honolulu over july 4th or labor day?

[JulieAB]

We're visiting family for a week and would like to maximize DH's vacacation days by going over one of these two holidays. Seems like weather will not be significantly different between the two. How noticeable will crowds be?

On one hand, we're in Phoenix, so the thought of escaping here in July is wonderful. That's about the time cabin fever sets in. On the other hand, we'll be at the beach and visiting tourist stuff like PCC so I don't want to deal with massive crowds.

 

[DaveNV]

Both times will be crowded. It's summertime in Hawaii, so crowds won't be down THAT much. The weather may only be a degree or two different between the one vs the other timeframe.

If I had to choose one or the other, I'd probably choose Labor Day, if only because a lot of kids start school right after it, so there might be a few less kids around. (But a lot of empty-nesters tend to go to Hawaii around then, for that exact reason.) So there really isn't going to be a noticeable difference in crowd volumes.

If it made any difference at all, maybe choose the date that maximizes your vacation days? In 2012, July 4th is on a Wednesday, so that would be the holiday. Labor Day is Monday, September 3rd. So if you can get extra days off without spending vacation days, maybe choose that one?

Have fun!

Dave

 

[BocaBum99]

Both times will be crowded. It's summertime in Hawaii, so crowds won't be down THAT much. The weather may only be a degree or two different between the one vs the other timeframe.

If I had to choose one or the other, I'd probably choose Labor Day, if only because a lot of kids start school right after it, so there might be a few less kids around. (But a lot of empty-nesters tend to go to Hawaii around then, for that exact reason.) So there really isn't going to be a noticeable difference in crowd volumes.

If it made any difference at all, maybe choose the date that maximizes your vacation days? In 2012, July 4th is on a Wednesday, so that would be the holiday. Labor Day is Monday, September 3rd. So if you can get extra days off without spending vacation days, maybe choose that one?

Have fun!

Dave

Hawaii kids start early. Late July for public schools. Late August for private schools.

Labor day week is definitely not as busy as July 4th week.

 

[elaine]

Flights might be cheaper over Labor Day. It is considered off-peak travel for AA award after mid-Aug.

 

[DaveNV]

Hawaii kids start early. Late July for public schools. Late August for private schools.

Sorry, I didn't say it right. I meant that tourist kids would be fewer because they'd need to be home to start school after Labor Day. I don't consider the kids who live in the Islands to be part of the crowds, since not as many attend tourist-type things - they're Locals, not Tourists.

Regardless, it seems we all agree that Labor Day would be a better time to visit.

Dave

 

[RLG]

Labor day is definitely off peak. I spend Labor Day in Kapalua most years and it's usually deserted.

July 4 will be packed.

 

[DeniseM]

Hawaii Travel Demand Index - The 4th of July is around week 26/27. Labor Day is around week 39/40. As you can see, July has the highest demand of the whole year.

 

[JulieAB]

Thanks everyone! Labor Day it is!

 

[Bee]

Most public schools in California and Washington state are back in school before labor day, lowering the number of tourist in Hawaii. A large percentage of Hawaii tourist are from California and Washington.

 

[alwysonvac]

Labor Day Definitely !!

If you don't like crowds then you don't want to be in Waikiki during the 4th of July.

Ala Moana Center's annual 4th of July fireworks brings the crowds into Waikiki.

I've stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village during the 4th of July in 2009. We enjoyed the 4th of July fireworks but I didn't enjoy the crowds at all especially on the 4th of July. I've never seen it so crowded.

From an old article at khon2.com
As always, Ala Moana Center will bring in live entertainment for the day, to entice the crowd to shop at the mall. But it's not just merchants in the mall who benefit from the fireworks display.

"Surrounding hotels are literally sold out a year before. They're selling their hotel rooms at rack rate which is basically top dollar, surrounding restaurants, the cruise ships, the the different ferries and such that have the dinner cruises," said Tso.

Some 50 thousand people are expected to watch the show from Ala Moana Park, the mall and surrounding areas. It was just recognized as one of the country's 10 best by Travel and Leisure Magazine, which was news to Souza and her busy crew.

Here's Priceline's Annual Survey of the 50 Most-Popular Destinations for the July 4th
Waikiki Beach, Oahu rankings for the past several years
- In 2007, Ranked #13 out of the top 50 http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/27/br/br4106839725.html (beating out Disney & Universal)
- In 2008, Ranked #17 out of the top 50 http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/06/25/idUS126352+25-Jun-2008+BW20080625 (beating out Disney & Universal)
- In 2009, Ranked #30 out of the top 50 http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/25/idUS179544+25-Jun-2009+BW20090625
- In 2011, Ranked #33 out of the top 50 http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/idUS116860+23-Jun-2011+PRN20110623