Tips for Hawaii trip 6/26-7/1?
 

I wanted visit Maui for a wedding as well as go to Hawaii for a vacation. However, I only want to be in Maui for a day or two, and spend the majority of the time on Big Island or Oahu. Since the dates are set, I was wondering if anyone had ideas on how I should approach island hopping? Also, any thoughts about eating a few empty hotel days in a vacation package vs. booking a la carte?

During the busy season, how much should I expect to pay for
1) airfare from SFO
2) hotels
3) island hop airfare

Thanks in advance!

I've been booking a trip for us in July. I can answer #2 & #3:

2. Hotels can range anywhere from very cheap to very expensive, depending on what your looking for. If you want a beach resort, expect to pay $250/night and up.

3. Flights to/from Oahu seem to be running $45-$50, advanced purchase, non-refunadable, with a $20 fee for rebooking. Flights in between the other islands are running about twice that amount.

I doubt you will make out better using part of a package vs. al al carte. If you are a member of a hotel's frequent guest program, you might be able to get a rate better than the ones you would get in a package. Marriott offers rate code "M11" to Marriott Rewards members. The Prince hotels offer a 10% discount off many rates if you become a Prince Preferred member. Signing up for these programs is free, so there is nothing to lose by trying.

I can help with a few parts...

If you are traveling solo (you said I not we?), likely packages may not be a good deal for you as they are based double-occupancy.

I paid $347 RT nonstop Seattle to Oahu on Hawaiian Air a couple weeks ago (sorry don't know about summer pricing or how big of a steal my plane ticket price was).

I like smaller hotels, not fancy resorts, and stay in central Waikiki. I usually give $125-150 for nice "island" style hotel rooms with kitchenettes, and pools/gardens.

Summer pricing will be higher for airfare. Not sure about hotels. For a trip that short, I would go to Oahu as a 5 day trip would not do the Big Island justice.

You can get some cheap interisland air fares if you sign up for email alerts. Go! Airlines has a LOT of sales. www.iflygo.com

As much as I like Oahu, I think you ought to spend the entire time on Maui as long as you are going there anyway.

5 days is too short of a time to island hop.

I definatly agree with some of the others who have said to just do one island if you're only going for five days. Maui is so beautiful, I think once you get there, you would be disappointed to leave after only a few days.
It's hard to say what air from SFO will be during the summer. I fly out of Portland and the fares after Memorial Day are about $600+. I've noticted that SFO is usually about $50-100 cheaper than PDX since there are more airlines who fly direct to to islands.
Not sure where the wedding is in Maui, if it's south and you want to stay in a hotel vs. condo (I like condos better so I can eat a few meals in) the Maui Coast Hotel is nice and affordable, it's across the street from the beach.
I'd think you could get a hotel in Honolulu/Waikiki for about $120/nt. Yes, there are cheaper hotels, but you get what you pay for, read reviews before you book. I've stayed at the Ilikai and the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. The Ilikai is still pretty affordable as it is just at the entry to Waikiki and it's a little less congested than the heart of Waikiki.
As for island hop tickets, over the last year they have been between $19 & $49 each way due to a new carrier on the islands.
Just a couple of days on the Big Island could be tough. Everything is so spread out, you wouldn't have much time to do anything. Oahu could be a better choice if your heart is set on hopping. There are a million things to do in a small area, but you won't be able to squeeze everything in for sure.

Where did you guys read 5 days? I don't see a length of time in anteater's OP.

Suze, see the thread "title"... :-)

Agree, that if it's only 5 days, stay on Maui.

sheez, whadda dope (i am - thanks elsiemoo!)

anteater~~ with only a 5 day trip i would simply stay on Maui. what is it you don't like about it? have you been before?

suze, don't feel bad ... after you asked the question, I re-read the whole thread twice before I noticed the heading again! :p

Since I just got back from a week on Oahu, the topic's fresh in my mind (even if my reading skills are lacking). 7 days was just too short and we only stayed in Waikiki! Two days are basically lost to travel, so a week becomes in reality 5 days.