How's my Hawaii Itinerary?
 

My husband and I will be visiting Hawaii in March 2004. We are both 31 years old, active, enjoy lying on the beach/pool, some nightlift, and snorkeling. I want to see as much as possible on the islands we're visiting, but I'd also like to return home relaxed :) Below is our tentative itinerary. I would love some feedback from those of you that have been to Hawaii, before I book our hotels. THANKS!

DAY 1 (OAHU) Hilton Hawaiian Village
6:30-8am Hike Diamond Head
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
Beach/Pool

DAY 2 (OAHU)
Early Morning - Pearl Harbor & Bowfin Sub
Watch Surfers (Waimea Bay & Bonzai Pipeline
Lunch at Giovanni's Shrimp Truck (Kahuku)
Polynesian Culture Center, Luau, and Horizon's Night Show

DAY 3 (BIG ISLAND)
Early flight to Hilo
Akaka Falls
Volcano National Park
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory (if there's time)
Evening flight to Kauai
Check into Marriott Lihue

DAY 4 (KAUAI)
Entire day at pool and/or beach

DAY 5 (KAUAI)
Helicopter Tour
Ditch Tubing Adventure
Holoholoku Heiau and Opaekaa Falls

DAY 6 (KAUAI)
Morning - Beach/Pool
Afternoon - Spouting Horn & Waimea Canyon

Continued on next post...

DAY 7 (KAUAI)
Morning - first 2 miles of Kalalau Trail
Afternoon - Snorkeling/Swimming @ Kee, Tunnels, & Hanalei

DAY 8 (KAUAI)
Morning - Napali Catamaran Cruise (includes snorkeling)
Afternoon - Beach/Pool

DAY 9 (KAUAI/MAUI)
Morning - Beach/Pool
Afternoon flight to Maui
Check into Westin Kaanapali

DAY 10 (MAUI)
Beach/Pool
Warren & Annabelle's Magic Show

DAY 11 (MAUI)
Road to Hana
Mama's Fish House

DAY 12 (MAUI)
Molokini Snorkel Tour
Beach/Pool
Old Lahaina Luau

DAY 13 (MAUI)
Beach/Pool
Sunset Cruise - last night :(

DAY 14 (RETURN HOME)

One major problem with your plans - Big Island.
1. It is BIG - you really would only have time to get to Volcanos National Park and see its highlights - unfortunately you will miss seeing nighttime lava flow.
2. I hope you have verified times flights are available - there are only a limited number of flights between BI and Kaui. It REALLY makes more sense to do it in this order:
1. Oahu
2. BI (and spend at least one night there)
Personally I would spend less time on Maui and more time on BI but that really depends on you.
3. Maui - very SHORT flight from BI
4. Kaui - very short flight back to Oahu (which is where I assume you will be going home from)

I would definately shorten Maui and spend more time on the Big Island. It sounds like you will be staying on the Hilo side of Hawaii, which is fine. I think instead of the Mac Nut Factory, I would visit the Tsunami Museum. Check out the web site. We enjoyed our visit there. They woman that showed us around actually was a little girl during one of the tsunamis and it was interesting to little to her and the presentation. Also, on the Big Island I love the drive north to the Kohala Coast and to the Place of Refuge. You can see 13 different climates in a day if you try.

Hey Pammer,

Everyone's going to have differing opinions on how much time to spend on each island as we all have our favorites (mine is Kauai but I digress).

But the one thing I think most will agree upon is that trying to squeeze four islands into less than two weeks time may be a bit much. Don't know if you've booked everything yet but if you haven't, something to consider....

Thanks guys - this was the type of feedback I am looking for. Tempted to cut the Big Island altogether since I agree that the first few days of the itinerary are rushed, but it seems like if we're going to fly all the way to Hawaii we should see some lava... Originally planned to stay in Hilo a night and fly to Kauai the next morning, but I thought it might be less painful to leave the baggage checked at the airport for the day instead of packing/unpacking again.

There was a suggestion to flipflop Maui and Kauai, but I can't find any interisland flights between Hilo and Maui. I checked Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines. Are there others?

THANKS AGAIN!

I spent 2 weeks on 3 islands. I did not feel rushed , i think because each new island to go to, was like a new vacation all over again. I have stated before, to really get aclimated to any vacation destination it takes more than week. And most of us do not have that kind of time. I read your schecule and it is Great, you have done your home work. I like everyone could tinker with it , and of course the weather will play a part ( like rain ) but over all i think you got it covered, i would do all 4 islands.
And as for resting beleive me you will sleep like a baby in paradise. Also you can call a activity agent in hawaii and book all your trips most have a 1-800 number, i used( activity warehouse). nick

If you like snorkeling suggest you stay another day on the Big Island and do the FairwindII snorkel cruise from Kona to Capt. Cook Monument (reserve early), also agree that you will be fine doing 4 islands in 2 weeks, Hawaii is paradise!:S-

Pammer, you can get to Maui from Hilo, you just need to connect in Honolulu. It is just a stop over, not an additional fare. Go for it!

While I like your ambition, I think you're trying to see way too many islands. You can easily lose 1/2 day each time you switch islands (checking in/out of hotels, rental car drop offs, getting to & waiting in airports, etc.) I also think your itinerary for the Big Island is way way to short. We spent 6 days on the big island and didn't have enough time. Enjoy and don't feel like you need to see all the islands in one trip.

Pammer-
Regarding your snorkeling on Oahu Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays. We just got back and we rented these great underwater digital cameras for $20 per day (24 hours.) We shot over 100 pix. Wait I grabbed their card-
VacationPIX 808-926-7774

Day too seems too rushed and may not work.