Never been to Hawaii, need help deciding on location
 

We are an artist and wine lover who want to go somewhere in Hawaii for two weeks at the end of February. We love art, wine and snorkelling. We aren’t particularly interested in travelling around a whole lot. The following are our requirements
1. Beautiful landscape
2. Very reasonable accommodation (Air B&B etc.) apartment with cooking facilities
3. Being able to use public transportation
4. A place where there are food markets to buy fresh ingredients
5. Art galleries
6. Shops selling arts and crafts
7. Needs to be restful but with interesting places to visit
8. We have a gift certificate to fly to any of the following: Honolulu Oahu, Kahului Maui, Kona big Island¸or Lihue Kauai

With the exception of item #3, all the islands would fit your list. However, only Oahu, specifically Honolulu, will allow you to check off your public transportation requirement. All the other islands and the area outside Honolulu really necessitate having a rental car.

Good luck with your exploration.

Kauai hits it all except #3. I can't imagine doing the islands without a car. Honolulu being the exception.

I vote for Kauai especially if you want something more laid back.

There are art galleries and craft stores on the island. You might enjoy art night in Hanapepe every Friday. It is a small old town, but on Friday nights the galleries are all open and there are food vendors on the street. It is fun to walk around and grab a bite while you look at the art and craft places.

There is a farmers market almost every day someplace on the island. They move around from town to town but that information is readily available.

The island has many outstanding beaches. There is also the beautiful North shore and Waimea Canyon ( called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. ) Both must sees. Many wonderful hiking trails available all over the island, some challenging, also many easy peaceful hikes.

Check vrbo.com for condos, B&B rentals, and other inexpensive digs....Many reasonable places to stay if you do some research on this site.

As others have said, public transportation not generally available. Plus you really want a car to access some of the most beautiful parts of the island. You would sell yourself short and miss so much if you did not rent a car.

Suggest the South shore or East shore in February. Better chance of good weather then. North shore can be more apt to rain at that time of the year.

I'll be on Kauai for 6 weeks starting Jan 29th......I have been going for 22 years so please let me know if I can help with anything else.

I am almost 29 and have been to Hawaii 20 times and have been to every island. All except 3 can be found on Kauai. It is the smallest of the main islands and has tons of natural beauty. You can head up to Waimea canyon. Opaeka'a and Wailua falls. Napali coast boat tour is very pleasant. Hanapepe shoreline with Keyhole cave. Po'ipu beach has gorgeous sunsets. spouting horn is sort of fun for little kids and even big kids like me. Pu'u' a Kila lookout to get the best views of the Kalalau Valley. Walk the pristine Mahihi-Wai-'alae forest trail. There are tons of things to do on Kauai. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. We are well familiar with Italy for vacations but Hawaii is a blank slate for us. It was very kind of you all to help us out!

Just bear in mind that your February dates include Presidents week. This is a very busy time in Hawaii (peak season so costs are higher plus the holiday = busier so less availability).
We love going in February but usually book our accommodation, car hire and flights the summer before for best prices and availability.

Book soon is my advice!

With limited supply, book car rental ASAP! It is not unheard of for there to be NO cars available during peak season. In fact, I would book car fiat, even before room.

I would second all of the above. Although I usually recommend Maui for a first-time trip to Hawaii, I am thinking Kauai is probably better for you, with the caveat that you stay in the drier areas like Poipu/Koloa, because of when you are going. And if you could move your trip away from President's Day week, either up or back, you will have much better luck with prices.

Many people go every year to Hawaii or very frequently and book well in advance, so you need to secure accommodations soon. Check VRBO; staying in condos is the best option for Hawaii. If you want very reasonable (in Hawaii terms), you will not have a view of the ocean, but you might get a place close enough to walk to the beach if you start looking now.

Food is more expensive than it is on the mainland, so just be prepared. Most people get sticker shock during their first grocery store visit. But you can get amazing fresh fish and tropical fruits at the markets, and there are affordable little lunch places, many of them quite good.

Renting a car is important for every island except Oahu/Honolulu, as stated above. It is not difficult to drive around the islands, and you will see so much more. For example, arts and crafts shops are scattered around in small towns, so you will want to explore. And each island's landscape changes (sometimes dramatically) depending on elevation and which direction you're facing.

Only Oahu fits everything on your list.

Public transportation is excellent in Waikiki/Honolulu. What price do you mean by "very reasonable accomodations"? You can look at The Royal Grove or White Sands Hotel in Waikiki for an idea of the better budget accomodations. Easy walking to grocery store, farmers markets, bakery, shops and galleries, etc. Interesting places to visit like Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Gardens, ShangriLa Estate, etc.

Everyone is absolutely right about renting a car now. A few years ago I was in Maui for a small convention over President's Day weekend. I always book my car well in advance but for some reason didn't. They did still have cars but it was over $600 to rent a car for 3-4 days and this was the cheapest one they had. There is no way my company was going to pay for that. Luckily I was able to go to an off airport site for Enterprise and get a car for half the price.

Another suggestion for food is to make sure you have grocery discount cards, it makes a big difference. Major stores in Hawaii are Safeway and Foodland. Don't know where you live but you might already have a Safeway card. When you get to Hawaii sign up for one at Foodland. It's an expensive store but their card discounts are good. Also if staying in a condo, many people stop at Costco to pick up supplies. Not know if that would be cost effective for you if there is just two people.

Wow! Great advice everyone! Thanks so very much.

I like Kauai, but would go there in summer, when the most gorgeous northern part will have good weather and calm oceans. Winter is a season to stay south on Kauai, Oahu and to some extent on Maui, too. Big Island, being farthest south, is always best along the Kohala Coast. Hilo will be wet.

February is the peak of whale season in Hawaii, best observed off Maui.

If you have more than one week and can do this, take a ticket into HNL and home from OGG. Spend a few nights in a small hotel in Honolulu while you see historic sights and drive one day around the east and north shores of Oahu. Then hop to Maui and stay in a condo; most reasonable pricing in Kahana in West Maui and Maalaea and North Kihei in South Maui. You need a rental car everywhere outside of Honolulu. Use Hawaiian Airlines for your 'hop' -- tickets will be about $100 pp one way.

Before you choose any island, check to see that you can get a rental car there.

If you really need to save, come in the early part of December or in September.

Thanks so much for your invaluable information!

Hi,
are an Italian man.
the Awaii have remained in the heart!!!
all-beautiful!!!