Oahu and Big Island
 

We're going to Oahu and Hawaii for 7 nights next month. The current plan is to start out in Waikiki (we're staying at Outrigger Reef) then head to Hilo for a Helicopter ride and Island exploring, then back to stay with a friend on the other side of Oahu. <BR>Should we start out with 3 or 4 nights in Waikiki? (leaving 2 or 3 nights in Hawaii?) We're planning on one night in Hilo before travelling toward Kona. (I've been reading this forum a lot). Any suggestions? Do we need three nights to give Big Island justice? Any recommendations for Hilo and Kona? <BR>Thanks for all your helpful advice!

Margie, Sorry, but in seven nights you cannot "do justice" to either island, even if you spent the whole week on one of them. I would split my time about equally between the two, but on the Big Island, you're going to be in your car most of the time if you want to see very much. But whatever time you have to spend in Hawaii is never wasted - have a great trip!

Margie...Have you been to Oahu before? If not, I think there are a few things you should be aware of. Honolulu is a very large city, almost 1 million residents. It is very crowded with terrible traffic. It reminds me very much of San Francisco, only hotter. It is not the place to go if you are interested in seeing a tropical paradise.There are, of course, some very interesting historical sites on Oahu. The most obivious being Pearl Harbor. With the recent addition of the USS Missouri it can definitely be a full by the time you visit the Uss Arizona and Bowfin and their museums. Waikiki Beach is crowded and quite narrow in places. The end near the Hilton Hawaiian Village is the best. There is a very interesting military museum nearby.What are you interested in seeing on Oahu? <BR> <BR>Re: the Big Island (my favorite, I go several times a year)...Hilo is the wet side of the island. It rains almost every evening. As a matter of fact, people living a little outside of town actually "catch" their water in large tanks for home use, they don't use the city water system. That's how much it rains. Hilo is the largest residential area on the island. There is not a lot for a tourist. Akaka Falls, orchid gardens, etc. are lovely if that is your interest. Beaches are limited, as they are on most of the island, and fine dining is not a strong point. Lodging is limited. Volcanoes National Park is wonderful. You can hike across Kilauea Iki crater or drive the Chain of Craters Road. The landscape is quite stark but it is interesting from a geological stand point. As many times as I have visited the park, I have always stayed on the Kona side. It is about a two hour drive each way. You can easily circle the island if you dedicate a full day to it. There are interesting things to SEE all around the island but there are limited places to stop. <BR> <BR>The highest concentration oflodging, restaurants, etc. is on the Kona, or dry side, of the island, beginning around the City of Refuge, Kealakakua Bay and on up to the Kohala Coast (the fanciest resorts are there). <BR> <BR>It's hard to say how long you'll need without knowing what you want to accomplish...the main tourist sites, nature, culture, etc. The Big Island has such a wide variety, it really encompasses all the the state has to offer. Be warned...if you are landing at Keahole (Kona) airport you may wonder if you hit the moon by mistake. The airport is surrounded by old lava flows. It does get much prettier ...don't worry! <BR> <BR>Lastly, regarding Oahu, if your friend is in Kanehoe or Kailua you probably won't need much time in Honolulu unless this is your first trip to a very large city. The Kanehoe side is much more peaceful. <BR> <BR>Hope you trip is wonderful. <BR> <BR>PS If you haven't purchased your inter island tickets yet, don't buy them until you get to Honolulu. You can purchase r/t tickets on Hawaiian or Aloha at their counters in the form of a coupon book, just like the local residents, usually at a far better rate. Worth looking into.

Joseph and Laurie, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your advice! we reduced our stay in waikiki to three nights (with the thought of traveling to some of the more interesting beaches on that side of oahu. My friends are in Kailua, so we'll be wrapping up the trip with them. <BR>We've decided to fly into Hilo and spend a night there (followed by a helicopter ride) then drive to kona and stay there for two nights. <BR>Is it far to get to nicer beaches from waikiki? <BR>(and laurie -- we live in SF, so waikiki will seem familiar to us ;)

Margie, Glad that you'll spend a night on the Hilo side of the Big Island - Kailua Beach is the nicest beach once you leave Waikiki, it's about 20 minutes away, and you say your friends are there, and Waikiki is wonderful, despite the fact that it's crowded. Have a great time!