I am planning a trip to Hawaii at the end of June or beginning of July. Would like to visit Multiple islands?
September 27th, 2009 | 
Author: Planning a trip to Hawaii, wanna visit Big island, Maui, Oahu and maybe Kauai. Want to keep it nice but dont wanna overextend myself. Was wondering what were nice hotels on each of the islands? or which islands to go to? i would like to do it all… i have never been to Hawaii before and want to make it memorable for my girlfriend. Thanks
If you really want to experience Hawaii, spend as least amount of time on Oahu. The Big Island, Maui, and Kauai are where it’s at!
The Big island is good because it is where you can see the volcano still errupting. What a lot of people do is they get white rocks from the beach and arrange the rocks along the side of the road against all of the black volcanic rocks. Do it with your girlfriend. I think it would be cute. It sounds weird right now, but once you get on the island and see, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Maui is awesome because it’s got the best beaches. It’s constantly on the best beaches in the world lists. Go to maui and see the beaches, it’s beautiful. You can also drive around the island and see the rainforests. They have little places that will pack you lunches and you can buy a cassette tape that will talk to you along the way to Hana. That might also be cute. Stay in an area called, Ka’anapali (kah-uh-nah-pa-lee) If you want, go snorkeling. There is a boat called the ‘Trilogy’. You sail along with the crew and they serve you lunch. They’ll take you sailing and snorkeling so that you can see all the beautiful reefs and aqualife. If you’re visiting between November and March, the humpback whales will have migrated down here and you can see them spout water in the air. Sometimes you might even catch them giving birth down here in the warmer waters. Then go to the Old Lahaina Lu’au. It’s the best lu’au in all of Hawaii.
Then go to Kauai. They have the most amazing rainforests and waterfalls. Absolutely amazing. Go to a place called Waimea. And Hanalei. If you have time.
Like it’s already been said, don’t island hop. Spend 5 days or a week if possible on each island that way you spend most of your time experiencing Hawaii as opposed to mostly traveling.
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8 Responses to “I am planning a trip to Hawaii at the end of June or beginning of July. Would like to visit Multiple islands?”
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I was stationed in Hawaii for 3 yrs. I recommend on the Big island you find your way to the highest point in the pacific. Make sure you drive because walking up to 15,000 + ft is never a good idea. Go to Molokai and beware of the wild animals, because they will get you.On Oahu, a must is Pearl Harbor,and Sunset beach …If you get a chance please visit my buddys at MCB HAWAII, home of the 3rd Marine Division..and give them a pat on the back .. dont forget to try the shaved ice. MAHALO AND SEMPER FI
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You are gonna love it no matter which islands ya go to. They all have their special attraction. Diamondhead on Oahu is cool…. like the post before, sunset beach @ sunset is awesome. It’s been so long….some kind of falls…Kaneohe I think. alsoThe big island lava flows are spectacular. I crawled down underneath the cooled flows until it got pretty scary. They go forever and one could get seriously lost. Anyway, have fun!
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An activity for when you’re on the Big Island: you should go to the Thurston Lava Tube. I went to the Big Island on a field trip in 6th grade but for some reason thats one place that I really remember about the trip. Its really cool in there.
Anyways, at Oahu, Waikiki probably has the best hotels but its quite touristy.
Hope you enjoy your trip
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You didn’t say how long you plan to visit. If you only have a week or 10 days, I wouldn’t recommend visiting more than 2 islands at most. The islands are close together and flying from one to the other doesn’t take long, but packing, getting to the airport, going through security, waiting for the flight, flying, renting another car, getting to your hotel, and unpacking again is not a lot of fun if you do it over and over again.
On Oahu you could stay pretty much anywhere in Waikiki. Most hotels are nice there. I like the Ala Moana (not at Waikiki Beach) because it’s attached to Ala Moana shopping center and that’s where people from the outer islands — like me — like to shop! If you don’t care much about that, stay in Waikiki. The Royal Hawaiian, Outrigger Waikiki, and Hilton Hawaiian Village are upscale properties that are very nice. Lower priced but still nice: Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Pacific Beach Hotel. More in the ‘budget’ range: Princess Kaiulani, Queen Kapiolani.
On Maui I’ve stayed in a condo and at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kihei. Both options are good as Kihei has lots of beaches and dining and things to do at night. Maui is not my favorite island so I don’t go there often and don’t know much about it.
