First time to Hawaii...Which Island?

[catsrule]

We are renting a car on Oahu. They do have buses and Trolley's, but depending on how much you use them and how long you are staying and how many are going, a car may be cheaper in the long run. You may want to rent a car for a few day, which you can do at most hotel, to see the rest of the island. Oahu isn't all waikiki and Honolulu, there are many other beautiful parts of the island and quieter areas and beaches.

Honolulu buses fare is $2.00.

http://www.thebus.org/

You do need a car on the Big Island. It is alot of driving there.

 

[JDY]

Wow...thanks for the help. Now I just need to make by decision.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi there,
I have been to every island listed except Moloakai (sp?). My favorite is Maui, but I also like a few days on Oahu. Yep Honolulu can look like just another big city but there are some historic and interesting things to do on Oahu. Pearl Harbor is a must to do at least once, I found it to be pretty emotional, go early and beat the crowds! We went up to the Punchbowl, and Hannama Bay (sorry about all the Hawaiian spellings!) is nice. Lots of fish, swim right up to you so you can feed them - I guess you can still feed them, it's been about 5 years since I did that. Wide range of hotels in Waikiki but I'd like to recommend the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, we loved it there. It is a deluxe hotel but it's not in the middle of Waikiki, more in a residential area, right on the ocean and they have dolphin pools, you can do a dolphin experience there. Samantha Brown does this hotel on one of the Great Hotels show. Some big malls for shopping . . .
Maui is more peaceful but still lots to do if you feel like it. You can do helicoptor tours, glass bottom boats, whale watching in season, there are some nice luaus. Wide range of accomodations from the Ritz on one end of the island down to Kaanapali area where there is lots of stuff, Aston and Outrigger chains, Embassy, etc and then the Four Seasons in Wailea and there's another one in Wailea, I think it's the Grand Wailea, that Samatha Brown has a show on that looks really fun but I myself haven't seen it. The road to Hana is beautiful also.
Whatever you decide have a great time! AAA has a partnership with some other package companies like Pleasant Hawaiian now but I always loved a company called Classic Vacations and if you go to AAA travel agency and ask they should still have the books to give you. YOu don't have to be a member to use AAA's travel agency.
Happy Planning.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by JDY
If I do an 8 day trip to any island, do I need to rent a car? We are thinking Maui with a day trip to the Big Island and maybe Kauai or Oahu. If we day trip, how do I get around. Should I rent a car on the other Islands, or can I rely on public transport?

Renting a car is a must on any of the islands, with the possible exception of Oahu and if you are content to stay within Honolulu.
I don't think you would really see or be able to do enough on Kauai or the Big Island to consider a day trip. The Big Island is called the Big Island because it is really big. It would take you just about all day to drive around it and you would not have any time to focus on the high lights. I love Volcano National Park. You could easily spend a day or two hiking and exploring. At night you can often see the glow of the lava and moon bows. If you have 8 days, enjoy Maui for 4 or 5 and then spend the remaining time on one other island.