I only have a week off for vacation. I have been hearing how beautiful Hawaii is. I have frequent flier tickets booked with AA for the end of June. We are flying into Honolulu and out of Mauai.
Is it crazy to go this far in such a short time?
Would we be better off to go to Aruba or Jamaica?
What do you think?

I've been to Hawaii and would go again
in a heart beat. You are doing the right thing.

I'm no expert on Hawaii,allI can tell you is the fact that we were strangely disappointed with Honolulu/Waikiki at first. Waikiki was extremely crowded, huge strip of crowded hotels on relatively narrow sandy beach,and Honolulu was like a big city anywhere. But then, we went to the North Shore and loved the laid back atmosphere up there, and started exploring further afield and found things to see and do. We went back to Maui, and surprised even ourselves by loving it! (we were prepared to not have as high expectations after our Honolulu experience and besides, Maui is SO hyped, but it was simply beautiful!) We loved the drive to Hana with the waterfalls and sacred poolsand the drive back along the "backside" of the volcanoe (allow at least 2.5 hours in the daylight if you do this and go slowly), the funky windsurfer town of Paia, the trip up the volcano, the beautiful Upcounry, the snorkeling spots, the happenin' town of Lahaina (a few too many tourists there but that is where the majority go for some shopping or a sunset cocktail), etc. You can surprisingly still get away from others even in today's Maui, and we went at Christmastime! I would go back in a minute!

1) Waikiki is not "Hawaii"..not like you're looking for.
2) Jamaica, compared to Hawaii, is crime-ridden, drug-saturated, and lacks the variety of restaurants/nice hotels and freedom to move about easily, safely and without concern.
3) Aruba is safe, clean and has great weather and nice beaches but is truly ugly.

I've visited virtually all the world's premiere tropical travel destinations, and though it may not seem 'exotic' to many, Hawaii is still the best the world has to offer.
Go with your sixth sense...you were on the right track from the beginning.

I would say, "it depends"
I would go to Hawaii in a heartbeat but I live in the west. If I lived in the east I would think about it because of all the travel time. How much do you want to get out of your one week?

Dean,

Hawaii is fabulous, no mistake about it, and I go every chance I get. But I wouldn't go from the East Coast for just a week because jet lag bothers me. Have you considered Bermuda? It's also great, tho not Hawaii?

By all means go to Hawaii, even if you are on the East Coast. The flight is long but take a book, watch the movie or whatever.
If you have FF tickets arranged that is icing on the cake.
I have not been to Honolulu but have heard it is not idylic. We spent 8 days on Maui and it was unforgettable. I would advise concentrate on one island, dont try to island hop or you will waste a lot of time.I cant wait to go back, finances permitting I would try to stay 2 weeks..

First of all, if you are only going for a week and you are coming from anywhere other than the W. Coast of the U.S. mainland, I would definitely stick to one island.

Keep in mind that many people don't realize that O`ahu is much more than just Waikiki and Honololu and has a lot to offer.

On the other hand, the end of June would probably be an excellent time for Kaua`i if it appeals to you.

If you are healthy, strong and resillient regarding time travelling and time differences, then I would say to go to Hawai`i if it really appeals to you.

I think the Virgin Islands are more comparable to HI than Aruba or Jamaica.

Sounds like you have saved up your frequent flyer miles for a special trip. Definitely use it to go to Hawaii. I live on the East Coast and went for a week and it is still quite a memorable trip years later. I did not visit Honolulu, just connected through there. Maui is beautiful, Kauai is even more so for an truly exotic atmosphere. I stayed mostly on the Big Island and found the history of the volcanic explosions and its' destruction and beauty pretty awesome. Each of those islands have very distinct characteristics which will stay in your memory for years to come. From the east coast, you can always easily visit the Caribbean islands and even find cheap airfare you can pay for without FF miles so since you saved your miles - go for Hawaii! Try stretching out your week by flying late at night when you can sleep away the flight and nap off your jet lag later under a palm tree.

