We are going to Hawaii for the first time in April for a wedding in Maui. We already know that we will spend at least 4 days in Maui but still have another 4-5 days that we can spend in Hawaii. We will be flying from Atlanta and hoping to do the nonstop option to Oahu and then the flight to Maui. Since it's such a long way from home, we want to see as much of Hawaii as we can without feeling like we are constantly traveling. We figured 2 islands at most would be the best bet. Should we just stick to Maui, attempt to do Kauai as well, or combine Oahu/Maui since that caters to our flights? We are in our early 30's and hoping to get the authentic Hawaiian experience and see the beautiful green mountains, beaches, go hiking, snorkeling, sunset cruise, luau, etc.

If this was your first trip (and potentially only trip considering the cost and distance) what would you suggest?

Thanks so much!

Kauai for sure, especially if you may not get back for a while. Lots of varied landscapes for hiking, snorkeling, beaches, green mountains, etc. ... Oahu is nice but much more urban than the other islands.
And you'll be back.

How much time of your four days will be occupied with wedding events? And what part of Maui will you be staying in?

If you're going to lose a total of most of a day (in bits and pieces) to the wedding, and you're not staying particularly close to the things you want to see and do on the island, I'd consider spending the entire time on MauI. There is a lot to do on the island. You could make a day trip to Lanai and rent a Jeep to explore or just walk to a nice beach. Book the ferry in advance.

Maui and Maui! I'd spend the few days after the wedding exploring the island and spend a few nights in Hana or upcountry.

Thanks so much, everyone! The wedding will take up one of the four days and it's in Lahaina. I'm sure we will be doing some of the sightseeing around Maui during the other few days with our friends and guests as well. We are trying to decide where to stay. The bridal party will be in Kihei- they like that it is less touristy and local. I think we may stay in that area for a few days and then go to another area of the island to stay for the other days. Does that sound like a good plan? Any recommendations on what town to stay in? As much as I want to do Kauai, when I think about the actual amount of time in Hawaii, it seems like that might end up being too much for us. Instead, we could do a lot of Maui and maybe a day or two in Oahu since we fly in/out of Honolulu. It sounds like we will be in love and want to come back to visit!

I'd personally spend the extra days on Oahu since you have to end up there anyway, and it's a great island. With 4 days on Oahu, I'd want to see/do Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kailua/Lanikai (gorgeous beaches - if you like to be on the water, kayaking is great), and the North Shore beaches and towns (Haleiwa). The drive from Kailua to Haleiwa on the H3 is spectacular.

Yes, I like your current plan. Since you are flying thru Oahu anyway, I would spend the extra days there. Otherwise you are trying to squeeze in 3 islands in only 8-9 days which I think is too much hopping around. I love Oahu, so much to see and do there. Give it at least 2-3 days.

As much as I love Kauai and don't care that much for Maui, I would stay on Maui the entire time. It takes me almost the full week to adjust to "Hawaii Time" and my travel time from California is much shorter. We stayed in a condo in Honokawai but really liked Napili and Kapalua area.

If they can fly directly to Maui, then I'd agree & vote to just go to that one island for the entire time. But it seems they have to fly thru Honolulu for some reason, so that's why I'd add a few days on Oahu for a little variety, since they're there anyway.

The "for some reason" could be that it is often difficult or impossible to get a non-stop flight to Maui when you are not coming from the west coast.

Yes of course I know that. But I didn't want to make assumptions about their itinerary or options.

Thanks. We would love to take the Delta nonstop from ATL to Honolulu and then fly to Maui. But looking at prices ($1200/person and up), we may decide to book a round trip flight to a west coast city and use our companion pass. Then we can use miles (we don't have enough miles to pay for a nonstop flight from ATL but we do from California) and we could book a flight directly to Maui and skip Oahu. It sounds like this may be a good option to consider. Has anyone from the east coast broken up the trip this way with a stay in California/west coast city for one night on each end of the trip? And would it be worth ti

I live in Seattle, so I haven't down the east coast to west coast city, overnight toward to Hawaii. But it would be similar to when I go to Europe, I fly to an east coast city and I could spend the night there or just keep flying onward to Europe. My preference is always to get to where I am going as soon as I can, so I just get on my Europe-bound flight as soon as I can. It depends on your preferences. If it were me (and it isn't) I'd fly from Atlanta to the west coast city, switch flights and fly onward to Maui. I'd also book it as all one itinerary so I wouldn't have to worry if there is a delay. It means you'll be tired when you get to Hawaii, but it gives you more time there. If for some reason (use of miles or companion coupon) you can't book it as one itinerary, then I'd stay over night and take the Hawaii flight the next morning.

Have a wonderful trip! I predict you'll lobe Hawaii and will be back.

I would stay only Maui and not stop enroute. You don't have to fly via the west coast, and if you do, you'll likely have single-aisle jets. We fly Chicago-Dallas-Maui on a wide-body jet. It's two hours to/from Dallas and eight hours on the long leg. If we connect on the coast, we fly Maui-Coast in four hours on a small jet, then have another small aircraft going homehome. I can sleep on the Maui-Dallas leg.

A problem with not buying a single ticket is that any delays are on you, and you can't check your luggage through to your final destination.

*I* would fly nonstop to HNL and connect to OGG; same on the return. Just 'float through' the airport without having to leave security.

Consider a condo on Maui. A full week is usually cheaper than part of one. You will want to reserve a rental car early on. Kihei to Lahaina is about 45 minutes unless there is a tie-up on the 2-lane road into West Maui. I don't like to drive that road late at night.

Unless I had planned on expanding my vacation to include a couple of days on the west coast, I wouldn't stop over. Seems a waste of time to just stay overnight and fly out the next day. in that case, I would just grin and bear it and get it done in one shot. And with your allotted time and with wedding activities taking up some of that time, I agree about staying in Maui the whole time.

I would not do the west coast stop. I think Oahu works a lot better. I would put a couple days on Oahu either at the start or end of the trip (one or the other, not both). The other leg I'd just connect without leaving the airport.