wparmar

My husband and I want to go to Hawaii during Thanksgiving time. We only have 8 days including flying to and from Philadelphia. Haven't booked the tickets yet because we don't know where we want to go. hence this post to get your feedback.
We both love outdoor things to do, see things, and maybe 1 day at a beach.

Any suggestions where in Hawaii should we go. One places or two places, and which one would be which will make us say WOW! Please remember we have been to NZ, and has said WOW many times there, and would love to have the same feeling in Hawaii.
Please advise.

Thanks
wparmar

sf7307

With only 8 days including travel, you should stick to one island only.

Oahu is the easiest to get to, and the most developed, with Waikiki in the south (not where you want to go for outdoor activities -- very dense, hotel after hotel, but great weather and a good beach), the laid-back north shore (town of Haleiwa and the fabulous north shore beaches (the ones with the huge waves like the Banzai Pipeline), and the beautiful east shore (Kailua and Lanikai).

Maui is the most "tourist" developed of the other islands -- it has developed resort areas, less developed resort areas, the volcano (Haleakala), the road to Hana, little towns to poke around (Lahaina, not so little - an old whaling village that is now home to shops and restaurants and crowds, Paia, and others). If you want secluded, it would probably not be your best choice.

Kauai is much less developed, and lush and tropical. There are stretches of development (Poipu Beach in the south, the "cities" of Kapaa and Lihue in the east, Princeville in the north). It's got fabulous hiking and the amazing Waimea Canyon and Napili Coast (both are definite "wows"). The north is much lusher (because it's also wetter) than the south, but unlike the south, most of the accommodations are not ON the beach (although it doesn't sound like that's a priority for you). There are some, though -- someone just posted a report the other day about some beach cottages near Haena Beach, and songdoc has reported on sealodge condos at Princeville.

Sorry, I don't know anything about the island of Hawaii.

Placename

How important is the beach or water activities? From your "1 day at a beach", I get the impression that snorkeling/diving/surfing aren't that important.

For the WOW factor, it's hard to beat a helicopter ride over the Kilauea volcano at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island of Hawaii, or over the Napali coast of Kauai, or even the Haleakala Volcano on Maui.

Please give us a bit more information- what you don't want to do, your general accomodation budget. I hope you realize Thanksgiving week is going to be a peak travel time in Hawaii and accomodations and flights may be higher than in early December.

Personally, for 8 days, I'd look at Maui and Kauai.

Placename

Your trip is really 8 days, 7 nights. That is best as a one-island trip.

Meski

wparmar
I would suggest the Pride of America, NCL. We did that last February and loved the cruise...seven days.See more of Hawaii with four islands Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu. Spent a day on each island. And they cruised past the Kilauea volcano at night, Napali Coast by day. It was super!! But...the ship was just okay, the food was average cafeteria food. I don't remember the entertainment (that says it all). It was the best way to tour the islands. We did three weeks one cruising and two in Honolulu.
If I had to pick one Island I would choose Oahu. Great beaches, body surfing and snorkeling. The food was super and relatively cheap. Although, one huge omelet cost us $18 at an international chain (watch what you order). We saw a pineapple farm (cool!). The Polynesian Cultural center (an incredible series of South Sea villages peopled by the real thing. Best Luau!! It was super, (run by the Mormons by the way. Surprised me.)! Snorkeling at Haunama Bay was incredible, like swimming in an aquarium. The North Shore lived up to it's reputation and we were able to watch the Pipeline Pro surfing championship. Waikiki was as jam packed with hotels as you'd imagine but the sun-bathing was great and there is something to be said about being on a beach rimmed by hotels with restaurants and shops. There is a park there that is a good place for a walk.
If I had never been to Hawaii I would take the cruise then spend a few days on Oahu. Do not miss the masaladas from Leonard's Bakery. They are like raised donuts. I love 'em. Also stop at a Shrimp truck if you like shrimp (seen on Hawaii 50). Finally try a plate lunch. A huge serving with a meat/fish, 2 scoops of white rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad. Roughly equivalent to the southern U.S. meat-and-threes.

tom42

I also suggest one island, one hotel for the amount of time you have. I recently flew to Maui from Buffalo for 7 days and stayed at the Hyatt on Maui. Never been to New Zealand but I found Maui had a lot of "wow" moments.

