Need Some Direction for our First Trip to Hawaii
 

Quickly changed plans for our Spring trip next year when FF seats to Maui popped up. Grabbed them before deciding whether we are Hawaii-type people or not. Figured even if we're not, it's the kind of place everyone should see once.

The guidebooks are in the mail, and I've been reading a lot of past posts, but most information I've found seems to be for things we're really not looking for. We're not into huge resorts, buffets or dinner shows. And we'd prefer not to have to use the car everytime we want to go to lunch or dinner.

What we like to do on vacation is stay in smaller hotels (not B&Bs), be able to walk as much as possible, use the car for short trips to sights, eat and drink well (local dives or fancier places), do some moderate hiking & exploring, relaxing on the beach. We're married in our 30s and like some nightlife, but don't really go clubbing like we used to. Not really into typically touristy things.

Our ideal place to stay would be a walkable, scenic town with a beach, with hiking opportunities nearby, with a few choices of independent bars/restaurants. Willing to pay for quality, but don't need luxury.

My initial plan is to stay on 2 islands (Maui being one). I'm then open to the other - Kauai is highly recommended here but seems spread out and resort oriented. Oahu sounds like it has more density, but maybe overwhelmed with tourists.

I know I have a lot more reseach to do and certainly don't expect to find perfection, but thought I'd post my current thinking just in case someone has some suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

From the sounds of it, the Kihei area of Maui may be just what you're looking for. Many folks live there so it's not just a bunch of resorts and tourists. There are a LOT of condos for rent there, and many smaller scale hotels -many right on or across from the beach. You would be close to local stuff, too, like restaurants and shopping centers. Look on vrbo.com in Kihei and see what you find. You will need a car, but in Kihei everything's pretty close so it's not like you'd be making huge drives all over if you don't want to.

Since it's your first time visit - if you decide to add another island, I'd suggest Oahu since there is so much there. You don't have to stay in Waikiki, there is a whole island there and once you get away from Waikiki it's not "overwhlemed" with tourists.

When you get your guidebooks read through them and then come back here for more questions or advice.

Small resorts like those found in the Caribbean don't really exist in Hawaii. Hotel Hana Maui is the the closet thing that I can think of to a smaller, boutique style of hotel on Maui. Hana is fabulous, but as Rusty will tell you, it's not for everyone. It is very beautiful, quiet, islolated with one of the best beaches on the island (Hamoa Bay) nearby.

Have fun learning about the islands!

-Bill

How about Big Island? There's lots of the things that you like to do there and there aren't many HUGE resort hotels.
It would involve more driving as it's much bigger than the other islands but much of it is very scenic.

Plenty of hiking and exploring (including a National Park with a volcano...).

It's also the most southerly island and has a definite 'dry' side and a more lush 'rainy' side.

Have fun deciding, there's a lot to like about Hawaii!

Oahu is not just a big city. Honolulu is a big city and Waikiki is part of Honolulu. But, Oahu has much more to offer than just Honolulu and Waikiki.

For Maui, this is the best site to find things to do:

www.mauihawaii.org

We enjoyed a one week family reunion trip to Lahaina (town) on Maui. We liked that we could walk around shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, without getting in the car. There's a self-guided historic walking tour, outdoor art gallery, etc. The trip up to the crater Haleakala is amazing.

BTW I *thought* I had no interest in Hawaii until my first trip there, boy was I wrong. I've been back 3 times in 3 years.

Very different is the city of Honolulu on Oahu. I mention it because there is so much to see and so that is not fancy resorts or nightlife. Museums, historic buildings, architectural tours, etc. Loads of beaches, hiking, etc.

All of Oahu is definitely not "overwhelmed with tourists". That is a misconception. Maybe in central Waikiki beach it's so, but even there it is quite beautiful IMO.

In 3 trips to Hawaii (and hopefully many more) most of my time is spent doing not the "typically tourist things"... you can find what you are looking for in Hawaii.

On Maui,we stayed at a great 'older' condo, Maui Kai. It met our needs and is right on the beach! However, you do need a car to travel and to go eat.

Probably the place(s) to stay and be able to walk to places would be Lahaina (touristy but don't miss it) and Kihei.

Still think you're going to want a car.

Belle

Oh yeah, how did I forget??

Ka'anapali is resort row and has a very nice, walkable paved beach path along the shore. So, maybe the Westin or Sheraton, or many other choices?

Belle

I see now that this question is very similar to mine, and asked scarcely over 24 hours earlier than mine (mine has no answers yet, but trying to be patient).

The www.mauihawaii.org looks worthwhile - - the kind of thing I am seeking, even though our Maui time is less than a third of our total trip. But maybe all the more reason I need to put some effort into that - - how to the best of barely 44 hours there.

I'll keep looking through some recent threads here.

Best wishes,

Rex

topping for the aloha crowd

I don't find Kauai to be completely resort oriented at all. DH and I cannot stand to stay in huge resorts as they are too hard to get out of most of the time.

If you stay centrally located like in Kapa'a you can stay in a nice area, have a hotel or condo on the beach and still not be on a resort compound.

The Beachboy (gorgeous rooms) or Aston Islander come to mind, walk to shops, an open late,late bar is 2 min. away by car. (and since it is not a resort, your car is only a moment away from you)

It is true that some of the things you may want to do will be a drive. An hour by car to Waimea canyon for hikes that are out of this world. It really lives up to it's nickname of the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Yes, some things may be a drive, but if you are there all day doing your activity it's worth it to me.

I have also been to Oahu twice. I would not stay in Waikiki again due to the overwhelming crowds. There are also many things to do and many other places to stay besides Waikiki.

If you don't mind taking the bus they have a great city bus system to get you around, but IMO if you stay on other parts of the island it would benifit you to get a car rental as you may be doing some driving there as well to see and do different things.

All in all, I never tire of Kauai. It captured me from the first and I hope to someday call it home.

Good luck!
Dawn

I also think Ka'anapali is what you are looking for on Maui.

And I also didn't find Kaua'i to be resort oriented, I found that a little bit more in Wailea on Maui (where we stayed). We actually stayed in a condo on the north shore of Kaua'i for 5 days, and a Marriott on the south shore for 3 days.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. We are leaning towards staying near/in Lahaina on Maui. Suze, the place you stayed, Lahaina Shores, looks promising - what type of room did you get? Were you happy there?

Also considering Makai Inn just north of town. Looks like it's just within walking distance of town. Anyone know about this place?

And we're warming to Kauai (though I still need to look into Oahu) - Kapa'a sounds like us. I'll look into the Beachboy and Aston. Anyone have other suggestions?

We do plan on getting a car for general getting around. Would just like to be able to park it at sundown when the mai tai's start to take hold.

Thanks again for your help.

Brian,

If you are starting to lean towards Lahaina, check out Puamana, just south of town. It's a very low key and nice complex.

-Bill

Here is a thead for Oahu. Many of the websites are good for all islands.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34652188

Brian, I agree with the poster above that Kihei might be a good place for you. You could stay near one of the Kamaole Beaches, walk to lots of stuff. I would prefer Kihei to Lahaina, I think ... because of the Kamaole Beaches.

(BTW, Brian, are you going to make our NC GTG in November? Hope so! :-) )