First Trip to Hawaii

Would like to travel to Hawaii maybe this fall. What is the best island to stay at? Are the prices cheaper in late August-early September?

Thanks.

First Trip to Hawaii

Having been only once, we stayed a few days on Oahu (for a convention, but we had a few days to ourselves), and then 5 or 6 nights on Maui.

Depends on what you want.......it is also feasible to do more than one.....inter-island flights are not very expensive.

Allow yourself at least 10 days....travel days are basically shot, and since you are going that far, stay as long as you can.

On Oahu, you would want to check out Pearl Harbor, the North Shore and Waikiki beach.

Maui is beautiful....we didn%26#39;t get around to do much, we preferred to hang out on the beach. We were on the trip with extended family. Some of them did the tour to the Haleakala crater and the Road to Hana.

For Volcanoes, you%26#39;ll want the Big Island of Hawaii. And, Kauai is supposedly gorgeous, but I%26#39;ve not been there. However, I will go there, and Hawaii next time.

Our convention was around the end of August. Not sure about prices, but I would think that during the school year, it would be a little less.

In any event, you will have a great time.

First Trip to Hawaii

I like the islands in this order:

BI, for it%26#39;s beautiful beaches and clear blue water. Kona isn%26#39;t your idea of ';tropical'; as it is the newest island. Lots of lava. The Hilo side is green.

Kauai, aka the garden isle. It%26#39;s lush and tropical. It%26#39;s not as built up as Maui and very pretty. This is probably what most people who haven%26#39;t been to Hawaii before thinks Hawaii is like. That%26#39;s where I would recomment you start.

Oahu, for the North shore and Windward sides. I%26#39;m not into big cities and I found getting around Honolulu a nightmare. I%26#39;d rather leave freeway driving to home.

Maui, didn%26#39;t like anything about it. Most people love, and I can%26#39;t figure out why. It was built up and full of people.

Well, I%26#39;m a tad biased, but I%26#39;d say the best island is Kaua`i. :-)

Seriously, it really depends on what kind of surroundings you like and what you want to do. If you have at least 2 weeks you could do 2 islands.

Aloha,

I would have to choose the Big Island, we have it all! You can snorkel, dive, hike, sand beaches of many colors, romance and we throw in the volcano for free!

Low season is April - Dec. High season is Dec - April

Low Low is August.

How long is your trip? Yes prices are cheaper during that time and if you are on a budget there are many, many budget, oceanfront condos that will save $$$.

Best island? After traveling to and staying on all 4 major islands I can honestly say, they all have something unique to offer. It depends on what YOU like to do. Very basically, Oahu and Maui are more metropolitan, and touristy although each have lovely, less crowded areas to visit. Big Island and Kaui are more rural and less touristy, although each have some more crowded areas. For snorkeling and diving, choose the BI hands down. For historical places like the Arizona Memorial and others, choose Oahu. For easy access and touristy-oriented choose Maui. For raw beauty, choose Kauai. Personally, I love the Big Island followed by Kauai for the more desolate beauty and water activities. Good luck,you can%26#39;t go wrong here.

It depends on what you want to do and experience on your vacation. Traditionally most people go to Oahu on their first trip, then Maui, then Hawaii or Kauai and the really adventuresome to Lanai and Molokai.

Expect to rent a car and drive to beaches and restaurants on all the islands except Oahu, if one stays in Waikiki it is possible to not need a car.

Below is a highly edited version of BrightonBill’s thumbnails for each island, which I have added my comments to.

Oahu - Honolulu is the big airport there (HNL). Oahu is the most populated. It has Waikiki beach, tons of shopping and nightlife and also tons of attractions to visit or tour. It has the Arizona memorial in Pearl Harbor. Usually the cheapest island to visit. Much to do and it is worth exploring out of the Honolulu area. About ¾ of Hawaii’s population on the third largest island

Maui - Kahului Airport is the main airport (OGG). Maui is probably the second most populated island. It too has lots of shopping and nightlife with some very spectacular sightseeing. Bit like a “Disney” version of Hawaii, it has the most condos and timeshares, I believe more than Oahu even.

Kauai - Lihue Airport (LIH). Kauai has somewhat limited shopping and nightlife but probably the best hiking. Very lush and good for seclusion, more true Hawaii feel.

Hawaii (Also called the Big Island) Either Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO) are the main airports. The island offers an active volcano, black, white and green sand beaches and tons of places to sightsee with amazing variety and drama. Overall it is larger than all the islands combined. This island has something like 11 of 13 microclimates on the planet, and has the best snorkeling of all the islands. Also more laid back and offers a true Hawaiian feel.

Molokai - MKK is the airport there. Molokai has some of the very best beaches but offers very little in the way of tourist activities other than sight seeing.

Lanai - LNY airport. Lanai has two resorts and a small hotel. There are virtually no tourist activities, little shopping and no nightlife. Lanai is for those who want total peace and quiet for the most part.

Do some research, check out some books from the library (stay away from the “revealed” books) and once you have decided, this forum will be very helpful in getting your questions answered to have the best trip.

Prices do fluctuate, and the thing to avoid on the BI is the Ironman Triathlon, which is usually at the end of Sept or beginning of Oct. This year it is Oct 13th. Otherwise, Sept is a good time pricewise.

Good luck and happy travels!