Oahu and Maui both in a week?
 

Is it too much to do 2 islands in a week? how many days for each? We're thinking of flying to Oahu because it's cheaper but I'd like to see the vocano and the postings on Maui makes it sound really inviting. We have 2 young kids (4 yrs old and 3 months old) so night life is out.

thanks.

Since your kids are still very young and you only have one week, you'll probably maximize you time better (less time at the airport, waiting for rental car, transporting luggage, etc)
if you stay on one island.
You will probably save money (thus being able to afford the additional cost in Maui) by not paying additional airfare and flying to another island.

assuming you can fly directly into Maui...

nancy you know best what kind of traveler you are. It would be too much for me. everybody is different though.

I think both islands are perfect for a week by themselves. Remember the days you go interisland you will loose half a day in transit, getting the car, finding the hotel etc... But I still know people that can do this. If that is you, go for it. If that is your small children and they would need to wonder kids to not get antsy during that kind of ride but hey some kids are use to that fast pace.

PS the active volcano is on the big island.

Thanks nanabee and Sarah.
Sounds like we should stick to one place and plan on coming back another time. The 4 year old loves to travel but I think the 3 months old could get cranky. So...now the hard decision to pick one. We will be flying from San Francisco so there're direct flights to both Oahu and Maui.

One island in one week will be best, especially with little kids.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

If it were my first time I would want to go for Maui. You can always come to oahu but Maui will provide more of the rural landscape. I am guessing you are thinking Hawaii for a rural seascape experience. Parts of Oahu certainly offer that but it will be in greater abundance on Maui. If you are interested in exploring a city come to Oahu. Plenty of historical and cultural stuff here to explore that a rural environment will have less of.

I agree with Sarah-I think Maui would be more relaxing with young children. Lots of condos for rent so make sure to get one of those. You will have a kitchen which will help with the kids and that way they'd have a separate room for sleeping. I would even look for a 2 bedroom depending on your budget. Once the kids are asleep you and your husband can sit on the lanai and enjoy the beautiful views.

I would go to Maui for the entire week. It is absolutely gorgeous and family-friendly.

Haleakala is not an active volcano but a huge and magnificent crater (which I was corrected here before *is* still technically considered a volcano).
:-)

I like Honolulu/Waikiki also for myself, but that is more for the nightlife, shopping, crowds of people, museums, etc.

I would not want to switch hotels, yet alone islands, with only 7 days.

Oahu is more kid friendly than any other island.

Suze, actually Haleakala is the only volcano in Hawaii, not on the Big Island, that is an active volcano. It has not erupted since 1790.

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vwless...ith/part6.html