Try to see if you can find flights on Southwest to either SJC or SEA or OAK. From there, see if you can find flights on Alaska Air, which fly non-stop to KOA, OGG, LIH, HNL.

BTW; Thursday is 10/23.

Deb, the only trip report of yours I can find is Maui from 2006. Sound right?

For your First trip... Oahu and Maui offer the best mix of the "Hawaii feel". On Oahu you will easily find the Culture of the islands as well as the surf, beaches, and activities that scream Hawaii... It may not stay on your favorite island list. But for the first visit, there is no better choice...

Maui gives you a sampling of culture and adds the natural beauty you expect from Hawaii as well as some activity and great resorts... Lahainna is a great stop for shopping, dining, or walking around.. The luau is one of the best shows on the islands.

Everyone will fight for their island, but you have to go back to really get the best experience on each island... Start with the best sample and make your own choice after more than one visit.

It was from 2006, should have several parts to it.
We did BI, Oahu and Maui.

I topped a thread that has all of it together.

No problems getting from one island to another IMO.

Hey - how much crap does one take with them for a Hawaii trip? Beach clothes, and at most a couple changes for going around during the day and at night? A slim downed makeup kit for the ladies?

One carry one is easy to schlep around, and gas up the car on the way back to your room - before you make your last trip to the airport. No big deal with a little pre-planning,and while one "packs" the car - the other can check out. Again, ain't no "big thang". Hang loose brudda.

And going thru security might be a little longer on Maui - but not on Kauai or Big Island, unless a couple flights are bunched up at Kona.

And when you arrive - if you had to check baggage - one person can get that while the other goes to get the rental car.

Some people in here, IMO - forget how exciting it is to see another Island - and would rather on their subsequent trips - just veg out in one place, which aint' all bad - but on your first trip/s - I recommend trying to see at least Oahu and an outer island - if not two outer islands.

Of all people to use the phrase "Hang Loose Brudda"...

Tomsd... try to practice what you "preach"

I would do 3 days in Oahu and the rest on another island. My first trip the other island was Maui but now the Big Island is my favorite. You could fly out of Kona. Kauai is lovely but I'd still vote for the Big Island or Maui for the 2nd island.

The good news is that you can't go wrong no matter which island(s) you choose.

"The good news is that you can't go wrong no matter which island(s) you choose."

Exactly!

I've got no problem with the two islands idea in 9 days. Personally I'd just do one, but that's completely personal choice.

I know some people see it that way but Oahu has so much more to offer than only being a "gateway". I can only guess that people who think all of Oahu is like Honolulu, or that Honolulu dominates the entire island, have not spent time other places around the island? It's not just a city, and it's not just an afternoon drive (although it can be that).

So if we were to do Maui and Oahu, which "cities" or areas in those islands would you recommend? We want 3-4 star accommodations at value prices (condo would be nice), very close access to good beach (not wild surf), good pool, low parking rates for rental car. Thanks!

For Oahu, stay right in Waikiki, that's where most of the accommodations are anyway, both hotels and condos. Waikiki Beach is not wild surf. You can easily find everything you want ("low parking rates" will be the trickiest).

I like Waikiki Sand Villa, White Sands Hotel, or The Breakers ($100-150/night). For a condo, look at Waikiki Shore Condos thru the Outrigger hotel chain, or do the VRBO thing.

I would recommend two nights in Waikiki - snorkeling at Hanauma Bay once while in that area - and then head to the Turtle Bay resort on the North Shore for say 3 nights.

For Maui - I like Napili for condo choices/quiet area - not too "touristy" - or one of the Hotels in Kapalua. For a great setting - albeit a bit pricey - check out the Ritz.

I'd stay in Waikiki for 3-4 nights, then spend the rest of your time on Maui. I'd skip moving to the North Shore because of your short-ish time.

Our family liked Lahaina Shores which is a condo hotel at the edge of the town of Lahaina. Nice pool on a lawn out back, the beach is nothing much right at that location, but it's walking distance into Lahaina which we enjoyed.

Well my favorite was Kauai and I'd spend the entire week there, as I'm a veg out kind of person.
Sounds like you have settled on Oahu and Maui, never been to Oahu, been to Maui twice and the last trip the traffic was really bad. I liked the Napili area a lot.

If it's not too much trouble for you to pack up - you can be in the North Shore/at Turtle Bay Resort about an hour - maybe a little more assuming you stop along the way to view some of the great sights.

Staying on the North Shore gives you a previw of what the slower pace of the outer islands is like.

There are also condos up there (in/around Haliewa and toward Pipeline) - and friends of mine/ours have a home right on the edge of Waimea bay and they rent out their two bedroom unit - classic old style stuff - right over their garage - where he makes Ukeleles and sometimes shapes surfboards. :)

He was the first full time Doctor on the North Shore - but says he could actually more more dough just making ukes. :)

BTW - he and his wife (his office managerwho also doubles as a nurse) are great tour guides for the North Shore/Oahu - all of the islands for that matter.

One of their daughters used to travel all over for Hula contests - and he spent some time on Kauai and Oahu as a young child - when his dad (my former boss when I practiced law) was stationed there in the Coast Guard. :)

And while I always like planning Hawaii trips on my own - you might check with the biggest company still? for Hawaiaan packages - Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays - and see if they have something that fits your needs.

Or take part of a package deal on Oahu - and fill out the rest yourself.

And one last plug for Kauai and the very green/lush North Shore of Kauai - where not only were parts of the following movies filmed - but in 1958 - the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit/WWII Love story/musical - even received some Oscars.

Google "South Pacific" and then - get the film - and watch sparky Mitzi Gaynor sing "I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair" at "Nurses Beach" - in real life the stunningly beautiful Lumahai Beach (but be aware there can be some strong undertow at times - but it's certainly great to look at from the road above)

- and also: George Clooney in "The Descendants" - the most more recent Kauai setting in film?
and: The Thornbirds, Jurassic Park, Elvis in Blue Hawaii (singing and dancing at the once splendid Coco Palms) - and on and on. :)

LBloom, here's a link to my trip report. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...awaii-2014.cfm

As you'll see, we stayed at the Waikiki Sand Villa in Honolulu and in a condo at the Grand Champions in Wailea on Maui.

Lee Ann