Need Help First Trip To Hawaii
Dec 26th, 2007 | 06:29 PM
#21
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Well, it seems that you are getting a lot of advise in many different directions.
As I've said many times before, if you are coming to Hawaii you really can't go wrong no matter what island(s) you go to. That being said, here is what I would recommend.
It being your first time to Hawaii, start off on Oahu. It is by far the most visited island of all of Hawaii... and for good reasons. There is many, many things to do and see on Oahu. Yes, the other islands have many things as well (and this is not a "competition" on which island is the best)... but Oahu has Honolulu (with its countless shops and restaurants), Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, Hanauma Bay, etc.
If you are spending close to two weeks, plan to take in no more than two islands. Spend 70% of your time on Oahu, the rest on another island. Which island should be the second choice? That's definitely depending on your taste of things.
If you are like many people and you want to see the volcano... you have to go to the Big Island (the island is actually named Hawaii, but is most oftened referred to as the Big Island). This is the only island with an active volcano.
If you are into a much more laid back, beautiful tropical atmosphere... go to Kauai. It is known as the Garden Isle, because it is full of beautiful flowers, the breathtaking Na Pali Coast, etc.
Maui has a good number of things to see and do as well, and many visitors who have been to Hawaii more than once or twice actually prefer Maui to Oahu.
Don't let someone tell you that Oahu is overcrowded or too "touristy"... that's just not true. I used to visit Hawaii, now I live here (on Oahu and actually in Honolulu... the Hawaii Kai area, not downtown). Yes Honolulu is quite large and busy, far more than any other town in Hawaii. But there are a lot of nice things because of that (again, the hundreds of shops and restaurants, tourist attractions, etc). And if you make your travel time any time outside of rush hour, you can pretty much get to anything on Oahu from Honolulu in no more than about 30 to 45 minutes tops... and that's pushing way up on the North Shore towards Turtle Bay.
I wouldn't recommend trying to do too many islands... you'll probably spread yourself a little too thin.
But whatever you decide... you're going to absolutely love it here.
Aloha,
David
www.HowToDoHawaii.com
As I've said many times before, if you are coming to Hawaii you really can't go wrong no matter what island(s) you go to. That being said, here is what I would recommend.
It being your first time to Hawaii, start off on Oahu. It is by far the most visited island of all of Hawaii... and for good reasons. There is many, many things to do and see on Oahu. Yes, the other islands have many things as well (and this is not a "competition" on which island is the best)... but Oahu has Honolulu (with its countless shops and restaurants), Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, Hanauma Bay, etc.
If you are spending close to two weeks, plan to take in no more than two islands. Spend 70% of your time on Oahu, the rest on another island. Which island should be the second choice? That's definitely depending on your taste of things.
If you are like many people and you want to see the volcano... you have to go to the Big Island (the island is actually named Hawaii, but is most oftened referred to as the Big Island). This is the only island with an active volcano.
If you are into a much more laid back, beautiful tropical atmosphere... go to Kauai. It is known as the Garden Isle, because it is full of beautiful flowers, the breathtaking Na Pali Coast, etc.
Maui has a good number of things to see and do as well, and many visitors who have been to Hawaii more than once or twice actually prefer Maui to Oahu.
Don't let someone tell you that Oahu is overcrowded or too "touristy"... that's just not true. I used to visit Hawaii, now I live here (on Oahu and actually in Honolulu... the Hawaii Kai area, not downtown). Yes Honolulu is quite large and busy, far more than any other town in Hawaii. But there are a lot of nice things because of that (again, the hundreds of shops and restaurants, tourist attractions, etc). And if you make your travel time any time outside of rush hour, you can pretty much get to anything on Oahu from Honolulu in no more than about 30 to 45 minutes tops... and that's pushing way up on the North Shore towards Turtle Bay.
I wouldn't recommend trying to do too many islands... you'll probably spread yourself a little too thin.
But whatever you decide... you're going to absolutely love it here.
Aloha,
David
www.HowToDoHawaii.com
Dec 27th, 2007 | 04:49 PM
#22
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Josie-
I would vote for the Big Island and Kauai as they are my two favorite. I actually love all the islands, but Kauai is very lush and tropical and less congested. Lots of great hiking and lovely beaches. And I can stare at the waterfalls coming of the mountains forever! The Big Island is very diverse, with farms, black sand beaches, volcanoes, etc.
As it has been said before, you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. Have a great trip!
