First Trip to Hawaii

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

need advice...we definitely want to visit Oahu and see pearl harbor, but we have heard we should visit moe than just one island when we go. Do you suggest splitting the trip between two islands?? I am looking at Oahu and Kuaai, Any advice on where or where not to stay etc. or any other pieces of input ar greatly appreciated. if we split between two islands we are looking at approx 4 nughts on each.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Every island has something, Kauai was our favorite island we stayed on the Priceville side and was very tropical. Kona is where the live Volcano is but it is a ride to get to , Oahu was very congested but had a lot going on, Maui you needed to do a lot of driving if you wanted to see everything but was worth the drive

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

What time of year are you planning to go? The Princeville side of Kauai is breathtaking but rainy in winter.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

How long is your trip going to be? If you are only planning one week you can lose about a day moving island to island.

Each island has it's own charm. Our favorites are Maui and the Big Island.

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

Thank you for your replies...they are greatly appreciated. We will most likely be going in June, 2019. We have just started the planning phase so we are wide open. We are looking to be there 8-10 days, 4-5 days on two different islands. If we need more or less on a specific island, please let us know. We will have two teenagers with us, a boy and a girl, 16 and 18. This may determine which islands you suggest. We are not set on the second island. Any input and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Are you planning on staying in timeshares or renting? If it’s timeshares, then I would recommend stretching it out to two full weeks, if possible. I think that would greatly increase your options unless you belong to a points system with lots of Hawaii inventory.

On Oahu, the Hilton Hawaiian Village complex is great. For a reasonable price, you can get 4 or 7 day bus passes and ride all over the island. There are bus stops right outside the complex. Waikiki Beach is steps away.

On Kauai, we liked the Poipu Beach area in the south and Kapaa, near the airport. In Kapaa, the Pono Kai offers big 2bdr units. In Poipu, the snorkeling is great just a few feet off the beach. The Lawai Beach resort has good sized 2 bdr units.

On Maui, it’s hard to go wrong. Kaanapali one one side and Kihei on the other. Kaanapali Beach Resort and Sands of Kahana offer units with the size you will want on that side. Maui Lea at Maui Hill has big units on the Kihei side. There are lots more choices but these are the ones we have stayed at.

The Big Island of Hawaii is literally big. A trip to the volcano is a long full day, lots of driving. On this island, you also have two choices, Kona or Waikoloa. Waikoloa is a good ways away from everything. The good news is there are lots of places to stay and you never really have to leave Waikoloa once you get there to have a great vacation. On the Kona side, if you want to be close to the town, Wyndham Kona is very nice. Most of the rest of the good Kona resorts are a few miles away from the town but still close to the beach. Moana Loa Village has really spacious 2 bdr units.

If you are renting, you have unlimited choices on all islands but the prices will sometimes make you laugh...or cry.