Overnite trip from Oahu
 

We'll be staying in Oahu for a couple of months. We've never been to HI before so would like to take a weekend and visit another island. Any suggestions? Should we just wait till we get there and check out local travel agents for last minute deals? Or should we plan ahead of time. Which island would be best if we can only do one? Would we rent a car for the weekend? Any suggestions please?

I went to summer school on Oahu for 2 months. Oahu is much more touristy than the other islands, so I suggest you do take a weekend and fly to another island. I would reccomend Maui. It is beautiful. Stay in the Wailea area if you can. For pricy hotels the best are the Four Seasons and the Grand Wailea, although there are cheaper hotels around that are great as well.

I have been to Lanai, very very small. There are only 2 hotels on the island. Both beautiful and very nice. The island is basically where all the pinapples come from.

Other than Maui, I have heard that Kauai, is awesome.

Maui is my pick and you can rent a jeep which is fun and travel to Lahina area for shopping/touristy stuff.

On Oahu, eat at Duke's for the atmosphere/fun bar.
There is a beach (sorry I cant remember the name) but it is about 15 miles away from Waikiki Beach. It is at the bottom of an old volcano? you must drive up the valcano and then down the center of it to get to the beach. Very nice

I would wait until you are there to decide. Especially having a couple months. You can ask around, read the local newspaper, etc. and I'm guessing come up with something better than what you'd find on the internet from the mainland.

I agree with suze. Wait until you get there.

Newspapers always have ads and last minute deals.

Depending on your time and budget, you may be able to see several islands this way.

Maui would probably be the best. But, if Kiluea Volcano starts erupting more, then I would choose the Big Island. By all means, rent a car on which ever island(s) you go to.

If you plan on getting Hawaii driver's licenses, you can get Kamaaina (resident) deals.

I very much enjoyed reading the daily Honolulu Star and watching local TV news at 10PM each evening. It really gives you a picutre of what is going on on Oahu beyond the tourist things.