Hi, have been enjoying all the great info in the posts on Kuaia & Maui. We will be traveling with our kids 19 and 12 to to the above islands for the first time July 4 - 17 this summer. We have a total of 13 days to split between the 3 islands and want to make sure we have ample time to sightsee and just lay on the beach (want this to be relaxing).

We were thinking about 4 or 5 days on each of Kuaia and Maui, and no more than 3 days on Hawaii. don't have a huge budget for lodging ( would prefer less than $200/night) - any good suggestions of where to stay? Based on the posts I have read here, I think we are leaning toward someplace in the south end.

Anyone have any suggestions of things not to miss on any of the islands. Also, we have talked a little about stopping off to see the Polynesian Culture Center in Oahu. Is it worth the extra time and trouble to see this, or is that just too much to do in 2 weeks?

Thanks for your suggestions and advice!

We have made the trip in the past to both Maui and to the BI, once with our teenage children and twice by ourselves. Each time we rented lovely accommodations through vrbo.com. We have never spent more than $150. for a fully equipped cottage with plenty of room. When we took our kids, we stayed in a cottage on a golf course near Kaanapali, which was great for the kids. We only other suggestion would be that I think three islands in 13 days is too much. I would go for two islands. You will spend so much time packing, unpacking, and sitting in airports. Enjoy your trip!

We've been to the Big Island, Kauai, and Maui twice with our children, and to Oahu four times, and I personally would give more time to the Big Island and less to Kauai because there is more to see on Hawaii. I don't know what you have found in terms of hotel prices, but we are going in August this year, and I was actually finding it much harder to get good rates in Kauai, so we are actually only going to stay there for three nights (but five days, by flying early the first day and late the last).

With 13 days and your interest in getting some relaxation time, I would probably skip Oahu for this trip. The Polynesian Culture Center is on the north side of the island and requires a full day, so you would have to spend at least two nights in Oahu, leaving you very short of time for the other islands.

On Kauai, we have taken both raft trips along the Na Pali coast from the north side and a boat/snorkle trip from the west. Some boat trip is a not to be missed experience. The areas of Kauai are so distinct and each one should be experienced: the canyon is fantastic, Poipu for the beaches, a trip to the wettest spot on earth and the high view of the Na Pali coast, the lush central area with the fern grotto, and the north.

On Maui, the road to Hana with all its stops, Haleakala National Park, Iao State Park in the center, and the resort areas of Kaanapali and Wailea are all great experiences. From Maui we have also taken a day trip to Lanai to tour the island and snorkel.

I believe the Big Island has the best snorkeling areas (freshest, not as over used and poluted), and we usually do the most relaxing there. Make at least a day trip to Volcanoes National Park (we enjoyed it more when we actually stayed there a couple nights). We had one of the best horseback rides of our life on the Big Island - just like a movie scene with all the horses galloping over the range.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. In August this year we are staying five nights on Waikiki, three nights at the Hyatt in Poipu in Kauai, then eight nights in the Wailea area of Maui for the more relaxing part of the trip. We have also stayed in the Kaanapali area and enjoyed it very much...

HappyLC: It sounds like you are very familiar with the islands ... Do you prefer staying in Poipu area in Kauai even in summer? I'm looking into accomodations for Kauai (end May) and was planning on north end (Princeville), but on the Travel Channel last night they featured World's best beaches and mentioned Poipu and showed the Hyatt ... now I'm rethinking. I'd be interested in your opinion.

A friend and I went to Oahu, Maui and Kauai in 8 nights. This year we did Oahu for 2 nights, Maui for 3 nights and Big Island for 4 nights splitting it up between Hilo and Kona. It was a very busy trip but we didnt feel like we spent that much time packing ect..Most people pack too many clothe Hawaii.

A friend and I went to Oahu, Maui and Kauai in 8 nights. This year we did Oahu for 2 nights, Maui for 3 nights and Big Island for 4 nights splitting it up between Hilo and Kona. It was a very busy trip but we didnt feel like we spent that much time packing etc..Most people way over pack. The interisland flights seem to move along quicker than other flights. It really was no big deal. WE would leave for the other island in the morning and still have the afternoon and evening on the new island. We rented a car on every island. I think 3 islands in 13 days is fine. I would do it again and we are 50 and 63!!! We did see all the recomended sights and followed the Maui revealed, Frommers and Fodor books. Enjoy!

Cher - we have actually always stayed on the Eastern shore (at the Marriott and another property that has since become condominiums). We are looking forward to our stay at the Hyatt, but I don't find the Poipu area very pretty compared to the rest of Hawaii (we are not huge beach people, and prefer boat rides and snorkeling). My only concern about the north is the amount of rain and that it can last for a while. We usually end up enjoying every location we have stayed at for one reason or another.