Kona-Maui-Honolulu 14 days
 

14 Days (Big Island, Maui, Oahu) not including travel from and to mainland.

How would you break it up ?

What location to stay? Any hotel recommendations? Hotel vs Condo? (budget ~ 125/night)

It depends on your priorities e.g. relaxation or activity, what activities, dry weather or lush scenery etc? To plan it right make a list of interests for each island and break your time up according to the list. All you can get from other people are their own lists, based on their own priorities.

The only advice I give universally for multi-island visits is to do Oahu as far toward the beginning of the trip as possible. It's a lot more crowded and harried than the other islands, at least much of it is, and imo it's pointless to return from an extended Hawaii vacation frazzled from traffic and crowds. The same is becoming increasingly true on Maui, so I'd do that island next after Oahu. To maximize relaxation reserve the BI (or Kauai or Molokai) for last.

I completely agree with fdecarlo, but here's my take on time:

I'd spend 4 days on Oahu - staying in one place for all 4 nights, but spend 2 days in the Waikiki area, 1 in the Kailua-Lanikai area, and 1 on the North Shore. You can visit Diamondhead either on a Waikiki day or on the way to or from Kailua. Kayaking out of Kailua is great.

I'd spend 4 days on Maui (really 3-1/2 because it will take you a half a day to get there), again sleeping in one place. 2 days at the beach, 1 day visiting upcountry and Haleakala, 1 day driving at least part of the Road to Hana (actually, I wouldn't do that, but I would recommend it for a first-timer).

That leaves 6 days for the Big Island (really 5-1/2 because it will take you a half a day to get there). We were on the Big Island this year for the first time in 35 years. Frankly, it's not my favorite, because I prefer lusher landscapes. But since you are going, you need a fair amount of time because the island is very large compared to the other islands. Maybe 4 days on the Kona side and 2 on the Hilo side.

Flying in to Kona and out from HNL is already locked in for us. Everything else is flexible at this point.

"It depends on your priorities e.g. relaxation or activity, what activities, dry weather or lush scenery etc? To plan it right make a list of interests for each island and break your time up according to the list. All you can get from other people are their own lists, based on their own priorities."

I want a mix of relaxation and outdoor activities, such as snorkeling. I like any beautiful scenery, lush, beach, mountain, rocky or otherwise.

I was thinking I should spend 3-4 days on BI, 2 to 3 days on Oahu and the rest of the time either on Maui or Kauai.

We did this trip in 2014. Spent 3 1/2 days on Oahu, 5 days on Big Island, the rest on Maui.

With only 14 days, I'd pick only 1-2 islands. You can find relaxation, outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, etc. on any of the islands. The Big Island, well, is BIG. I think 14 days split between Oahu and either Kauai or Maui would be perfection.

$125/night is a pretty low room rate request for Hawaii. You'll need to put some serious time into figuring that part out at that price.

I agree suze, the Big Island is ... BIG. The problem is the tourist things are spread all over the island so you end up driving long distances to places. If ypu stay at Kona for instance you have hour long drives to Kilauea or Hilo, and back to your hotel. Then same thing if you go to Waimea/Parker Ranch or Waikola, etc. There is just toouch driving. Otherwise I'd suggest not staying in one general location.

My favorite islands are Kauai and Oahu.

Sf has given you some good tips. I agree BI isn't as lush for example as Oahu and Kauai would be. And the north Shore of Kauai is very lush.

With 14 days I agree with sticking to two islands, maybe spend 8 on Big Island and the rest on whatever other island you decide on.
Agree with others your budget is very low, plus there is about a 14% room tax and condo will have a deposit and cleaning fee.
If you can up your budget a bit on BI, look into Kohala since Kona is a dengue zone right now.

Anywhere on the BI is very pricey. Waimea in the north central area might have some cheaper (being relative) B and B's. South Kona might have some as well. I would skip the BI.

Look on VRBO for Waikiki Baynan, there are some nice reasonably priced condo's there. We booked all our Hawaii accommodation through VRBO or AirBNB.

Wow, dengue has moved into Kona - it wasn't that far north when we were there in November.

sf, it's either an amazing coincidence, or simply what happens when frog populations are controlled on an island. They had normal numbers of mosquito-transmitted diseases until they went after the coquis.

Governator, if I was limited to $125/nt in Hawaii I'd head inland, and trade oceanfront/beachfront rooms for much lower rates. E.g. on the BI look into Waimea (Jacaranda Inn etc).

