I know that October isn't the most ideal time to visit Hawaii, especially for the first time, but it is the only time I have available.

In what areas of these islands should I stay to have the best chance for dry weather?

Also, can someone suggest beautiful hotels on the water that aren't as pricey as Halekulani?

I think anytime of year is good time to go to Hawaii. On Oahu there is Hilton Hawaiian Village and the historic Sheraton's the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider plus the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
The west and southsides of the islands is the drier side on the islands.

We stayed in Wailea on Maui and were told that that part of the island tends to have nice, sunny weather, and it was great for our entire trip. We stayed at the Renaissance and really liked it - not sure how it compares pricewise to the place you mentioned.

On the BI, we went to Hilo, and it rained the entire time we were there, and then went to Volcano and the Kohala coast - great weather in both spots. In Volcano we stayed in a cottage at the Kilauea Lodge and found it quite charming and then stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince - wonderful beach there, very pretty, and also enjoyed the hotel.

The JW Marriott Ilihani would be worth looking into if you don't mind being away from Waikiki.

Thank you for the information.

Does anyone have anything to say about the Hyatt Regency on Maui?

By the way, the Halekulani in Honolulu starts at $680 per night. I truly would like to keep under $400.00 per night.

In Waikiki there is also Outrigger Reef on the Beach. This is the least expensive of the hotels right on the beach. The rooms are really nice for the $$.

Also Sheraton Waikiki.

Map of Waikiki hotels & condos. From their home site, you can also get to Maui maps.

http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/oahu_waikiki.html

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

www.visitmaui.com

www.mauihawaii.org

I think I have narrowed down my choices for Honolulu to an ocean front room at either the Moana Surfrider, or the Royal Hawaiian. Does either of these stand out as a better choice in terms of location, luxury, and service?

Aaaaahhhhh....this is a question that has been asked many times. It's very subjective. If it were MY choice, I would pick the Royal Hawaiian. Easier to get in & out of by car, plus you get the beach AND lushly landscaped gardens.

But consider having the Sunday brunch at the Moana if you are there that day.

If you want a lanai, I don't think the Royal Hawaiian has one. From what I seen it does not.

I would recommend checking out the Maui Prince in Makena, Maui. They have less expensive rooms than most other south Maui hotels, but have a much better beach.

I am not a fan of the Hyatt Regency Maui. Lots and lots and lots of kids and a very busy hotel overall. The beach isn't that great for swimming.

Thank you very much for the Honolulu suggestions. I have booked the Royal Hawaiian. Unfortunately, I won't be there on a Sunday to take advantage of the brunch at the Moana.

Is the Westin Maui Resort a good pick for Maui? And is the Sheraton Keauhou Bay and Spa a good choice for Big Island?

I only have 7 days for Hawaii, not counting the day of arrival or the day of departure, which means I can spend 2 days on two of the islands, and 3 days on one of them. Is it better to spend the extra day on Oahu, Big Island, or Maui? I will probably want to golf once, just to experience the scenery, either on Big Island or Maui, so that will use up a good part of one day.

Your replies are so helpful.

Waitaminnit.....only 7 days for 3 islands??? is this your first trip? That's kinda tight. However, if you are a golf nut (as my boss is), I can understand wanting to spend a day golfing. But if you can take or leave it....you can see a lot of great scenery in Hawaii without golfing!

I think you may want to spend that extra day either on Oahu or the Big Island, IF that's what you want to do.....but that's a tough call.

Uh oh! This is my first time in Hawaii, and I thought I should cram as much as possible into my week, because I don't know when I'll ever get back.

Should I skip one of the islands and have more time for just two of them? Which one should I leave out?

I am flying into and out of Honolulu, and I can't change that. But everything else is just in the planning stage.

7 nights stick to 1 island.

Melissa and dusty wont stear you wrong! Choose an island and explore it's beauty. Or spend a couple on Oahu and the rest on one or the other. Remember the Big Island is BIG!

Elaine - 3 islands in 7 days sounds like too much running around. We spent an entire week on Maui alone, and we spent 5 or 6 days on BI. Do you have an idea of what you'd like to do? If so, it can help you narrow it down to one or two islands. For example, if the volcano is a must, go to BI, etc. If you have 7 full days not counting your arrival and departure, I think you could see 2 of them. It's amazing to see how different the islands are, but doing 3 would personally stress me out. You'll have fun no matter which ones you choose.

We have eliminated Big Island, and are concentating on just Oahu and Maui.

Kanaapali, Wailea, and Napali all have their proponents and their naysayers. My friend and I will only be making this trip once, and we really want to get it right.

We are young active seniors, and want a lively area, (we are not into sitting around relaxing), but don't want to be inundated with kids.

We would like to stay where it is least likely to have rain and wind, if that is possible in mid-October. We have reservations at the Westin Maui,(Ocean front,$439.00/night),but are still very open to suggestions.

I would love some comments, too, on our tentative list of activites for the week.

Oahau:
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pearl Harbour/USS Arizona/(and/or USS Missouri)/Punchbowl Cemetery tour
Day 3 - Polynesian Centre
Day 4 - Grand Circle tour(?)
Day 5 - Flight over volcano on Big Island (if there is such a flight from Oahu)

Maui:
Day 6 - morning arrival - visit Ocean Centre
Day 7 - golf (Kapalua?)
Day 8 - submarine or catamaran/snorkel tour
Day 9 - leave for trip home via Honolulu.

Does this make sense? Is that too much to do in that space of time? Or can we do even more?

We may be able to add one day to each island.

On Maui, Road to Hana, Haleakala & Iao Valley are really nice. You ought to think about them.

Road to Hana will take all day.

Thanks Dusty. I am not thrilled about spending the day on a drive, especially when we only have three days, or at most four. I would like to concentrate on interesting and beautiful things in an area within an hour or maybe two at most from where we are staying.

Do you think we will be O.K. in Kaanapali in mid-October, or are we better to be further south? If we do stay in the north part, is the Westin Maui as good a choice as any, or is there a better spot either there or in Napali?