Is this even possible?questions about Hawaii and Aulani

[dlm1017]

I was not sure where to post this so moderators feel free to move if its the wrong place.

Looking at a trip to Hawaii possibly in 2012 (maybe 2013) having never been there before, I have no idea how to plan a trip there. I do know we would spend about 17 days there (including 2 days for travel) so we would be there a total of 15 days. I have enough points to stay at Aulani (banking and borrowing) is it possible to take day trips to other islands?? My dh would like to see the Volcano’s at the national park on the big island of Hawaii. I would like to visit Maui also and/or Kauai. I do see that they have small planes for inter- island travel how much does this usually cost per person?? Do they have a ferry service that goes in-between the islands? Also, I know that there is a daily occupancy tax for everyone who stays, even DVC members does anyone know how much this tax is? Is it per person or per room? We would rent a car while staying in Oahu is it free parking at the resort for DVC members? I realize that there may not be enough hours in the day to hop to another island because of travel time and we would need to rent a car so that would take away some time, do think it’s crazy or could it be done??
If you all think it would be too much how would you do? say 3 days or so for each island? How much should I expect to budget for that? My dh has asked me how much I think the trip would cost and I am trying to come up with an ESTIMATED cost. I know Hawaii is expensive, I told him somewhere around 7k this what I was thinking, I was figuring on 3-4 days on Hawaii, Maui and Kauai ( the remaining days at Aulani) including car rentals, misc and hotels. Would this be about right???
My head is spinning trying to figure this out, Disneyworld is so much easier for me (room, park tickets, airfare, ADRs done) I usually book things myself; I am almost thinking that I might need a travel agent for this one???
Help!
Dana

 

[allegoricduck]

You can island hop, but the big island is so large you will probably want to spend more than a day there. Also, if you want to see the lava, it is best at night but you'll have to leave for the airport before it is too dark. When we were there a few years ago, there was a couple that was upset because they had to leave the lava viewing area to make their flight. We spent a whole day at Volcano NP and watched the lava flow at night (it is actually a ways from the park). We flew go! airlines which was okay, and I think pretty cheap, but our flight back to Honolulu was delayed several hours. They only had one plane between Oahu and Hawaii.

Also, it looks like the tax is based on the number of points used for the reservation.

 

[Pakey]

Everyone vacations differently but I spent a week on Maui (my 5th Hawaiian vacation) a few months ago and our 7 night trip, with hotel, rental car, food, pool drinks and airfare was $10,000. This was for my husband and I. This did not include the cost of golf, cabanas, shopping.

I believe our resort fee was $25 a day. The resort offered self parking (with a long walk) at no charge but we have sometimes stayed at different resorts that had no option and you paid for parking for an additional $8-$10 a day.

I don't know that I would want to move that many times to see 4 islands in one vacation. Part of the appeal of Hawaii is relaxation and 4 transfers is going to mean a lot of time sitting in airports, returning/retrieving rental cars, checking in/out of hotels.

 

[jekjones1558]

If you want to see that many islands in a short time, you would be better off to do a Hawaiian cruise. A day trip is just not enough time. Staying on multiple islands involves time to move---check out of hotel, get rid of rental car, go through security at airport, 25 minute flight, get new car, drive to and check into new hotel. That amounts to a good portion of one day. If you are going to stay at Aulani for 7 days, I would consider choosing only one other island and really exploring and enjoying that island. If you really want to do more then maybe 5 days at Aulani and 5 days for each of 2 other islands. I understand your desire to see everything but I agree with previous poster who said that Hawaii begs to be enjoyed at a slower pace. I would also encourage you to check out Redweek or VRBO.com or other sites to see about renting villas on other islands. We spent far less than $10,000 on our 14 day trip in March and we stayed in lovely villas on Maui and Big Island.
Good luck. Hawaii is paradise.

 

[crisi]

We hopped from the Big Island to Maui. We spent three days on the Big Island and then another six on Maui. Airfare one way was around $100 a person - it was a little nine seat plane. It did take half a day - we were out of our old hotel at 8am and not into our new one until 1pm. You'll want a rental car to go anywhere - although one thing about Hawaii is that you aren't allowed to take rental cars everywhere. I don't think you'd be able to use Aulani as a base of operations for day trips to other islands, I don't think that is a practical solution.

Our trip was around $8k for four people.

