luv2travel5

Hello, I am planning a trip to Hawaii for September. I would like to visit 3 islands in 8 days - kind of get an overview to see where I'd like to return to one day. I'm planning 2.5 days on Oahu, 3 on Maui and 3 on Big Island. Our flight is into Oahu, but I'm thinking of then flying to Big Island, doing the 3 days there, then 3 days on Maui and then ending in Oahu. Oahu really needs to be done either first or last to not incur an extra plane flight.

Since we arrive on Labor Day weekend, my thought was that Oahu may be super crowded and it might be better to start on a less crowded island for that particular weekend? But I wonder if we'll love BI and Maui and feel kind of disappointed wrapping up the trip on Oahu? Am I better to end on Maui and just suck up the crowds on Oahu over Labor Day?

Thanks for any advice...

Rainy

Personally I like Oahu last - I can buy all my cheap souveniers I didn't get on the outer islands and not have to lug them to all the other islands.

applejaxs

I would plan Oahu last(for your stated reasons). I would prefer to visit Oahu first and get the feel of the island life, then sink into the luxurious smaller islands for total relaxation. We have gone a couple times and as long as you rent a car, you can always drive to a less populated area if you want more solitude.

EricoSmith

I disagree. Waikiki is so much hustle and bustle, it certainly isn't a relaxing place. I really enjoyed getting through the hectic pace on Oahu and then relaxing on the other islands to end my vacation.

uuhhhh

since you've never been, you won't know the difference between "super crowded" and just plain crowded anyway. so start in waikiki. it's a good place to transition into the weather and an island frame of mind.

imo, 3 islands is too much in 8 days. okay, you want an overview, but you want to relax too don't ya? with that schedule, you'd spend almost a day in transit/airports/flight.

JohnD

I vote for flying to HNL connecting to Big Island for 3 days, then on to Maui for 4 days, and on last morning take the earliest flight to HNL, do Pearl Harbor/Arizona and/or drive around the island flying out that evening back to the mainland.

ltt

if possible, i'd do it last but really it doesn't matter. just know that you will be ending your trip at the busiest island on your trip. however, it's still fun - lots of restaurants, etc. the above point about the souveners is good to. i would also only do two islands in 8 days. not sure if you are aware but i just read an article the inter-island flights have gone up in cost significantly.

hampton32

Why do so much jumping around? 3 islands in 8 days is not relaxing. Why not keep it to one or two? Our personal favorite is the Big Island.

ronjrank

Hi,
I my wife and I just returned from Hawaii on our honeymoon. We went to Maui first for 3 nights , then the Big Island for 3 nights and finally oahu for 1 night. After the Big Island any of the Islands would have been a let down. Plus we stayed at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort on the Big Island. My wife and I went to Kauai two years ago and we both liked the Big Island the best hands down. As for Oahu the best must experience was the Arizona Memorial. If I were you start with Oahu and end with the Big Island. We also stayed at the Marriott Resort at Ihilani while on Oahu whihc was nice and stayed at the Four Seasons Wailea in Maui. IMO Mauna Lani was the best of the three. I hope this helps.

tinatoadster

Just got back and did Oahu last. I am so glad. I was so terribily dissapointed. It was a very abrupt ending to our great vacation. It was so crowded and hectic. Only went to see Pearl Harbor, etc. That was worth it.

My vote, do it last.

Sarah

My mother did 4 islands in 12 days and says what she remembers most are the plane rides.

I guess you know what you are getting yourself into moving around that much. About Oahu last I would suggest it. If you are from a city it won't matter to you. If you hate cities than it will matter to you.

I would check the events calendar and see what is going on. September there are usually festivals and you can see some great local music.

karentb

I did not love Oahu, my husband and I left Oahu two days early to go to Maui. I would do it first and get it over with. It's WAY to crowded

lahainaluna

Oops, hit post too early.

Try to fly inter-island early in the morning or you will waste an entire day when you change islands.

Kathi

I always do Oahu last - for one thing, my flights back to the mainland are out of HNL, so I like to be there instead of dealing with interisland flights and then the long flight back to NYC (total waste of last day).

I just returned from a similar trip 2 weeks ago, this was our itinerary (I spent the time figuring out the best flights - options, i.e. times/direct interisland flights, etc.)

6/28 arrived HNL at 1pm; flew 2:15pm Aloha Air flight from HNL to JHM (West Maui airport).

* 3 nights Maui (Sheraton Kaanapoli)

7/1 departed OGG (Maui-Kahului airport)on Aloha Air at 2pm direct to KOA (Big Island)

* 3 nights BI (Waikoloa Beach Marriott)

7/4 depart KOA at 8:55am direct to HNL

* 1 night (2 full days)on Oahu (Royal Hawaiian)

7/5 - 9pm HNL flight home

Kathi

JohnD

Reply to Kathi,
How obtrusive was the condo construction during your stay at Waikoloa Beach Marriott, and did you see the lava flowing at VNP?

inthechips

First of all, will never do Oahu again if we can help it, but recommend, if you must, doing it first. We spent 7 days on Kauai and then 2 on Oahu, mostly to see Pearl Harbor and the waves up at the north shore. We could not stand Waikiki and couldn't wait to get out of there. I guess that's a double-edged sword though - makes it easier to leave paradise.

There are some folks that spend their entire vacation at Waikiki though, so it is again a personal preference choice. We felt like we might as well stay in L.A. and go out to Santa Monica beach for a lot cheaper.

Rusty

This forum makes it appear as if nobody ever goes to Oahu. Just a reminder that Oahu gets as many visitors per year as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined.
And if you don't like Waikiki, you don't have to leave Oahu to get away from it.

Kathi

Answers for JohnD -

We actually had a room facing the construction, unfortunately! I had used Marriott points for 3 free nights, so didn't have much choice. When we got there, she said we were upgraded to an "Orchid View" room - I wanted to ask where the Orchids were -- as it was facing the construction site!! It was slightly annoying, but not that bad. It looks like they are just in the beginning phases of pouring foundations, etc. so the noise level is not too loud(of course I live in NYC and am used to lots of noise). We spent 2 of the days on the beach and 1 at VNP, so we weren't in our room much while the actually construction was going on. If you weren't in a construction-facing room, then you probably wouldn't notice much at all.

Yes, we saw the lava flows at VNP. We got there in the afternoon and asked the ranger at the main visitor's center. He said that there wasn't much going on and that it was a 4 hour hike to see anything of lava... we drove around the rim; did a few short 20 minute hikes, and then went down Chain of Craters Road. Well, we asked the rangers down there and were told a different story - that the lava was flowing and viewing was good. The 4 hours for hiking was also an over-exageration. We got there at 6:30pm and walked out while the sun was going down. 2.5 miles of walking, mostly over rough lava flows. Saw the lava at sunset. There were 2 active areas that we could stand right by and see the lava oozing like bright orange slime. Then walked back in the dark (had picked up $2 flashlights at K-mart on our drive to VNP). Total hiking time was 2 hours. We were really glad that we did it (definitely worth it - not like the story the 1st ranger told us).

Kathi

JohnD

Reply to Kathi, thanks for your thorough update, we were there in March for a similar stay, wish I was still there now.

kaudrey

I agree with the posters who don't like Oahu. Go for 1 day (last day) to see Pearl Harbor. We flew to Oahu from Maui in the morning, rented a car for the day, went to PH, drove around the island to see the beaches (crowded, lots of HUGE hotels, yuck), then returned the car and flew home that night.

That's all you need.

Karen