<p>I know, this is not Tripadvisor, but hey this is where I like to ask for advice! I hope people will not let me down.</p>
<p>My wife and I are flying tomorrow to Honolulu where we will meet our college sophomore daughter, and spend a week in Hawaii. This is our first time in Hawaii. Usually I do loads of research before a vacation, obsess about the details of our hotel choices, and what to do, like any other obsessive parent would that comes to c.c. </p>
<p>But we have been extremely busy at work and have had no time to do any research. How unprepared are we? We have plane tickets for tomorrow. That is it. No car rental, not hotels booked, no travel books bought, we don’t even really know which island we should be visiting. Can someone please advise?</p>
<p>We are looking for a break from our very hectic lives when the three of us can have a relaxing time focused around the beach, explore some coral reefs, and go on a few not too strenuous hikes (2-6 miles long).</p>
<p>Which island?
(I realize this will add to the cost but I’m told the main island of Oahu is not the best and that Waikiki is not the most relaxing beach. I have been told Kauai is good, others said Maui, but I have no idea what their differences are.</p>
<p>Which hotel? </p>
<p>(we tend to go for the 4 star or bargain priced 5 star properties. Must have WiFi in the room).</p>
<p>If you are on Oahu for a couple days be sure to go to Hanauma Bay for some wonderful snorkling. Rent a car and take a ride to the North shore you can find some lovely beaches all along the way. You will also see Eternity Beach (From Here to Eternity) it is lovely. I would also recommend a visit to Pearl Harbor. </p>
<p>Maui is lovely but it has been a while since I have been there so I can’t recommend hotels. However, you would want to rent a car and take the road to Hana. The waterfalls and pools are a must see. </p>
<p>While in Maui you can rent a snorkle boat in Lahaina to take you to Molokini, a small little semi circle island which has wonderful snorkling. It is also a good place to do some whale watching if my memory serves me well.</p>
<p>Enjoy…I am sure someone here will be able to give you info regarding hotels. Enjoy the spirit of the islands!</p>
<p>I can do a lot of research in a short amount of time–I’ll be happy to do that for you if you want to take me along as your personal tour guide :).</p>
<p>I posted a thred in 2009, and followed the advice from CC to stay in Maui. We chose the Sheraton over Westin because of the beach. The first floor ofWestin is all shops, which would not have appealed to son.</p>
<p>We drove to Hana, and son did a 2 hour hike. On way home, stopped at Fish House for late dinner. We did helicopter trip around island. Went to a laua. Snorkled at Molikini. Took tour to watch sunrise, then biked down (some people rode down in van). Toured plantations and went to various places to hike. Ate most meals in Lahanai. Oh yes, went to the theater there to see show. lots of fun. enjoy</p>
<p>Whichever island you choose, say Maui, get the Maui Revealed book. The books will be available in all the shops when you land in Honolulu. </p>
<p>If you stay on Oahu, make sure to do Diamond Head and the turtles on the north shore. Oahu is not my favorite island, but it does eliminate all the inter-island hops. Going to Pearl Harbor is an essential life event, but it is not relaxing so I’d do it early in the trip as it sort of undoes the sun/beach effect. Also, think about whether you like enclosed spaces before going in the submarine that is docked next store. I had to leave the tour when it got crowded and I felt trapped.</p>
<p>The Big Island is amazing, but is so big (the size of the state of CT) and with roads essentially only around the coast requires A LOT of driving. If you do go there it is essential to do the star gazing and observatory on Mauna Kea. It is a peak life experience. Also, IMHO the snorkling at Captain Cook’s cove (only accessible by boat) is the best on the islands.</p>
<p>We own vacation property on Kauai. It is a beautiful and mellow island. It might be exactly what you are looking for. Some good drives, some good food, nice beaches. I’d stay in the Lihue or Poipu area (I like Poipu but it is quiet) rather than the Princeville area. If the water is not too rough this time of year, do the sailing trip on the NaPali coast. </p>
