Molokai versus BI versus back to Kauai
 

Hello fellow travelers:

My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii the last week of May/early June, for 8-10 days. We have previously been to Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. We LOVED Kauai, for the scenery, hiking/kayaking, beaches, and general laid back attitude. In particular, we adored the north side, where we rented a small cottage for about 5 days. Although we thought Maui was beautiful, it was too developed and busy for our tastes. Oahu was much too busy, although Honolulu was of course fun.

We are considering returning to Kauai to see some sites we missed last time, and some we loved the first time. We are also considering a new island, specifically, Molokai or the Big Island. We prefer to visit only one island to allow for maximal relaxation and minimal travel. Our interests include snorkeling, hiking, soaking in beautiful scenery, and visiting cultural sites, markets, and other local destinations. We love spending time at the beach, just to hang out, read, and enjoy the sun and sea. We are traveling from San Diego and hope to escape the grey, cool, May weather (those familiar with the climate will know what we mean!) So, optimally, our destinations will be sunny (or mostly) and warm. Finally, we are not really resort people, so we would prefer to stay in B&Bs or to rent a beach cottage, etc.

Any suggestions from seasoned HI travelers about whether to try a new island, or return to Kauai? If a new island, would you recommend Molokai or the Big Island? If you have a recommendation on either of these, would you have any advice concerning a specific itinerary given our interests?

Thanks so any and all opinions or advice!

Anybody who would return to Kauai after being there once is crazy. 8-}

"maximal relaxation"....is that another word for the "jaw dropping" scenery on Kauai?

The first 3-4x over we split the trip between Kauai and Molokai...talk about coming back to the Mainland like a jellyfish! ((Y))

What about Molokai and BI so Molokai will be the "Max 'lax" and you can be active on BI?

Thanks for your input Kal. My only concern is that Molokai and BI could be too much for one trip - meaning, we might not have time to really see both in a week or a bit more(plus we might miss out on some max lax time ;).

Would you have a recommendation between the BI and Molokai, if we could only visit one? I'm not sure when we'll return again, but probably not for a few years at least, so I'm torn regarding which to prioritize. Thanks again!

"maximal relaxtion"?

Who goes to Hawaii to relax? It's all about the tours and staying busy, busy, busy...MAN!

I'm like you. One island per visit is plenny. Never been to Molokai, but it is on my radar screen for sure. Google cottage rentals on the east end and you will fall in love. There are some very cool looking places that have RELAX stamped all over them. I hear that the snorkeling over on that end is pretty good too. Aloha.

Bill

I have been to Molokai and it is very, very slow-paced, with very few restaurant and lodging choices. It has a very rustic feel to it. I didn't dislike it but I would recommend the BI over Molokai in a minute--it's my favorite Hawaiian island. There are tons of cultural sites, beautiful nature areas, and just a general groovy feel, for lack of a better way to put it.

We find driving around aimlessly and checking out the scenery to be relaxing--some people may not. That said, the BI is perfect for this.

My husband and I just returned from 12 days on the BI, where we have been several times and already look forward to returning. Last August we were in Molokai for 5 days. Both islands are very different. We found it difficult to find a good place to stay in Molokai. (Avoid the Hotel Molokai!) The mule ride to the leper colony was spectacular. If you have 8-10 days and prefer to stay on one island, I would definitely choose the BI. We prefer your same type of vacation, not shopping or ritzy resorts. We just stayed in a great B&B, 'The Edge of the World", in the hills below Captain Cook, south of Kona. Owner Kurt will tell you all the great places to hike, snorkel and even kayak (he rents his two seater kayak for $20/a day.)His place in on his private coffee plantation, about which he generously tells you. I recommend the Crow's nest room. Other places you might want to check out are the little town of Hawi on the NW, hiking the Pololu valley, swimming with the dolphins with Neptune Charlie, snorkeling at 2-step, near City of Refuge, and in the fabulous tidal pools on the west coast, between Hilo and Volcano. Hiking the huge craters in Volcano National Park. Other places we've stayed and liked are the O'hia cottages in Volcano and the Jackarunda Inn in Waimea.

"We find driving around aimlessly and checking out the scenery to be relaxing--some people may not. That said, the BI is perfect for this."

LOL. We do, too! We loved the BI. It was so diverse, and we loved driving around the island. We stopped, hiked, snorkeled, boogie boarded, ate ice cream, and drove some more. It's so relaxing and fun!

