Two weeks, Big Island or Kauai first?

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

So in which order would you do the two islands if you had a choice? We will be traveling with another couple, staying at FFKHR for one week and either Waiohai or the Beachboy the other week. At the moment I think I have some flexibility since I am buying at FFKHR and doing a 'tour' at one of the others. We stayed at FFKHR this past summer, so I know what to expect there. I'm guessing you will tell me I can't go wrong either way, but figured I'd ask.

On another note, I know Waiohai is on Poipu beach, very nice, but am wondering if there is more available in terms of restaurants/nightlife in Kapa'a or Poipu...

Thanks,
G

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I can't offer an opinion on Big Island as we haven't gotten there yet but Kauai is very laid back and relaxing.

I would make my decision on flights home. Ease of connection and time etal.

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

You're right, I'd say you can't go wrong either way. We'll be on the Big Island from August 2 - August 18 if that helps you make up your mind one way or the other.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

I don't think the order makes any difference at all.

**

Re Po`ipu vs Kapa`a: that's a matter of individual preferences. We stay in Po`ipu almost every year and find that the amenities there are quite adequate for our purposes. But then, we aren't big on restaurants and nightlife.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Since you have already been to the Big Island I would go to Kauai first. That way you can run around and try to see all the things that you want to see on Kauai which may take a lot of energy. Then when you arrive on the Big Island you can take your time and relax, seeing the things you had missed on your last visit and also giving you a chance to go to places you’d like to see again without being in a hurry. This will make your vacation less stressful and seem a lot longer.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I like Ken's idea but on the other hand, you have a couple with you that may want to see as much as possible on the big Island. For us, it makes absolutely no difference how we do it. It depends how we can book the flights.

Avery, we booked a spur of the moment visit to Maui because we cannot wait until next April. We may still go next April too if we find another good flight, I hope.

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

Avery, we booked a spur of the moment visit to Maui because we cannot wait until next April. We may still go next April too if we find another good flight, I hope.

Emmy, when you book these spur of the moment trips, where do you end up staying?

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Luanne, we are still looking for accommodations but my DH booked for a Monday to Monday so it will be hard to find a timeshare week. He never thought of that. We will book a hotel room just to be safe that we can cancel until November first because we have someone nice here looking for us too for a timeshare week for our dates or from Sunday to Sunday, if at all possible.

We found a cheaper flight just before the holidays (12/11/06 to 12/18/06) when most people do not want to travel so we feel we do not have to worry yet. I know there are promos too that we could do but my DH rather doesn't go to a timeshare presentation while I would love to go.

I am looking forward to this unexpected trip.

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

We found a cheaper flight just before the holidays (12/11/06 to 12/18/06) when most people do not want to travel so we feel we do not have to worry yet.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you consider a cheap flight from the west coast? I'm assuming you fly out of LAX????

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Luanne, it was $800 and something for both of us from LAX. My DH isn't here right now and I forgot. He said it was reasonable because flights had been so high lately. It is the garbage fees that makes it so expensive and he will only fly with a few airlines. I always ask him to look at all the specials that people write about but then he ends up booking direct and often, it is cheaper anyway, he says.

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

Luanne, it was $800 and something for both of us from LAX.

Thanks Emmy. That does sound like a good price. Every time I check fares for the time we want/need to fly it's about that much per person. That's why we've been so lucky to be able to use ff miles the last several years when we've gone. Good thing Steve is taking a couple of big business trips in the near future so he can start building us those miles again.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Oh! We have enough FF miles too for Hawaii most every year and for a flight to Europe for one person but we didn't want to use our FF miles right now as we need them for something else. When he says it is a good flight, I believe him and I am still pleased that we are going when I read all the posts about Hawaii.

Have you noticed too that once a person has been to Hawaii, they always go back. Look at Avery now. The islands have magic. I guess it is the same for the Caribbean too because people go back there too year after year.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Look at what flights go where. I know you can get a flight right out of Kona. If you have been on one of the islands before then do that one first since you might be arriving late. Then leave that Island early so you can spend more time on the other Island. Just be sure you can flight out of that Island without having to connect on another island.

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

Have you noticed too that once a person has been to Hawaii, they always go back.

Steve grew up in the midwest and then lived on the east coast. When I first met him he'd never been to Hawaii. He said he also got a chuckle whenever anyone would say "The last time I was in Hawaii....". Well, now he's one of those obnxious people. We bought our timeshare on Maui when we were on our honeymoon and since then we've been back many times. I know it's much easier to get there when you're on the west coast. It's kind of like those on the east coast hopping over to Europe.

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

Look at what flights go where. I know you can get a flight right out of Kona. If you have been on one of the islands before then do that one first since you might be arriving late. Then leave that Island early so you can spend more time on the other Island. Just be sure you can flight out of that Island without having to connect on another island.

There are ok flights both in and out of Kona and Lihue, and a direct flight in between the two. If we do Kona first it will be an exchange (already in hand), and we will be traveling on the heels of 11 hours in the car for camp visiting day. But we will get back on 8/6, and have time to recuperate before our 12yr old comes home from camp. Plus I'll have a nice deposit for SFX (my Kona week) and also be able to take a bump if offered on the flight home. If we do Kauai first, we will do Kona the next week as owners, and get to see Luanne, but we'll miss the last day since we have to be back to pick up our 12 yr old, and we will be kinda fried when he gets home...