Planning 2015 June trip to Hawaii - which island?

[mermaidwannabe]

I did do a search but came up with mostly threads for Oahu, which were helpful, but wondering if Maui or Kona would be better for our family? We have been talking about going to Hawaii for years and said we would go when my oldest daughter graduated from hs. We are even skipping vacation this year to save for it since I figured it would be at least double what we normally spend.

It will be my DH, DD18, DD15 and DD12 and me going. They love to swim, are very beginner surfers just from our trips to the coast and they love to site see. We will definitely take our own snorkeling equipment and we have a Costco membership so will hopefully be able to do breakfast and lunches in our "room", whatever that may be. Hopefully will find a condo or hotel with a kitchen. I've used vrbo before, but it does make me nervous to use it in Hawaii. What would happen if something happened??

Anyway, I'll try to tackle all that, but which island should we go to? Can't afford to island hop. I guess I don't want to go to Oahu because it's supposedly so crowded, but then again, there are many things to do there. I will check out the beatofhawaii site and will go to the library to see if it has the "revealed" books.

Any advice? Thank you!!

 

[Dizzy4DL]

My family went to Maui in early June this year. I haven't been to Oahu in 14 years, so I won't comment too much on that.

We loved Maui! We rented a condo through VBRO, no problems there. I would recommend looking in the Kihei area if you are budget minded like me. We were able to get a one bedroom, two bath condo for $114 a night including tax and fees. It was in a moderate resort, and we loved it.

We asked why we didn't see many surfers, and were told it was the wrong time of the year for surfing off Maui, thought I would mention that since you are planning on surfing, and going in June like we did.

We don't like crowds, and for most of our stay we were able to avoid them. Renting a car on Maui is a must, we were able to explore most of the island in five days.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I found Kona a little "boring." At least compared to Oahu. More to see and do .....Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, North Shore ( famous shaved ice), Leonards Bakery, National Cemetary....)

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

We have done Oahu and Big Island. We like Big Island better. I thought a lot of Oahu was like any big city. Lots of traffic and expensive stores. There is Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Cultural Center as well as North Shore. It is not expensive to fly to other islands. We stayed 3 nights on Oahu to see the main attractions then flew to Big Island. We enjoyed seeing the Hawaiian sites of Big Island such as waterfalls and volcano park. We did travel with 3 small children.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I suggest you get a good guidebook and start reading! Also check out tripadvisor.com.

I recommend Kauai.

 

[BSOGfam]

I've only been to Oahu and Maui. Oahu seems to have a more energetic pace which could be good for kids your age. Also the Arizona memorial is a very important site to see. We found Maui to be much quieter which was great for our DS1. Either one will be great. If the kids want a true lay on the beach vacation, I would choose Maui. We used Homeaway on Maui and it was perfect.

 

[kiki02]

I suggest you get a good guidebook and start reading! Also check out tripadvisor.com.

I recommend Kauai.

I say Maui , especially if you cannot do more than one. ABSOLUTELY gorgeous.

 

[pate59]

Have been lucky enough to visit all the islands. Hands down, Maui is our #1 choice. (heading back in Feb). We have rented condos thru VRBO and have always had good luck and found to be a great value. Lots to do. Check out trip advisor, very active forum(s) for all the islands. Experts always willing to answer any ?'s you may have.

 

[DizMe]

If you like beaches, then I wouldn't recommend the Big Island (Hawaii). It's younger geologically and doesn't have many sandy beaches compared to Maui, Kauai, or Oahu. Most of the visitor side of the island (Kona side) is fairly bleak; the terrain is lava rock with "oases" where the resorts are located. There is a lot of diversity when it comes to sight-seeing and seeing the active volcanoes is cool. The other side of the island has rainforests, waterfalls and high bluffs (and zip lines) but not many good, safe rental options (that I know of).

My brother has a house on the big island so I visit often, but my favorite island is Maui. In fact, that's where dh and I got married. There are beautiful beaches everywhere, lots of family condos, and the town of Lahaina is fun to visit. There are plenty of sight-seeing options on Maui but Hawaii is the only island where you can see active volcanoes.

Kauai is absolutely beautiful...I mean gorgeous! If you like laid back and low key, that is probably the best choice. There isn't much in the way of nightlife or shopping but the beauty is not to be dismissed.

I don't know about where you live, but where I am (California), it's often cheaper to get a package to Hawaii than to book air, car, and condo/hotel separately. It's really weird. We went and stayed in my brother's place (free) but it was cheaper for us to add 3 days in a hotel and a rental car with our air than just to book air alone, so we stayed 10 days instead of a week!

I have only spent a few days on Oahu and don't feel able to comment on it as a destination other than to say I was very glad to leave Waikiki for Maui.

 

[bearzabout]

I just LOVE Hawaii. We have spent the equivalent of about 8 months there and have seen all the islands (even Molokai).

I vote MAUI!!!!!!!

I just love it there. It can be super expensive, but there are plenty of free things to do and great drive trips. We have no problem having a great time on a budget. From free concerts to hula demonstration to cultural lectures, there are all kinds of great choices. Free snorkeling is amazing at Honolua Bay past Kapalua on the north end.

You really love Costco on Hawaii. Last time I booked my car rental for Maui, I got a weekly rate of only $35 plus taxes. The whole pizza for $10 is the best food bargain on the islands. They often have the best price on gas.

