Aulani plus which other island?

[quinnc19]

Doing some preliminary planning for Hawaii June, 2016. Travelers will be myself and DD 8. Planning on about 5 nights on Oahu and probably 3 on a different island (and 3 in Cali on way home). I am a little concerned about driving around because I won't have much of a navigator. What would you recommend in this situation? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[CMNJ]

What are you looking to do? Big Island has Kilauea and the volcano national park BUT it isn't called the big island for nothing. You will spend a lot of time driving between the volcano and other resort areas of the island (the best beaches are on the west coast in the Kohala area of island). Maui on the other hand is beautiful and has lots of great snorkeling as well as the beautiful road to Hana and Haleakala Volcano (isn't currently erupting like Kilauea but is still neat to see). I hear kauai is stunning but can't speak personally to its beauty or ease of touring. Unless you have your heart set on seeing Kilauea I'd vote Maui. We stayed on Kaanapali Beach and LOVED snorkeling off the beach at Black Rock and listening to the ocean at night when we went to sleep.

 

[quinnc19]

We like to snorkel, hike, and enjoy food/bev; not sun-worshippers or mega-shoppers. I'm not sure how important an erupting volcano is (and my daughter and I may have different responses). I am curious to hear what others consider the must-dos. Thanks for your response!

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would highly recommend Kauai. It is stunning. It is lush and green. There's a mini Grand Canyon...not the name, but you know what I mean...there that is beautiful. Very easy driving because there aren't thst many roads. We did a helicopter ride that was incredible out past Napoli where there are no roads. Saw where some of Jurassic park was filmed. Also did zip lining. You can do a boat your out to Napoli coast too, with snorkling and hiking. The beaches are good but can be a little rocky. Love the Hyatt on Kauai. Beautiful setting, good beach, huge pool and lazy river. The Marriott on kuai which is closer to airport is also lovely.

But Maui is also lovely. Great beaches everywhere. The road to Hana is incredible drive and again pretty easy. Depending on the time of year you might see whales off of Maui, but I don't think June is right time. Probably Se more surfing in Maui than Kauai.

 

[wanderlust7]

With such a short stay, personally, I would just stay on Oahu and stay the other 3 nights in Waikiki. There's a lot of great food there. You can then do Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head from there. It's closer than from Aulani, plus you free up some time to just enjoy Aulani. If the volcano is important though, you could fly into Hilo and stay the 3 nights near Volcano National Park.

 

[lauren1984]

I would highly recommend Kauai. It is stunning. It is lush and green. There's a mini Grand Canyon...not the name, but you know what I mean...there that is beautiful. Very easy driving because there aren't thst many roads. We did a helicopter ride that was incredible out past Napoli where there are no roads. Saw where some of Jurassic park was filmed. Also did zip lining. You can do a boat your out to Napoli coast too, with snorkling and hiking. The beaches are good but can be a little rocky. Love the Hyatt on Kauai. Beautiful setting, good beach, huge pool and lazy river. The Marriott on kuai which is closer to airport is also lovely.

But Maui is also lovely. Great beaches everywhere. The road to Hana is incredible drive and again pretty easy. Depending on the time of year you might see whales off of Maui, but I don't think June is right time. Probably Se more surfing in Maui than Kauai.

Exactly this! Kauai is the Hawaii that I always imagined. It's sleepier and you could see it all easily (not in depth, but see it nonetheless) in 3-4 days. South/Waimea Canyon one day, North/East one day. I'd highly recommend a helicopter tour on your first day on the island. It really helped to orient us to the island. We stayed in Kapaa and it was pretty central, though didn't have the best beaches for swimming. The north of Kauai is like no other. Ke'e beach is spectacular and so is Moloa'a. Better snorkeling is in the south in Poipu at Shipwreck beach.

Maui is so nice as well. We prefer to stay in the south of Maui in Wailea or Kihei, budget depending. Lots of great snorkelling and gorgeous scenic drives on Maui, but I don't think it's really do-able in 3-4 days.

