I love the North Shore, it is quintessential Hawaii imho. It's definitely the surfing mecca of the world with the most beautiful beaches (Sunset, Waimea, etc). It's more of a country feel too and nice to get put of the city for the day. You can drive through the center of the island and stop at this pass that is very windy and then drive to the Japanese temple further on. I'd also go very early in the day.

If you have time and love snorkeling I'd recommend Hanamua Bay. You can make a reservation on line (which you will need) and again I'd go very early before the crowds. Its one of the best places to see reef fish anywhere.

Some confusion here over advance planning. I think you are staying at the Sheraton in Kona, but have not booked in Honolulu or on Maui. Right? Those lodgings and your rental car on Maui are pending -- and possibly a car for a day on Oahu? If you want a luau on Maui, book that now. A whale watch can wait until you get to Maui; a snorkeling excursion to Lanai would double as whale watch during 'whale soup' in the ocean in February.

Because you can snorkel to your hearts' content in less crowded conditions on Maui, I'd skip Hanamua on Oahu.

Also, you are not planning to drive to Volcano? (Consider an air tour out of KOA.) You might enjoy City of Refuge and Hulihee Palace from Kona, as well as a drive north up the coast and back along the to Waimea.

Well, a lot to digest.

This is where we stand now.

Delta, BOS to HNL for $663PP. [Arrive at 4pm]

Hawaiian Air, HNL to OGG to KOA to HNL for $280PP. [Arrive back at HNL at 2pm for a 6pm flight home on 2/9]

Sheraton Princess for 5 nights with points. [1/27-1/31]

Sheraton in Kona for 5 nights with points and dollars. [2/4-2/8]

Car rented for the Big Island--$266 including all taxes.

Left to do.

Maui condo rental, 3 nights. [2/1-2/3]

Car rental for Maui.

Will reconsider a car rental for Oahu.

nanabee; You mentioned Sunset. A friend I played BB with yesterday said he almost drowned at Sunset. It seems like the waves are incredible. Certainly a sight to see.

I can't thank you all enough. We only have 13 nights and so will have to select carefully our itinerary.

But we won't rush our days, as we now travel in a more relaxed mode.

The Keauhou Sheraton doesn't have a swimming beach, but you are right next to a harbor from which you can take a convenient and fairly inexpensive snorkel tour to Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook) and Place of Refuge (Two Step). These are two premiere snorkel sites that are much easier to access by boat in one visit.

aloha richard, I have never rented a car on Oahu (5 trips so far). I loved the Iolani Palace tour, add that to your Chinatown day.

On Maui my family stayed at Lahaina Shores condo/hotel and it worked well for us (walking distance to the town so people could go out on their own). Definitely need a car on Maui. Going up Haleakala (not at sunrise) was an amazing thing to do there.

You can rent a car for just a day on Oahu. There are several pickup/dropoff locations right in Waikiki.

Princess Kaiulani is a good choice on Oahu. I have stayed there several times and find the location to be great. Take note that the "International Maret Place" is being completely redone and is right next door to the "PK" as it is sometimes called. If your room is on the construction side you may get noise.

Call me crazy but I like the hustle and bustle of Waikiki! I am not a beach lounging person at all, preferring to drive, enjoy the weather, shop, admire the many gorgeous spots around the island, eat great seafood, and just relax on a bench at one of the many parks along the shore. I arrived HNL just yesterday, and trust me... it's busy!

nanabee; You mentioned Sunset. A friend I played BB with yesterday said he almost drowned at Sunset. It seems like the waves are incredible. Certainly a sight to see.

If it was winter, not surprising - those beaches are not swimmable in winter (they're still gorgeous, but the water and waves should be left to the "professionals"). This is where the Banzai Pipeline is - look it up on youtube.

Oh, I meant to add, we also love the counter-clockwise drive. Last time we went to the North Shore, we kayaked in Kailua all morning, then drove across the H3/H2 (spectacular drive) to Haleiwa for lunch.

