dmpalena

My husband and I traveled to Maui and Kauai two years ago to celebrate our 25th anniversary. As everyone does, we fell in love with Hawaii!! Now we're going back this summer with our three grown children (24, 22 and 16) and originally planned on renting a condo at the Kaanapali Royal for two weeks. We loved the snorkeling around the Black Rock area and thought they would too.
Although Kauai was very beautiful, both of us agree that Maui offers more to do and see.

We are noticing that there are some good deals for interisland flights (Hawaiian Airlines, for one) and do plan to take them over to visit Pearl Harbor for a day. We also did this excursion two years ago and thought it was wonderful to visit Pearl Harbor and see Diamond Head and Waikiki beach, but we were glad to be returning to Maui that night. For this reason I don't think we want to spend more than a day in Oahu.

But I am wondering if we should split some of this time up and see another island? At the same time, last trip was a whirlwind even though we spend 12 days between the two islands and I want this vacation to be a bit more relaxing with some "down time" built in.

Also the thought of packing for five people and moving from place to place doesn't really thrill me, but I'm willing to do it if two weeks is too long in one place.

I would so appreciate whatever input you could give me. Thanks for the tips!!

Mahalo!

crefloors

When I was young, the only thing I wanted to do in Hawaii was the beach. Give me a bathing suit, a towel, and a snorkle..or not a snorkle as long as I had the beach I was a happy camper. There also is a lot to do on Maui as you know, so frankly I wouldn't have a problem with two weeks at all.

Also, there is a lot more to Oahu than Waikiki and the Arizona. Oahu and Maui are MY favorite islands and then the Big Island is next.

kgh8m

If you love Maui, the 2 weeks may not be too much for you. If it's your kids first time to Hawaii, they might appreciate the flexibility of a little more variety. I went to Hawaii at age 16, and we spent 4 days on Maui, and I got a little bored. Perhaps the three children could do some day trips or short trips to the other islands? At that age, I enjoyed i) a surfing lesson near Waikiki, ii) a daytrip in a convertible on Kauai, and iii) visiting the North Shore to see the huge waves. Of course, two weeks on Maui wouldn't be awful at any age!

iamq

Two weeks on any island would not be too much.

Would your kids enjoy seeing an active volcano? Then a trip to the BI would be in order.

I'm going to Maui in February and in my research I have found that the better beaches and snorkeling appear to be in the Wailea area and south. I love Kaanapali Beach and I've snorkeled at Black Rock a few times, but you might want take some excursions down south or think about staying in that area this time.

-Bill

beachgirl86

I think it's a perfect amount of time on Maui! We have been to all 4 of the major islands, and although we love them all, recently we have been talking about how much we love Maui. We were in Maui in August of this year, and the snorkeling around Black Rock was AMAZING! Every day, we saw wonderful things....fish, turtles, a rays. 2 weeks on Maui sounds perfect to me! I would spend maybe one week in West Maui (Kaanapali) and one week in South Maui (Wailea or Kihei). I don't think 2 weeks is too long at all. We just spent a week on Maui, and didn't feel like it was nearly enough!

If you want to do Oahu for a day or two, maybe you could fly into Oahu, spend 2 nights there to do Waikiki/Pearl Harbor/Diamondhead, then fly over to Maui. We did Oahu for only 2 nights the first time we went for this reason, and it worked out well. Although, for our second and third trips, we built in more downtime, too. The islands have beautiful things to see, but also half the fun of them is just lounging around on the beach, snorkeling, etc....

suze

Two weeks is now too long on one island for me, but I wonder about your kids. Since you want to go to Oahu anyway, why not plan it at the start or end of your trip and spend 2-3 day there?

I would think the age of your kids, they might enjoy having some of the buzz around Waikiki for a few days. Do some shopping, be around more people. Along with Pearl Harbor you'd have time to visit some of the other historic places in Honolulu (Iolani Place, Bishop Museum, Chinatown).

suze

'not too long'

LoveItaly

Hi dmpalena, the way I am feeling right now two weeks on Maui wouldn't be enough, lol. Seriously though I think since you want to relax it would be lovely.

