Help Needed Planning Trip

[msvca]

I have been planning a once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii with my mother for a while. It has been pushed back a couple of times due to Covid and unfortunately I need to shorten it due to my mother's age/health. We were originally planning on 7 nights on Hawaii, 7 nights on Kauai, and 7-9 nights on Oahu staying using our timeshare points or military accomodations. Since we are flying from the east coast I was trying to spend as much time in Hawaii as possible. I am struggling with how much time would be adequate for each island to see what my mom would like and any other must dos for my family. To make matters worse every time I ask my mom what she would like to do she responds with "whatever you want is fine with me". I am hoping that some of you can give me some advice on shortening our trip. I would like to visit the things that my mom is interested in and any other highlights for my family. Then we can return in a couple of years to see what we missed on this trip or just relax.

I know my mother's priorities are seeing Peal Harbor, Dole Plantation, a Macadamia Nut Farm, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls, historical places, and flowers/plants. I think she would like to visit Volcano National Park but I do not know how much time would be needed. She can walk and get around but if she does too much walking then she has problems with her feet and legs and would be miserable and miss doing things. I need to plan either rest days or days with limited walking for her in between active days. She is not a beach person so we do not need to plan for spending a lot of time at beaches.

We are planning on doing Hawaii first and staying at the Kilauea Military Camp. If I cut this part down to 3 nights and we just do Volcano National Park and maybe Hilo would that be enough? Or should we stay for 4 nights? Are we missing out on anything on Hawaii that we might regret? Should we drive Saddle Road for the rainforest/waterfall tour?

I would like to keep Kauai at 7 or 6 nights. I feel this has a lot of things that my mom would enjoy seeing as well as my family. I would like to drive Waimea Canyon, take a helicopter/plane tour of the canyon and Napali Coast, botanical gardens, waterfalls, and beach. I feel like I have too much and need to keep this at 7 nights. Or would 6 nights be sufficient?

I was planning on staying 3 or 4 nights at the Hale Loa on Oahu. While there we would do Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and maybe Kualoa Ranch. Then we are planning on staying 4 nights at Disney's Aulani Resort. We would also like to visit the North Shore, Dole Plantation, and maybe a beach.

Thank you for any advice or suggestions to help in planning this trip. I know I am trying to do a lot and am having a hard time cutting it down.

 

[slip]

What time of year do you plan on coming?

 

[msvca]

What time of year do you plan on coming?

I am sorry I left out that detail. We are planning on July 2024. We would probably arrive July 17 or 18. Thank you.

 

[alwysonvac]

I need to shorten it due to my mother's age/health

I know my mother's priorities are seeing Peal Harbor, Dole Plantation, a Macadamia Nut Farm, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls, historical places, and flowers/plants.

If you need to shorten the trip, I would suggest two islands (Oahu and Kauai) instead of three.

 

[slip]

I am sorry I left out that detail. We are planning on July 2024. We would probably arrive July 17 or 18. Thank you.

I'm not one to do multi-island trips but since it may be the only trip for your mother, I agree with Alwysoncac.

I would just do Oahu and Kauai since those are the only things on her list. You said you may plan a return trip and you can do the Big Island then. The Big Island is big and there is much more driving and it takes longer to explore in my opinion.

I would start with Oahu and finish on Kauai since that would be the more relaxing part of the trip.

Just my two cents.

 

[linsj]

OP, your itinerary makes me tired just reading it. You would need a vacation after your vacation! I agree with the above posters. Oahu and Kauai are plenty, and I would stay in one place on Oahu instead of switching hotels. Also, don't try to pack every day with activities; take time to relax in between.

 

[jonmaiman]

We have done many trips to Hawaii and been to Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Big Island, and Molokai. We will be going back again this December (Oahu this time). Our first trip, we did three islands in 10 days. Even though we were young, that was way too much island hopping and time lost in travel. For future trips, we changed to 2 islands over the course of two weeks. Some trips we even did different sections of the same island over two weeks (e.g. split the stay over two different areas of the island).

