<p>
We’ve stayed there a couple of times, and like it a lot–before it was the Marriott, it was the “Royal Waikoloan.”</p>
<p>I agree about Waimea Falls Park–it’s really great.</p>
<p>I want to encourage you to go to Oahu. You’ve never been to Hawaii, and there are many wonderful things to see and do there. Do rent a car for a day or two, and drive around the Island. If you want to see surfing, go to the North Shore. It has a completely different feel, very laid back, and that is where the famous big waves can happen in the winter. Honolulu is great, really fun, with plenty of tours you can take. As far as “too many tourists” goes–remember that when a place is really great, plenty of people want to go there. I agree with those who say Kauai is the most beautiful, but much of that beauty is most appreciated by hikers and snorkelers. For a first visit to Hawaii, I encourage you to go to Oahu. Also, it is likely to have the cheapest flights. There are plenty of travel sights with plenty of info, so check those out before you go. Have fun!</p>
<p>Obviously, you cannot lose. Have a great trip.</p>
<p>Another vote for the Big Island here. For people who are not very active Kauai would not be my choice. I’ve been there twice. First time I was eight (yup count em 8) months pregnant. Couldn’t do a lot of the activities that Kauai is known for…I found it a bit dull. I was there recently, we went on a long hike to the waterfalls, etc. The hike was very strenuous.
We’ve been to the Big Island several times. Lots to do. Volcanoes, beaches, shopping, golf, hiking, easier to access waterfalls…</p>
<p>We are timeshare owners and trade into Hawaii using our Marriott units in Aruba and Hilton Head. </p>
<p>Waimea Falls–It is a tough drive to the top, some of the road is in bad shape. There is often fog as there was the day we finally got to the top. Couldn’t see a thing. We have been to Kauai twice staying at both Marriott timeshares. We especially liked the full day movie tour. We are going to Maui in April/May 2011 and staying at the Marriott hotel on Wailea for two nights using points and then a week at the Marriott timeshare in Kaanapali. We have been there before and liked it. You should rent a car in both places.</p>
<p>I did not like Oahu/Honolulu/Waikiki. Too many people; much too much traffic. The north shore is nice though. If you go make sure you get to Pearl Harbor, but avoid going or coming during rush hour if you are staying at Waikiki. They have some of the worse traffic I have ever seen. I was also not keen on the timeshare at Ko’lina, which was not finished when we visited. For all that money I didn’t want a view of an oil refinery. I also didn’t like their man made beach and lagoon-like water. It was uninteresting. </p>
<p>I am using Marriott points on United to get free tickets. I spent the extra dollars for the extended leg room seats. It’s a long flight and it is worth it to me.</p>
<p>“Waimea Falls–It is a tough drive to the top, some of the road is in bad shape.”</p>
<p>tsdad, you are talking about the Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai (which is spectacular and a must see), not the Waimea Falls Park which is on Oahu. There are areas called Waimea on every island - “wai” means “water”, and “waimea” means reddish colored water (at least that’s what we were told by some locals). The access to Waimea Falls on Oahu’s North Shore is very easy if you do not mind the drive, and for walking-challenged the park offers shuttles through the lush botanical gardens to the top of the park where the falls are located (about 1 mile walk, and the hill is not steep at all).
I happen to love Ko Olina. It has a relaxed “ohana” spirit compared to the nightlife busy buzz of Kaanapali. Wailea area of Maui is very relaxing, but more than 2 days there could be boring, especially for active teens who are not into beach lounging and upscale shopping.</p>
<p>Thanks for those keeping in mind we are not active. Maybe if we had been able to go 30 years ago, we could do all those fun things like hiking, but think maybe more of stuff that older folks would like. I love being on the water, so a place that has boat tours around the islands is great for me. Not kayaking or canoeing, but a tour boat. I also would love to stand on the beach and look at the waves, so a beach that is not for swimming, but more for watching, is the place for husband and me. Would like to swim under waterfalls, though. That would be awesome. Is it necessary to hike to the volcanoes, or is there an observation area?</p>
<p>As BunsenBurner said, we did a trip to Seattle last summer, and I am forever indebted to my CC Parents Cafe friends for their input. We had a wonderful trip, very relaxing, and saw so much more than we dreamed possible. </p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your help. The whole family really appreciates it!</p>
<p>I have been to Maui several times, Oahu once, and the Big Island once, and I highly recommend the Big Island. If you aren’t all that active and want a nice, relaxing pleasant trip for just a few days, then I recommend the Marriott on the Big Island. We had a lovely stay there a year and a half ago, and I really want to go back. I thought it was much better than OK. There are several pools, a big sandy private beach and lagoon and protected snorkeling area, two nice small malls right across the street. Buffet breakfast with outdoor seating at the hotel was nice. There is a boat tour that leaves from the hotel, but it’s just local. The islands are too far apart to be seeing them on a boat tour unless you do the cruise that goes in between islands. </p>
<p>The volcano area is on the other side of the island, and it is a long drive on a two-lane highway. There is an observation station and surrounding road loop there. When we were there the fumes from the volcano were so strong that we did not go to that. There is an absolutely amazing botanical garden on that side and a famous waterfall park that you have to hike into. The other side of the island really requires a couple days over there, so I don’t think you have time for that. </p>
<p>You can take a helicopter tour over the volcano if you are into that. My stepson and daughter-in-law did that and loved it.</p>
<p>Really, if you want to relax and have a great time in a quiet, beautiful setting, I recommend that Marriott. I sent my dr. there with her H for a four-day trip and they loved it too.</p>
<p>Maui, Maui, Maui! (over Oahu and the Big Island, where I have been – never been to Kauai.)</p>
<p>Big Island is the place to go. It’s just so diverse in its offerings. Maui is just to haole now for my taste (this coming from a haole).</p>
<p>I had a great time on the Big Island, but it’s huge. Traveling around to points of interest takes all day, ideally an overnight on the volcano side, and there is lots of hiking in that national park.
It seems like OP could get a quicker, more relaxed taste of many things on Maui.</p>
<p>Regardless of the island that you choose to visit, I highly recommend reading the ficticious book “Molokai” by Allen Brennert, to develop a historic feel for Hawaii. You won’t be able to put it down!</p>
<p>ksn – I LOVE that book, as well as his other one, Honolulu!!</p>
<p>See [The</a> Big Island Revealed](<a href=“http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html]The”>http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html) for a very thorough and practical introduction to the Big Island.</p>
<p>Each island has something special to offer. My favorite is Kauai - the last time we were there, we rented a house and walked across the street to the beach. One block away were restaurants, bars and a grocery store. I have to say I didn’t take one bad picture while I was there!!!</p>
<p>Bunsen:</p>
<p>You’re right. I was confusing the two. As I was writing it didn’t feel exactly right. Now I know why.</p>
<p>The Big Island is fantastic, but I’m not sure if you could really get the whole effect in just four days. Maui or Kauai would be a little more doable. For Maui, I recommend the Wailea area if you can swing it - the area is IMO more scenic than Ka’anapali and it’s a shorter drive to HNP.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want to visit any of them without a rental car. You might as well be in Las Vegas if all you’re going to do is lounge at the resort.</p>
<p>All of the Wizard Publications guidebooks are good.</p>