I mentioned something similar further up-thread, but will take another stab at it. *-:)

Many (most?) Maui condos, particularly at that time of year (whale season), have minimum stay requirements, so you might have trouble finding one you like for a stay of only 3 nights. And with the usual cleaning fee I don't think you'd save much vs. a hotel anyway. So consider nixing the Sheraton Keauhou in favor of the Sheraton on Maui's Ka'anapali Beach, and staying in a condo on the Big Island instead. There are some very nice ones along the Kohala Coast, which is definitely better in terms of beaches, and IMO a better base for touring the island as well.

Thanks for the up-to-date itinerary. Yes, we'd 'improve' on some of this, but I think flights and lodgings are now 'in cement'.

You can book a Maui condo with an agency -- like Aston -- for just a few nights. Some owners will also have gaps in their calendars that may fit your dates. I would not wait long to book car and condo on Maui -- and a luau if you want one. Snowbirds plus Whale Watchers = Low Inventory.

You're going to have a wonderful trip!

ChiSue; Thanks for the tip on the Aston agency. I will book the condo and car within the next week for Maui.

FitC; Thanks for your input.

sf7307; Patty; Now considering a car. perhaps for one day and would do the counter clockwise tour.

simpson510; We are staying with the Princess and we also like busy, even while sitting watching the hustle and bustle.

suze; lolana Palace will be on our to do list for Chinatown.

The condo in lahaina Shores was full for our dates. But I think we want to be more in a central Maui location.

sylvia3; Captain Cook. Haven't we all seen a movie in our younger days on the adventures of CC.

Will visit that area.

P.S. ChiSue; My wife would love an air tour. I will stay on the ground.

Iolani Palace has tours lead by a live person (but only at certain times). I missed that and went on the self-guided audio-tour version and really liked that a lot because you could go at your own speed, listening to as much in depth information (or not) as you wished.

I did a solo excursion one day (by Bus) that included Foster Botanical Garden, the beautiful Kuan Yin at the gardens, then a walk back across Chinatown (stopping for a snack along the way of course!), then the tour at the Palace. After that caught a bus back to central Waikiki. Took about 4 hours and cost ~$40 total.

Hi suze; Will keep that in mind.

For Oahu we don't intend to rush to see everything.

Our arrival day we will probably get to the hotel between 5:30 and 6pm. Strictly R and R.

D2; Then Pearl Harbor, probably 2/3 hours R/T and 3/4 hours at Pearl.

D3; We will walk Diamond Head and the Waikiki beach.

Afternoon TBD

D4; Chinatown and consider your suggesting. Will leisurely do more walking in Chinatown.

D5; TBD

Each of these days will include a very light lunch. Probably have dinner out 2/3 nights and dinner at the Sheraton bar 2/3 nights.

Four months till we leave and plenty of time to revise and revise again.

Our Maui stay has been arranged and partially paid for, although we have until January 16th to cancel for our February 1st stay.

The condo/hotel is Wailer Ekahi Village with a garden view.

Took the less expensive room as at the Kona Sheraton, we have a water view for our last 5 nights.

Now just need to make a car reservation. The cheapest so far on Priceline bidding for a compact is about $180, all taxes included for the 3 nights on Maui.

That car rate is extremely high; I recommend just making a reservation now (pay nothing) and check a few times as your dates get closer.

Thanks sylvia3; A good though to book without paying and then keep checking.

Today was $172, all inclusive.

Today was $158, all inclusive for a compact.

I don't think it will go much lower.

This fare is pre-paid, non-refundable.

Thoughts?

Be sure to try discounthawaiicarrental.com! That's not prepaid, so if you find a better price you can take it. There is no way I'd pay now for a car 2 months or more out (I always make the best reservation I can, then check for better.) And I wouldn't prepay for a reservation unless it was in the $20/day range or less.
But that's me☺

There are so many recommendation to use discounthawaiicarrental.com. But EVERY time I have booked with them I have found a lower rate (sometimes within a week of my trip) by using Hotwire or Priceline. It's probably a good idea to have that reservation in your back pocket -- but it's probably not going to wind up being the lowest rate.

