Hawaii - 1st time trip

We've never been to hawaii, and I dont know which island to choose!

Any thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks!

You will get as many different answers as there are posters here.

For a first trip, I don't think you can go wrong with any island(s). My suggestion would be a trip of a minimum of two weeks, and two islands. Then where could depend on:

- What you're trading with and what's available
- What you want to do
- What type of vacation you want to have

Our personal favorite island right now is the Big Island. But others don't care for that one and prefer others.

You will get a lot of responses.

Each Island is unique and different in its own way.

I know a lot of TUGGERS will suggest Kauai or Maui.

Quite a few TUGGERS don't like Oahu, because they think only of Honolulu, which is a big city, but there is a lot more to Oahu than Honolulu and it usually will have the best airfares.

Luanne is right the Big Island is unique because it is so big and diverse.

You really can't go wrong, after all, they are all Hawaii!

The Big Island is our favourite, a little less touristy than Maui and Oahu (Waikiki) in our opinion. But we've never been to Kauai.

I would say if you're looking for lush greenery and flowers, don't go to the Big Island. Although the east side of the Island is beautiful, it rains a lot there, which for me is not what I go to Hawaii for. And the Kona side is very much a moonscape.

It's like asking which is the best tasting fruit, apples or oranges. It's all a matter of personal taste and there's no wrong choice.

We've been to Maui, Hawaii and Kauai and Hawaii is our favorite followed by Kauai. Our first trip was Maui/Kauai, second 2 weeks on the Big Island, and our third, which we just retruned on 4/4, was Big Island/Kauai. Each time we've gone for 2 weeks which is the only way we would go coming from the east coast.
Spending 2 weeks on the Big Island was great. We put 1000 miles on our rental car and saw the entire island without rushing. If you are into snorkeling and especially scuba diving, the Big Island is the place to go. Snorkeling is fantastic with some sights having very easy entry. The scuba diving was not the best we have done but the Manta Ray night dive was our favorite dive to date. The experience was surreal. You can also snorkel while others dive and see the mantas from a different perspective.
Kauai is the prettiest island of the three we've visited, Maui was too commercial for us.

ok, so looks like 2 weeks should be the minimum ... its just so hard to get out of work for that long! Ill have to try to plan around days off or something ...

We love Kauai and are here right now. We just stayed two days at Wyndham Bali Hai with points, in a 2 bedroom Presidential unit. Love it here! Next, it is the Westin Princeville for a full week, then it's Shearwater for another week. We love Princeville because we live in Colorado, a much cooler climate, so we appreciate the cool air and rain showers.

Although Shearwater is actually rather unfancy (not a word, I know), every unit has an ocean view, so you cannot go wrong there, no matter how hard you try. You will always get the best views at Shearwater.

We also love Maui, a close second to Kauai. I am not a big fan of the Big Island because I find the place rather stark and lacking in beauty, although we have been there twice and I would rather be there than not be on the islands at all.

Love owning at Sheraton Broadway Plantation, for the internal exchange preference through II.

It's all about the time of year you go, and what you want to do...

If you want hustle and bustle, Honolulu is where it's at. Waikiki and the rest of Oahu supports that bustling economy pretty well. Pearl Harbor is on Oahu, as are the world famous North Shore surfing beaches with names like Waimea Bay, Makaha, and Pipeline. You can spend weeks on this island and never see it all. Oahu is called "The Gathering Place" for a reason. Nice beaches.

Kauai is "The Garden Isle," and is pretty mellow. Beautiful beaches, not overly crowded, low-rise building plans (supposedly, no building can be taller than a palm tree), and generally laid-back approach to everything makes it a fine destination if you want to just relax. Uncrowded beaches.

Maui is "The Valley Isle" and is fast becoming a smaller version of Oahu. It can be hugely crowded, but the spectacular scenery and family-oriented destinations make it a choice for many travelers. Some great beaches there.

Hawaii, "The Big Island," is where the active volcanoes are. The island is way bigger than the other main islands, but seems to have fewer people, probably because things are more spread out. It is the youngest of the islands, so has few sandy beaches, but it's a relaxed atmosphere that is very appealing.

Each island has its own appeal. I'd strongly recommend you invest in Andrew Daughty's "Revealed" books. "Oahu Revealed" (and similar titles for the other islands) are excellent reference books about getting the most from an island vacation, from an insider's point of view. They're about $10 each, and are money very well spent. Check Amazon, or your favorite bookseller.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Dave

ahhh, your first time...you have no idea yet what wonders are in store for you in paradise! not just the scenery, but the warmth of the people are what draw me back time and again. My face hurts from smiling so much, and it takes a week for me to stop adding "yeah?" to the end of my sentences once I return to the east coast.