Destination_360

Defintely stick to one island. I'd recommend Maui—we went for a week last fall on a Destination photo shoot and so got to check out many parts of the island. The great thing here is you can visit some excellent beaches, snorkel at Black Rock, go to a great luau, and also see some of the rougher country in the Hawaiian islands. We camped up in the Haleakala Crater to check out the cabins and the sunrise, and it was a nice complement to staying in the Kaanapali Beach area, which is also recommended.

wparmar

We are planning to leave either on Nov 19th or 20th and come back on Nov 27th. We like hiking, but not serious hiker, just easy/moderate trails to explore the natural beauty. We want to explore the island (s) --- volcanos, forest, mountains, etc..

WOW! Thanks friends for such great responses. We do understand that we don't have much time to explore all the beauties Hawaii has to offer.

Based on your comments it seems like Maui and Kauai are our best option.

1.) Can we do both islands in 7-8 days? How many days should we spend at each island?

2.) Is it easy to fly/ferry between islands?

3.) Does either of these island have an active volcano? We want to experience that...

4.) Any suggestions for budget places to stay --- condos, hotels etc.?

5.) How is the Hilton in Maui?

Any response would help us...

Thanks
Wparmar

martym

I can answer some of your questions.
1. Of course, you can do both islands but I agree with others--I would choose only one.

2. No ferries--but flying interisland is easy.

3, 4. Neither Maui or Kauai has an active volcano. You have to go to the Big Island (Hawaii) for that. The Big Island has lots to do and also would be good for your 8 day trip. Here are websites for a few places we have stayed on our many trips there. You could split your time between Kona-side (west)sunnier and Hilo-side--wetter, greener, the volcano.

Kona side

http://www.vrbo.com/293127 have stayed there many times--pictures don't do it justice

http://www.vrbo.com/141871 looks like it is available for the first days of your trip--private estate--great view of coast

http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/halekoi/

Hilo side

this site has rentals in the Kapoho area about 45 minutes from Volcano--lovely tide pools and it tends to be sunnier than Hilo-town http://book.bigislandvacationrentals.com

5. Never stayed at the Maui Hilton

Here are websites for some of the many sites and activities on the Big Island if you're interested in going there

Waipio Valley http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...io_valley.html

Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens http://htbg.com/

High Tea at Onomea Tea http://onomeatea.com/

Hilo Farmers Market http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com/

Volcano National Park http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Kilauea Iki Hike in Volcano National Park-- http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisi...kilaueaiki.htm

Ahalanui Park http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...anui_park.html

Painted Church http://www.thepaintedchurch.org/

Puuhonua O Honaunau http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html...anui_park.html

qwovadis

Kohala Coast Big Island least rain in fall

4 hours LAX Kona direct usually

for me princeresortshwaii.com packages on priceline.com

for me last 1K per person Hapuna Prince hotel air car

stayhawaii.com konaweb.com BI has it all including

terraforming awesome night lava views...

tom42

wparmer - I really recommend one island given your amount of time. Coming from Philadelphia, it will take a couple of days to really adjust timewise. If you go on the 19th, you won't get there until mid-afternoon at the earliest. So that day you really can't do much. If you leave on the 27th and expect to arrive back in Philadelphia that same day, you will have to leave on an early flight, so that day is gone too. That leaves you with seven full days. While this is arguably enough time for two islands, you will waste a good part of one of those days going from one island to another. The flight is fast but when you factor in packing up, checking out of your hotel, driving to the airport, returning your rental car, waiting for your flight, taking the flight, retrieving luggage, renting a car, driving to your hotel and checking in/gettling settled, much of that day will be gone.