 

[alohamom]

Personally, I would do what wanderlust suggested and stay on Oahu, there is so much to see and do on all the islands and the travel day really takes a day of vacation away from you. This is my little synopsis I send to friends and family who ask about the differences between the islands



Oahu

-Where the city of Honolulu is
-Where Waikiki Beach is
-VERY BUSY
-There are sections of Oahu that are gorgeous but what most people do is spend 3 or 4 nights here and then move on to a second more relaxing island for another week or so.
-Arizona Memorial is here
-Diamond Head crater is here(non active volcano)
-Hanauma Bay snorkeling area is incredible
-TONS of shopping, every thing from Tiffanys to Walmart
-Some great beaches like Kailua
-North Shore which is awesome and laid back
-Dole Plantation/Zoo/other touristy kids activities


Maui

-gorgeous beaches
-high end resorts and condos (but lots in every price range)
-incredible dining options
-lots of celebrities live here or own second homes here
-can get busy but nothing like Honolulu
-the "road to Hana" is here, famous twisty turny ocean drive with many beautiful scenic places to stop, for exmple 7 sacred pools
-Iao needle and Haleakala crater (dormant volcano) are here, incredible place to watch the sunrise
-lots of good hiking
-Maui Ocean Center is here for the kids
-Historic Old Town of Lahaina, and old fishing/whaling port is here
-Some good upscale shopping in a few different places

Kauai

-laid back
-incredible secluded beaches
-lots of eco-tourism
-lush and very tropical
-some very high end places to stay
-ocean kayaking on the Napili coast line is a big draw for this island
-very peaceful but not quite as much to do as Maui
-Waimea Canyon also draws people as it is touted as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
-Most movies filmed in Hawaii are filmed on this island and you can do a movie site tour to see all the diff locations
-Fern Grotto is here

Big Island (formal name is "Hawaii")

-very slow and laid back
-one of the most incredible beaches we have ever been to is here, Hapuna beach
-Lots of black and green sand beaches to explore
-active volcano is here but is on the other side of the island from where tourists stay
-You can visit the summit of Mauna Kea and there is an incredible star gazing here
-Waipio valley & Akaka falls are natural highlights
-You can do night dives with rays in Kona
-up country is cowboy territory (they are called paniolos) and it is always a kick for me to see the equestrian and farm side of the islands

 

[JoeA]

i think a big part is how much do you want to spend? Are you up for a helicopter flight then I'd say Kauai. It's amazing.

Have you seen Jurassic Park (#1)? The helicopter will fly down the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and past the water fall. This was basically what you saw in the movie. It's amazing. Did I say that already?

Another great trip is a boat ride to Napali coast and then off to Ni'ihau (Forbiden Island). Great views and you should see lots of spinner dolphin. The snorkeling is great.

There's nice snorkeling all over Kauai but since it's the oldest lsland the coral typically isn't as vibrant as other islands. Kona is about the best I've seen as far as color.

If you don't think you be back to HI soon then I would recommend seeing another island. They are all so different it's like going to a new place altogether. I'm staying in Waikiki this June for 3 days prior to aulani only because we're traveling with 8 people and I'm paying for everything and don't want to pay for the extra flight too. Otherwise I'd island hop even for three days.

I'd also recommend getting a book or books called Oahau revealed, Kauai Revealed, etc.

What ever you decide you won't be wrong. All the islands are beautiful and you could spend weeks on each one and leave wishing you had more time!

 

[quinnc19]

Thanks, everyone - keep it coming! I loved the only helicopter ride I've had, so I would definitely be up for that. We are going to the Grand Canyon this summer, so my DD's reaction to that might help me decide how much she would appreciate Kauai's canyon.

 

[Anal Annie]

We love, love, love Maui. The Big Island is fascinating (a helicopter tour there is also incredible) and Kauai IS beautiful (the canyon is gorgeous) but it felt more like a quiet honeymooner destination to us. I disagree about staying on only 1 island. IMHO it is too far to go and too expensive to get there to NOT explore another island while you are less than an hour away. Each island is beautiful in its own way and each one has its own personality….

 

[DenLo]

We saw Kauai once and that is enough (although we have been back there on cruises). The other islands I will travel too again and again. However, I like the idea wanderlust7 suggested above, stay on Oahu and just move to Waikiki the last three nights. Or better yet do the Waikki part before going to Aulani and wind down at Aulani afterwards. You will have problems getting your daughter away from Aulani.

 

[chainkid]

I have done the Norwegian 7 day cruise , as well as a week on Maui plus 4 nights on north shore Turtle Bay resort followed by three days in Waikiki. This year I'm planning on spending 5 nights at Aulani and then flying to Kauai and staying on north shore for a week. By doing the cruise I got to see alittle of all the islands. I did the helicopter tour of Kauai and it was great but this year I plan to see the Napali coast hanging on for dear life on a zodiac boat. Maui was great but there is just too much to see to revisit the same place. If I go again and the lava is not flowing on big island then I would try that as well as they all are very different in what they offer. I have not interest in Waikiki but I will revisit pearl harbor as last time I was on a tour and they limited your time I plan a full day there on my own this time. I saw Aulani when it was being built and the area didn't appeal to me at the time but fast forward 5 years and it is worth a stop over. I don't think you can go wrong no matter what you do as its Hawaii and nothing is better than that.