Although I have not been to Maui yet, I concur with the way Dave describes the other islands. Each one is marvelous in it's own way. One week is not enough, but it you can swing 10 to 12 days, it makes a big difference in what you can experience, plus airfare will be cheaper if departure/return is on a weekday.

First trip was to Big I for 12 days, put 1200 miles on the rental car and loved every busy minute of all the things I did! From golfing to hiking to the Green Sand Beach, to seeing lava flowing into the ocean, creating new land-this island has something for everyone. The Hamakua coast drive has lush landscape, and the best beaches are Hapuna, and the Mauna Kea Resort's beach. You can even see turtles on the black sand beach at Punalu'u!

Second trip was to Kauai for a week with a weekend on Oahu. Kauai is so beautiful and green compared to the Big I-recommend heli tour for so many things you can't see by car (NaPali coast in particular). Oahu was fun, hiked Diamondhead by myself with a broken toe, was worth the view at the top. Traffic was horrible, but expected that in Honolulu....North Shore had the OP Pro Men's surfing, last day of competition had the smallest waves in 35 years-go figure:annoyed:

Third trip was with friends I met online at Hawaii.com forums-the annual event where we travel from across the country (and the world) meet up with each other. Left the ex at home this trip and had the best vacation of my life! Oahu for 9 days was much better, as I got to see the east and north sides of the island-so much beauty, especially Lanikai Beach!

4th "trip" was a 7 hour layover on Oahu at the end of a trip to Australia. Saw Pearl Harbor-very somber and informative.

5th trip is to Kauai for a week and Oahu for a long weekend this August...can't wait to see some things I missed the first time because I broke my little toe while surfing with 3 days still left. I want to try ziplining, and hike the first part of the Kalalau trail on Kauai. On Oahu, hope to surf if the jellyfish arrive late, and finally go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Plus hit the shrimp trucks on the North Shore!

Your possibilities are endless....have a great time, whichever island you pick!

Best thing to do is get the books from the "Revealed" series-great advice and directions to so many things you wouldn't get to without their directions.

Honestly, the islands I've been to have not been my choice, as much as fate had a hand in which resorts have been offered to me to trade to. I have passed on some resorts offered (one high rise on Oahu that had a sleeper sofa for a bed), and a place on Maui that I found out had only twin beds instead of the queen size that I was quoted when I accepted the exchange.

Incidentally, my home resort is Presidential Villas at Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach. My trades have been to Paniolo Greens on Big I, the Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort on Big I, the Lawaii Beach Resort on Kauai, and now the Banyan Harbor on Kauai for this August. All have been clean, comfortable and spacious for 2 people (some could have accomodated up to 6). The 2 on Big I were not close to the ocean, and had no views, but the Lawaii Beach Resort had a great view of the ocean across the streets, loved watching the surfers while enjoying my coffee on the lanai.

Good luck!

Our first trip to Hawaii was from the East Coast. We stayed 3 days on Oahu, saw the major sites like Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Arizona, recovered and then flew to Kauai for a week. It was going to be our one and only trip to Hawaii. 25 years later we still try to go at least once a year (and that's a really bad year.)

My suggestion would be to go for the cheapest airfare because after you see Hawaii once you will be infected for life and eventually see all the Islands.

If we're ever there at the same time I'll buy you an umbrella drink.


Aloha, Sterling

On our very first trip to Hawaii we took an inter-island cruise to see all the islands, then spent a second week on the windward side of Oahu.

The next time we stayed one week on the Big Island and one week on Kauai. The Big Island is very big indeed and we could have spent two weeks there and not run out of things to do.

But we have gradually fallen in love with Kauai, and spent 5 weeks there last fall. We are planning a 4-week trip to Kauai for this coming November.

We had a great time on Maui when we were on the cruise but we haven't made it back yet. Kauai just feels so much like home...

We own 6 weeks of timeshare in Hawaii. DH likes Maui best and I love Kauai. The Big Island is my least favorite--expecially when VOG affects our experience in paradise. Regardless, I still can't wait for our return to KCR II next month for 2 weeks followed by 2 more weeks at MSR.

Don't try to do it all at once. Try looking at Hawaii from a protracted view and do a different island for the next few vacations, however you have them spaced out. Just a thought. Have a great time.

Marty

Maui, is our favoite island, and specifically the Kaanapali area is our favorite. We love the beachwalk to the Whaler's Village, and Front St. is really fun.

Maui has great beaches of course, and the Road to Hana. To me Maui has a little bit of everything.

I've only been to Oahu and Maui. I love Maui. It has a great combination of touristy things to do and natural beauty. I've been there three times and still have things on my "To Do" list.

I usually plan one activity per day and then leave the rest of the day for snorkeling or driving or hiking or relaxing at the pool.

