First time

[AJCts411]

We are planning a one week trip to Hawaii in 2026 end of sept/first of Oct. We are week owners in Key West. Our preferences are (walkable if possible) bar/food/music, beach, and sightseeing. We will be renting a car. Which island would you recommend for first timers? (possibly one of the Hilton systems, not sure which)

 

[TheHolleys87]

The Big Islad is my favorite due to volcanoes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, cattle ranches, astronomical observatories, and snow-capped peaks, all on one island. There are not a lot of sandy beaches but the ones they have are beautiful. My parents bought into Kona Coast, now a Wyndham, so we’ve always stayed there, and as a result I don’t know about other resorts.

 

[Luanne]

The Big Islad is my favorite due to volcanoes, black sand beaches, tropical gardens, cattle ranches, astronomical observatories, and snow-capped peaks, all on one island. There are not a lot of sandy beaches but the ones they have are beautiful. My parents bought into Kona Coast, now a Wyndham, so we’ve always stayed there, and as a result I don’t know about other resorts.

There are Hilton properties in the Waikoloa resort area. We love the Big Island but I don't know if I would recommend it for a first visit.

We own, not a Hilton, on Maui and love going there. There is one Hilton property in Kihei.

 

[vacationtime1]

We are planning a one week trip to Hawaii in 2026 end of sept/first of Oct. We are week owners in Key West. Our preferences are (walkable if possible) bar/food/music, beach, and sightseeing. We will be renting a car. Which island would you recommend for first timers? (possibly one of the Hilton systems, not sure which)

There are no wrong answers.

Kauai -- if you like hiking
Oahu -- for foodies
Hawaii -- the Volcano
Maui -- my favorite

 

[SmithOp]

Waikiki if you want walkable, in fact a car is not recommended. The tour companies will pick you up at the Hilton transit center.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

#1 detail needed: how much do you prioritize the BEACH and going in the OCEAN.
#2 detail: bringing kids? how many people total?
If you prioritize that much and want something "Hilton", I tend to say Kaanapali, the HVC property. Maui is tough to pass up as a 1st-timer + Hilton.
If beach/ocean less important, Poipu? Hokulani in Waikiki? or some non-Hilton? non-Hilton, the Kauai & Big Isle ppl have their say

 

[davidvel]

I would strongly recommend against Oahu for a 1st visit, as you will not get the true essence of Hawaii, and may never return. It is like San Fransicso and Las Vegas on a large beachfront. Cars and people up and down the street blaring noise till midnight and after. Huge crowds, lots of shopping you can do on the mainland. You never get on Hawaii time. If you still want Oahu you could do KoOlina, which allows you to escape all the crowds and noise. But I think Maui is the best compromise for a 1st visit.

 

[Yzfguy06]

I would strongly recommend against Oahu for a 1st visit, as you will not get the true essence of Hawaii, and may never return. It is like San Fransicso and Las Vegas on a large beachfront. Cars and people up and down the street blaring noise till midnight and after. Huge crowds, lots of shopping you can do on the mainland. You never get on Hawaii time. If you still want Oahu you could do KoOlina, which allows you to escape all the crowds and noise. But I think Maui is the best compromise for a 1st visit.

I agree with this. Visit the Maui, Kauai, Hawaii island, then Oahu. Unless you plan on staying outside of the main cities.

 

[artringwald]

There are no wrong answers.

I agree. It's personal preference. We love Kauai the most because of it's stunning natural beauty. We purchased a timeshare at Hilton's The Point at Poipu in 2004 and have been back every year since then, except this year. Poipu does not feel crowded, has plenty of dining and shopping, and is on the south side which is the sunniest part of the island. Kauai has a law that none of the buildings can be taller than a palm tree. Here's some pictures we've taken over the years at P@P.

The Point at Poipu - Art & Jo Ringwald

Our favorite pictures from several stays at The Point at Poipu

artringwald.smugmug.com

If you decide to go to Maui, Hilton's Kaanapali Beach Club is also a good place to stay, if you can settle for a one bedroom.

 

[AJCts411]

#1 detail needed: how much do you prioritize the BEACH and going in the OCEAN.
#2 detail: bringing kids? how many people total?
If you prioritize that much and want something "Hilton", I tend to say Kaanapali, the HVC property. Maui is tough to pass up as a 1st-timer + Hilton.
If beach/ocean less important, Poipu? Hokulani in Waikiki? or some non-Hilton? non-Hilton, the Kauai & Big Isle ppl have their say

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends (2) walking is a bit limited, we wouldn't do a hiking trail. Hilton as this is a private trade deal we are looking at. (3 different islands I believe, Waikiki was mentioned in our last conversation ) Thanks everyone for their input very much appreciated as this is a one time trip, don't expect to return.

 

[Luanne]

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends (2) walking is a bit limited, we wouldn't do a hiking trail. Hilton as this is a private trade deal we are looking at. (3 different islands I believe, Waikiki was mentioned in our last conversation ) Thanks everyone for their input very much appreciated as this is a one time trip, don't expect to return.

I wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii

Truth there, but I'd guess it depends greatly on where someone lives. I lived on the East Coast for 2/3 of my life. I never flew from there to HI. I think it is likely I never would have if I stayed on the East Coast. (I'd prob just go all out and fly to Bora Bora or Tahiti from there)
If someone gave me a trip to HI from Boston at an age approaching 70, and I flew to HI and loved it, I still think there is a great chance I would not return. There are plenty of great places in the Caribe

 

[WaikikiFirst]

#1 beach, lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred. from 1 low to 10 high...6 or 7 sort of thing. #2 no kids seniors as would be our traveling friends

Ah, so you need a 2 bdrm? or 2 x 1 bdrm? Art seems to say that on Maui, Hilton's Kaanapali Beach Club is only 1 bdrm. I never stayed there. The location seems perfect, but I never stayed. not even sure if it is "Hilton" enough to be part of this deal
"lounging on the beach over the pool is preferred" = same as us. Most people here assume you'll be at the pool and you'll get a lot of recs that assume, almost rely on that. That is why I put that as #1. Kingsland, BayClub (whatever it is called on Big Isle) = walk or more likely drive to beach.

 

[Luanne]

Truth there, but I'd guess it depends greatly on where someone lives. I lived on the East Coast for 2/3 of my life. I never flew from there to HI. I think it is likely I never would have if I stayed on the East Coast. (I'd prob just go all out and fly to Bora Bora or Tahiti from there)
If someone gave me a trip to HI from Boston at an age approaching 70, and I flew to HI and loved it, I still think there is a great chance I would not return. There are plenty of great places in the Caribe

A friend who lives in New York made her first trip to Hawaii several years ago. Since then I think she's been back every year.

 

[davidvel]

So I'll add a caveat to my prior post. If you really think you'll never return then you may want to include Oahu if you have interest in seeing Pearl Harbor. It is an amazing park and the Arizona memorial is very moving. But I still would say stay outside of Waikiki, somewhere like Ko Olina.

 

[AJCts411]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

To add to this, most flights back to the mainland from HNL leave in the evening hours. We’ve frequently taken an early morning flight from Kona to HNL so we could visit Pearl Harbor during the day, then catch our flight home. Obviously you could do the same from Maui or Kauai (we have, when we visited those islands).

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wonder how many people have said that before their first visit to Hawaii.

We said that in 2000, went back in 2004, 2005, and forward. Now it's two trips a year.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks everyone for the info. Lots to think about.

If you want to see the major Hawaiian attractions I think a Hawaiian cruise on the Pride of America would do it for a one and done. It embarks & disembarks in Honolulu so staying in Waikiki on the front or back end would be easy.

Bill

 

[WaikikiFirst]

A friend who lives in New York made her first trip to Hawaii several years ago. Since then I think she's been back every year.

My word, the ability of most people on tug to almost never move beyond SOAP (Speculation, Opinion, Anecdote, Preference) to discuss or analyze anything is truly legendary. I hope you don't make life decisions this way.
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Eastern" USA? Make this "EVR"
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Western" USA? Make this "WVR"
Guess what WVR / EVR equals?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?

or, just SOAP it up
(you understand that every time you fly to HI, they ask you for this data, right?)

 

[davidvel]

My word, the ability of most people on tug to almost never move beyond SOAP (Speculation, Opinion, Anecdote, Preference) to discuss or analyze anything is truly legendary. I hope you don't make life decisions this way.
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Eastern" USA? Make this "EVR"
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Western" USA? Make this "WVR"
Guess what WVR / EVR equals?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?

or, just SOAP it up
(you understand that every time you fly to HI, they ask you for this data, right?)

Not sure what you are barking at other than being the usual obstinate. This thread is about opinion, preference, and suggestion. No scientific method needed. No analysis involved.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Not sure what you are barking at other than being the usual obstinate. This thread is about opinion, preference, and suggestion. No scientific method needed. No analysis involved.

Wait. You forgot ANECDOTE. Never leave out the ANECDOTE. Where would we be without ANECDOTE?
ps: you had me at "not sure"

 

[davidvel]

Wait. You forgot ANECDOTE. Never leave out the ANECDOTE. Where would we be without ANECDOTE?
ps: you had me at "not sure"

This thread is about people's personal travel experiences and what they would personally recommend for the OP's tastes. It is all about personal anecdotes. The NY travel comment was about the well known experience of saying you'll never return to Hawaii until you experience it. It was not abut percentages of people that return from the east coast or any of the other silliness you posted. Now I'm sure.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

thread is about people's personal travel experiences and what they would personally recommend for the OP's tastes

for the OP's tastes??? REALLLLLLYYYYY? I think I am the only one here who actually ASKED for the OP's tastes. Everyone else just went off on their own SOAP, as they always do. Your SOAP does not = the OP's tastes, but almost nobody seems to EVER realize that.
The OP said he/she wanted HILTON, and if I look back I am sure I will see that you recommended Ko Olina. Last time, I checked, that isn't Hilton. Good one, davidvel. Glad YOU like Ko Olina. Not what was requested.
Do I need to provide another dozen examples from just this thread ... just this short thread. More examples needed?

It is all about personal antidotes

You really need to find an antidote for your ability to say so little in so many words.

 

[vacationtime1]

Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Eastern" USA? Make this "EVR"
Guess what the per capita Visitation Rate to HI is for Americans who live in the "Western" USA? Make this "WVR"
Guess what WVR / EVR equals?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI, guess what % are Repeat Visitors?

For "Western" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?
For "Eastern" Americans who fly to HI & are Repeat Visitors, guess how many trips they have taken to HI, on avg?

Interesting questions (or at least interesting to me; I am somewhat nerdy that way).

Do you know the answers -- or where we can find them?