Monica
I would vote for the Big Island and Kauai as they are my two favorite. I actually love all the islands, but Kauai is very lush and tropical and less congested. Lots of great hiking and lovely beaches. And I can stare at the waterfalls coming of the mountains forever! The Big Island is very diverse, with farms, black sand beaches, volcanoes, etc.
As it has been said before, you can't go wrong with whatever you pick. Have a great trip!
Monica
Dec 27th, 2007 | 04:55 PM
#23
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I'd do Maui and Kauai. I would try and do Kauai for a couple days then the rest of the time on Maui. Here's a good article for the best things to do in Maui.
http://www.mauigoodness.com/101-things-to-do-in-maui/
You won't have a shortage to do on any island, and I suggest you stick to one island for your first trip. The fam will appreciate a little less acclimating.
http://www.mauigoodness.com/101-things-to-do-in-maui/
You won't have a shortage to do on any island, and I suggest you stick to one island for your first trip. The fam will appreciate a little less acclimating.
Dec 28th, 2007 | 05:32 AM
#24
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Josie: What sort of things do you and your family like to do. Are you just go to the beach people or do you like hiking, etc.? We visited both Maui and the Big Island in June a couple of years ago. June of course is one of the busier times in Hawaii, so make sure you get your ressies nailed down as soon as you can. Our son was 13 when we went so his likes might be different from your son, however, Maui was his favorite. We really enjoyed hiking and doing the zipline on the volcano. We enjoyed taking a snorkling trip with Trilogy also. The Big Island was certainly different, scenery was spectacular, but all in all, we enjoyed the activities more on Maui. Dining was better on Maui also. Anyway, I think if you can determine what all of you would want to accomplish on your trip, lazing by the beach, adventure, fine dining, etc. you'll be on your way to choosing which islands to visit, or perhaps just visiting one island. As a previous poster stated, whatever you choose, you'll be in Hawaii and it won't be bad either way. Good luck. Planning is so much fun.
Dec 28th, 2007 | 06:12 AM
#25
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Well, here's my two cents:
My husband and I took a trip to Maui one year, with two days in Oahu, and a trip to Kauai the following year. Other than Pearl Harbor, I would skip Oahu. It is not going to be what you picture Hawaii to look like. Waikiki is like a big crowded dirty city. I didn't much care for it...just my opinion.
Between the other two,(Maui and Kauai) I am torn about which I liked better. From what it sounds like, you are set on going to the Big Island as one of your choices. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either Kauai or Maui as your second chioce.
If you want a little less touristy atmosphere, go to Kauai. Beautiful scenery, the helicopter tour is amazing, there is some shopping, Waimea Canyon is cool, but most importantly, Kauai is going to be like the pictures you see in a magazine of Hawaii. You can surf, snorkel, shop, relax, eat good food, etc. We stayed at the Point at Poipu on the southern part of the island. I would recommend staying on the south side of the island. Don't miss having a hawaiian style hot dog at Puka Dog, you won't be sorry. As someone mentioned above, get the Kauai revealed book, we swear by those books! It will show you all of the lesser known things to do on the island (which is why the locals don't much care for these books). If you go to see wailua falls, take the book's advice and hike down to it and go swimming...it was one of the best things we did while we were there. Hope this helps.
My husband and I took a trip to Maui one year, with two days in Oahu, and a trip to Kauai the following year. Other than Pearl Harbor, I would skip Oahu. It is not going to be what you picture Hawaii to look like. Waikiki is like a big crowded dirty city. I didn't much care for it...just my opinion.
Between the other two,(Maui and Kauai) I am torn about which I liked better. From what it sounds like, you are set on going to the Big Island as one of your choices. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either Kauai or Maui as your second chioce.
If you want a little less touristy atmosphere, go to Kauai. Beautiful scenery, the helicopter tour is amazing, there is some shopping, Waimea Canyon is cool, but most importantly, Kauai is going to be like the pictures you see in a magazine of Hawaii. You can surf, snorkel, shop, relax, eat good food, etc. We stayed at the Point at Poipu on the southern part of the island. I would recommend staying on the south side of the island. Don't miss having a hawaiian style hot dog at Puka Dog, you won't be sorry. As someone mentioned above, get the Kauai revealed book, we swear by those books! It will show you all of the lesser known things to do on the island (which is why the locals don't much care for these books). If you go to see wailua falls, take the book's advice and hike down to it and go swimming...it was one of the best things we did while we were there. Hope this helps.
