Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I agree, Dean. I also think it is possible if this is your first trip to try to do a very open ended exchange. Don't be specific about Maui or Big Island or Kauai, and see what exchange comes about. That's what we did. We said any time between January and June in 1 bedroom or larger, any island. We knew we would be doing other accomodations beyond the exchange. By not being so specific, we had a better chance of getting something. We got Kona Coast II for the first week of May. Our friends did an RCI exchange for the other week, and that one ended up being a Puhio Bali Hai in Princeville, Kauai. The accomodations at Kona Coast were FAR superior to the Puhio ones, but the area was so beautiful, we didn't mind the accomodations on Kauai. We had a day in Oahu followed by a week on Kauai, followed by a week in Kona, followed by 4 days back on Oahu. It was the only trip ever for our friends, and one of many for us. We felt bad about skipping Maui this trip, but didn't miss it at all! I think a first trip to Hawaii should be a fact finding one. Our first trip helped us know where we wanted to go for the next trips.