stillbrowns

We have a paid trip to Oahu for 9 days in February. Trying to decide #1) Should we go to BI or Maui for our second island #2) Should we stay 2 days with ocean view or 3 days with garden view #3) suggestions on hotel. We have a full 9 day reservation at Outrigger Waikiki, so we're planning on travelling to the second island right in the middle of our Oahu trip. We've never been to Hawaii and are completely torn between Maui and BI. I love, love, love waterfalls and horseback riding, but will never see an active volcano anywhere else - not that I'm amazed by volcanoes, but it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Is the volcano thing so amazing it shouldn't be missed? I'm driving my husband nuts over this. Any suggestions would be very appreciated!

JohnD

Two or three days is not alot of time and Maui has alot of activities to offer, and would offer the most for whale watching.

Would suggest considering the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Big Island with partial ocean view ~200/night. Can drive or do Helicopter to Volcanoes National park and waterfalls. Have not done the helicopter tour on the BI, but the hike to the active lava flows was a highlight for us. Check this site for lava photo's (similar to what we saw at the end of Chain of Craters Road this past March) from VNP:http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/lava.htm

We have seen occassional whales in Feb.-March. on the BI and Kauai, but more whales can be seen from Maui so if you are going to Maui, would recommend the ocean view here for whale watching.

Hope this helps,

dolciani

I would personally recommend Maui over the Big Island. We went to both this past summer and hiked to the volcano only to see small "globs" of lava on the hillside - it was not a mountain spewing lava like you may picture these days, the lave flow was very reduced. Because of the volcanic lava (that has hardened and blackened) the big island has many parts that are very "dead" looking. In order to get a "feel" for the island, you would have to do a great amount of driving unless you choose not to visit both the east and west coast. Maui is much smaller and you can see more of it in a shorter period of time. The Road to Hana (on Maui) is worth the day trip in the car and you can see all of your waterfalls and beautiful scenery. Maui has been voted the best island by many travel magazines for a good reason. If you like horeback riding and waterfalls - you may consider flying right into the Hana airport and staying in the Hana area - they have a stable there and the Hana area beaches are lovely. All that said, my personal recommendation would be to spend a couple of days on Kauai (my favorite) in the north shore area of Hana Lei (Puff the magic dragon's home)- nothing has ever quite been as beautiful as a helicopter ride sighting the Na Pali coastline. Good luck in your quest. Btw, while you're in Oahu, be sure to drive up to the north shore - stop and eat at the "Shrimp Shack" - they grow their own shrimp and cook it any way you like for $10/lb. - great deal (it's an outdoor "picnic" seating area.

Sarah

Wherever you go you will have a wonderful trip that is for certain. If it were me I would shoot for that volcano. It is an incredible natural experience at night. I also think the big island is less touristed so that will be a nice compliment to the city atmosphere of Honolulu. If you choose the Big Island you just want to stay in Hilo none of this treking up from Kona. Three days is plenty of time to see the Volcano and surrounding area. Will get a glimpse of the entire island no, that is another trip. In three days I don't think you will get a glimpse of any island. People think they do but they are deluding themselves. I go to kauai just about every year and I still discover new things. You can't see any island in 3 days that is just a fact. I think your trip will be stress free if you just realize that from the get go.

ladybug98

Big Island hands down!! While it's true the lava flow is hit or miss, if you hit it, it is INCREDIBLE. I went this past May and saw large surface flow areas that were the highlight of my trip. Overall, Hawaii did not impress me so if we didn't see lava the whole trip would have been a let down. IMO the road to Hana on Maui is very overrated -I pictured large beautiful clean waterfalls that you can lounge around in, perhaps picnic by - instead they were relatively small, dirty and buggy and many requiring short hikes just to get too. I felt it was a waste of a day. Only waterfall worth seeing is the 7 pools. There is a very large waterfall on BI (can't remember name) that will satisfy your waterfall cravings and if you get to see lava, both during the day and at night, you will never forget the experience.