I spent 4 wonderful nights on Molokai a couple of months ago. If you'd like do a search for my longwinded trip report for some insight.

I have yet to visit BI but when I do, I would want to have at least 8-10 days to explore. I don't think I will return to Molokai for an 8-10 day period, as there are very limited restaurants, and the groceries themselves are very limited for a person that enjoys cooking.

The Big Island is my favorite island.

Thanks to all of you for your helpful input! It seems that the BI will be best for us, on this trip. I do think we will see Molokai in the future, but perhaps as an add-on for a few days with another island. Sistah, your trip report is wonderful, and makes me want to see Molokai very soon! (Too funny about Tyra Banks and the movie co. on Molokai as well ;)). However, we do like spoiling ourselves a bit with restaurants and drinks out, in addition to other activities, and I am looking forward to some pampering.

From reviewing other posts, it seems that about 2 nights in the Hilo area and the rest in the Kona region will optimal. Are there any other areas where we should try to spend nights, or will driving around from the Kona area be possible? Our preference would be to stay put, if that is feasible.

Caelig, the Edge of the World sounds like a place we would love. Thanks for that and your other recommendations as well!

And, driving around aimlessly is certainly goal of ours, especially when surrounded by beautiful scenery.

I’m excited to start planning and making reservations…If anyone has additional suggestions or thoughts, please feel free to share. And thanks again to all!

Volcano area has a number of B&B type places, and I think the weather is a bit better than Hilo (~30 minute drive between them). On the other end of the island, we enjoyed staying in Waimea; it was a reasonable drive to beaches, but was much more rural and laid-back than the resorts. Kona didn't appeal to me; too much of a Pacific Beach/Mission Bay feel (for those familiar with San Diego).

We spent two weeks on the BI a couple of years ago. Rented a fabulous one bedroom house south on Kona (near excellent snorkeling) -- google - House of Merriment (from Black Bamboo Rentals). We also stayed at Cliff House (also through Black Bamboo) for a couple nights. Cliff House is really neat (check out their website) -but I wouldn't recommend staying more than a couple days (somewhat isolated and in the rainy part of the island). From there an easy day trip to explore Hilo - great botanical gardens along the way.

Enjoy!

v21,
I've never been to the BI. "mat" won't let me come over. :'(

2 days should be enuff to see Molokai.
the northeast side of Molokai rivals the beauty of the NaPali Coast.

We had the whole westside beach to ourselves one trip over in January.

If you have 10 days, you could do two of the three fairly easily. Though keeping in mind, if you just are choosing one, I'd choose the big island. You won't run out of things to do there in 8-10 days.

Curmudgeon, your comment really resonated with me. PB/MB are not what we're seeking. Sounds like we should look a bit inland from Kona, and Waimea might be another option? What did you think of South Kona, or the Kohala Coast area, if you saw these?

Thank you!

We have spent two weeks on the Big Island a couple of times, and we love its diversity. There's scenery of every tropical type there. Even small ranches. Good snorkeling and hiking, plus all types of restaurants, etc..

Also it's not as hectic as other vacation islands, seems more a place where people actually live. We like BI more than Maui and Kauai. Went to Molokai about 15 years ago, and it's probably more developed now, but at the time, 6 nights was too long for us because there were only about 2 restaurants to choose from.

We've split our two weeks' stay on the Big Island into: one week at a nice resort like the Mauna Lani, and the second week at a nice little condo complex below Kona. If you're interested in a condo, I can highly recommend Sea Village, south of Kona. We've stayed there two or three times. It's very well-kept and well-managed, about eight three-story buildings facing the ocean, ringing a little garden area with free barbeque pits and a nice pool. Free tennis courts on site. Great ocean views from the pool and most condos. They are individually-owned condos, so just Google Sea Village and you'll find private listings. Very reasonably priced. We've also used Donita's Vacations to book Sea Village.
:)>-

Vanessa - Kohala was definitely quite a different feel from Kona - much more of a few big resorts spread out along a long stretch of coast. South of Kona, the area slowly becomes less and less built up, shifting into small coffee plantations and then into fairly barren volcanic areas.

There were a fair number of B&Bs in Waimea and south Kona. Some google searches should pick up some of the listing websites. We stayed in Waimea at Belle-Vue; it was quite nice (though a bit more crowded by neighboring places than the photos might imply). www.hawaii-bellevue.com

You might find it worth looking at the aerial photos on Google maps or Google Earth, or at the photos on the website of the "Big Island Revealed" publishers.