8nights 7days in Honolulu, what should I avoid? is it worth my while getting a flight to other islands?which1?

Answer 1

You should definitely visit the other islands, and I'd highly recommend extending your trip if possible. We spent 15 days in Hawaii for our honeymoon. Honoulu will give you the classic 'touristy' Hawaii, but if you want to really experience everything Hawaii has to offer, you should venture on to the other islands.

Maui is beautiful - I'd recommend staying on the North shore near a little hippie village called Paia. Great windsurfing - fun to watch, even if you don't participate. You can take a great trip up Mt Haleakala - the house of the sun. You get up for the sunrise, and coast down the mountain on cruiser bicycles! A great experience.

Kauai is also stunning. Rent a kayak and go up the Wailua river...hike up to some gorgeous waterfalls. It seemed less touristy, and you could really relax. If you are brave, there are lots of helicopter tours. Kauai has the 'wettest jungle' on the planet apparently, and Jurassic Park was filmed in the Kauai rainforest.

And, of course, you can't miss the Big Island! If you can only pick one island other than Oahu, pick the BIG ISLAND! It is absolutely amazing. Go to the Volcanos national park and stand a foot away from actual flowing lava! It is a big trip, from Kona (big city #1) to the other side of the island, so I'd recommend staying a night in Hilo(big city #2), or at the hotel in the national park. We were unprepared and did the trip in a day...it was a 16 hour day! But, the scenery was just stunning. It was a 4hr drive from Kona to Hilo, 45min further to the national park, 2hrs from the park entrance to where the lava cuts off the road, and a 1.5hr hike along hardened black lava to the active lava site. I know it seems like a lot of effort, but it is absolutely worth it! You'll never see anything like it. If you are scuba certified, apparently at certain times you can see lava flowing underwater, but the tours must be pre-planned, and I imagine are not cheap.(TIP: Be sure to fill up just outside the national park...no gas stations down below. We got halfway down and realized we were going to hit empty....killed an extra hour going back for gas!) Kona is like being on the moon...lots of black lava rock...little vegetation. As you crest the North end of the island, you hit farmland, and down the East coast into Kona is lush and green...waterfalls and stunning views. (TIPS: Don't forget to bring closed toe shoes and long pants for hiking on the hardened lava - it is sharp like glass, and you could get a nasty cut if you fall. Bring a GOOD flashlight, 1 per person, so that you can find the trail, if you intend on seeing the lava at night.)

However, if you can't take more time, you can still have some fun in Honolulu. Go to a Luau, climb Diamond Head, take a surf lesson, and don't fall for the tourist souvie stands - you can get the same kukui nuts and grass skirts at the "Big Kahuna Mart" - aka K-Mart! If you want to see some world class surfing, go up to the North shore. Have fun! I'm jealous!

Answer 2

Avoid the beaches and parks at night. You won't enjoy filing police reports or spending time in the ER. There is crime in Paradise, just like in your home town and the prisons are overflowing with inmates.

Don't leave anything in the rental car because the thieves love to break into them. Don't forget your street smarts just because you're on vacation!

Kauai is rural, lush, romantic and beautiful like in the old Hollywood movies. The Big Island of Hawaii is the same, but you should go there to see the volcano. You should avoid it if you have asthma or any type of breathing problem. The sulfur from the volcano will cause an attack. Maui is beautiful but developed and crowded, of course. Oahu is crowded and the most commercial. Go to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor and the Diamond Head lookout.

Hawaii is an expensive place. Bring your traveler's cheques, your common sense and a digital camera. You will LOVE it and your friends will be envious.

Answer 3

Everyone is right you need to see the other Islands but the flights are expensive so you should use a travelocity or priceline to book the flights. My wife and i Loved Kauai (we traveled the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) Also going to the big Island and hiking out to see the Lava flows at night.
No matter what you will have a great time & remember Ohahu is the city Island and all the others are much more relaxed.

Have Fun

Answer 4

Hawaiian Airlines has a $39 island hopping flight - yes, if you have time check out the big island -aka Hawaii - loved Kona.

Never been to Hawaii? There is only one good luau - Paradise Cove.

Staying near Waikiki? Para-sailing is awesome - 10 minute taxi right across from the Ala Moana Shopping Center - lot of fun. Snorkeling is a must! Try surfing - I kept falling off the board, but lots of fun.

Answer 5

Absolutely see another island. I highly recommend Maui. Depending on your interests, there's plenty to do in both places. Some highlights for me were the "Road to Hana" tour - avoid this if you get motion sick or have a fear of heights. I like just walking around Lahaina in Maui -lots of little shops and beaches and a fabulous park. And, of course, Pearl Harbor is a must! Any type of "circle island tour" gives you an awesome appreciation for how different the islands are from one side to another.

Answer 6

There are plenty of things to do around Oahu, but my wife and I have been to the big island and also Kauai and both of them are very lovely. If you go to the big island you can see a volcano erupting--I thought this was pretty interesting and I doubt I see another.