 

[kbeam]

Parking is free at Aulani for DVC members. We're going to Aulani in December for 7days/8nights. We live in NJ...got airfare for $825 a ticket (4 of us going). I booked an SUV for a rental car for a little less than $400/week. I haven't seen airfare OR car rental that low since. Keep your eyes open on Kayak!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

it possible to take day trips to other islands??
. . . no problem

I do see that they have small planes for inter- island travel how much does this usually cost per person??
. . . airfare for a DC-9 Hawaiian Air is $75-$100 per person
. . . these are not small planes

Do they have a ferry service that goes in-between the smaller islands?
. . . only between smaller islands
. . . Maui to Lanai
. . . Maui to Molokai

Also, I know that there is a daily occupancy tax for everyone who stays, even DVC members does anyone know how much this tax is? Is it per person or per room?
. . . 7.25% Hawaii occupancy charge per room per day

We would rent a car while staying in Oahu is it free parking at the resort for DVC members?
. . . yes

I realize that there may not be enough hours in the day to hop to another island because of travel time and we would need to rent a car so that would take away some time, do think it’s crazy or could it be done??
. . . yes, you can rent a car
. . . rentals are expensive, but they are at all airports

If you all think it would be too much how would you do? say 3 days or so for each island? How much should I expect to budget for that
. . . from $30 to $80 per day for economy to jeeps
. . . more for bigger cars and some mini vans
. . . plus, $7.50 Hawaii State Surcharge per day
. . . plus, $0.29 license recoup fee per day
. . . plus, 11.11% concession fee per day
. . . plus, 4.166% sales tax per day

My dh has asked me how much I think the trip would cost and I am trying to come up with an ESTIMATED cost. I know Hawaii is expensive, I told him somewhere around 7k this what I was thinking, I was figuring on 3-4 days on Hawaii, Maui and Kauai ( the remaining days at Aulani) including car rentals, misc and hotels. Would this be about right???
. . . it is all based form where you are flying
. . . we tell folks from Midwest to expect $8,000 for 10-days for two

 

[Dean]

I was not sure where to post this so moderators feel free to move if its the wrong place.

Looking at a trip to Hawaii possibly in 2012 (maybe 2013) having never been there before, I have no idea how to plan a trip there. I do know we would spend about 17 days there (including 2 days for travel) so we would be there a total of 15 days. I have enough points to stay at Aulani (banking and borrowing) is it possible to take day trips to other islands?? My dh would like to see the Volcano’s at the national park on the big island of Hawaii. I would like to visit Maui also and/or Kauai. I do see that they have small planes for inter- island travel how much does this usually cost per person?? Do they have a ferry service that goes in-between the islands? Also, I know that there is a daily occupancy tax for everyone who stays, even DVC members does anyone know how much this tax is? Is it per person or per room? We would rent a car while staying in Oahu is it free parking at the resort for DVC members? I realize that there may not be enough hours in the day to hop to another island because of travel time and we would need to rent a car so that would take away some time, do think it’s crazy or could it be done??
If you all think it would be too much how would you do? say 3 days or so for each island? How much should I expect to budget for that? My dh has asked me how much I think the trip would cost and I am trying to come up with an ESTIMATED cost. I know Hawaii is expensive, I told him somewhere around 7k this what I was thinking, I was figuring on 3-4 days on Hawaii, Maui and Kauai ( the remaining days at Aulani) including car rentals, misc and hotels. Would this be about right???
My head is spinning trying to figure this out, Disneyworld is so much easier for me (room, park tickets, airfare, ADRs done) I usually book things myself; I am almost thinking that I might need a travel agent for this one???
Help!
Dana

For 15 nights as a first time there, I would only do 2 islands and would do 8 or 9 days on Oahu and a week on Maui, you really only lose one night in travle. Best would be to travel mid week and do a few days on Oahu on the front and back end. If you're set on seeing more islands, I would not do more than 3. I'd still do a full week on Maui and split the other time between Oahu and one other option. Kauai will likely be easier to do this way but you'd miss the volcanos. I don't know the tax, and it's rumored to be changing, but it's been per room for a while now, same for Aruba.

We went for 15 nights 3 years ago, stayed in top notch places, rented cars, ate out a lot, did a luau and a show and we got out for about $2500 for 2 including indirect expenses but had enough FF miles for first class. Going next year for 3 weeks and looking at about the same on a per diem basis for 4 adults and a child.

Here's a rough estimate of more common charges.

Car 2 weeks around $500 total for a compact.
Air around $1K pp economy
Dining out/Groceries maybe $50 pp/per day but very variable depending on your approach.
Luau under $100 pp
1 show Maui (Warren and Annabelle's) $100 pp
1 Show Oahu (Polynesian Cultural Center with show and Luau dinner) under $100 a person though they have higher packages.
Parking $200 (very variable)
Souvenir's $300 for the group (rough guess)
Other admissions and activities - $200 a person.
Inter-island $100 pp.

