what other island would you go to and why Oahu and....

[lilpooh108]

How cost efficient is it to travel to the different islands?

Depending on the time of day you fly (evening flights are cheaper, mid day flights are more expensive) and specials/promos, it ranges from about $49 per way on the low end to $89ish on the higher end for economy, per way.

 

[wildernessDad]

We love the big island. I love Kona in particular.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hard to pick my favorite island. Least favorite was Oahu, although I'm sure I would be quite happy at Aulani for a week. North Shore was cool, have to see the Arizona memorial, the Punchbowl, and maybe the Dole plantation but other than that, not much on Oahu worth doing.

Beyond that, each island was so different, and so enjoyable in its own way. Maui is the most touristy, but not obnoxious like Oahu. Lots to do, some great resorts and beaches, and impressive natural sights and beauty (Haleakala, Iao, Road to Hana, etc.)

Kauai was gorgeous, the most tropical paradise-like with some amazing natural sights. But it is a slow-paced kind of vacation there, for better or worse.

For my money thought, I think I liked the Big Island the best. A combination of all the islands in a lot of ways, slow paced but wit plenty to do and see. The variety of stuff to see and do was just unmatched. In a day's drive you can pass through just about every kind of terrain and climate zone possible. Between the lava fields and resorts of Kona, the volcanoes, the Mauni Kea observatories, black sand beaches, Waipio Valley (amazing), Parker Ranch, rainforests on the Hilo side, I was never bored.

I could have written this one too! You said pretty much the same thing I did, only you said it much better! Did you take the mule wagon into the Waipio valley? LOVED that!

 

[dgaston]

We have only been to Hawaii once, for our 35th wedding anniversary, but I still recommend our plan for a first visit to the Islands. We cruised on the Pride of Hawaii (now the Jade) after 3 days in Honolulu. That gave us time to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Dole plantation, the Arizona memorial, Waikiki, and the shrimp trucks on the north shore on Oahu.

We visited four islands on the cruise, stopping in both Kona and Hilo on Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai where we were able to snorkel, visit the Volcano National Park, see the sunrise on Haleakela, eat at a traditional luau, travel in a helicopter over Kauai, and do my favorite -- tubing the ditch on old sugar cane irrigation ditches.

I could see a week at Aulani, and then another week on one of the Norwegian ships, unless Disney starts cruising the Islands too.

Ah...Hawaii is such a beautiful state.

 

[DenLo]

Ultimately, I think it depends on your vacation style. Maui is more commercialized, with shopping centers, malls, and more "paid for" activities (like submarines, ziplines, sunset cruises). It's more family friendly, has awesome restaurants and easy hikes (Iao Needle, Haleakala). There's more traffic (but nothing like Oahu). It's a great place for a first visit. There are alot of "organized activities" available (Molokini crater, Pacific Whale Foundation and the Aquarium, etc). Maui is big, so research the area where you'd like to stay. The "feel" of each area is really different. Kapalua is more mountain terrain, complete w/Evergreens. Lahaina area is fishing port/town feel (but commercialized), Kaanapali to me feels like Laguna Beach, CA, and Wailea is more white sand/resorty.

Big Island consists of more outdoor activities that you must plan yourself; there are alot less organized activities to do.

Volcano National Park is amazing, hiking to lava at night is amazing, snorkeling at the Big Island is amazing, and sometimes when you're there you can drive for miles and miles and see nothing but black rock. When you're on the Kona side, it's a stark landscape until you get to a resort. I personally love it. You can spend days in Hilo (tropical landscape) or days in Kona (lava rock) or days on the Kohala coast (sandy beaches). Dining is limited, but very good (Brown's Beach House, Four Seasons stars and sand buffet, Merriman's).

The downside is it is hard to find middle of the road hotel options. It's either 3 star hotels which are pretty run down or 4-5 star options which are expensive. Try renting a condo. I recommend condos in the Waikoloa resort, and personally suggest Kolea (or Halii Kai). Sunsets are amazing on this part of the Big Island (can you tell I'm biased?).

Kauai is really laid back, less developed, more tropical (IMO) than Maui or Big Island. There's not too much off-resort dining (at least when I was there). The scenery is amazing, waterfalls are abundant, hiking is awesome. It's more of a honeymoon destination, and kids might eventually get bored. The mosquitos are thriving here...so you'll probably get bit, bring bug spray.

I would pick and choose which fits your personality.

