My husband & I are planning to go to Hawaii the first week of September, and will be staying seven days. I know the usual protocol is to stay longer (10-14 days), but we're limited with vacation time. We're traveling from Philadelphia. We prefer less crowded areas and want to do some light sightseeing (def. Pearl Harbor). Everyone says Maui. Thoughts/recommendations for an itinerary?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Anna - I have never been to Hawaii, but wanted to suggest that you resumbit this post under another heading such as " Questions about Hawaii"...you probably will get more responses.

I would not go to more than one island in 7 days. Everyone does say Maui and that always puzzles me. I love Kauai, Big Island, and Oahu. But for you I really recommend Oahu, so many interesting Asian cultural centers, activities. I know every Labor Day there is an Okinawa festival in Kapiolani park. You can spend a better part of the day or just take a quick look. One thing for certain nothing, like this on the east coast. Do a search on Oahu, I can go on at length about all you can do there. You want less crowded area, rent a condo on Lanikai beach, only 20 minutes from Honolulu for dinner, temples, galleries and so on. Avoid Polynesian Cultural Center not the real thing at all but a commercial center. Hike Makapu light house. A ton more to do just need a car for easy access and you need to get out of Waikiki. I really think people that recommend Maui first are largely one timers to Hawaii. No insult at all intended here it is just that IMHO and every guide book I have ever read, leads you first to Kauai, 2nd to big Island and many still appreciate Oahu. I also lived on Oahu for a few years and made frequent trips to all of the islands, I do not get the Maui craze.

Though there is enough on one island to see and do in a lifetime, I would take at least one day to fly to the island of Hawaii (to Hilo); rent a car; and drive to the volcano and a bit further south to the Black Sand Beach. You will probably never be that close to those sites again. There are other things there, of course to take up the remainder of the day, but please do these. And enjoy the other 6 days on the island of your choice.

Polly never is a long time. I've been to Hawaii 5 times, the BI once, and haven't made it to the volcano yet but I've enjoyed seeing what the other Islands have. Spend 3 days in Oahu and 4 days in Kauai. See as much as you can so that when you go back again you can pick one or two of the others. Have a fabulous time.

Polly is right about the big island. The volcano at night is amazing and unlike anything you will ever see in your life again unless you make it a point. It was my only misgiving in writing my earlier post. The only thing is you are only on the islands for 7 days you have to cut something out and be happy your plans. So much driving on the big island. You have to read and think about what is important to you. I would certainly skip Pear Harbor for the Volcano at night, but that is me. And "ilove" trust me you are missing out if you keep going back and are not visiting the volcano. I go to Kauai more frequently than the big island also, but there is something so incredibly special about that volcano at night, IMHO. It is an experience that you will not soon forget. Sometime the flow slows for a few days though, somthing to consider.

Go to hawaiiweb.com and expore what you can see and do on each island, great photos

To all,

I appreciate all the information!

Anna