 

[raidermatt]

Day trips to the other islands are possible, but I don't think you will get what you want out of them. The erupting volcano, for example, requires a fair amount of driving to get to. As somebody else noted, you can really only see it at night. Also, what many don't realize is that if you want to get a reasonably close view it's going to require a long hike across rocky hardened lava. You can hike out in daylight, but you will have to hike back in the darkness, so flashlights will be a necessity.

That's not to say it's not worth going, even if you don't do the hike and just look with binoculars. It's just that it's not really something the works real well with two flights on the same day. Plus you would be extremely limited on what you could see and do in one day.

Splitting the stay up is a better way to see multiple islands. The only real drawback is the stuff associated with airline travel, packing and repacking, airport security, etc. And of course the extra cost.

But I'd say as long as you stay in minimum 4 or 5 night blocks it's not so bad. We prefer to stick with one island now, but that's because we visit with some regularity.

The overall planning is much easier, once you figure out what you want to do. Dining reservations are not required just to eat a table service meal, and if you do want to reserve a specific restaurant/time, you can usually do it a few days in advance, unlike WDW. No rope drops to deal with, extra magic hours to plan around, etc. Of course weather and the like can always change, but that's the case anywhere.

I would look at the various sights on each island and list the ones that appeal the most to you. Then plan to spend time on each island accordingly.

If you do think you will come back in the next few years, limit your trip to only 1 or 2 islands. You can then visit a different island or islands on your next trip.

 

[Anal Annie]

We always island hop but we MOVE islands every few days. It's too far to go to just plop yourself on one island for that long. With 15 days you can definitely see 3 islands - but don't try day trips - you can spend 5 days on each of 3 islands or a week on Oahu and 4 days each on 2 islands. We day-tripped once a long time ago - before 9/11. It was much cheaper & easier then. You could basically just turn up at the airport & hop a flight sort of stand-by. But with security now & increased airfare prices it's not so easy or economical. And you have to be on an EARLY flight so you can land at the next island by like 8-9:00 so you can pick up a rental car to toodle around with for the day. You can't waste time. Then you have to be back in the afternoon at some point to return the car & get back to the airport / thru security in time blah, blah, blah to make your flight back. It can be a little stressful. It's just not as easy as it used to be. And it's definitely a lot more expensive now.

Oahu being our least fav island we usually start there for just 2 or 3 nights then we go to the Big Island for a few nights then finish up on Maui (or fav). (Now with Aulani as an option we may spend 4-5 nights on Oahu.) You can get direct flights home from Maui (or the other islands) too - you don't HAVE to go back thru Honolulu. That's a waste of time & money for the extra flight. Price it out multi-city. Check Costco Travel for package deals on hotels for the other islands, rental cars & flights. You can use your points on Oahu but if you book the other islands thru them they will price out flights & car rentals too.

(PS) the best way to see Kilauea (the active volcano) is to do a helicopter tour over the island that includes the volcano - AMAZING!!

 

[crisi]

(PS) the best way to see Kilauea (the active volcano) is to do a helicopter tour over the island that includes the volcano - AMAZING!!

We were there for the tsunami this March. Although the volcano had been spurting in a grand show the week before we arrived, there was zero visible lava anywhere - even from a helicopter, the week we were there. They'd had a lot of changes up there the previous two weeks (and I suspect a lot after we left) where a volcano that had fairly stable lava patterns for a decade suddenly changed its mind.

It was still cool, but a little disappointing - there wasn't even a glow in the cone.

 

[dgaston]

I want to second the notion of a cruise around the islands. I'm not a HI expert, my DH and I went for our 35th anniversary. We took a Norwegian cruise that allowed us to see Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. Since the ship docked at both Hilo and Kona, we were able to spend one day at Volcanos National Park, and another snorkeling. In Maui, we did a luau at Lahaina, and drove to see the sunrise on Haleakela. We tubed the ditch in Kauai, and did a helicopter tour. I do feel this gave us a taste of the islands. Since the cruise left from Honolulu, we flew in 3 days early, and visited the Dole Plantation (yes, with Dole whips), the North Shore, the shrimp trucks, and also spent time at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Arizona Memorial, and the Missouri.

If I were going to HI for the first time, I'd do a similar plan with 3-5 days at Aulani.

 

[SmilingGrump]

I agree with the other posters that day trips are possible but not a great way to see the other islands. As for which islands to see for how long, it depends on what you want to see.

Kaui - this is the lushest island and the smallest of the "big 4." It's beautiful, but it rains every day which is why it's so lush. Now, it doesn't usually rain all day, usually just 20-30 minutes at a time. There's some great golf courses, but the beaches often have debris from all the rain. Great to see, but you could do 2 nights and see most things. Just take note that (at least the last time I was there) if you take the main road all the way to the northern towns that the road can wash out and you may be stranded there until the water levels lower. There may be a bridge or better road now, it's been a few years since I was there.

