glimmer2

i believe the SeaBreeze tours leave from the North Shore, which I'm sure is very nice because you'll be greeted by beautiful views right away. Port Allen is more industrial and the views at the beginning of the tour are more average, although it's still nice being on the open water. Having only done Capt. Andy's I only know that I was beyond happy with my experience. The catamarans that Capt. Andy uses are big and spacious, and have a trampoline across the front that is really fun to sit on. You are right above the dolphins looking at them through the net of trampoline, vs. from the side of the boat.
Also it is quite a haul up to the North Shore from Lihue early in the morning, but I'm sure the SeaBreeze is a great experience too.

HawaiiVirgin

Hi Silver. You mentioned going to Tunnels and didn't mention taking a helicopter/airplane ride first, so, you might want to look at my Kauai photos for the aerial view of Tunnels. We went on our airplane ride our last day (due to technical difficulties), then realized that we missed the best snorkeling because we didn't know what the reef looked like before we went. If you'd like advance notice of where your best snorkeling on Kauai is, here's the link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailsh...NAME=snapfish/

The Tunnels shot is in the 2nd column, 5 up from the bottom.
If you have trouble viewing it, directions are toward the end of my trip report.

My other suggestion is that you get your hands on the Wizard Press blue books (ie The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook). I took it everywhere I went. It's a great resource.

Have a fabulous trip.

mrkindallas

>

Yes, you can easily drive up to the summit on your own. It's not a difficult drive. However, it does come with a tinge of carsickness if you or your passengers are prone to it. There is an entry fee of $10 and is good for 3 days (including day of purchase). You need the same pass for the Oheo Gulch/Sacred Falls area if you go there - So if you do those two locations within the three days and keep the pass in the car, you'll only pay once. Of course, if you are only doing a portion of the Road to Hana, you will probably not get this far.

You can also take a van tour, but I can't imagine that it would be worth the cost, especially if you will have a rental car.

The National Park Service is the best resource for Haleakala. Their website for Haleakala is: http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/index.htm

You can see someone driving up Haleakala at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUygFMeZCv4

To see what you are missing by not going to Oheo Gulch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVl4zALY2Rs

Many people think that the best part of the Road to Hana is the last half. So many people get excited once they get on the road and stop at every stop on the first half of the trip that they run out of time if trying to complete in a day. My plan was to go to drive all the way to Oheo Gulch and work backwards. Every report I've read of doing it this way has been positive. Unfortunately, I didn't do the Road to Hana because everyone got carsick on Haleakala and didn't want to spend another day being carsick. I'll be back one day just to explore that side of the island one day.

silver5

Thank you all for GREAT information! You are all a wealth of honest, sincere, and helpful ideas. Coordinating all your input into an itineray is now up to me.

dusty56438

You pretty much have a good plan.

There are several sites on this thread that are good for all islands & some for individual islands.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

andrews98682

My advice: Don't plan too much. Relax and go with the flow.
On Maui, definitely go up Haleakala for sunrise or sunset, and if you don't go to Hana, try driving through the Iao Valley.
On the Big Island, of course you don't want to miss the Volcano. If you want a good place to eat, go to Ken's House of Pancakes. It's a really good diner, not just for pancakes.
By the way, I went to the Big Island last month and stayed at the Marriott. The island and the resort were great! Waikoloa beach was perfect, as nice as Hapuna, I thought.

wbpiii

Silver, on the Big Island, I like the following:

Hikes: hike from volcano house to Kilauea Iki, also from VH into caldera to Kilauea Iki (might not be open), bird park, hike down into Waipio Valley across beach to Z trail, hike the coastline by the National park by the small boat harbor, hike to kiholo bay

Snorkel, if my boat Kaelakeua Bay, if not two-step, two-step is one the the best in the State. Kahalu'u Beach.

Beaches, Muana Kea beach, Kua Bay, Beach 69.

Tourist places, Hawaiian Tropical Biotanical Garden, Volcanoes national Park, Place of Refuge national park, Hilo, Coconut island, Kona Village Luau.

Restaurants: Sensei Sushi, Merriman's, Roy's, Kona Brewing, Cafe Pesto, Don the Beachcomber, Hawaiian Style Cafe. Kona Village Luau. Kee'i Cafe (bring cash), Bamboo, Thai Thai, Ocean's Deli.

Bill

Best Resorts: Kona Village, next tie, Muana Lani and Four Season.