You will essentially lose a day every time you travel between islands (especially with an elderly traveler). So, I agree with the others, limit your trip to Oahu and Kauai. For Oahu, I would probably just stay in the same location the whole time, and you can easily get to your sites of interest. For Kauai, especially if you're there more than a week, you may want to consider splitting your stay between the Poipu area and Princeville area. Even though the island is small, the road system is limited and it is time consuming to go between the areas and subject to congestion in the Kappa area. Poipu will be great for accessing Waimea Canyon. Princeville is good for the North Shore and has a very different feel. They are gardens in both areas. The Kilauea Lighthouse, near Princeville, is a National Wildlife Reserve which is great for seeing all sorts of see birds. It isn't very strenuous; however, you need to reserve in advance.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure it will be a great trip and memorable for your family. Enjoy....

--Jon

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

We are generally pretty aggressive (lots of activity) travelers and I have to agree with the other posters that it seems like you are trying to cover too much ground and it's a good possibility your mother is trying to tell you that without actually telling you that: Your quote: "whatever you want is fine with me". You mentioned that you are flying from the east coast, so that alone will likely tire your Mom. I'd also cut back to 2 islands (the last three trips also from the east coast) we have only done one island (Maui 1x and BI 2x).

Our first trip over in 1988 we did three islands and that was when it was easier to to get through airports. I would likely never try that again now. I'd guess flying into Oahu and staying there for about 5 nights would be plenty and then either picking the BI or Kauai for another 8-10 nights. I'd try to stay away from changing properties on any island as it's just another bed to try to get used to. On our last trip from Upstate NY, I was able to find flights with one connection in each direction and that seemed to help me arrive a little less weary and the adjustment after getting home seemed much easier.

Maybe consider sharing your concerns with your mother and ask for her opinion. That might make it less stressful for all of you.

Good luck with your planning.

BBB

 

[ScoopKona]

It is very likely that your mom wouldn't be able to walk up my driveway.

Hawaii means hills. There is precious little "flat" here. So this is definitely a trip where "less = more."

I'd also ask why she wants to see a mac nut farm or a pineapple plantation? That's usually not high on visitors' lists. I have a mac nut farm adjacent to me, and it's basically like walking in a pine forest except with holly leaves instead of pine needles. And with green golf balls dropping on you from everywhere. I only have a few macs here, and I get hit almost daily. Even wearing a hat, it smarts. The pineapple plantation is a sea of spiky plants. I compare it to an artichoke farm -- another place where chain-mail chaps make sense.

I think both are fascinating. But it's not like anyone can "pick your own" like a berry farm. If you cross those off your list, that's more time to see other things. (But if she really is keen to see some farming in Hawaii, I'm all for that.)

Assuming the Dole Plantation stays on the itinerary, I'd stay on Oahu just long enough to see it and Pearl Harbor. And then spend the rest of the trip on Kauai. The Allerton Garden is one of those "precious little" of flat we have. And it's a stroll for mom -- as opposed to almost needing climbing gear. Plenty of plants and animals to see there.

We've brought my mother-in-law to both Kauai and BI, and she didn't enjoy either. Even though she's spry, this place is hard on the knees.

 

[alwysonvac]

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Here are some for Oahu and Kauai

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Finally….Kauai!

We have never been to Kauai and at long last, barring COVID issues, we are scheduled to go in early March! A few nights in a hotel near Lihue, then a week at the Westin Princeville. We’ve also never been on a helicopter and would love to try a tour. So can anyone recommend what company to use...

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Kauai-what to do. Which TS?

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[msvca]

Thank you all for your advice and information. It's not what I wanted to hear but probably what I needed to hear. Hearing from those who have been to Hawaii is verey helpful.I will discuss the trip again with DH and DM and try to get them to give me their top priorities for things to do.

 

[geist1223]

I still remember a trip to San Jose del Cabo 10 years ago with DW's best friend of 20 years. She is 11 years older than us. Several times I asked her what she wanted to do or see. She kept saying whatever we wanted. I finally sat her down and said "we have been to Cabo many times and we will come many times in the future. If this was to be your only trip to Cabo what would you want to do." She finally spoke up. We did swimming with the Dolphins in the Harbour, Camel Ride on the Beach, etc.