Here's a sample itinerary of what I've done and/or would like to do.

Day 1 - arrive, get rental car, go grocery shopping, check-in, dinner and collapse into bed

Day 2 - arise early (4am - not by choice but because my body is still on Ohio time), breakfast in the condo, and then snorkel at our hotel. In the evening we head to Lahaina for dinner.

Day 3 - Road to Hana or drive around West Maui mountains

Day 4 - Zipline or ATV tour

Day 5 - All day trip to Lanai

Day 6 - Hiking in West Maui Mountains

Day 7 - sunset cocktail cruise

We have been to Hawaii 4 times. First time was a whirlwind as in 14 days we did 4 islands, Oahu, Molakai, Kauai, and finishing up on Hawaii. It was great fun but I would never recommend anyone doing it this way. The 2 week suggestion ( 2 islands in 2 weeks ) is best; but if you don't have a full 2 weeks maybe 10 days would do spending 5 days on each. Here's my rundown of the Islands we visited in order of our preferences:
1 Kauai, the garden island, lavish foliage everywhere, and the Waimea canyon. Can easily be seen in 5-7 days.
2. Maui, on our first trip we met a group of people at a resort that said Maui use to be great but because of the heavy tourism it's not anymore. Well we fimally made it to Maui on our last trip 2 years ago and loved it. It has a little bit of everything. The Hana side has the beauty of Kauai, the west side has good beaches, and the Haleakala has your volcano (though be it extinct). Loved it.
3. Oahu, though very touristy around Waikiki once you drive a little ways away it's still gorgeous. So much to see and do here; Pearl Harbor, Polynesian cultural center, and Byoda temple to mention a few.
4. Hawaii, it has the ever flowing Kilauea; a must see if on the island. Also has Waimea valley, lush and beautiful.
5. Molokai, I know I have it listed as last; but we loved it. If you like a peaceful; realaxing, low paced vacation it could easily move to number 1. No traffic light on the island, and when we were there about 7 years ago there was only 1 stop sign. The beaches are beautiful; and very often you may be the only person on it. We rode the mules down to the leper colony which was a great and interesting tour. For hikers it's a great choice.

My preferences are just that mine. Someone else could have them listed in a completely different order and they would be just as right sa me. You can't go wrong choosing where to visit in Hawaii. Study up on the different Islands and pick those that fit what you like most to do. Aloha!

I would base that decision on the resort where I would be staying, location on the timeshare within the resort, and the type of activities my family like to do for vacation.

Kauai: We perfer a timeshare unit located oceanfront. Love to hear the waves gently splashing against the sand. Our friends did an exchange using points into the same resort and were promished oceanfront but stuck in "K" building at the back of the resort. These units are smaller, no oceanview and more "chickens" to keep you awake. We love it there and they would never return.

We like taking a walk in the evening on the bikepath into town for dinner and some latenight shopping. A deep sea fishing charter is across the channel and Kapaa is a wonderful little town to explore.

Maui: Purchased an EOY oceanfront timeshare here since we like visiting here but want the opportunity to explore other islands. Great restaurants, sightseeing & dinner cruises, and activities. If we hit the big lotto, this is where I would purchase a home.

Go to the library and take out the Revealed series of travel books on Hawaii published by Wizard Publications. Also checkout their website since it provides resort aerials & reviews, restaurant reviews, and links to each island that may be helpful in your decision.

First trip Kauai.

We have been to the islands four times since 1994. Twice to Kauai (Cliffs Club and Shearwater), once to Maui (Maui Schooner) and Oahu (Outrigger), and once to the Big Island (Kona Coast Resort). Each island has something to offer and they are all beautiful. As mentioned in previous posts, you will get a variety of opinions on which is best. However rest assured that you won't be disappointed in visiting any of them!

The Luau at the Waikoloa Marriott was excellent,it is not large,more intimate, relatively few people ( you are at a round table with 6-8 people instead of a long table) as compared to some luau, the food was flavorful and authentic, the grounds were beautiful,the sunset..Breathtaking..the show was close-up and one of the best I have ever seen and the drinks were not watered down....Very Nice Luau,I was just there in May 08...I think you would enjoy it.I agree with Aloha Girl , the City of Refuge is a place you will want to go if you enjoyed PCC on Oahu...Kona is Beautiful with ALOT of Waterfront Shoppes and Restaurants. The Kings and Queens Shopping Centers are right next to the Hilton Waikoloa and has quite a few High-End Shoppes (very expensive),if you are interested in Volcanoes, the Big Island is where you will find the only currently erupting volcano in the Islands,Kilauea as well as in-active/dormant Mauna Kea(the tallest mountain in the world) and Mauna Loa(last active 1984).~~Aloha

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