Absolutely, Hawaii is the best destination. If it were me, I would not consider Oahu. Too much of big city life - that is not the reason for going to Hawaii. Maui and Kauai are our favorites. If you only have aweek, it is better than no time at all. Then you can return at another time, you will not regret it. In Maui and Kauai, you will not have to worry about drinking water, or crime, also, almost no insects.

There is nothing in the Caribbean which rivals the Hawaiian Islands.
The Virgin Islands, someone mentioned above, don't compare. Not that they don't have their redeeming qualities, but on an overall scale of 1 to 10, the Hawaiians are a 9 or 10 depending on where you go, St Croix is a 3-5, St John a 7-7.5, and St Thomas a 6-6.5 in my book. Racism, crime and comparative lack of variety of nice restaurants and hotels drag the V.I.'s down. Easy to get to from the eastern US, but offer nowhere near the pleasures of HI.

Dean, have you considered the United States Lines cruise around the islands? There isn't alot of time for each island of course, but with only a week it might give you a chance to get a feel for and experiece a little of several of the most popular stops. From other posts I've read, it sounds like they have excellent shore excursions. I wish I could go, it's my drean trip--someday--hope you have fun!

In my book, the Virgin Islands would rate a big ZERO, including St. John, which in reality is only a less populated version of St. Thomas! Both are DISGUSTING!!!

Dean, I disagree with the above posters! Although Hawaii is vastly superior to any place in the Caribbean, unless long travel doesn't bother you, I would skip Hawaii for now and wait until you have at least two weeks to really enjoy yourself. Being on the West Coast, I certainly would NOT go any place in Europe just for a week! And don't listen to the naysayers about Waikiki! Not only is Oahu a gorgeous and spectacular island but Waikiki is also beautiful despite the crowds. Did any of you think that perhaps Dean DESIRES that kind of atmosphere, excitement and nightlife? He couldn't pick a better spot for it! Besides, I think everyone should see Waikiki at least once! In the meantime, Dean, I would head down to the Westin Resort on Grand Cayman! Seven-Mile Beach is amazing!!

Thanks for all your help!!
I think we will go for it. We have a
2-bedroom condo reserved for a reasonable price at the Outrigger Wailea Resort in Maui. My kids are accustomed to flying and from what I read it must be very beautiful in Hawaii.
Thank you everyone!

Well I was ready to say,Hawaii for 1 week "FORGET IT"!!As I live in Pennsylvania,my reaction was,it's to much flying for a week's trip but after thinking about how much I enjoyed Maui yeah, I'd endure the trip to return even for a few days.I would however change your plan and spend ALL of your week on just Maui,trying to "see" 2 islands in a week is a bad move.ENJOY the adventure.

Dean, Go for it! I have traveled to St Martin, St Lucia, Virgin Islands, Cancun, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Barbados and none come close to Hawaii. Can't wait to return. Life is short. One week in paradise is better than none. Have a great time. I also live on the East coast.

Good choice--a week in Hawaii is more refreshing than two anyplace else. Make sure you get off the beaten track on Maui; there are magnificent things to see away from the touristy parts.

With that said, Wailea is an EXCELLENT (and preferred) area -- very beautiful, clean and pristine! Kindly post a trip report upon your return!

We just returned from Hawaii. It was my fourth time. We love it. I recommend Maui. I recommend the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea or the Kea Lani for hotels. I have been to many island in the caribbean and I like Hawaii better. We left on a Saturday and flew to San Francisco and spent the night. It broke up the trip and then we got the first flight directly to Maui and we were there by noon. Otherwise if you do it in the same day you do not get there before six and by the time you get your car and get to the hotel it is very late and you have lost that day. Either way it is well worth the trip. It is beautiful there and there is so much to do. I recommend the Trilogy to Lanai. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation at a beautiful resort The Four Seasons in Nevis is beautiful and not so far. Have a great vacation.