1st trip to Hawaii

[pfrank4127]

Hi Everyone,

Some help/advice needed. My wife and I have a chance to go to Hawaii in March 2012 (just us no kids). We will be staying a week. Neither of us has ever been to Hawaii before and not sure which island to choose. Can you guys point us in the right direction? So many choices is overwhelming, we will do some sight seeing but also do lots of relaxing. We both like beaches.

Thanks

 

[GregT]

Hi Everyone,

Some help/advice needed. My wife and I have a chance to go to Hawaii in March 2012 (just us no kids). We will be staying a week. Neither of us has ever been to Hawaii before and not sure which island to choose. Can you guys point us in the right direction? So many choices is overwhelming, we will do some sight seeing but also do lots of relaxing. We both like beaches.

Thanks

You will have a wonderful time -- what types of things do you like to do? The islands are very different and depending on how much "activity" you're interested in, the suggestions will change.

Each person has their personal favorite (mine is Maui) but I've had wonderful trips to Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai. I think Maui is an outstanding combination of the ability to relax while also being close to good shopping/restaurants/activities -- and Maui definitely has the feeling of being in a different world than over here on this side of the ocean. The Big Island is big (really big) and some people spend a lot of time on the road. Kauai is very lush, very remote and Oahu (at least Waikiki) is very busy. There are other parts of Oahu that are not -- but Oahu is definitely a hub. I love each of them for different reasons.

Please let us know and hopefully we can be helpful.

Best,

Greg

 

[MOXJO7282]

I second the vote for Maui, but be aware it will be the hardest to get in March, although if you're just looking for a 1BDRM that is doable based on what I see you own.

 

[pfrank4127]

going to check tomorrow for Maui availability. We joined the points program so maybe something will be available.

 

[Passepartout]

And I on the other hand, cast my vote or Kauai. I think you get a more 'Old Hawaii' experience- with the lush gardens, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, the more or less inaccessible Na Pali coast, many fewer high rises.

Maui is very nice and it was my most recent Hawaii destination, but high rises and concierges and dinner reservations and very commercial malls, etc. just sort of spoil it for me over the last 40some years.

The Big Island can either be on the rainy side (Hilo), or the desert/volcanic side (Kona). As said, to see it all, a lot of driving is required. I have lava fields at home. Don't need to go to Hawaii to see them.

Honolulu is (imo) a good place to change planes. The rest of Oahu has much going for it, but Honolulu is San Francisco with palm trees.

Feel free to take my opinion with however many grains of salt you wish. But it IS my opinion.

There REALLY isn't a wrong island to go to. All you will do is whet your travel appetite to go back to another one.

Jim Ricks

 

[slip]

You can't go wrong on any island in Hawaii but I do like Kauai the best. You didn't list any
activity's you like to do but Kauai has great beaches and is very laid back.

 

[singlemalt_18]

Fortunately you will have fewer islands to choose from, than you will have opinions about where to go.

My wife and I eloped on the islands more than 16 years ago, and it has been a frequent anniversary destination over the years. You will have a GREAT TIME no matter where you go!

My personal bias is to choose from Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island of Hawaii. (Do not confuse the Big Island with the Main Island of Oahu and Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and Waikiki. It is still a fun place, but that is the concrete jungle with all the high-rises and highways.)

The Big Island is is an amazing place with black sand beaches, a green sand beach, the volcano, rain forest, Kona and Hilo… but it is important to be prepared to do a lot of driving. The island is huge - about the size of the state of Connecticut; we have regularly logged 700 to 800 miles during a week while there. Its a good place to opt for an upgrade on the rental car.

If you do not want to do a lot of driving on this trip, choose Maui or Kauai.

 

[tompalm]

Consider a seven day cruise around the islands. Get to Oahu a couple days early and see the Arizona Memorial and some of Oahu. The ship stops two days in Maui, BI, and Kauai and it is a great way to see a little of everything.

 

[artringwald]

The hardest part of planning a trip is picking which island(s) you want to visit. Oahu With Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, this is by far the most popular and most populated island. Maui With so many condos close to nice beaches, this is the second most popular island. Big Island This is where you’ll have to go if you want to see lava flowing or see snow. Kauai The oldest of the major islands, Kauai offers magnificent scenery, lush vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, the spectacular Waimea Canyon (and it's our favorite). Molokai and Lanai If all you want to do is relax, these islands would be good choices. Not very populated, and not many hotels, restaurants, or attractions to choose from. To help you decide which island, and to order free travel planners, go to:

http://www.gohawaii.com/

 

[travelguy]

We too travel from the East Coast to Hawaii, are beach people, and travel w/o kids. If possible, I'd suggest taking two weeks for your trip to "recover" from the long flights. This will also allow you to experience several of the islands. I'd suggest taking in Maui and Hawaii (the Big island) as they are very different and very BEACH intensive. We don't worry about getting a condo directly on the beach since we drive to a different beach every day. And get a copy of the "Revealed" books which have GREAT reviews of the many different beaches.