I think any one of the islands you choose will have more than enough to keep you busy for the amount of time you have.

garyt22

I hate to disagree, but if you don't plan on visiting the Islands again soon, you could get two islands easily...

If you wish to see Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Honolulu, plan a three nighter in Oahu... followed by

If you love the Nature and tropical wild... Kauai

Volcanoes and black lava... Big Island

Beaches, luaus, snorkeling and water activities... Maui


The flights are easy between islands making two mini trips easy... especially if you pick just one and don't like it...

tom42

Yes you can get two islands in pretty easily but with her amount of time she'll get about 3 days in each. I guess it depends on what is more important. I'd rather settle down on one island and have enough time to relax as well as explore. I am the same way on city trips. I'd rather spend more time in one city than get in as many cities as possible.

suze

1.) Yes. I'd do an even split.

2.) Easy to fly. No ferries.

3.) Nope. Active volcano is only on the Big Island.

4.) What price range do you mean by "budget"?

sf7307

Where is there a Hilton on Maui?

edjim

We just got back from an trip to Kauai and Maui, respectively, leaving from the east coast. Long flights, but worth it. Can't disagree with those who say to stick to one island, especially if you've never been to Hawaii before.

I would also recommend Maui and Kauai for first-timers. Maui has Lahaina for a nightlife destination and arguably has more "stuff" and sights for first-timers. But it is definitely more developed.

Kauai, meanwhile, is a bit more laid-back and tropical. Plenty of hiking and spectacular scenery.

For our first Hawaii trip, we took 11 days on Oahu, Maui and Big Island. It was a great trip but we realized we tried to do too much, and were "forced" to return to see what we missed.

tom42

There is no Hilton on Maui. Think it must have been a typo.

jlg0

As a family of four, we spent 2 weeks in Hawaii last year, one week on The Big Island and one week on Kauai. We chose these two islands because they were less "touristy" than Oahu and Maui and we were thrilled with our choice. Although none of us could pick which island was our favorite, I would recommend the Big Island as a first visit because of its diverse landscape and ecosystems, plenty of things to do, plus you have the ability to drive around the entire island in a week and make some great stops. Some highlights of our trip were hiking in Volcano National Park (insider recommendation from our B&B that we appreciated - hike the crater lake in the reverse direction of what the park recommends). Also, make sure you go back into the Park at night to see the glowing lava from the volcano. And bring flashlights with you to go into the lava tube (will need in the daytime). Leave several days to explore the park, plenty of places to stay. Also one of the best Thai place I have ever eaten at in the town of Volcano.

We also stayed at the Outrigger http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-reso...u-beach-resort in Kona and were so glad we did as our rooms were over the water and we could watch the sea turtles from our balcony. This is a smaller, low key resort hotel with a very friendly staff. The beach next door is not much to look at but happens to have some of the best snorkling on the island, literally like being in a tropical aquarium. Our teenagers took surfing lessons from Surfer Bear, who also uses the beach next door to the Outrigger. These guys were great, really laid back, and had the kids up in no time.

We also stayed at the Disney-like resort Hilton Waikoloa. After the initial shock of having such a low key trip and ending it in this huge resort our last few days, I adjusted and appreciated the nice views it offered. But see the island first because you will not leave this resort, too much to do within its confines.

jlg0

I forgot to add - definitely stop at teh great black sand beach on your way to Volcano National park if you choose to go to teh Big Island, tons of sea turtles baskign on the beach and the beach itself is very nice with a "Monet" pond behind it.

sassy_cat

In 8 days you could get to see most of the the Big Island. It's the warmest and on the Kona side the driest of the islands.
It is also the most diverse island with a lush green rainforest and an active volcano, an observatory for star gazing, gardens and waterfalls and more.
In winter I've heard it's possible to spend half the day on the beach or snorkeling and then ski!