<p>Maui is a favorite of many young people. It is pretty active and you can find whatever you want, including traffic. Having said that, we are headed back there this year. the biking and other activities are abundant. As bookworm noted, the sunrise/bike down the volcano (we used Bicycle John’s but you might not be able to get a reservation at the last minute…) was fantastic.</p>
<p>I’d call a travel agent. Can’t imagine why you are asking here. I’d choose Kauai or Maui, but it would depend on what time you can get a connecting flight out of Honolulu.</p>
<p>The most important part of a hotel room for me is the location - does it face the ocean, is it away from the garbage, elevator, do you need to walk a mile to get to it? Last moment you won’t get a very good room. In Maui I would go to Wailea - any hotel there is nice, and there are nice condos. Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, etc.</p>
<p>In Kauai it is the same thing. All hotel rooms have travel books that recommend all the tourist sites. There are lots of condos I’d hike the Na Pali coast, visit the Waimea Canyon, etc. Both islands have excellent snorkeling - Kauai’s waters are rougher.</p>
<p>You could check VRBO. If you send one email, somebody will contact you who has lots to rent.</p>
<p>You will get killed on a rental car most likely with no previous reservation. Even with reservations, they add all kinds of surcharges.</p>
<p>Hope you have great weather and a wonderful time!</p>
<p>If you have a week and don’t have much planned…I’d stay on Oahu. Highly recommend the west side (Ko Olina). THere is a JW Marriott and the brand new Disney Aulani (it’s a resort, not a theme park). Fabulous sunsets, nice beaches, quieter, calmer than Waikiki. Next to Ko Olina golf course.</p>
<p>If you must stay on Waikiki, the Halekalani (sp?)…fabulous. Right on beach, to die for spa, nice beachfront dining. Classy, calm.
North SHore has Turtle Bay, great waves, surfing. Shrimp trucks nearby…yum.
Huanama Bay on east side has great snorkeling.</p>
<p>Pearl Harbor is a must—but! reserve a tour or get there early (opens at 7:30). Also…they allow NO purses/bags/backpacks whatsoever–no exceptions.<br>
Either leave in trunk or use their bag check. One could spend a whole day there…</p>
<p>And for a very traditional, totally unhealthy, Hawaiian treat…try Leonard’s bakery on Kapahulu. Best Malasadas ever. Always a line, but moves quickly…</p>
<p>Guessing you will pay a fortune for a rental at this late date…but! getaways with college-aged kids are rare–enjoy!!!</p>
<p>Kahala Hilton in the Kahala section of Honolulu is probably the most expensive hotel in Honolulu, but it is extremely quiet and has its own dolphin pool with a show for the guests. Its right next to the most exclusive country club on the island, and in a residential area completely removed from the touristy beachy sections in downtown. Check the current pricing before you book !!!</p>
<p>Go to pearl harbor while you are there. You’ll regret it if you leave without doing that.</p>
<p>Hawaii will strike you as stunningly beautiful islands with terrific weather, and filled mostly with pineapple plantations and dotted with luxury hotels. If you go to the other islands, they all look slightly different, but outside the hotels, you are in the polynesian rural country. Oahu has more going on and it is smaller and easier to drive around.</p>
<ol>
<li> Arizona Memorial. Free, but get there early to get a ticket for a specific time. Get the ticket first so that you can plan the rest of your visit there.</li>
<li> Pearl Harbor museum. Free.</li>
<li> Bowfin submarine and submarine museum. $10?. Probably about two hours.</li>
<li> Missouri. $20?. Take shuttle there. Three or four hours. Oklahoma memorial is just in front.</li>
<li> Air museum. $20?. Take shuttle there.</li>
</ol>
<p>On days when you do not have a car, you can use [The</a> Bus](<a href=“http://www.thebus.org%5DThe”>http://www.thebus.org) to get around O`ahu. Many of the populated areas and tourist attractions are in narrow strips, so they are relatively accessible by The Bus. However, the #19 and #20 that serve the airport do not allow baggage larger than carry-on baggage.
Other attractions on O`ahu include:</p>
<p>a. Diamond Head. $1 admission, $5? for parking.
b. Bishop Museum. $18. Includes culture and history displays, planetarium shows, and a science museum with displays about the geology and biology of Hawaii.
c. Various trails in the hills if you like walking in the woods.