 

[daventrina]

I'd suggest taking in Maui and Hawaii (the Big island) ....

Second the week on the BI and a week on Maui...

 

[Luanne]

Second the week on the BI and a week on Maui...

This would be my choice as well.

 

[brigechols]

Consider a seven day cruise around the islands. Get to Oahu a couple days early and see the Arizona Memorial and some of Oahu. The ship stops two days in Maui, BI, and Kauai and it is a great way to see a little of everything.

If you only have one week, I second the recommendation for a cruise.

 

[slip]

If your going for a week pick one island. It sounds like you want to do some
relaxing.You don't have to see everything and your not going to see everything
in a week. Pick a couple of places you want to see to fill up a couple of days.
After that relax and get on island time.

As for choosing an island, pick the number one thing you want to see in Hawaii
and choose that island. Don't forget to leave a little time to plan your next trip
to Hawaii.

 

[daventrina]

If you only have one week, I second the recommendation for a cruise.

We've talked about doing that... But the cruise is the PRIMARY mission and you get to spend only a little time on each island. It would not be relaxing (well we have never had a relaxing cruise - always toooo much we want to do)... But meals and entertainment would be already covered (except that if you wanted to spend any time on island, lunch would likely be additional costs. I don't think that many of the ships make box lunches to take off anymore). Shore excursions would probably be expensive though.

On the other hand our Aunt and Uncle are cruising to Hawaii next year and we're jealous.

As much as we like the Cruise idea ... As retired travel professionals, we'd suggest, for a week pick a week (probably Maui) and stick to that.

 

[daventrina]

So ... If you have to go for only a week...

If you have to go for only a week...
you HAVE to get the most of your week. You don't want to wast any time that can be used ahead of time planning, and don't want to waste any island time deciding what to do. And certainly son't want to wind up doing things that you thought tho other person wanted to do that they were doing because they thought you wanted to... (been there ... done that ... not good).

We have become well practiced at landing on the island decompressed and ready to enjoy the islands....

With only a week (or more too) we'd suggest:

Decide what you like to get done ahead of your departure and get them planned before you depart. ON a week trip - you really only have five full days. Make the most of them.

Study the resort, maps of the area, and direction to the resort, activities, and areas of interest. (We don't leave for 11 months, but are already working on dive plans).

Ask for room upgrades long before departure.

Get a hotel close to the airport for the night before and get to the airport like three hours before departure. Give your self PLENTY of time to deal with any issues that may arise. Leave home at home when you arrive at the airport. Start your vacation here - allows for better decompression upon Hawaii arrival.

Have all of your travel documents handy and stored in a separate, handy location.

Wear shoes that are easily removable and try not to use a belt. Travel with a no metal bra, shoes, etc.

Try to complete any last minute planning on your flight.

As much as we like to be together ... Upon arrival... One party grabs the info from the stand in the baggage area and collects the bags. Join the club for the rental agency you are using, as it usually makes collecting your car easier. The other party dashes off, straight to the car dealer and secures the ride for your trip.

Ask about upgrades.. One time, On Maui... We wanted a JEEP leike we had on the big island ... But it was $750 for the two weeks. Toooo much so we stick with our free mid-size upgrade from a compact. The nice fellow at the desk asked if we'd like to upgrade to a convertible... OK .. I'll bite.... For how much... He says $10/day. I say "that's nice, but my sweet heart would really rather have a JEEP. He says "that's a convertible ... $10/day extra. COOL. Got JEEP and extra hubby points (can never have too many hubby points).

If you can't check in till 4PM or so which is usually the case and you arrive around noon... Grab essential supplies at Costco, WalMart, etc. on your way from the resort.

On Maui if headed to the Lahina area, try to get there before 3PM when traffic gets bad.

Plan as much as possible, but be flexible. We map out dive sites and activities for each day we'll be there. We usually end up circling them and moving days around. But it works better adjusting the plan instead of just punting all of the time (we have done it both ways).

Put at least one day on the schedule to just hang loose and enjoy the resort and or beach. If we don't ... we have had trips where we never had that chance. Now we always schedule a resort/shopping/ lazy/whatever time.

Get the revealed book for your destination island. These books are great. Even though they reveal many of our secrets .... They are probably the best single travel guide you can invest in! The maps are fantastic.

The lower you keep your expectations ... likely the better trip you will have.