. If you can find something you like on the Kohala coast of the Big Island that fits within your budget, I'd go with that. Otherwise, I think you'll find better options on Maui than the Kona coast. How long has it been since you lived on the Big Island? Did you have to deal with VOG then?

"In the minority..."

Yes, you are Tom. You're the only poster I've seen who would apparently rather spend time packing up, checking out, returning rental cars, waiting in airport lines, in the air, standing in rental car lines, checking in, and unpacking vs. lazing around a pool with an adult beverage or snorkeling off a palm tree lined beach. But, different strokes...

Thanks so much for all the helpful responses!! I'll keep you posted. :)