planning a trip to Hawaii-any insight?

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys next year on June 17th my lovely bride and I will celebrate 30 years of wedlock and we'd like to go to Hawaii. Neither of us has ever been there so any advice you can provide is appreciated. When is a good time to go? We don't have to go in June just sometime in the year. And where to stay? Condo's,hotels,house? We would fly from Orlando and I think we would stay for aprox. 1 week. We are into seeing some of the tourist trap stuff but more into seeing the natural beauty.

[fumanchu]

Was married in Maui in '04. Would'nt change a thing. I like Kihei ...abit more away from the hustle and bustle... great beaches. If you like Kauai, rent a house on the beach and live the slow life for a time.

Don't pack much for clothes you won't need them.

oh yeah... congrats!

[Hugh R]

Oahu is very pretty once you get away from the tourist stuff. Go to the North Shore. Visit Pearl Harbor. Depends what island your staying on. Maui is cool, take the bike ride down the volcano, they drive you up and you ride down. While at the top check out the crater, you can hike down and stay at a hotel at the bottom, never done it, but heard its cool. Takes two days roundtrip.

[jorian]

+1 on renting a house.

[scottmandue]

My extended family rents a house on Hanalei bay, Kauai.

It is very very nice.

There are four or five nice restaurants within walking distance on the bay. Lots of great swimming, snorkeling, boating, hiking, but not much night life.

Hanalei rentals

[syncroid]

+2 for Maui. I am going back to Kehei (on Maui) in April of this year. I love that place! The times that I have gone, we have rented a private condo. No regrets.

[Neilk]

We've gone to Maui about 6 times. Each time we've rented a condo in Wailea from Kumulani.com. Check out the Wailea Ekahi units. They are really nice and affordable.

If you go to Maui, don't bother going to the Molokini crater. The snorkeling is much better along the shore in Maui.

No relationship to the above.

[gassy]

We were in Kaanapali on Maui last November and still talk about it...snorkeling at Molokini...crap we wish we were still there. We're planning on going next December when the whales are there. We rented a condo with a full ocean view--we were on the ninth floor. A couple unaltered shots from our balcony.

[gassy]

We enjoyed Molokini cuz we saw a shark and got to drift over the edge--but agree with neilk--the shores were great.
Christian.

[78sc]

Hi gassy,

This looks like the Mahana complex; is it? My wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon....outstanding views and so close to the water!!

Originally posted by gassy
We were in Kaanapali on Maui last November and still talk about it...snorkeling at Molokini...crap we wish we were still there. We're planning on going next December when the whales are there. We rented a condo with a full ocean view--we were on the ninth floor. A couple unaltered shots from our balcony.

[alf]

I have 2 boys 6&8 and have gone to Hawaii annually since they could travel (last 4 or 5 years). Gone to Big Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Stayed at 5 star resorts (Sheraton, Hyatt, Mauna Luna) and at a Condo the last time. I had low expectations with Condos.

My fav set up? Condo.
Fav Island? Maui or Big Island. Kauai diving sucks, Oahu has traffic jams.
Fav Rental Car? They all suck. Jeep sucked the least.

Why Condo?
I do not need to get dressed and get everyone ready for meals, especially breakfast. There is enough room for everyone to do their stuff especially in the evenings... Kids play gameboy, wife surf web/read, me on balcony smoking pipe and reading.

No need to plan for 3 meals daily, just stock up on groceries and cook when you feel like it, order out or eat out if it suits you. Feels like Sunday everyday. Wake up whenever, mosey around the place, figure out what to do in afternoon (usually beach), then chill in the evenings.

BTW, a condo costs more than a resort for me (i have a bunch of hotel points). But condos do cost much less than a resort if you have to pay.

Maui or Big Island
Big Island is great, not too populated, great diving, but not so good beaches.
Maui has it all but is rather touristy, but i am a tourist
Kauai is not too bad but many dive sites/coral reefs ruined by the big rain they had recently. Still cool though.

[alf]

Big Island Whales


Sheraton Pool Big Island, they had a great slide.


Manua Lani Hotel Beach Big Island. We were laying on the beach and this turtle surfed right up. Took pic and retreated to respectable distance.

[nostatic]

is that sheraton waikoloa? Stayed there 3 years ago and it was ok. Last two years been at Hilton Waikoloa and that places scares me....

[alf]

Beachcombing on Maui's Kanapali Beach


Stunning sunsets on Maui


Stunning Views, Maui.

[alf]

Arizona Memorial, Oahu


Arizona Memorial, Oahu


Too lazy to cook or go out food, Condo in Kauai


View from Condo in Kauai


Another View from Condo in Kauai


The rental that sucked the least

[nostatic]

big island, this january

[alf]

Originally posted by nostatic
is that sheraton waikoloa? Stayed there 3 years ago and it was ok. Last two years been at Hilton Waikoloa and that places scares me....

That is the Sheraton in Kona, we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa once, t'was a zoo with no fences

Added: static, those are very nice pics.

[HardDrive]

We spent a week at the Grand Wailea on Maui. Fantastic. Might be a bit to much family oriented for what you guys are looking for, but its very nice. We prefer that end of the island. More laid back than areas like Kanipali.

If you decide to drive out to Hana, Gas up and bring all the supplys (food, water)you will need, because there are basically no stores until you get to hana. Take your time and explore along the way, because there are some wonderful little hidden beaches and sites.

[LeeH]

+1 for Kihei. We saw lots of Maui and would choose Kehei again without hesitation.

[Joeaksa]

Been to most of the places over there and the one I keep returning to is Lihue. Beautiful area and beaches.

Well worth a look...