Dec 28th, 2007 | 10:43 AM
#27
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Kauai: Princeville stables - go riding and have dinner (need reservation) at the Princeville resort overlooking the one of the most famous and beautiful beach spots in Hawaii - I think their casual restaurant has the better view (as opposed to their fancy one). There are many paintings of this particular spot - you shouldn't miss it. Also, I recommend the Kauai Movie tour (do a Google search on Kauai Movie tour - it should come up). Can also book an unbelievable snokeling trip from Poipu.
Maui- Stay a few days in Lahaina - I liked the Lahaina shores, an inexpensive resort, and see the Warren and Anabelle show (need reservations.) Bring your wallet since jewelry and art shopping in Lahaina is some of the best in the world and not seen elsewhere in Hawaii, and prices are cheap. Also book a crater tour. If you have money, FLY from Kahalui, the main airport in Kauai (don't drive) to Hana, and stay at the Hotel Hana, a 5-star hotel made up of individual cabins, some on a gorgeous unoccupied beach where the horses roam in front of you, and the swimming pool is built so that you cant see anything but stars when swimming at night. This is abot $550/night, but is the chance of a lifetime. The tiny one-room airport doubles as a car rental agency. In Hana, see the cave, the botanical garden and the balck sand beach. These are in close driving distance to the Hotel Hana. I might be able to get you the name of a driver to take you to the seven pools and horseback riding -its a very tough ride with super narrow roads.
I've never been to the Big Island, but in my opinion if its a choice between the Big Island and Oahu, I would choose the Big Island.
In Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural center, which is like a rustic undeveloped Epcot, and of course Pearl Harbor are must-sees.
Where to start - GOOgLE ALOHA-top- ten, and click on tours. They also have a map of each island. They take a cut of each activity booked, so if you want convenience book with them; if you want to save money, look stuff up there and then call the merchant directly. However their website is immeasurably helpful., so you should probably book at least some activities directly with them.
Maui- Stay a few days in Lahaina - I liked the Lahaina shores, an inexpensive resort, and see the Warren and Anabelle show (need reservations.) Bring your wallet since jewelry and art shopping in Lahaina is some of the best in the world and not seen elsewhere in Hawaii, and prices are cheap. Also book a crater tour. If you have money, FLY from Kahalui, the main airport in Kauai (don't drive) to Hana, and stay at the Hotel Hana, a 5-star hotel made up of individual cabins, some on a gorgeous unoccupied beach where the horses roam in front of you, and the swimming pool is built so that you cant see anything but stars when swimming at night. This is abot $550/night, but is the chance of a lifetime. The tiny one-room airport doubles as a car rental agency. In Hana, see the cave, the botanical garden and the balck sand beach. These are in close driving distance to the Hotel Hana. I might be able to get you the name of a driver to take you to the seven pools and horseback riding -its a very tough ride with super narrow roads.
I've never been to the Big Island, but in my opinion if its a choice between the Big Island and Oahu, I would choose the Big Island.
In Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural center, which is like a rustic undeveloped Epcot, and of course Pearl Harbor are must-sees.
Where to start - GOOgLE ALOHA-top- ten, and click on tours. They also have a map of each island. They take a cut of each activity booked, so if you want convenience book with them; if you want to save money, look stuff up there and then call the merchant directly. However their website is immeasurably helpful., so you should probably book at least some activities directly with them.
Dec 31st, 2007 | 11:41 PM
#28
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Aloha!
We are bona fide BI fans, after having spent 10 days there in September.
The beauty of having this much time is that we were able to circumnavigate the entire island and spend a few nights here-and-there, when the mood struck us to move on...of course, you will be there during peak time so you can't be cavalier as we were about it
3 nights in Kailua-Kona
(homebase for Kohala Coast, Holualoa, Polol'u Valley, Waimea, etc.);
1 night in Volcano town (spent the next day taking in Volcanoes National Park);
3 nights in Hilo (homebase for Kapoho Tide Pools, Mauna Kea, etc.)
1 night in the small and untouristy town of Honoka'a;
3 nights -- or was it 4? -- in Kailua-Kona (KK).
Don't know what your budget is, but we used our Entertainment book for lodging in both KK and Hilo and saved 50% off the total bill.
What is so memorable about the BI is that it seems so big that you feel like you're discovering the mosaic of terrain alone. Rain forests turn into lava fields of pahoehoe; you can see a green sand beach (South Point/Ka Lae), prairie grassland and desert. It's all there, so the climate can change as quickly as the landscape.