We're flying into BI and out of Oahu. That's already booked so if I do only 2 islands it would have to be those 2. Being as this might be my first and only trip to Hawaii I feel that I should get a taste of Maui or Kaui.

Looking on VRBO there seems to be a lot available for 125/nt or less. I'm ok not being oceanfront.

Please be very careful when using sites like VRBO or AirBnb, as illegal rentals are a huge problem in all the islands of Hawaii. If the rental does not have a TVR number (do not confuse with tax id) it is likely not a legal rental.
I just read elsewhere that earlier this week a special task force was closing down illegal rentals in Kailua, Oahu and shut down 27 or more in one day. Would hate for you to arrive and see your paid for accommodations not be available.

I agree -- your budget is very low for legitimate rentals. W/ taxes and fees you re are really only working w/ about $100 per night. And if they <i>aren't</i> legit -- I would definitely avoid.

As I'm looking at hotel options now, I will have to up my budget to more like 180/nt. With cleaning fees VRBO is not a good short stay option.

What do you think of this 14 Day Itinerary?

Arrival night stay Kona
Day 1 See the Kona coast stay Kona
Day 2 Drive to Volcanos Park see park, stay Volcano Village or Hilo
Day 3 Drive to Alkala Falls, stay Hilo
Day 4 Depart for Maui stay Maui
Day 5-10 Chill out at a Maui beach hotel
Day 11 Depart for HNL stay Honolulu
Day 12-14 See Honolulu sights stay Honolulu
Day 15 depart for home

Do you think I should take a day or two away from Honolulu, to see more BI? Where would you focus those extra days in BI?

Personally I would skip Maui, if your just going to go to the beach. I think your itinerary for the BI is perfect. I would add the 7 days in Maui to more time on the BI and Oahu.

Oahu has so much more to do. Hawaiian historical places are Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, the Iolani Palace, Chinatown, etc.

The best snorkeling (IMHO) is found at HanaUma Bay. And I also think Oahu gas the best beaches overall of all the islands. There is Waikiki for wonderful night life, and the North Shores beaches famous in the surfing world for Sunset Beach, Pipeline, Waimea Bay and the cute town of Hakeiwa. Oahu and Kauai are more lush and tropical.

Also if you prefer quiet, laid back old Hawaii you might consider Kauai.

No I would not cut any time from Oahu. You only have 4 days as it is now. And there is so much to see & do.

If you want to cut time from somewhere, I'd suggest it be some of the "beach time" on Maui. 5-6 days is a lot of "chill out" time (and believe me I love to relax!)

The best snorkeling in the islands is on the Big Island, along the Kohala Coast, north of Kailua-Kona. IMO, those snorkeling beaches are also among the best for just "chilling out" as they're more remote, and less crowded than any you're likely to visit on Maui. So I agree to skip Maui and plan your beach and snorkeling time mainly on the Big Island.

As for two islands vs. three, your budget indicates two. Inter-island flights aren't cheap, and as you've found, you'll get better rates on condos with longer stays. Same is true for car rentals, which you'll need everywhere except Waikiki/Honolulu.

If you decide on three islands, consider Kauai instead of Maui. It's the most lush, tropical, and green of all the islands, and what you likely imagine Hawaii to be. If you choose Kauai, cut out east side sightseeing plans from Big Island, other than VNP. Kauai is mo bettah.

Croqui frogs were introduced in 1988, and are a big problem in Hawaii; a danger to the unique spider population, and their appetites for other insects take a food source away from native species.
To link them to dengue is not informed.

> To link them to dengue is not informed.

Huh? Disagree at any cost I suppose.

If you're not aware that dengue is a mosquito-transmitted disease, and that frogs eat mosquitos, please crack a book and stop advertising your stupidity.

Please educate yourself on the current situation in Hawaii, the infestation of croqui frogs, and the history of dengue in the state. The links are easily available.

The Big Island requires a lot of driving over areas of volcanic rock without much to see. We landed in Hilo and drove the almost two hours via highway to Waikoloa where we had a time share. Every place we wanted to see was a long distance to get there.

It doesn't matter if you stay in Kona, Kohola, Hilo. Unless you land lets say in Kona then drive to Hilo and stay there for the night. Then continue up to the Parker Ranch area to see the North end of the island and stay on the Northern shore area. That requires staying in different places every couple of days in order to have one base and long drive times every day to see the sights.

That's just one reason I would recommend Kauai or Oahu. They are much smaller island and easier to get around. Plus they are prettier.

