Planning Hawaii trip - need opinions

[tsagona]

I am just beginning to plan a vacation to Hawaii in January 2012. We've never been so I'm looking for input from those that have been. We will be there for 7 days. What islands are definite go to islands and which ones can we pass on. We only have 5 days or so to travel between islands and I realize we can't see and do everything in that short time. What are the must sees and dos? I've been told the National Park on the Big Island (is that Hawaii?) with a hike up to the volcano.

Never been so hopefully yall can make some suggestions. I also want to relax on the beach, snorkel, eat, haha, shop, nice hotel but doesn't haven't to be top of the line. Help me please.

What island is it best to fly into?

Thanks for helping.

 

[Mariposa1973]

Hi Tracy, I went to hawaii 15 years ago it is beautifull is like heaven in the eart, I was for a week in Maui, the volcano is great, but dont'n worry is to many places were you can go.

 

[tsagona]

Thanks Mariposa1973. I'v been exploring each island to see what each one has going on and I agree that each has something to offer. I don't think I can go wrong no matter what route I go. I look forward to the beauty of the islands. I've never been and I expect to be amazed, lol.

Thanks,

 

[JT]

Fly into Waikiki, then you can fly to smaller islands from there. I stayed at the Royal Hawaiian Sheraton where Elvis filmed Blue Hawaii. We went snorkeling not far from there. International market is great although Hawaii doesn't have exchange or returns.
The North shore is not good for swimming, very rustic and maybe expensive. When I was there, we only ate at our hotel once. We found a local diner abt 7 blocks from our hotel outside of the tourism area and it was great. Maui opened up in the 70s and Kaui opened up when I was there in 1986. Make sure you find out if you get autos with your rental, my Dad didn't realize we had two cars waiting for us. We booked through Royal Hawaiian Holidays. When we were there, lots of celebs and althletes due to bowl games, Japanese holiday and Christmas. Howie Mandell was at our hotel.
Also, I would check out Travel Channel to get hot picks from them for the islands.

 

[geomom]

I've been to most of the major islands: Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and my favorite was Maui. This surprised me because I was expecting the Big Island to be my favorite.

With only 7 days, I would pick just one island. You can fly directly into all of the islands now, for sure Maui and Hawaii, not just Oahu, so do that. You'll have to go through a "big" airport like LA or San Francisco, but worth it.

There are two national parks: Volcanoes is on Hawaii and Haleakela is on Maui. Very different parks. Volcanoes is where you can see active island building, but it is a long hike at see where the lava actually flows into the water. I think you have to also do it at night? Haleakela was so incredibly windy the day we were there that we didn't do too much, but you can hike down into an extinct crater area. You can also do a bike tour down the mountain, but we have young kids so didn't do that.

I'm just going to suggest Maui for all seven days. You will have plenty to do. Get the "Blue Bible" which is called Maui Revealed and start planning.

 

[Jane Royse]

Another vote for Maui. We went to every island except the "rainy" one, in a whirlwind of 10 days. We biked down a volcano, took a helicopter trip around another island - everything but relax! LOL But Maui was SO peaceful & beautiful. We rented a car & just drove around & explored on our own. I don't remember where we stayed - it's been too long ago. I DO remember that I tried to talk my DH into moving there...

 

[juliem]

I have gone every year in December for the past six years. I have always done just one island at a time since one week is not enought time to go island hopping. I have been to Maui three times, Big Island twice (was married there) and Kauai last year. We are going to Kauai again this December. I don't think you can go wrong no matter what island you choose and since I've never been to Oahu I can't speak for going there and I'm not a city person so I have not been tempted.

Volcanoes National Park is a must see if you go to the Big Island and I have found the snorkeling to be the best there. I highly suggest the "Revealed" blue books as guide books. They make one for each island we have been to.

Maui has beautiful beaches my favorite is Kaanapali. It is a bit more touristy but absolutely beautiful. More popular things to do are the road to Hana and Haleakala and snorkeling at Molokini Crater.

Kauai is my favorite island. It is quiet and has excellent hiking trails with breathtaking views. The snorkeling was not as great but beautiful beaches and lots of whales! Waimea Canyon is like a miniature grand canyon with wonderful hiking trails but research your hikes if you don't like heights.

I have been horseback riding on Maui and The Big Island and that was great as well.