Ekahi Village is a good choice, kind of between the busy-ness of Kihei and the mega-resorts that line the beaches of Wailea. Low density enough that it doesn't feel crowded, even at the busiest times of the year. When we stayed there last year, Five Palms, at the north end of the beach, became our go-to place for happy hours. Food's not particularly memorable, but the setting is lovely. Best snorkeling in the area is at Ulua Beach, about 1/3-mile down the beach south.

Hi; I tried the discount site and the cost was $166 all inclusive with Thrifty.

I do like the fact that Thrifty location is at the airport.

All others, except Payless is shuttle off the airport.

FTC; Good to know about the village.

I really like Ekahi and Elua. What's your unit number at Ekahi? (Or the VRBO listing number?)

I don't know of any car rentals that have the cars AT the terminal at OGG. Almost all are on airport property -- two minutes on the shuttle. I collect luggage while DH fetches the car, then he circles back to the curb at the terminal. (May be 50 feet from carousel to curb.)

Any luck with a car via Costco? I wouldn't pay in advance. You know how 'things change', although not always for the better with car rentals on Maui in Whale Season!

Hi ChiSue; I tried the Costco site, but I think one has to be a member.

No unit number as yet. I used booking.com

Question; From Ekahi, can I go south to Hana on the lower ocean road?

I talked to a friend today that suggested he drove that lower road and it was paved.

You can round the island, but not south from Ekahi; the road that connects 31 to 37 has been closed for decades. Still need to go back through Kihei to Kahului, then to 36 (Road to Hana) or 37 (south past where 37 turns into 31). I love the road south past Hana around the back of the volcano; spectacular landscapes and ocean vistas. Here's an older travel log of one person's experience: http://travel.amitbasu.org/2010/piil...-road-to-hana/

Most rental car contracts prohibit your taking the "lower ocean road" to/from Hana. I've not done it, but have heard there are sections with unguarded, steep drop-offs, and approaching Hana from the south, you'd be on the outside downhill lane, exposed to them. If for whatever reason you had a breakdown or got stuck, help would be hours away and cost a bundle. Not worth the risk for me, especially since it really doesn't save any time.

Face, since you are so privvy to what 'most rental car contracts prohibit' would you be so kind to copy and paste those part of most rental contracts that state this. I'd appreciate your first hand knowledge in contract language to back up your statement.

Thanks sylvia3 and FaceinTheCrowd' I did do a google map and it did show going up and around.

It said 2 hours and 20 minutes, but probably will take 3 hours, so it's a whole day trip.

Another day we would go north of the Ekahi Village and visit the towns and sites along the coast.

The day we arrive at 11am, I think we will go directly to the Volcano's National Park and then expect to arrive at the Village's, perhaps at 4/5pm.

Any thoughts?

I think you're saying you'll go up Haleakala after your arrival? You might not have much time for Upcountry before heading back down into Kahului -- and west along Mokulele Hwy.then south on Piilani Hwy. to Wailea. You'd want to stop somewhere for groceries. I shop Safeway right off Piilani about halfway from the 'bend' to Wailea. (Open 24/7; no alcohol after 10 p.m.) Most check-in times are 3 - 4 p.m.

Ekahi Village is an older complex. Many of the condos have been beautifully refurbished; some, not so much. I would want to see some photos of THE unit. You can see aerials of almost every hotel and condo complex in Hawaii here: www.hawaiirevealed.com I like the lodgings listings, but not some of the unsafe tips about places to go and things to do in Hawaii. Locals have dubbed this "Hawaii Reviled".

No, Piilani does not continue along the southern side to Hana. You can drive past Makena -- eventually on rough road -- to where the last lava from Haleakala meets the blue ocean. Road to Hana is about a 12-hour day if you stop and look, which is the point of the drive; there's 'no there there' at Hana. You start outside of Kahului near Paia and return along the same road. There are a few car rental companies -- Jeeps, I believe -- that permit driving 'the backside' of Haleakala, but it's a long, slow, bumpy ride just to say you did it. (Locals are also unhappy with tourists using this stretch.) Wailea to Kahului is about 30 minutes on 4-lane roads.

