Second Hawai'ian Island

[wvjules]

We are planning a trip to Hawai'i next year. We are going to do two islands. One of which is Ohau. We want to take DD to Pearl Harbor, U of HI, Diamond Head, Bonzai Pipeline, etc. So Ohau is definately one of the islands. We are thinking Maui for the other. (DBF and I did the Big Island last year and don't think DD would have much interest in it.)

What are your favorite places and things to do in Maui? Or do you recommend a different second Island? I would like to do 3 islands but I think that with only 2 weeks we should stick with 2 islands.

 

[LukenDC]

I will be following this thread carefully as I am planning to do the same thing. I'm going to Oahu in July 2012 to stay at Aulani, the new Disney resort. Afterwards, I intend to visit another island. I, too, am leaning towards Maui.

 

[wvjules]

I will be following this thread carefully as I am planning to do the same thing. I'm going to Oahu in July 2012 to stay at Aulani, the new Disney resort. Afterwards, I intend to visit another island. I, too, am leaning towards Maui.

I want to stay there for a couple of nights but it is pricey! I'll stick with Hilton Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki or Royal Hawaiian unless Disney comes down a bit. It looks like it is going to be awesome!

 

[moburg]

If you are going during whale season (Jan/Feb - Mar/Apr?), then definitely Maui.

 

[goodeats]

I've been to Maui and Kuaui. Here are my thoughts:

Maui - World class beaches. Seriously amazing. Soft sand, waves not too rough, just beautiful. Definitely more touristy of the two though. Things to do: Snorkling, taking a catamaran cruise out to Molokini, Road to Hana (an all day affair), shopping in Lahaina, just hanging out on the beach.

Kuaui - "the garden island" - a lot less developed than Maui. I don't think I ever saw a Starbucks when we went in 2004. The waves are a lot more rough, and I would not feel safe going in the ocean unless it was in a protected cove (Hanalei Bay or Poipu have areas). Things to do - helicopter tour (beautiful), ocean cruise to see the Napili coast, hiking, kayaking, etc.

I'm not sure which I like better as I think they each have their high points. With a toddler though I think Maui would be preferred.


I've never been to Oahu, but I'd like to. I would think just a few days to see Pearl Harbor would be enough given what the other islands have to offer.

 

[wvjules]

Ha...by "next year" I actually mean this year. D'oh!

We are going over DD's Christmas/New Year break. So probably December 22-Jan 2. We are going during the winter specifically because of the whales, and the North Shore waves. So Maui for the Whales is probably our best bet, huh? I plan on booking a whale boat tour no matter where we go.

ETA: DD will be 16 at the time!

 

[Pakey]

We did the whale boat tour on Maui and I was disappointed. We had a better time watching them with bincolulars from the beach. The boats cannot approach them so the only way you can get close if if they swim towards the boat. This didn't happen much for us.

Maui also has several helicopter tours, zip line tours, hiking trails. We prefer Maui because my husband golfs but it's also the family's favorite due to the beaches and amount of activity in Lahaina (shops/restaurants/bars).

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

One of which is Ohau. We want to take DD to Pearl Harbor, U of HI, Diamond Head, Bonzai Pipeline, etc.

I can't help with Maui, but Oahu is soooooo pretty!


Keep in mind that the Pipeline is only crazy big during the winter. Not much to see other than the beach during the summer.

 

[wvjules]

DBF and I have been to Ohau. I was sent there to work for 2 weeks. and tacked on time at the end to vacation. DD wants to go now too. We were there during the summer. We are planning on winter because of the whales and north shore. I know exactly what we want to do on that island. The other island is the problem since I've never been to it.

 

[Rumpus]

I love Kauai but I can do pretty much everything that I want to do in 5 days, after that its kick back, relax and eat out. We have stayed on Maui for 9 days and I was still sad to leave. If you are going during the summer, than Ka'anapali Beach is the place to stay. Any of the hotels along the beach there would be ideal. Its an easy, quick walk to the Whaler's Village Shops and restaurants. Its a quick 20 minute ride into Lahaina. If you are looking for condo accommodations, the Ka'anapali Alii is the best on the beach, sandwiched in between the hotels. They rent directly to the public but the best deals are on vrbo.com. If you are going in the winter, I would stay in Wailea. They have condos and very up scale hotels. Not really a magnet for teens but the beaches are gorgeous and you are guaranteed more sun. From there, perhaps 45 minute into Lahaina.
Things to do; Road to Hana, Oheo Gulch, Tedeschi Winery, Haleakala at sun rise. You can do the bike ride down for $$$$ or for free. Just drive up before sunrise and watch the sun. Snorkeling, IO Valley, the Marine aquarium. In the summer the whales will be gone. There are just tons of things that I would never tire of but if you do, take a day trip to Moloka'i. It's "old Hawaii" and at 16, she might really enjoy a mule ride down to the Kalaupapa Pennisula and the leper colony. Lots of mana, very informative.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I vote for Kauai also. DS works on a cruise ship that stopped at every Hawaiin island multiple times last year. He was always very impressed with the beauty of that island.

 

[ashleybea]

When I went to Maui I went Zip lining. It was an awesome experience. I would recommend doing it, if you aren't afraid of heights. But I vote to go to Maui.

 

[Deb in IA]

We honeymooned on Kauai, so that island has always been special for us. It is The Garden Isle, and one of the most beautiful places on earth, in my opinion.

I think it would be a nice change of pace from Oahu.

I recommend seeing the Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the West), the Napali Coast, Wailua Falls, and Hanalei, a little town with lots of art galleries.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

What are your favorite places and things to do in Maui? Or do you recommend a different second Island? I would like to do 3 islands but I think that with only 2 weeks we should stick with 2 islands.

Maui is the most beautiful island in the whole world! We just vacationed there this October (returning 20 years after our honeymoon)!!

I would be willing to bet Maui is one of the only places in the world where you can see the sunrise from the top of a volcano, take a swim in the ocean AND drive through a tropical rainforest all in the same day!!

One thing we did, which was probably the "adventure" highlight of our trip, was to go paragliding off the side of the volcano, Haleakala, with a group called Proflyte Paragliding ... they were fun, professional and really, really cool! Nothing in the world compares to seeing the whole of the island unfolding below you from 6000ft while sitting in a "lawn chair"!

We also had the very best dinner we've ever had, anywhere, on Maui ... at a restaurant called Merriman's of Kapalua. It was FANTASTIC!!

If you'd like any more specific Maui advice, just PM me!