Get a two bedroom condo with kitchen and stock up on goods at Costco or Walmart. Condos are cheapest in Kihei, but I love the Lahaina/Kaanapali, Kapalua and Waimea areas best. The area just north of Kaanapali and south of Kapalua offer a huge selection of condos at good rates. We always make sure to get a unit with air conditioning in the summer. Many places don't have it so it limits our choices, but when the Kona winds blow and the trade winds stop, it can get hot in the condo.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ILUVALASKA]

We too have been on all the islands, including Lanai. Maui is great for sailing, snorkeling, surfing, driving, whale watching, golfing, parasailing, hiking, biking, ziplining, etc. YOu can do a day tour of Lanai(rent a jeep) by taking a ferry from Maui (Lahaina). We always stay in the same gorgeous condo resort near the Kapalua area, past Lahaina, annually since 1986. We love Maui.

Don't like Oahu except for North Shore area and Pearl Harbor. Too busy and congested.

Hawaii and Kauai are naturally beautiful and much more quiet.

 

[smcabee]

Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii are my top 4 islands in that order.

 

[DvF Diva]

Just got back from Kauai and I would really recommend that island! We've been to Kauai before and also to Big Island, so we can only compare those.

Big Island is geologically interesting, but doesn't have so many nice beaches -- very rocky along the shores. But it does have the cool observatory high up in the mountain if you want to go see the stars. We were there around Xmas time about 12 years ago, and it was neat to go from scuba diving in the morning to a snow-covered mtn by evening. That said, it is, overall, a more quiet (boring) island, IMHO.

Kauai is very green and simply gorgeous. Also geologically interesting and it had a LOT of beautiful beaches all around the island, good for snorkeling or surfing. June should be a great time to go and the north shore will be less rough, so you can do some great boat tours departing from there to see the Na Pali Coast. They also have a Costco right in Lihue, where the big airport is.
There are a lot of timeshares on the island, which might mean you can find rather reasonably priced lodging for your trip. We stayed in a timeshare and did a lot of cooking in our own condo, which saved us a TON of money. We'd buy ahi poke from places around the island, but we mainly ate at home and with the various farmers markets held around the island throughout the week, we had so much delicious fresh fruit and veggies.

I loved it so much that I am trying to convince DH to move there. HUGE change for a city girl like me to suddenly want to move to the low-key and laid back state of Hawaii. LOL

Anyway, if you do decide to go to Kauai, I can send you my Ultimate Guide to Kauai book. It was pretty helpful!

 

[aclov]

Www.gohawaii.com will send you visitor guides for each island. Oahu has alot more activities including Aulani which is where we took my 18yr old step-son when he graduated. But I would return to Maui next time!

 

[lurkernj]

Another vote for Maui.

We have gone to Hawaii twice and have visited the 4 major islands. Oahu was too touristy, Big Island as pp mentioned was to desolate (though I did like the volcano side but its cold and rainy there and not much beach stuff). I did like Kauai a lot, but Maui stole our hearts. So much so that we are going back to Maui for our third time in June for the entire 11 days of our trip, no hopping this time(though we might take a ferry to Lanai for a day). Why mess with perfection

To me, Maui has the full package; beautiful beaches, gorgeous scenery, great snorkeling, lots to do if you want to, or lots of beaches to be lazy on if you choose.

We always rent a condo on the west side in Napili (Napili point resort) and just love it there. We don't eat out that much as that gets very costly with 2 teen boys, so we food shop and cook some simple meals in our condo. We also like to get take out and eat on our lanai - best view in Maui in my opinion.

 

[JanaDee]

I suggest you get a good guidebook and start reading! Also check out tripadvisor.com.

I recommend Kauai.

That's where we're hopefully headed in 2015. I'm doing all the reading I can.

 

[kinntj]

We're going to Hawaii for ten days this June and we're splitting our stay between Oahu and Maui. We're staying at Aulani and touring USS Arizona and going to the North shore. The rest of the time we plan on just enjoying the resort.

On Maui we plan on staying at Kea Lani where we got married. We will drive to Hana, do a zip line tour, and shop in Lahaina. Maui is a great Island to relax on. Our trip is in no way a budget trip.

We normally eat all breakfasts in our hotel room. We go to the store and buy cereal, milk, bowls, and spoons. We also buy drinks, fruit, etc for between meals.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thank you for all the replies!! Maui def gets the top spot for everyone with Kauai second. It's so good to know a few of you have gone through vrbo there. Good to know about the surfing - that will bum my girls out a little but I'm sure the snorkeling will more than make up for it. Thanks for the tip on getting a place with A/C; I wouldn't have even thought about that. I don't know why I didn't think of tripadvisor since I always check it for our vacations - Hawaii just seems so different for planning I don't know why.

DizMe - Did you get your package through an online site like Expedia or a local travel agent? That is really bizarre that it was cheaper!! I will look into that too then. I live in Bozeman, MT btw.

DVFDiva - so sweet to offer to send your Ultimate Guide but I bet I could find it at the library. Going to look into both islands now but at least it's narrowed down.

I've been to the Big Island twice and loved the volcano and waterfall but this will be a treat to snorkel, site see, hopefully do a hike, find a luau. Love the idea of going to Farmers Markets too for food. And Costco! Was thinking $250 per day on food but yikes that's a lot of money.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I think Oahu is good for first timers to HI. There are a lot of things to do and see, and a variety of beaches with certain ones good for surfing, some for snorkeling, some for kayaking, some for sunning.

For a second trip, I'd go to Maui.

Of course, this is from someone who lived in HI for about 10 years as a kid and has a soft spot for Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, the Dole Plantation and the Byodo-In Temple.

 

[Lisa71]

Kauai is my fave..but would vote Maui for a first visit...not Oahu!! Oahu is good if you like busy..I want to enjoy the island itself. Enjoy!