We are going to Hawaii for the first time next month and we'd like to visit Kauai and the Big Island. We have 12-13 days to spend between the two.

How many nights should we spend on each, so we don't feel like we are rushing around too much?

We're looking at dividing our time on Kauai betweeen the north and the south of the island. Maybe Princeville and Popu. Any other suggestions?

As far as the Big Island - where is the best area to stay so we are centrally located? Kona? Hilo? Is one location ok here or should it be split up between two?

We like wildlife (especially dolphins), hiking, rainforests, and good food.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hawai`i island is really, really big -- larger than all the other islands, combined. There is no "central" location there.

If you want to really see that big island, allow some time on Hilo side, some time on Kona side. 4 days each, would still allow you 4 days or so for Kaua`i. The inter-island flight will stop on O`ahu (change of planes not usually required) -- so with the whole hotel checkout, car rental return, airport, next car rental, check in at next hotel routine, you will eat up most of a day.

As for Kaua`i, this time of year I'd advise you to head for Po`ipu. We're in our rainy season, and this year it's _really_ rainy (we had more than 2" rain overnight). You can make the drive from Po`ipu to Princeville as a one-day jaunt, with plenty stops along the way.

Have a _great_ visit!

We did that same itinerary last year. We were gone 13 days. We spent 6 nights on kaui and 6 nights on the Big Island, then had a layover connection in Oahu, and took the redeye home. This gave us teh opportunity to see Pearl harbor.

Kaui in itself is very relaxing. We stayed in Lihue at the Radisson and thought that it was really nice. Then we toured the island.

On the Big Island we stayed in the Kohala Coast because the weather is really good there. We stayed at the hapuna Beach Hotel and thought that it was WONDERFUL!!!

We did the Volcano national Park as a day trip, however, you may consider staying there one night since it is a good two hour drive to the park from Kohala. there is not real fancy hotels there, I believe that the Waterfalls Inn is supposed to be alright.

When you get your itinerary together, I can suggest other things to do and eat if you are interested.

We've done this a couple times and it's worked well.

Spend three days or so in Hilo. Spend a day or two at the volcano, then the rest of your time on the Kona side (I'd recommend the Mauna Lani).

There is no central location on the Big Island, and you're going to waste too much time driving if you do try to make one coast or the other your "base." You'll be too rushed.

I agree with tinathetoad on the 6/6 island split - on the Big Island, we split our lodging between Kona & Hilo.
On Kauai, we stayed at Lihue, but Po'ipu was a really nice area also. OR -you could do 5/6/2 split, and give yourself a couple nights on Oahu, too!! No need to rent a car there - the bus runs everywhere!