ChiSue, I have the same question for you. Could you please site, copy and paste the rental contracts that forbid their vehicles on the backside? And how discourteous to say there is "no there there" on a thriving community of your island part time home. Not a lot of aloha in that statement.

Thanks ChiSue; I thought going to Hana would be a long day.

But we enjoy long days.

Good to know the time from the airport to Wailea.

Will continue to monitor our stay at the Village and see if they give me a unit number.

I have until Jan. 16th to cancel if needed.

Agree, will not be driving the 'backside'.

We did the compete round trip on the road to Hana. The rental car company did not prohibit it, in fact they said it was fine to do the round trip. It is not scary, there is a small patch that is unsealed. For goodness sake it is a perfectly okay to drive. It certainly didn't take us 12 hours, and we did it from Laihaina.

I've driven the back way for 28 years in rental cars, except for once when the road was closed. Never had a problem, always loved it, never heard of "locals are unhappy"; it's a beautiful drive.

BTW, contracts often state "unimproved road" in their language (not prohibiting but warning that you would be responsible to get your own tow if needed). That particular route is constantly being improved. I read similar statements about Saddle Road on the Big Island; people are simply repeating old, outdated information.

Thanks sylvia3 and nelsonian; I will inquire at the car rental counter.

I would like to do a complete circle from the Village going south first along the lower road.

Visit Hana and then go north on 'the road to Hana' to circle back to the Village..

Appreciate all input and a decision will be made after talking to the rental car agent.

ChiSue; We will look for Safeway. Our first thought is to eat in twice and out once.

Again, you CANNOT drive south from your condo complex to circle the island; that road deadends at Perouse Bay. To get to Haleakala or Hana, you must go north back to Kahului and choose your path from there. I recommend driving to Hana with a few view stops, then go past the town to the gulch (sacred pools, or Ohwyhee, can't spell) then continue on around (lovely views of churches, ocean, volcano back side, Lindbergh's grave, etc.). You will then eventually drive back (on 31 and it becomes 37) past a vineyard, through microclimates, etc, back to where you branched off in Kahului. There is no public road connecting Kihei and environs south with 31 (or 37) and hasn't been for decades.

OK, I misunderstood.

Need to digest everything.

Trip still almost 4 months away.

Keep banging away. No harm, no foul!!

All arrangements for 13 nights have been made except a car rental in Maui and possibly a car rental for a day or two in Honolulu.

I don't know why they insist on leaving that ranch road on maps. It is so misleading to tourists.

Unless you're friends with Oprah and need a shortcut to Spago or some flambeed strawberries at Nicks, or friends with the other ranch family that has rights to the road, all bets are off. I've often wondered what condition that old road is in, if the ranches keep it graded and in good condition. That little squiggly line on the maps has tormented my wanderlust for years.

No disrespect for Hana intended. However, getting TO it isn't the point of Road to Hana. The point is sightseeing along the way.

Auto rental agency contracts prohibit using unimproved roads -- which the 'backside' of Haleakala is. I could have been more clear by saying that you shouldn't expect some local to bail you out if you have car trouble back there.

Locals DO get tired of tourists going off-road -- hiking in mud, getting stranded by flash floods, whatever -- then requiring rescue service personnel to risk their lives to get them out. This is not an infrequent event around Hana and the unimproved road 'over the top of Maui' between Kapalua and Wailuku -- even worse in the opposite (outside of the cliffs) direction.

Also, some things need to be pared when a visitor only has a short stay on Maui -- like our OP here. Winter weather is another consideration.

The back side is not "unimproved" It is maintained and routinely graded on the small unpaved patch. You're just making things up. If the road was truly unimproved would some tour companies decide to give their big van tours counterclockwise?