Mahalo Dolciani, I consider myself a novice, relative to Hawaii. Looking forward to seeing your trip report upon your return!

I can also highly recommend Paragon for the Molokini trip. We had much fewer passengers than what I saw on other boats. They also moor at one end of the crater so it doesn't feel as crowded (although in general there are a LOT of people at Molokini). I have also heard good things about the smaller boats that go out of Kihei earlier in the morning. They are usually done when the big cats arrive.

Suzie,
I was so disappointed the first time I went to Hanauma bay that I haven't been back since. That was 4 years ago. Guess it's one of those over expectation things!

Suzie: thanks for good tip about the Molokini snorkel trip: waiting until everyone has gone in...and come out again, and THEN going in yourself. i noticed on a recent snorkel trip off the Florida Keys that this is exactly what happens: there is that mad rush off the boat and you're all on top of one another in the water. so i will take your advice and wait for awhile...we have booked a morning trip on the Four Winds for the end of December....last December we were on Oahu and went to Haunauma Bay before the sun rose. left by 8:30am. the best thing were the two sea turtles that i encountered. i cannot imagine what that place must be like later on in the day..well, that's not true, actually i can....i'm glad we went very early.