I can happily provide you with more detail on what we did if you would like!
One last thing - bring your own snorkel gear! (Unless you want to pay an inflated price there to rent. We don't shop Wal-Mart here at home often, but we decided to purchase it there in KK for the same price as the weekly rental fee.)
We are bona fide BI fans, after having spent 10 days there in September.
The beauty of having this much time is that we were able to circumnavigate the entire island and spend a few nights here-and-there, when the mood struck us to move on...of course, you will be there during peak time so you can't be cavalier as we were about it
3 nights in Kailua-Kona
(homebase for Kohala Coast, Holualoa, Polol'u Valley, Waimea, etc.);
1 night in Volcano town (spent the next day taking in Volcanoes National Park);
3 nights in Hilo (homebase for Kapoho Tide Pools, Mauna Kea, etc.)
1 night in the small and untouristy town of Honoka'a;
3 nights -- or was it 4? -- in Kailua-Kona (KK).
Don't know what your budget is, but we used our Entertainment book for lodging in both KK and Hilo and saved 50% off the total bill.
What is so memorable about the BI is that it seems so big that you feel like you're discovering the mosaic of terrain alone. Rain forests turn into lava fields of pahoehoe; you can see a green sand beach (South Point/Ka Lae), prairie grassland and desert. It's all there, so the climate can change as quickly as the landscape.
I can happily provide you with more detail on what we did if you would like!
One last thing - bring your own snorkel gear! (Unless you want to pay an inflated price there to rent. We don't shop Wal-Mart here at home often, but we decided to purchase it there in KK for the same price as the weekly rental fee.)
Jan 7th, 2008 | 04:54 PM
#29
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
We love Kauai. One thing I didn't see mentioned in this thread: Sea kayaking on the southern coast of Kauai...we were whale- and dolphin-watching from two-person kayaks, roughly 30 - 50 yards from shore most of the time. As long as you have paddled a canoe, you can handle these kayaks! My kids, then 16 and 13, were sharing one, figured out how to shoot the waves ahead of the rest of the group, and encountered a pair of dolphins who wanted to play with them! An experience of a lifetime. The hiking's also great.
And BTW, if you work the flight times right, and fly through Honolulu, you can get to Pearl Harbor, and otherwise focus on Kauai and the Big Island.
And BTW, if you work the flight times right, and fly through Honolulu, you can get to Pearl Harbor, and otherwise focus on Kauai and the Big Island.
Jan 7th, 2008 | 09:55 PM
#30
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Josie,
I've been to Oahu and Maui and have nothing but positives to say about each one. Sure, Waikiki is crowded, but the beach is still great and there are advantages to being in a big city (the restaurants, nightlife, etc.). Your 19-year-old will love it. Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay and Diamondhead are all sights that I think everyone should see at least once. And if you stay a even a few miles outside of Waikiki, it's like a different world. It's completely laid back, and you can easily get to the restaurants in Waikiki.
Maui is sort of like a compromise between Waikiki and a get-away-from-it-all place. It's quieter, more laid back, but still has plenty to do like Haleakala, road to Hana, Iao Valley, etc.
I've been to Oahu and Maui and have nothing but positives to say about each one. Sure, Waikiki is crowded, but the beach is still great and there are advantages to being in a big city (the restaurants, nightlife, etc.). Your 19-year-old will love it. Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay and Diamondhead are all sights that I think everyone should see at least once. And if you stay a even a few miles outside of Waikiki, it's like a different world. It's completely laid back, and you can easily get to the restaurants in Waikiki.
Maui is sort of like a compromise between Waikiki and a get-away-from-it-all place. It's quieter, more laid back, but still has plenty to do like Haleakala, road to Hana, Iao Valley, etc.
Jan 7th, 2008 | 10:03 PM
#31
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Gosh, imaq, you covered all my favorite places. Wish I were less shy and could share my blog with you with photos of all those very locations..
As I posted about a couple of days ago, we are just back from our first trip to Hawaii. We stayed two weeks in Kauai, and had planned to zip over to the Big Island for a couple of days in the middle, but ended up blowing off the flights since we were so happy where we were.
As I posted about a couple of days ago, we are just back from our first trip to Hawaii. We stayed two weeks in Kauai, and had planned to zip over to the Big Island for a couple of days in the middle, but ended up blowing off the flights since we were so happy where we were.
