I am planning a honeymoon trip to Maui and the Big Island and have a couple of questions. First, how to split the time between the islands? I'm thinking 6-7 days on BI and 5-6 days on Maui. While I don't think I'll get bored with a week on BI, would I be selling Maui short by just staying there 5 nts? Also, what order to visit the islands in? Go to BI (thinking we'll stay at the Hapuna Prince) and then to Maui at the 4S for a fitting end to the honeymoon? Or, start out on Maui at the 4S. I've heard that after staying at the Four Seasons, going to another hotel is a letdown. Is this true?

My husband and I just returned from a similar trip. On the Big Island, we stayed at the Hapuna Prince and on Maui, we stayed at the 4 seasons. I think that your days/planning sound perfect. I do not think you would be let down going from Maui to the Big Island. We went from the Big Island to Maui and this is what I noticed:

1) The Hapuna's rooms are almost as nice as the 4S rooms. They are lovely and I would go back in a heartbeat. The dining at Hapuna is great, but not as fantastic as 4S. So, in terms of food, that would be your only "let down" if you could even consider it one. The beach at Hapuna is WAY, WAY nicer than 4S on Maui. It is a perfect beach--wide/clean and NOT crowded with other resorts next to you. I was sad when I arrived at the 4S because I missed the beach at Hapuna.

2) There are MANY romantic places to have dinner at the Big Island, though that will rival Maui. You will be pleased. I had GREAT dining experiences on both islands.

3) The Big Island is so much more peaceful and seemingly "Hawaiian" than Maui. I was sad to get off the plane in Maui and see a Krispy Kreme a Border's and a bunch of strip malls. If you are into that kind of vacation, then maybe Maui won't be a let down for you.

You will have an amazing time.

A lot of people on this forum have mentioned how much they like the BI and its very "Hawaiian feel". However, in the next breath it is described as being moon-like. I'm a bit confused as to how it can be both. Does it feel tropical even though it's barren? Please elaborate, BI fans, on this mystery. -- Shar

The National Park is very "moon like" because you are walking on lava, but there is plenty of plat life, so don't think that means it isn't tropical. It is amazingly green and beautiful. The highways have lava on either side of them which may give some a surreal feeling. I prefer that to strip malls, though.

BI has several distinct climate zones. Much of the south/west side is rather dry and sometimes bare volcanic rock. The east side is very lush and rainy. the north is more varied, grassland and ranching around Waimea, a bit wetter along the coast.

We personally didn't care much for the Kona area (but then we get plenty of sunshine at home).