But again they all are different and you'll have a wonderful time no matter what :) Aloha!

sylvia3, the simple truth is that the state settled on concentrated citric acid as their main control method, and it's taken out not only coqui frogs but many other species of frogs, lizards, geckos and other natural insect predators. For pete's sake would you please stop embarrassing yourself.

As someone mentioned, from an economical point of view, it may be a good idea to just do BI and Oahu. Would I be satisfied if I skip Maui and Kauai? Is there a better place to base oneself on Oahu instead of Waikiki? If I do 4 days Kauai, is that enough time?

BI:

I can get a good hotel at a reasonable price in Kona, so I'm thinking to stay 6 nights 5 days there, and skip Hilo.

BI Activities:

1. Take day trip and hike Kilauea'iki and Mauna Loa lookout (part way), can this be done in one day??
2. Take day trip and hike in Waipio Valley and or Pololu Valley.
3. See some Kona coast beaches, do some snorkeling at Kahaluu.
4. Spend a day relaxing at hotel.
5. Go to coffee plantation?? Do another hike? Kohala Coast, north of Kailua-Kona snorkeling?


Oahu:

So far I've been mostly researching BI.

Oahu Activities:

1. Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, the Iolani Palace, Chinatown, etc.
2. HanaUma Bay, Kailua
3. Sunset Beach, Pipeline, Waimea Bay, Haleiwa.
4. Waikiki Beach, Diamondhead
5. Hiking, snorkeling, where??
6. Relaxing where??

Fdec, please stop distracting readers with your misconceptions; your off-topic coqui/dengue connections have been made by you before, and you obviously have not kept abreast of the facts or situation.
I suggest following links from West Hawaii Today, or College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: this is not the political topic you seem to think it is (only a few are in the "save the croquies" camp).
Last word on the subject by me here. Btw, insulting people is not a very adult form of communication; I am neither stupid nor embarrassed, quite the contrary.

As is ALWAYS the case, without exception, the personal insults started with you:

"To link them to dengue is not informed."

First of all, who are you exactly, God? And second, I never claimed it as a fact, I simply said it's either an amazing coincidence, or not. Apparently even that much was enough to activate your must-disagree-with-anything-and-everything-I-post gene.

IMO any intelligent person should be able to see a possible link between an increase and spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases, including dengue, and control of the animals that are supposed to keep mosquito numbers in balance. What part of that is controversial? It's common sense.

Spoke to my wife, she's happy that we won't have to pack and fly to a third island.

I just booked 7 nights at Sheraton Kona Resort And Spa At Keauhou Bay. Using PL I got a nice discount $106/nt, $156/nt including resort fees and taxes.

Now I need a plan and hotels for 8 nights on Oahu.

Any recommendations on hotels? Locations?

What to see aside from Honolulu/Waikiki and the North Shore?

We're into beautiful natural scenery, primarily.

Great. Sounds wonderful. I would drive up the coast from Honolulu/Waikiki along the west coast to Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Sunset, Turtle Bay for one day. Find out when traffic is light. Another day might be on the east side to HanaUma Bay for exceptional snorkeling in a shallow, protected reef. (go very, VERY Early and see about reservations. Check the state park website). Also,

...check out the Byodo-In Temple (Japanese). It's in a lovely, quiet area of Oahu along the the west/ central/ north (sorta) area. It's off Kahekili Hwy in Kaneohe.

In Kona, I highly recommend the beach called, variously, Disappearing Sands, White Sands and Magic Sands. The sand is thick and soft and the water is wonderful. The beach does get very crowded on weekends.

On Oahu, I recommend kayaking in the Kailua-Lanikai area (we went with Kailua Sailboards). You can cut across the island to the north shore from there, driving across the spectacular H3 highway (really, it's stunning).

I just booked 8 nights at Park Shore Waikiki. Using PL Express I got a nice discount $130/nt, $173/nt including resort fees and taxes.

Average price per night for 15 nights BI and Oahu, including resort fees and taxes comes to $165/nt for a 4* and a 3 1/2 * hotel.

Not too far over budget. I could have come closer to $125/nt if I used PL express and chose 2* hotels.

I highly recommend using PL express, in both cases I was able to figure out the hotel before I committed to it by comparing to the PL regular booking price. Saved myself a bunch of money. I'll have to take out trip insurance as it's all non-refundable.

Now I have to decide if I want to keep a rental car in Waikiki and pay for 8 nights parking or just rent by day, for day trips.