My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii for 4 days in late February, the 17th-20th. We are in our early 30s and want a combination of relaxation and outdoor activities, specifically hiking. We don’t necessarily need fancy dining, but a variety of decent restaurants would be nice. I like what I have heard about both the Big Island and Kauai, but I am not sure which one to choose. Which one would you recommend for an active couple with only 4 days?

4 days is a VERY short time for Hawaii, considering the lenght of the flights.

I have done a 4 day trip to Hawaii and barely remembered it. Personally, I wouldn't do it again.

If you decide to do it, I'd chose Kauai over Hawaii, as Hawaii is so much larger. I'd also chose Hanalei, as there are several restaurants to chose from. But 4 days is a very short visit.

That is President's weekend and a very busy time in Hawaii.

I'd agree with Placename. 4 days is very short so Kauai would be a better fit but ideally, a week or more on Big Island would be my choice!

The Big Island and Kauai are both so beautiful: Kauai is green and lush, the Big Island is more rugged and extreme. They are both wonderful for hikes and enjoying the natural beauty.

Four days would make more sense on Kauai, as it is small enough to drive around in a day. I attended a 4 day conference and stayed two nights in Hanalei, and two nights on the other side of the island. I managed to see an overview of highlights, and learn about hula, too.

Then, hopefully you'll have an opportunity to spend closer to 2 weeks on the Big Island, exploring the volcano, watching whales, hiking to waterfalls, listening to slide guitar, snorkeling, and taking lots of amazing hikes through ancient royal compounds, jungles, and green pastures.

If you are coming from the west coast, the 4-5 hour flights are not bad at all. I just went to Maui for a work trip for 4 days, and saw pretty much everything I wanted to.

I'm on my way back to the Big Island for 2 weeks, though. Going to spend most of it watching whales, hunting for hula & ukulele performances and eating amazingly inventive and fresh organic meals, watching stars and listening to wild boar crack macadamia nuts at night.

We visited the BI a few years ago and a week wasn't enough to see everything but we did see the things we most wanted to see. We haven't been to Kauai yet but we're going later this year. Given the fact that Kauai is so much smaller I would go for that on a short trip. I have to agree with the others that a 4 day trip to Hawaii is way too short. If there is any way possible please extend your trip a few more days.

I've been to Hawaii for 2+ weeks, and I've been for 4 days, and everything in between. Go and have fun! For this trip, I'd pick Kauai because of its small size - spectacular scenery , beautiful beaches, great hiking, good restaurants.

Go to Kauai because of your time limit and its small size.

I just returned from a visit to The Big Island and it is big. You must drive a lot to get anywhere.

I love Hanalei, Kauai but for such a short visit and knowing your interests, I would stay in Poipu. You can drive North one day to Hanalei and the beautiful beaches, and the next go to Wiamea Canyon where you can have many different choices for hiking. If you stay in Hanalei, it is a very long drive to get to Wiamea early in the morning for a hike. Poipu has lots of restaurants.

Firs of all - even if it's only 4 days - go for it. Just relax on the plane and look forward to a marvelous experience.

We love all of the islands in Hawaii - and have driven around every one of them - (including Molokai and Lanai) - but Kauai (the Garden Island) and Big Island are our two favorites - and we probably love Hanalei/Princeville the best of all. Kona and the Volcano area on Big Island are a close second, and Hilo is beautiful - especially driving north toward Akaka Falls.

As for Hanalei/Princeville-North Shore of Kauai - you can find everything there - plus the incredible beauty of Bali Hai. For an idea of the beauty - see the great 1958 musicial/WWII Love Story - South Pacific - with Mitzi Gaynor - or the more recent Descendants - with George Clooney.

Drive over the 7 one lane bridges to the end of the road to Ke'e beach - where there is great snorkeling (a protected reef) hiking, and one of the best places in all of Hawaii to watch the sunset. So is there really a green flash?

Or walk down the trail to hidden Lumahai Beach - as beautiful as any beach in the world - and where Nurse Mitzi Gaynor in South Pacific - "Washed that main right out of her hair".

http://www.google.com/search?q=image...w=1253&bih=660

Oh yes, there are a number of good restaurants in and around Princeville/Hanalie - and one of our favorites is the Hanalei Dolphin, but there are others. It's next to the river - and the fish doesn't get any better than here - and I think their other offerings are also well received.

http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm

Oh yes, Do be sure to visit Poipu and get over to the "Grand Canyon" - Waimea - for some nice hiking and great views. From North Shore to Poipu - you can do that in an hour (unless you catch rush hour at Kapaa - really - can be backed up - but then take the road around town - get the local maps in the tourist mags/from the rental car company) - and it's another half hour or so from Poipu over to Waimea. Straight shot - Waimea back to North Shore - we have made it in an hour - without traffic. (Poipu is a bit off the road).

We also love to take the Trimarain ride up the Na Paili Coast from Pt. Allen, and I think it was Tom's? that was very good.

Good for diving - or snorkeling also if you don't dive and we saw turtles and dolphins swimming alongside the boat.