 

[lishie]

Doing some preliminary planning for Hawaii June, 2016. Travelers will be myself and DD 8. Planning on about 5 nights on Oahu and probably 3 on a different island (and 3 in Cali on way home). I am a little concerned about driving around because I won't have much of a navigator. What would you recommend in this situation? Thanks for your thoughts!

I'm planning this same itinerary for next year, with my 7 & 5 year old boys. I'm thinking the Big Island, as we have an interest in volcanoes.

As far as driving, could you request GPS with your rental car, or use a cell phone as navigation and keep an external charger with you for battery drainage?

 

[Reppstir]

Have only been to Oahu and Kauai. About 5 trips to Oahu and 10 to Kauai.
Quite frankly am in love with Kauai. Keep going back, and loving it more each time. The beauty, the laid back attitude, the (relatively) small crowds, if any crowds at all. Lush, green, tropical, "smallness" non-commercialism (relatively speaking for Hawaii).
I do plan on getting to the other islands, but every trip that comes up, we seem to head to Kauai, especially the North Shore.
If you like to hike, then Kauai is definitely your island, from multi-hour strenuous to an hour stroll in the flowers.
Pick up a guidebook (The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook is the best I've found) and see for yourself.
Enjoy.

 

[Dean]

For 8 nights and assuming you haven't been previously, I would simply stay on Oahu but maybe 3 nights in Waikiki. I think you need to get at last 5 nights elsewhere to make it worthwhile. In the old days when inter island was $15-29 per it wasn't too bad but by the time you get to another island, get a car and get where you need to be, you've taken up quite a bit of time and energy as well as added cost for relatively little benefit. IMO NONE of the other islands lend themselves well to no car. Overall I prefer Maui as a second island for first timers but it is quite a distance from the airport to get to the better locations. IF one were going to do this, even for 4-5 days, Kauai might be a better option but only if one stayed either in the general vicinity of Lihu'i or Kapaa.

 

[quinnc19]

Lots of good points; so hard to decide! Regarding the driving, I would definitely rent a car, especially on an island with less traffic than Oahu. I will probably buy a portable GPS for this year's trip through So Cal and Arizona and could take it on my hawaiian adventure as well. I was leaning toward 1 night Waikiki, 4 nights Aulani. Since there is only so much time I want to be swimming/watching my daughter swim, maybe that is enough time in Oahu??

 

[wanderlust7]

I was leaning toward 1 night Waikiki, 4 nights Aulani. Since there is only so much time I want to be swimming/watching my daughter swim, maybe that is enough time in Oahu??

Have you thought about what are your must-dos on Oahu? That will help you decide how much time to spend there. Also, look into the activities at Aulani, that will help you decide how much time to allocate to the resort.

 

[jekjones1558]

If you decide to do 2 islands I would try to get flights that take you directly to the first island but home directly from the second island.
I think that Big Island has the most varied topography. It is really like 4 different places. We love it there. But, as others have stated, it would involve a lot of driving and I don't think you have enough time for that. If you choose Big Island for the volcano then you had best stay near Hilo, not Kona. But personally for such a short stay I would choose Maui and stay in Lahaina/Kaanapali/Kapalua area. Fun atmosphere, nice beaches.

 

[El&Asmom]

Have only been to Oahu and Kauai. About 5 trips to Oahu and 10 to Kauai.
Quite frankly am in love with Kauai. Keep going back, and loving it more each time. The beauty, the laid back attitude, the (relatively) small crowds, if any crowds at all. Lush, green, tropical, "smallness" non-commercialism (relatively speaking for Hawaii).
I do plan on getting to the other islands, but every trip that comes up, we seem to head to Kauai, especially the North Shore.
If you like to hike, then Kauai is definitely your island, from multi-hour strenuous to an hour stroll in the flowers.
Pick up a guidebook (The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook is the best I've found) and see for yourself.
Enjoy.


Exactly this. We went to Kauai for our honeymoon and loved every minute of it. The guidebook was around even back then. We said we would make it back for our 10 year anniversary. 4 kids and more than 10 years later and we still haven't had a chance to make it back One day if the kids don't leave us broke.