HOW TO CHOOSE WHICH ISLAND?
 

As I have said in a previous post, my husband and I were lucky enough to have spent our 25th anniversary in Maui and Kauai two years ago. We loved both, but want to take our grown children (24, 22 and 16) back to see Hawaii for their first time. Although we loved Kauai and thought it was absolutely beautiful, we somehow feel that we wouldn't need to see it again this time around.

We did want to spend significant time on Maui and, of course, our kids insist on a trip over to Pearl Harbor, but I am "itching" to see something I haven't seen, and therefore am leaning towards visiting the Big Island.
My sister-in-law insists it was her favorite island as do so many of you!

I know it may sound silly to ask, but how do you decide which island to visit? What will we see if we visit the BI that would be different from Maui or Oahu (besides the fact that there is an active volcano). What sets each island apart from the other? If we opt to go to the BI, where do you suggest we stay to avoid as much backtracking as possible?

We have fourteen nights to spend and do intend to get over to Oahu for a small amount of time. One of the things we'd like to do is the "swim with the dolphins" experience. Can anyone tell me if they have done this and whether they felt it was worth the $$$?

Thanks for the helpful tips! You can always count on fellow fodorites to help with itineraries and such!!!

Mahalo.........Diane

Hi! We have been to Hawaii the last 3 summers (and already purchased plane tickets for next summer) and we STILL agonize every year on which islands to visit! We have been to BI, Oahu, and Maui all twice, and Kauai once, and we still are uncertain about next summer! The only reason we know we are going to Big Island next summer is because there was a great fare from Boston to Kona on America West.

So far, I have chosen islands for a couple of different reasons. Sometimes it's an airfare sale, sometimes a special at a hotel on a particular island. Sometimes I read someone's amazing trip report, and I just "know" that I want to go to that island next visit.

I will say that all of the islands are unique and wonderful. The Big Island is fabulous, it's just so different from the others. Volcano National Park is amazing, and the vastness and diversity of climates on the Big Island is just jaw-dropping. I would very much recommend it. It is more different than Maui and Oahu, and although I LOVE both Maui and Oahu, they are more similar to each other than the BI is to any other island.

For our first trip, we did 2 nights on Oahu, 4 on Big Island, and 7 on Maui. This was a great itinerary for us. If you want, you could spend a week each on Maui and Big Island, and daytrip over to Pearl Harbor.

The one thing I have learned in my three trips is that no matter how much I agonize over which islands to go to, once I am there, I am one hundred percent happy where I am. I never think, " Oh, I should have gone to another island". I am always perfectly content wherever we end up, and you will be, too :)

The way I decided was to purchase the four Hawaii 'Revealed' books - one on each island and read them, then compare notes on Fodors and TTG - reading as many TR's as possible and asking a ? or two.

I have several friends who either had been or regularly go, and they gave pretty consistent recommendations.

Also, time dictated on our first trip the we would not even consider the BI as it takes longer to see it than the other islands, since it is the Big Island.

Now, I hope to do BI and Kauai next May! Can't wait!

The 'Hawaii Revealed' series is the best one to read to help you decide which island to visit. If you go, bring the guide along and try one of the more adventurous excursions mentioned in the book. You will be glad you did more than just the usual tourist stuff.

We go to Kona every March and love it. There is lots to do besides see the volcano. Snorkeling. Horseback riding at an upcountry ranch. Lots of great golf courses. There are good restaurants, but Kona is not known for its nightlife. We chose Kona because we are an older couple and enjoy the slower pace than we found on Maui.

My husband and I just got back a few hours ago from our trip to the BI (very sadly), and it was fantastic! We stayed in Volcano for the first three nights, then spent the next six in Waikoloa. We hiked to the lava flow, snorkeled with turtles every time we went out into the water, took a horseback ride in Waipio Valley (just did that yesterday, so I'm a little sore), hiked to waterfalls, walked through/shopped in Kailua a few times, ate at Roy's twice, and so on. It was our second trip to HI, but our first to the BI, and I think it that it became my favorite. Hoping for Kauai (new) and Oahu (again) in 2008!!!