On the Big Island, Kona Village Resort, Hilton Waikoloa, and the Mauna Lani are nice resorts which are rather pricey. The Hapuna Beach Prince was damaged badly in the earthquake last October. I don’t know if it has reopened yet, but it sits on the most gorgeous beach on the island (in my opinion). If you choose to stay right in Kailua-Kona (the main town on the west side), the Royal Kona Resort and Kona Seaside are inexpensive, clean hotels in good locations — both on Ali’i Drive which is the main drag in town. Lots of shopping and dining on Ali’i Drive and what little nightlife there is in Kailua-Kona exists right there.
I live on Kauai! The Hyatt and Sheraton in Poipu are both very nice (the Hyatt is more expensive and fancier than the Sheraton). The Marriott and Hilton on the east side are nice as well and have great pools. The Marriott is closer to a good swimmable beach — Kalapaki. There aren’t any hotels/resorts on the west side; it’s all condos and private homes for rent over there. The west side is the driest part of the island and will be very hot in mid-to-late summer. On the North Shore there is the Princeville Resort, which is pricey and fancy. Kauai is pretty sleepy — not much to do at night and no chain restaurants except for fast food. We have a small shopping mall, Wal Mart, and K-Mart and that’s about it for shopping other than the little shops that cater to tourists (which can be really fun but expensive). There is almost no nightlife to speak of. Kauai is a great place for water sports (snorkeling, diving, fishing, surfing, scuba, boogie boarding) and lying on the beach and looking at scenery.
If you only have a week or so, try to limit yourself to 1 or 2 islands so you have some time to really enjoy them rather than rushing to and from the airport all the time. Take time to sit on the beach, enjoy some sunsets, and relax.
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Aloha
how long are you going? for 2 weeks, 3 islands will probably be good. last time i went, i went to oahu, kauai and maui. it was a good mix because oahu is very busy/touristy (can get all your souvenirs/shopping done), kauai is very mellow and laidback (be at one with the environment) and maui was a mix of the 2.
and whenever i go, i rent condo/vacation rentals instead of hotels. it makes the stay a little more personal because you have your own personal space…the places are bigger than hotels, and usually cheaper. you can cook if you want to (we never do), but at least you have a full size fridge for drinks, a microwave for whatever…..
i’d suggest looking at http://www.vrbo.com.
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I have visited the island of Oahu six times, but to no other island. I have stayed at the Pacific Beach Hotel four out of six visits to Oahu.
Below are my sources:
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http://www.expedia.com
http://www.pacificbeachhotel.com
http://www.tripadvisiors.com
http://www.thisweek.com/Oahu
http://www.visit-oahu.com
http://www.101thingstodo/Oahu (or clik on any other island)
http://www.spotlighthawaii.com/oahugold
http://www.hawaiiweb.com
http://www.hawaii.com
http://www.gohawaii.com
http://www.hawaii-hotels.com
http://www.alohafriends.com
http://www.outrigger.com
http://www.ohanahotels.com
If you really want to experience Hawaii, spend as least amount of time on Oahu. The Big Island, Maui, and Kauai are where it’s at!
The Big island is good because it is where you can see the volcano still errupting. What a lot of people do is they get white rocks from the beach and arrange the rocks along the side of the road against all of the black volcanic rocks. Do it with your girlfriend. I think it would be cute. It sounds weird right now, but once you get on the island and see, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Maui is awesome because it’s got the best beaches. It’s constantly on the best beaches in the world lists. Go to maui and see the beaches, it’s beautiful. You can also drive around the island and see the rainforests. They have little places that will pack you lunches and you can buy a cassette tape that will talk to you along the way to Hana. That might also be cute. Stay in an area called, Ka’anapali (kah-uh-nah-pa-lee) If you want, go snorkeling. There is a boat called the ‘Trilogy’. You sail along with the crew and they serve you lunch. They’ll take you sailing and snorkeling so that you can see all the beautiful reefs and aqualife. If you’re visiting between November and March, the humpback whales will have migrated down here and you can see them spout water in the air. Sometimes you might even catch them giving birth down here in the warmer waters. Then go to the Old Lahaina Lu’au. It’s the best lu’au in all of Hawaii.
Then go to Kauai. They have the most amazing rainforests and waterfalls. Absolutely amazing. Go to a place called Waimea. And Hanalei. If you have time.
Like it’s already been said, don’t island hop. Spend 5 days or a week if possible on each island that way you spend most of your time experiencing Hawaii as opposed to mostly traveling.
References :
I lived in Hawaii for the last five years and have extensive relationships with most of the Resort Managers, Restaurantaurs and Activity companies. Please contact me if you would like me to coordinate a fun and memorable vacation in Paradise.