I would not plan a 'day trip' from Kohala Coast to view the volcano. You'd be on the road six hours total. Also: A) It's too far to drive there and back in daylight and have time to SEE anything. B) You do not want to drive Big Island in the dark. C) You won't have time to see anything *else* along that side of the island. D) You won't see any 'red glow' at the volcano until after dark. If VNP is a must, just stay Volcano two or three nights, flying in and out of Hilo (ITO), and skip Kohala Coast.

Big Island and Kauai are the least developed of the four major islands. Lanai and Molokai are VERY undeveloped. Maui has some less-developed portions; its' most developed tourist area (Kaanapali) is still MUCH quieter than Waikiki. Oahu is a beautiful, typically tropical island that has a small (800K pop.) city on its' southern shore. The quality of sealife is best off Big Island and declines as you go north, with Kauai having the least good.

Well the flights are booked so definitely going to Hawaii on May 10th 2014 for 14 days. Still to decide which islands.

Suze what part of O'ahu (notice I put the apostrophe in) do you normally stay in, and where do you stay?

I always stay right in central Waikiki. I love it there. I'm most often traveling solo and have no interest in being off in a more isolated area.

My favorite recent hotels are: Waikiki Sand Villa overlooking the canal or the White Sands Hotel on Nohonani. They are both budget places (well by Waikiki standards meaning $100-125/night range) with good locations, decent rooms with lanai, some ammenities, friendly staff, great pool areas.

Thanks Suze.

Why wouldn't you want to spend 14 days in paradise?

I'd definitely go!!

I'd spend one week in Oahu and one week in Maui.

My pleasure. If you do end up with time in Honolulu/Waikiki please feel free to post again. I'm happy to share the things I've done there that I thought were the most fun.

I've also been to Maui once and stayed in Lahaina on a family reunion trips, but that was awhile ago. But I do have a few favorite for that area too.

I love Hawaii and am (hopefully) aiming for part-time retirement there eventually.

We are going Nanabee have paid for the flights!!! I think we are still going to do the three islands, (I know I am going against the advice), stay in O'ahu from the Friday night through to Wednesday fly to Big Island until the following Monday, then fly to Maui or Kauai and stay there until Friday afternoon when we will fly back to Honolulu. Our flight to NZ leaves at 11pm.

Kauai--if you want natural beauty. That's all I have to say!!! But you'll have a great time wherever you go.

go to gmaps and look at Waikiki and decide if that much over development is what you want.

It's called a city, katzgar, not "over development"!

no Suze as usual you are incorrect its actually an opinion and your need to tell people what opinion they should have is getting old.

Waikiki has its own charm that is unique. I love it. Some people hate it. I love the traditions embodied by the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, The Halekulani and The Moana Surfrider. All hotels played big roles in both my parent's families and subsequently, my own.

I thought we would stay on O'ahu for a few days as we fly into Honolulu and we don't need to hire a rental car, so cuts down on costs. I understand there are parts that are not over-developed!!!!

yes, many areas outside Honolulu are not developed and great experiences.
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kukaniloko-birth-stones.html
http://www.viator.com/tours/Oahu/Hor...f=02&aid=g5991

I'm with Suze and Wekewoody. Oahu is my favorite island, but I like to be where I don't have to get in a car when I want to go somewhere.

It's like saying Los Angeles or San Francisco or New York is "over developed".

www.skylineislandcolony.com

$140-$150 per night for a nice renovated studio , 2 blocks from Waikiki beach but on one of the quieter blocks.

which they are aren't they?

I would suppose the OPer will use gmaps, youtube and the info/opinions posted to determine their necessaries so this really isn't the place to start telling people what opinion is correct. try to confine posts to those useful to the OPer Suze.

thank you for all your good advice, I am in a similar situation trying to add a few days on Oahu around Dec 7 as we are changing islands anyway, and that is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. We already have condos booked, so the island decisions have been made. You are so right, you lose a day changing locations.

Re: the humidity. I absolutely HATE humidity. I've been to Hawaii a lot of times and have been to the four major islands. I notice the humidity when I first get off the plane but then after that, I don't especially notice it anymore. I think the breezes help keep things cool.

Almost every where is air conditioned. The altitude also makes a difference in temperature and humidity.

Last time I stayed on the Big Island, we had a condo at Wiapio and I was actually sleeping with a down comforter and Kona was hot as usual. Wiapio is up the mountain and Kona is sea level, hot and dry.

Honolulu can be hot with all the concrete and buildings. Other sides of Oahu, not so much.

Anyway, I don't think the humidity should be too awful for you.

I lived on Oahu for three years. Yes, there is humidity but the pretty much constant trade winds will mitigate a lot of that.

I would opt for air conditioning in a hotel when possible.

In two weeks IMO you could certainly do three islands; obviously a great deal depends on what you want to actually do once you arrive.

I've been to Hawaii several times and find it to be the most comfortable tropical destination I've been as far as temp and humidity goes. It's just about perfect. I in the two island crowd also. If you don't really want a "city" feel, id suggest maybe just spending a couple of days in the Waikiki area and then driving to the north shore and staying a few days there. I love Waikiki and could easily spend a week there but I do realize that's not for everyone.

<<<You are so right, you lose a day changing locations>>>

Actually if you're able to fly non-stop from island to island (some you can, some you can't), I find it doesn't take more than half-day at most. Generally, we can be at the pool/beach at our new hotel by lunchtime.

As for the Waikiki debate, it is developed, meaning the beach is lined with hotels, restaurants and shops. To some that means it's overdeveloped, to others (myself included), its a pleasant beach city. You don't go to Waikiki for nature (that's what Kauai is for LOL), but it's an enjoyable spot in its own right. Like Suze, I don't always (in fact, ever) want to be totally isolated, so if I can be sitting on the deck sipping a nice drink, with a tropical breeze blowing, I don't care if there are 20 or 30 or more hotels filled with people doing the same thing (although waiting for a table at a popular restaurant can get annoying)

I really liked our stay in Waikiki beach. It is a fun city on the beach and has so much to do. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on our last trip which is a large scale resort. We have stayed at the Halekulani in the past (small beautiful, but expensive hotel with some great history). We were there on a business trip. There are many great places to stay with different prices.
I did read about a resort on the north shore called Turtle Bay. I have not stayed here, but looked into it for our last trip. We wound up staying in Waikiki and then moving islands.

I love Oahu! I especially love Waikiki because I am a New Yorker who is used to walking everywhere an I can do that in Waikiki. LOL. But I do think the best eats are found outside of Waikiki. And I love the Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian. I want to vacation wherever Don Draper does...mai tai in hand.

I just spent almost 2 weeks on Maui, and although it was a fantastic vacay, I do also miss the conveniences of Honoululu where most things are centrally located. We had to drive everywhere in Maui - although when we were at a condo we ate in a few times which was nice.

So glad you are going, nelsonian, and I think your 3 island plan is a good one!