Great advice! We are only going to be there for two days......tomsd I think I like all of your ideas! ): I am going to hike/run diamond head and snorkel some after which I will head to the royal Hawaiian for drinks! My Mom and husband will be doing Pearl Harbor and the Punchbowl. I was thinking of adding the art museum but dukes may be calling my name..lol. Thanks !

Thanks for the feedback about car rentals to this point.

Sounds like we'll need wheels on Oahu for sure. Ad for Kauai - to be honest - if that leg of the trip consists of nothing more than 5 days of me with my ass in a beach chair, I'm *beyond* good with that! This trip, especially the Kauai leg, is about unplugging and decompressing. Yes we want to sight see on Kauai but, the main idea behind being there is to 'just be'.

Factoring that info in, any adjusted thoughts?

After a couple of days soaking up the sun on the "Garden Isle" - you might get qet a bit of wonderlust. Then again - you might not!!

Anyhow - I would reommend at least one day driving around.

Once again I am overwhelmed by the generosity of all of you Fodorites with your suggestions!

I have also been given the suggestion to go to Paradise Cove for a Hulu experience. Any comments regarding this?

Also, I ended up booking my car rental with discounthawaiicarrental.com as I found them to be most responsive, helpful and cheaper with added perks like no extra charge for an additional two drivers!

www.discounthawaiicarrental.com gets good feedback on Tripadvisor and is considered reputable

Check the various tourist mags and ask around for the many Hulu/dancing exhibition choices. If you mean going to a Luau - also check around very carefully- as they have become quite epensive, and you should try to get one that is still somewhat authentic.

On Kauai - there is reportedly a good one at the Hanalei Colony Resort - beyond Hanalei - and at the Kilohana (sp)Plantation - mid island - it has also received some good reviews. That's a fun place to visit just to see the old Hawaiian style - and also - various artists displaying their works.

In general - see: http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/plan-a...ctivities/luau

>>

I have no problem AT ALL with just vegging, but Kauai is so gorgeous, if you haven't been before, you just have to take two drives - one to the south and west and up to Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific -- but even without the canyon part, it's the view of that side of the Napili Cliffs that's worth the drive). There's excellent hiking up that way if you're up for it (we did a long hike - Canyon? - then drove up to the Waimea Canyon lookout, which by that point was totally fogged in, but we'd been there before so it wasn't a big deal). The second is up the east side to the north shore (I don't know where you're staying). Have breakfast at Kountry Kitchen (they were OUT of macadamia nut pancakes when we were there - don't know how that's possible), and continue driving all the way to Ke'e Beach and the other beaches. ke'e is magnificent. Poke around Hanelei. Return to your chaise

Excellent tips SF and all, thanks!

We're not 100% nailed down on where we're staying yet, just looking at packages and shopping deals at this point.

Where ever we stay, "beachfront" is a must.

Sheraton Kauai is a front runner at this point. On Oahu, we're liking the the looks of the Moana Surfrider.


Oh question - some of the hotels say "Beach, non-swimmable" what makes a beach non-swimmable? My presumption is the waters are rocky or.....jelly fish infested?

If you can afford the Moana, go for it!

I think when a hotel says their beach is not swimmable, it means that there are very strong currents that can be dangerous. If there is not a reef protecting the beach, the surf has the power of the whole Pacific behind it.

hving been to kauai many many times, I say rent a car. there is nothing better than to know you CAN take a drive, and you would be missing a lot if you didn't drive to Hanalei and Ke'e beach and all the wonderful beaches in between. The canyon is also a must as are the funky towns on the way up there. we also love to just Veg out on Kauai but if you want to eat at more than what is at the hotel, you will need a car.first trip to Kauai, I would like to sugggest the Kauai Museum to see the history of it all and of course Koloa and Hanapeepe (sp) for some history and Friday nights in Hanapeepe is art night - rather fun to see. Oahu, driving is a zoo! Lots of public transprtation and even going to the north shore one can take the bus - long bus ride but so is the drive. NON swimmable beach is usually rocky or not safe because of the currents. Aloha

If you are retired military or someone in your group is active duty or retired you might check out the Hale Kola which is a hotel in Waikiki and the cost can be a real discount depending on your rank. We've stayed there and loved it.

There is so much to do and see on Oahu.

Great information here. Thanks, everyone.