d. [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poke_(Hawaii)]Poke[/url”>Poke (Hawaiian dish) - Wikipedia]Poke[/url</a>] bars in every grocery store (should be on other islands also).</p>
<p>We have gone to Maui multiple times and really enjoy it. Highly recommend the Sheraton for the beach and black rock snorkeling. If you want to be a little more active, great hiking on Haleakala or surfing lessons in Lahaina. These guys can teach anyone to surf in a couple of hours [Welcome</a> to Goofy Foot Surf School! - Surf Lessons in Lahaina, Maui.](<a href=“http://www.goofyfootsurfschool.com/]Welcome”>http://www.goofyfootsurfschool.com/)</p>
<p>I’ve been to Oahu, Kaui, and many times to Maui. I would recommend staying at the Westin(next to Grand Wailea) and not the Grand Wailea(big resort for kid). Westin is more relaxing a bit more down to earth.</p>
<p>Have a great time! We have enjoyed staying on many of the islands. The place we return to more than any other is the Grand Hyatt on Kauai (Poipu area). Kauai is just beautiful and very relaxing. The hotel is a good mix of fun for kids and relaxing for adults. Not nearly the scene of the Grand Wailea on Maui. Hiking the Napali Coast (Kauai) is wonderful. Maui is the place to go for the dining scene and whales (if they are there). Oahu is surprisingly nice. The snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is very good and Pearl Harbor is a must. The Big Island, of course, has the volcanoes. The Four Seasons resort there is adult heaven, but not so good for kids. Trips to swim with the dolphins and sea turtles can be found on all the Islands. You will have a good time wherever you end up.</p>
<p>We go to Hawaii every year. So…with that in mind:</p>
<p>Oahu (Waikiki Beach) is not restful…Halekulani is beautiful, the Moana is where Mark Twain stayed, the Royal Hawaiian (now with that HORRIBLE shopping center on what used to be lawns) are the most historic. The Kahala is beautiful and quiet.</p>
<p>You can legitimately sightsee in Oahu. As mentioned: Pearl Harbor, Bishop Museum, Botanical gardens, Punchbowl, Pali Lookout…all interesting.</p>
<p>Maui: Hana is quiet…VERY quiet. Kaanapali is very active with a mix of young people and us mature folks. Wailea is Beverly Hills with pool jewelry. Lahaina is the original town/fishing port. Known to Hawaiian royalty as the Healing Isle…it is where royalty went when they were ill. Extinct volcano…Haleakala is interesting, but bring a sweater.</p>
<p>Molokai: More recently opened to tourists it is the home of the Leper Colony made famous by Father Damian. We’ve never been there, chiefly because when we first went as a family children under 12 weren’t permitted at the colony because their immune systems weren’t strong enough. Sort of a deal breaker for me.</p>
<p>Kauai Beautiful, rains a lot…gardens. Some very high end hotels.</p>
<p>Lanai: Used to be a pineapple plantation…Now has a VERY expensive hotel…just for kicking back.</p>
<p>Hawaii: Havent been there in years. Known for sportsfishing (we don’t do that)…
so can’t comment.</p>
<p>All islands have golf courses…some outstanding…tennis facilities can be good or minimal…lots of hiking (if you like that). Not a great shopping place (my husband smiles)…Check with each hotel regarding wifi</p>
<p>Thanks so much for this thread, OP! Planning a trip in a year or so and this is so helpful. Have a lovely trip! Please post your review of Hawaii when you get back.</p>
<p>Been to Hawaii a few times. I would think the first step would be to figure out which island you want to spend time on. We’ve done a week long trip and covered two islands. Anything more would probably not be worth it. You could choose to spend the first couple of days on Oahu, then travel to either Maui/Kauai/Big Island and spend the next few days there. Once you pick the islands, activities will be the easy part. On Oahu, Pearl Harbor is a must and a visit to Leonards bakery for their malasadas is another must!!</p>
<p>Kauai is gorgeous. The most “advanced” island in terms of the natural beauty you see. You can get it all there. Great hikes - there’s one along the Na Pali coast, one in the canyons - not too much effort, but unbelievable, breathtaking scenery. You can also take a cruise along the coast line for 3-4 hours and see the sunset. Don’t forget to try the shaved ice!</p>
<p>To me, Maui is just a tad bit more commercial than Kauai. But again, great hikes abound. You can go to Haleakala to see the sunrise, ride a bike down if you are up to it!</p>
<p>The big island is the most “barren” looking island of the three. But if you are looking for examples of what the volcano destruction does - this is the place to go. Amazing view of the active volcano. You can also go to the Mauna Kea observatory. Or you can take a great hike around and across the crater formed during the volcano eruption a few decades ago. Great, great way to learn how these islands are formed!</p>
</p>