Hi - I am going on a 10 day trip to Oahu in February. I was wodnering if it was worthwhile to plan a side trip to another isalnd? If so, which one would you recommend and for how long? Any ideas for places to stay would be apprecaited. We would like to explore somewhere a litte less touristy.

I would definatly plan on going to another island and would highly recommend Maui. Oahu was OK, very city like and the only good thing to see was Pearl Harbor. Maybe a few days there would be good but I'd plan on taking an island hopper to Maui....Lahaina was great.

Maui is just as crowded as Oahu. Go there only if whale-watching is high on your list, but keep in mind you can see whales from all of the islands, even Oahu. You're just able to get closer to them on the boats from Maui.

I would try the BI instead. Where else can you see a volcano pouring into the sea? The beaches and vistas on the BI are every bit as good at Maui and the BI retains more of its "kama'aina" charm.

Maui, by far. Whales are in and are a fantastic thing to see. Kaanapali Beach area is by far the most heavily populated area with tourists. Go further North to Kahana, Kapalua, or Nipili. To the South is the Wailea area where there are several nice places to stay, all being much quieter. Have fun!

On Oahu, by all means, get out of the city (Waikiki, downtown Honolulu). The entire island isn't city like - and it saddens me to see it described this way. Certainly there is much to see aside from Pearl Harbor. Ohau has about 8x the residents of Maui - so Oahu is more populated than Maui by far. On Oahu I'd suggest checking out the north shore, Waimea Bay, Haleiwa town, Kailua Beach Park on the windward side, and making a circle the island drive. There are loads of good hikes, beautiful drives, spectacular beaches (particularly outside of Waikiki),cultural sites, museums, etc. on Oahu.

I do think it is worthwhile to plan to spend 2-3 days on another island. You can't go wrong with any of the possibilities - they all have a lot to offer. Kauai and the BI are somewhat less touristy than Maui. You can do a whale watching tour from any of the islands. Volcano National Park on the BI is spectacular (stay in Volcano Village or Hilo) - so that would top my list, followed by Kauai, and lastly Maui.On Maui the areas where the large hotels are tend to be faily touristy (e.g. Kaanaplai, etc.)

Have a great trip!

Whoever said that Maui is just as crowded as Oahu has never been to Maui. Waikiki Beach on Oahu has about two hundred hotels on a beach less than two miles long while Kaanapali Beach on Maui has about a dozen hotels on a beach that is also less than two miles long.

The biggest city on Oahu is Honolulu (population 500,000) while the biggest "city" on Maui is Kahului (population 16,000).

Julie

Oahu is great. Try to see more of it than Waikiki and you will be very pleased. Watch the paper or TV to get the Surf Reports and then go up to the North Shore on a high surf day. The power of the ocean is awesome.

Maui for whales is OK but I agree with dum that BI is the place if you want less touristy. You can get excellent whale watching there too in February plus the Volcano Park, great beaches (if you know where to go), and many other activities.

Be appraised, though, that the Big Island is very quiet and some people feel a bit isolated there. If you want lots of activity then Maui is your choice; more nightlife, better beaches (and the only nude beach in the islands), more restaurants (although for only 2-3 nights you only need 2-3 good places), Haleakala, etc.

One last point - the ocean water in winter is a bit cool to some peoples taste. Ditto for pool water. If you like to swim and don't like cool water you may be a bit disappointed.

Julie....Gots to agree with dum and scigirl....they got it right. All of us have our favorite islands (have been on all of them). But don't sell Oahu short....lots to do and see besides Waikiki, but even that is fun. Pali Lookout, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum.

Big Island....Volcano....seeing the real lava flow is awesome, Waipio Valley, South Point and Green Sands Beach.

Maui is really the best island for the sun and fun stuff....lots of white
sandy beaches, snorkel, etc..

But, yes, a side trip is good idea...if you need help with flights, hotel, and car ....Roberts Hawaii are really a good source for this type trip
www.RobertsOvernighters.com

julie,
I have to put my plug in for Kauai.You wanted something less touristy, then I think Kauai fits the bill. Known as the garden isle, Kauai is the most tropical and IMHO the most beautiful. Beaches are beautiful, like Lumahai on the
North shore ( where South Pacific was filmed); Waimea Canyon is spectacular, like a mini-Grand Canyon; the North Shore of Kauai is the most beautiful place and so tropical; the small town of Hanalei is quaint and Hanalei Bay is great; South and West shores offer lovely beaches and some fun restaurants; great hiking and walking at Kokee State Park up near Waimea Canyon. I think you would enjoy Kauai, more laid back than Maui.

Okay, am I the only one who is a tourist when I go on vacation? What if you happen to like the touristy stuff? I've been to Oahu several times and really enjoy the "touristy" International Marketplace and the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. It is fun! Snorkeling in Hunauma Bay and beaches with small crowds are only a short drive away.
As for side trips, I would recommend a trip over to the Big Island. It is fun and seeing the lava is a remarkable experience. I have travelled extensively and that is still one of the neatest things I've seen.
Bottom line though, you really can't go wrong with anywhere you go in Hawaii. It is beautiful in every direction!

I'd say Maui!!! Been 2x and love it! We've also been to Oahu. Very city like. Maui is not overcrowded like Oahu. I'd say stay in Maui for a couple of days. Its worth it!

Oahu is certainly not "city-like," though Honolulu, being a city, certainly is (and has every right to be!).

We made a side trip to the Big Island and were glad we did -- couldn't go all that way without seeing the volcano!