A thought..your chilren are grown, well except for the 16 year old. If they want to go to another island, and Oahu would be so much fun for them, what if they went on their own for a few nights. Assuming that the older ones would take good care of the 16 year old and that the 16 year old is a responsible teen.

crefloors

That was kind of my thought too..line LoveItaly. I sometimes don't suggest things because I'm not sure how it will come across or don't want to appear like I'm telling someone how they should spend their time. If possible, I WOULD suggest renting two cars. That way its easier for people to split up, or some of you could take off somewhere while others may want to just lounge around the condo, but yet wouldn't be stranded waiting for others to return from their day. Just a thought.

OldSouthernBelle

Not too long, but I agree with suze.

suze

To me the question isn't so much about which island, or what's to do, it's about grown children (I assume they at least one or two live away from home?) spending 2 solid weeks back together. For me and my (all adult very loving) family, that's be a little TOO much togetherness.

If you choose Maui, I'd at least plan for some time in Lahaina... just to have some other options of things to do besides laying on the beach, snorkeling, etc. Or better yet imo the few dayas on Oahu.

ANP2

Try the Malu Kai O Makena - Maui, HI from http://www.timeandplace.com/location...kena/index.php

dusty56438

Spend a week on a different island. One week on any island is plenty.

Much more to see & do on Oahu than any other island:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

dmpalena

Thank you everyone for your insight and advice. We had planned on doing a "flyover" to Oahu to see Pearl Harbor for a day, but now we are going to plan at least three nights there to see more of the sights on Oahu. Right now I'm getting some really low fares between the islands on Hawaiian Airlines and wondered if we could also do a few days on the Big Island since my husband and I did not get there the first time around. Would it be worth taking 3-4 days and seeing it?

Can I ask what everyone's "not to be missed" places would be on Oahu and the Big Island? We only got to see Pearl Harbor and Waikiki on the last go around. Any suggestions on where to stay on Oahu (near Waikiki??)? If not, where could we stay so that the trip in and out of Waikiki would not be much of a hassle?

If we can swing the time on the island of Hawaii, which airport puts us in a better location to see the best parts of that island? Also, any lodging suggestions?

Thanks, again, for all the helpful tips!

Mahalo!!

suze

I thought you might like to stay right in Waikiki, so your kids could have a few days when they could be off doing their own thing, without needing a rental car.

Would anyone be interested in the historical stuff in Honolulu? Like the Bishop Museum, Chinatown, Iolani Palace and things.

Spokaneman

If it were me, I would do a week on Maui and a week on the BI. There is just so much to see and do on the BI I would hate to miss it. There are things to be seen on the BI that you just cannot see anywhere else.

We go to HI every couple of years or so and generally divide our time between Maui and BI with a day or so in Honolulu.

I'm hoping that after the interisland ferry begins service they will offer Maui to BI service so I won't have to deal with the airports on inter-island treks.

dmpalena

Spokaneman: I know this is going to sound silly and I don't mean to, but not having been to the Big Island, what things are there to do that shouldn't be missed? Obviously the active volcano is a must, but what other sights are there to see and what sets them apart from the other islands?
Look forward to your reply!!! Mahalo!

bon100

Two weeks anywhere in Hawaii is not enough! You will have such a great time the days will fly by.
We have been to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, and our personal favorite is the Big Island of Hawaii. There are so many different climates and terrain there that you can explore someplace totally different evrey day. And no where else can you safely get up close to an actual erupting volcano. Totally cool!

lesm

Don't think for a second that 2 weeks is too long on Maui. You will love every minute of it, and wish you had more time. Kaanapali is the perfect place to go, because there are tons of activities to keep everyone busy. And the weather is usually sunny and warm. If you are going to travel between islands, and are worried about luggage, only pack 5 days worth of clothing, and plan on washing clothes as needed. THis will save lots or room, and frustration with heavy luggage. If there are 5 of you, I would recommend looking into renting a small house, if budget permits. Often times, you can get your own pool, BBQ, full kitchen, and ocean views. GOOD LUCK...I'm jealous. Maui is my favorite island.