Have thought about taking a tour to Hawaii. We are in our late 40's -Does it help to have someone else worry about luggage and dinner plans? Is the time to scheduled? Does it save money?

No need for a tour for Hawaii. It's better to go on your own, so you can decide each day what YOU want to see and do. Tours also often make you move from one island to another too often. I suggest you just see two islands. Maui is the best one. For a second island you could do a couple days on Kauai or Oahu.

LOTS more info about Maui sights, restaurants, activities, hotels, etc, is at:
http://members.aol.com/Derm1/index.html

Please do me a huge favor and DO NOT take any type of tour package. My wife and I honeymooned there two years ago, spent two weeks between the four major islands. Maui and Kaui (sp) are by far and away your best bets. When your plane lands in Oahu, don't even leave the airport. Get a connecting flight to someplace elso. I can understand wanting to see Pearl Harbor and so on, but the Waikeke(sp) area is one big tourist trap. We spent three days there and was extremely disappointed. The other islands are very easy to navigate with a rental car. No big city driving and you couldn't pick a better place on earth to get lost than the road to Hana on Maui. There are several posts from experienced tourists here who can help more than me, but if you would like more suggestions, please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,
Ed Long

We went on our own 6 years ago for our 40th anniversary-spent a week on Kauai at Princeville & a week on the Big Island on Kona Coast (both timeshare condos). We did spend a day seeing Pearl Harbor and drove up the middle of the island, and walked around Waikaki one evening. Our tour director was "Fodor's Hawaii" and it WONDERFUL-driving tours & walking tours..and on OUR time. Go and enjoy yourself!

Iagree that a tour is not needed for the islands and best avoided....EXCEPT for Oahu. There is lots to see there, and wenever spend more than 2-3 days there. I liked it better AFTER our initial visit, when we hated it. Now we've learned more about it and its character and can enjoy. But a tour will cover the highlights and get you out of there without the traffic hassles. Buy a tour on Oahu, do the other islands by yourselves.

Diane, I almost agree with all of teh above. We are headed back to HI for our 7th trip this winter. Oahu- not a very pretty island, in comparison to the rest. Our 1st trip we were scheduled to be in Oahu 3 nites. I called over to Maui the 1st nite and moved our arrival up . Spent 1 nite only. I too suggest 2 islands- Maui and either Kauai or BI. Each of the 3 are unique and beautiful. Restaurants throughout the islands are super. The concierge desks at major hotels have menus from most restaurants and the also give solid reviews and recommendations.
We did give Oahu a 2nd chance 4 years ago and it doesn't measure up to the other 3 islands.
If you have any more questions - e-mail me.
Aloha, Bart

Tours are not a good idea, especially on Oahu.There are so many things-a lot more interesting- then guided tours can show you.I have been living here for almost 2 years now, just relized it.Grab a couple of This Week of Oahu or Oahu Gold at the airport when you arrive, to see your choices.If you have any questions, e-mail the address above.