 

[TOMBRE]

hawaii information

hi there
i am a travel consultant and prez of travel org. in the northeast. i have also been to hawaii 4 times. when you say 7 days -is it 7 full nights? or is it 5 days on the island and 2 travel days? some of this also depends where you would be flying from. each island has a different personality and charm all its own. you dont want the itinerary to be so ambitious that you feel like you got beat up when you return home. also the more islands or movement, the more $. kauai - lush, tranquil, laid back, romantic low key. has the waimea canyon which is considered the 2nd grand canyon of the usa and has the napili coast, some of the most spectacular coastal scenery. maui - a bit more pep in its step, has haleakala volcanic crater where you can do a morning sunrise tour and downhill biking (or driving down), lahaina town, waterfalls, molokini crater for some of the best snorkeling anywhere and more...great walking areas - wailea beach and lahaina beach area. getting fit in paradise does not get any better.
and before i forget - you are going during whale season in the hawaiian islands. it is absolutely AWESOME to see the whales just come flying out of the water out of nowhere. i was on the beach a few times when all of a sudden...it was magical... there are boat tours that take you a bit farther out so you can see it even closer at hand.
if hawaii has a rainy season - its usually dec- march. but there are activities to do no matter what. last time i went in march. had some sprinkles but many days of sun as well.
the big island of hawaii - lush versus moonscape kind of scenery. hawaii volcanos park is big and a good 2 hour drive from where most the major resorts are. so its a get up early full day event. you can few craters, steam vents, drive the trail to see the lava flow into the ocean..its a full full day. on the way back there is a black sand beach where tons of sea turtles were coming out of the water...
oahu - the city meets paradise. historical as there is pearl harbor, shopping etc. (the other island for shopping would probably be maui)
there is just so much and i dont want to type endlessly. i would be happy to post some more or if you would like to contact me by email, i would be happy to guide you in the right direction!!!!
hope this helps!

 

[tsagona]

WOW! Everyone has so much helpful information. I haven't set a definite date for the trip other than January. Maybe I need to schedule more than 7 nights. (just worry about my dogs who don't eat when they board and 1 is a kidney patient on fluids). I want to visit several islands but it looks like it may just be too much and will require another trip, oh darn, lol.

I love whale watching and will definitely take a catamaran or whatever out into the waters for an awesome view. I'm interested in the volcanoes national park but not certain I want an entire day of it. We'll see. DH has a gimpy leg after a fall from a ladder and rocky trails are a challenge. He can walk on flat trails, uphill, downhill but ground with rocks cause instability for him. Boo! Bike riding is awesome.

My son recommends Maui and the volcanoes np in Hawaii cuz he did Maui and wants to do the Big Island next visit. Maui seems to get lots of votes so maybe that is the place for the first visit. I've also heard nothing but rave reviews for Kauai - the garden island with the 2nd grand canyon.

If I should do Maui & Kauai, which one would be the best one for the helicopter tour. I'm think Kauai???

Thank you to all of you for your detailed info and suggestions. I just love my cathe friends. So full of knowledge.

 

[JodelleFitzh20]

I have been to Oahu and Maui and my favorite so far is Maui. Stay in a little healthy hippy town called Paia, where the only grocery store is a Natural Foods store and everything in the town is organic! It's not very touristy and you get to mingle with the locals and shop at lots of fresh farmer's markets daily. The food is amazing and local and fresh. Be sure to go to Mama's Fish House for dinner some night. It's a splurge as far as price, but it's right on the beach and amazing. Smoked blue marlin was killer. Here is the house I always rent when I'm there. Mark Reedy owns the house and it's right on the beach and he is an amazing host! Sea Breeze - Luxury Maui Vacation Rental Villa

Lots of yoga places in Maui, but the best place to take classes is at The Studio Maui,in Haiku (another cool little hippy town).

On your way back from class, stop in at Ho'okipa beach and watch all the kiteboarders and wind surfers - unreal!

If you want something really fun to do, Bike Haleakala. Mount Haleakala is a volcano on Maui and you can take a shuttle up to the very top and then bike all the way down. You bike through a Eucalyptus Forest and Lavendar Fields, and the smell will make you melt!

Then spend a day down in Lahaina on Kaanapali beach and rent some stand up paddle boards there in front of the Westin. I know the guys there on the beach that rent them. Ask for Tom and tell him Jodelle sent you! He'll hook you up!

But honestly anywhere you go in Hawaii you are going to fall in love and be in tears when you have to fly home.

 

[tsagona]

I'm getting excited just reading about what everyone else has done in HI. I plan to do the downhill. That sounds awesome. I won't be albe to smell the eucalyptus or the lavendar because I have no sense of smell, boo! But the adventure sounds exciting. I also plan on the sailboat adventure for snorkleing and will hopefully include some whale watching. Maybe the helicopter tour to see the hidden rainforest and waterfalls. That Mama's Beach ?? restarant on the beach sounds awesome too. Also the Hana Rd. journey looks like a memory maker. I need to get the "Blue Bible" for Maui. Thanks for all the info.