Big Island - everyone goes for the volcano and the lava flow, which are great (bring a FLASHLIGHT if you're viewing the lava flow at night you WILL need it!) but I go for the beaches. They have some of the most amazing beaches and they're all but empty. Black sand, pink sand, theyv'e got it! When you're driving around the island, make sure to top up you gas before 6pm as gas stations open after 6pm were hard to find when I was there (possibly changed, but it was a shocker to me as I literally coasted into the only open gas station at 9:58pm, it closed at 10pm). Sightseeing is a good 2 days here, but you could stay here much longer if you like the empty and gorgeous beaches.

Maui - it has the second best beaches of the islands (Big Beach is the place to go). I describe Maui as a mix of all the other islands. There's as much to do or as little to do as you like. Shopping in Lahaina & Whalers Village, whale watching, scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, volcano bike riding, plantation tours, the Iao Needle, jetski rentals, lauas, surfing, road to Hana, helicopter tours, aquarium tour, or just lying on the beach or by the pool. Maui's really grown since we started going there in '74. We prefer to stay up to the north, past Lahaina now even though it's farther from the airport. Before Aulani, this used to be where we always went. Occasionally we'd travel to one of the other islands, but usually as an "add-on" to a Maui trip. Now with Aulani, we'd probably skip Maui altogether but that's because we've been here so often. Note that if you're going to catch the sunrise on Haleakala, bring a warm coat and wear pants ... it's frequently below freezing up there!

Oaha - before Aulani this is the island we'd skip. There wasn't much to really attract us. Pearl Harbour is great, but line ups now can be HOURS long. Waikiki beach ... it's not much of a beach really, just a good place to people watch (the sand is actually barged in from California). The zoo ... unless it's received a major upgrade, it wasn't much better then our local zoo and our local zoo is pretty pathetic. Honolulu ... not a lot different from any other city of a million people. However, the Polynesian Cultural Centre is a must see and snorkelling at Hanauma Bay is AWESOME! Now that Aulani is here, we'll stay there and likely not travel to another island.


As mentioned, please note that (most) rental cars are not allowed on some parts of the islands. Those areas are usually designated on the map the rental car companies give you, and you probably don't really want to travel those areas anyways (picture one lane roads for 2-way traffic with a mountain on one side and 400 foot drop on the other ... encountering a cement truck coming the other way at 50mph is ... exhillerating? lol)


The best helicopter tours are on Maui and the Big Island. There are helicopter tours from Maui to the Big Island volcanos, they're not cheap and I've never done them, but they are available.

 

[CocosMeme]

We are also planning a visit to Aulani in fall of 2010. I have been researching and talking to my TA and have decided to spend 1 week at Aulani and then take the Norwegian cruise around the islands either before or after Aulani. I have never been to Hawaii and my TA said that way I can see it all and maybe decide where I might like to go back and stay longer for another trip (now that we have the Aulani draw!). Happy planning!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Please don't laugh...
For those of you who are suggesting doing a cruise and also staying at Aulani, how does that work? Do you fly to HI, get on a cruise boat there, then after the cruise, fly to Oahu for a stay at Aulani? I have no experience with this, but it's something I'm maybe interested in.

 

[jekjones1558]

You would fly into Honolulu and cruise the islands, then stay at Aulani, then fly home. Or you could reverse the cruise/Aulani order. I know NCL's Pride of America ship does these 7 day cruises. Other ships may also. As I stated in another post, for those who are not Hawaii veterans and really want to get a taste of various islands I think the cruise scenario along with an Aulani stay is much more relaxing and cheaper as well. And the ship would provide excursions that allow you to see highlights in each port in a very efficient way.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

You would fly into Honolulu and cruise the islands, then stay at Aulani, then fly home. Or you could reverse the cruise/Aulani order. I know NCL's Pride of America ship does these 7 day cruises. Other ships may also. As I stated in another post, for those who are not Hawaii veterans and really want to get a taste of various islands I think the cruise scenario along with an Aulani stay is much more relaxing and cheaper as well. And the ship would provide excursions that allow you to see highlights in each port in a very efficient way.

Thank you so much for the info. Are there any cruises that are fewer than 7 days?

 

[Popovich]

This is something that would be very appealing to us.

However, we would have to choose another cruise line. Do you think DCL will ever be able to offer this option of a resort stay plus multi island cruise???

 

[mommacat56]

This is something that would be very appealing to us.

However, we would have to choose another cruise line. Do you think DCL will ever be able to offer this option of a resort stay plus multi island cruise???

I really, really hope so!

 

[llkoolj40]

The only cruise line that starts and ends in Hawaii is Norwegian Cruise line's Pride of America and that is a 7 day cruise.