One tip---make sure you do the hustle and bustle part of your trip FIRST.

I always forget how annoying it is when you get so relaxed on one island, you move to the next one (that's a little busier) and it's hard to get into the groove. (Once I did Big Island first, then Maui and hated it the minute we landed and saw all the traffic).

HTH

A great review of the islands. It really depends on what you like to do. Are you laid back, have to be entertained morning, noon and night, do you like to explore on your own? Each island offers different things including Oahu. Many don't return to Oahu, but everyone should see it at least once and do all of those tourist places once. I still tear up every time I go to the Arizona Memorial.

We love the big island. I love Kona in particular.

Thank you for making this comment. I always feel that the big island makes me realize we are on Hawaii versus any other tropical island. There's just something about finding out that a road is closed because of a lava flow.

We have only been to Hawaii once, for our 35th wedding anniversary, but I still recommend our plan for a first visit to the Islands. We cruised on the Pride of Hawaii (now the Jade) after 3 days in Honolulu. That gave us time to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Dole plantation, the Arizona memorial, Waikiki, and the shrimp trucks on the north shore on Oahu.

We visited four islands on the cruise, stopping in both Kona and Hilo on Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai where we were able to snorkel, visit the Volcano National Park, see the sunrise on Haleakela, eat at a traditional luau, travel in a helicopter over Kauai, and do my favorite -- tubing the ditch on old sugar cane irrigation ditches.

I could see a week at Aulani, and then another week on one of the Norwegian ships, unless Disney starts cruising the Islands too.

Ah...Hawaii is such a beautiful state.

If you only have a short time to visit the islands and want an overview, I agree that cruising is a good way to go. No packing and unpacking, you can tour till you drop during the day and once back at the ship you are pampered and waited on to your heart's content. I love to leave the driving to someone else while I party or dine at a nice restaurant.

But if you really want to get to know an island you need to stay there for for more than one or two days.

 

[rparmfamily]

Big Island is my personal favorite, though these threads always make me feel kind of defensive of O'ahu. We can't help that we are the best island and everyone wants to live here LOL...(kidding!)

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

I'm definitely in the minority here, but I looooove Maui. I hope to move out there soon. I find it has something for everyone. It can be kick back and relaxing (love hanging out in Kihei...you will find me at the kihei caffe enjoying loco moco with pog or eating the best shaved ice on earth at local boyz--their melona with ice cream is tdf!), beach there is laid back, never packed, sand is soft and water perfect, golf and high end shopping/resorts in Wailea area, and for people who want stuff to do, there is snorkeling/snuba, zip lining, whale watching, lahaina town (I love Christmas in Maui...check out the Banyan Tree lighting there and the old lahaina luau is the best), Haleakala sunrise, and of course, surfing!

As for Oahu, I loooove North Shore area Waimea and Haleiwa town, but that's it. Too busy and hectic there for me. Personally, I don't think Maui is just like Oahu. My friends and family in Maui think I'm crazy when I mentioning them going to Oahu with me. They say it's too "city" for them. lol

To be fair, I haven't been to the other islands. I plan on going to Molokai for a quick visit for their famous bread and definitely plan on hitting the Big Island.

 

[rparmfamily]

We were just on Maui in March (Grand Wailea!) and we've stayed in Lahaina too, at the Pioneer Inn. Maui isn't like O'ahu to me, but the areas of Ka'anapali and Wailea are too resorty to me. I love the wild natural side like Hana,etc. Don't really like Kihei, though we ate there all the time when we stayed in Wailea.

I think that's why I really like Big Island, lots of open undeveloped areas, it's not geared towards tourists for the most part.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I plan on going to Molokai for a quick visit for their famous bread and definitely plan on hitting the Big Island.

They have famous bread on Molokai?

 

[rparmfamily]

There is some bakery that everyone lines up to get bread, I think I might have read about it in the Hawaiian airlines magazine?

I think it's this place-
http://beatofhawaii.com/molokai-hot-bread-run/

 

[bmeninga]

You really can't go wrong with Kauai, Maui or the Big Island. They are all beautiful and different--just depends on what you enjoy doing. Even the North Shore of Oahu is beautiful, as is the Polynesian Cultural Center, though we don't care for the big city atmosphere of Honolulu. Just pick one, and next time you go, you can choose another!

 

[GrumpyPOTFH]

I have not been to the Big Island, it is next on our list.