Hawaii

[go iggy]

My soon to be wife and I are planning our honeymoon for late 2008. We want to go to Hawaii but are not sure where to go. We have a time share there through her parents so where we stay is not a problem for the most part. We were thinking Maui or Kauai but were open. Some questions we have are:
- when is the good time of year to go?
- we want some adventure and some quit time
- we would like to see some nice waterfalls
- The beach is a must which I'm sure is everywhere
- Not too busy

We were hoping someone from CP has been there and could give us some tips.
Thanks in advance.

Sam

[MelBridgeman]

1. June is a good time to go...especially Maui..there is no one there...miles of beaches all to yourself..

Maui to all of the above in June IMO

Edit: I have never been to Kauai ...

[boobaloo]

Kauai if you want more relaxation, but beautiful scenery and waterfalls. If you go there do the helicopter....80% of the island is only accessable by air and the views are spectacular. Great beaches, etc. Maui has more nightlife and there is lots to do there as well. Have you ever thought about a cruise? We did one Vancouver to Hawaii and around the islands. Flew back. It gives you a taste of all of them, and you can decide which one to go back to and stay. I've never stayed on the Big Island or Molokai, but the rest are absolutely fabulous. There is never a bad time of year to go, IMO, and I've been there about 8 times in the last 10 years...all different times of the year. Enjoy!

[SarichFan]

I'd go to Maui if you want a good balance of quiet and activity.

Oahu IS a great Island as long as you don't stick at Waikiki like so many tourist do...

[Sylvanfan]

I could tell you in about a month as I'll have come back from touring all of the Islands. My cousins tell me Maui is a place they really like but have heard Kauai is a really nice place as well. I've only been to Oahu in the past and it's a fine place itself, but as mentioned about you need to get out and see the entire Island, if you stay in Waikiki you'll get bored.

[Dion]

Friends of mine were in Kauai last year and said it was very quiet and also the most beautiful of the islands.

Myself i'm headed to Oahu in a couple of weeks. Not the place to go if you're looking for quiet. Although if you stay away from Waikkii beach there are some quiet beachs off the beaten track.

[DFO]

I've been to the Big Island and Maui. Maui was great while the Big Island sucked. Being a geologist I was stoked for the Big Island but I felt let down. Maui on the other hand had a ton of stuff to do. Stay on the dry side but definitely do the drive to Hana one day. As well go up to the top of Haleakala and drop into the crater to hike around (we did a 23km loop that took the better part of the day).

[return to the red]

I'm on Maui right now and was on Oahu last year. Maui is a lot more laid back, easy to navigate and not as much of a tourist trap. I felt like in Oahu you had tours being jammed down your throat left and right but In Maui I find I'm searching out the tourist things to do and taking them in MYSELF.

As well Oahu is much more expensive then Maui. We are in a Condo right now with an ocean view for about 130 a night where as In Oahu we had partial ocean view for 350 a night.

All in all it really depends what you want to do and see. If you are looking to do the tourist thing and don't mind the hustle and bustle, higher prices then Oahu is your place if you want a more laid back atmosphere with easy travel and cheaper accomodations then I'd suggest Maui. Never been To Kauai so I can't comment

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me

[go iggy]

Great feedback. Thanks everyone.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by return to the red

I'm on Maui right now and was on Oahu last year. Maui is a lot more laid back, easy to navigate and not as much of a tourist trap. I felt like in Oahu you had tours being jammed down your throat left and right but In Maui I find I'm searching out the tourist things to do and taking them in MYSELF.

Who says you have to take those tours? I got a guide book and am planning the places I want to see. I'll be hopping a bus to whatever place I want to see. If you plan ahead you won't get caught in those touristy traps.

As well Oahu is much more expensive then Maui. We are in a Condo right now with an ocean view for about 130 a night where as In Oahu we had partial ocean view for 350 a night.

I booked my vacation through Westjet. Airfare and 7 nights accomidations for a $1000 Mind you it's not an ocean view, but then, who spends a lot of time in their hotel while on vacation. As long as the place is clean and close to the beach, that's all i care about.

All in all it really depends what you want to do and see. If you are looking to do the tourist thing and don't mind the hustle and bustle, higher prices then Oahu is your place if you want a more laid back atmosphere with easy travel and cheaper accomodations then I'd suggest Maui.

There are bargains if you take the time to do your planning ahead of time. The guide book I got from AMA lists all the restraunts and destinations to see, with the prices and ratings. I'll have a list made up before I go as to where the inexpensive resturants are and sights that i deem worthy of seeing. IMO it can be as expensive or cheap as you want it.

Been to Maui also and would agree it's less hustle and bustle.

[redforever]

=Dion;1126103]Who says you have to take those tours? I got a guide book and am planning the places I want to see. I'll be hopping a bus to whatever place I want to see. If you plan ahead you won't get caught in those touristy traps.

The one time I think tours are great are for those must see historical places that you know are gonna be full of tourists ahead of time. Then I think a tour with an educated guide is very worthwhile. And with many of the tours, you get in without going through the lineups. And if you do want to hop on a bus and just go there and do the lineup thing, then I think just the guide is money well spent as well. You can buy the booklet that tells you what to look for but it has been my experience that you get far more with the guide.

I would not put anything on the islands of Hawaii as qualifying for that though. You can easily do any of the islands on your own without a tour, without a guide.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by redforever

The one time I think tours are great are for those must see historical places that you know are gonna be full of tourists ahead of time. Then I think a tour with an educated guide is very worthwhile. And with many of the tours, you get in without going through the lineups. And if you do want to hop on a bus and just go thereand do the lineup thing, then I think just the guide is money well spent as well. You can buy the booklet that tells you want to look for but it has been my experience that you get far more with the guide.

I would not put anything on the islands of Hawaii as qualifying for that though. You can easily do any of the islands on your own without a tour, without a guide.

For sure, those places with an educated guide is definately worthwhile. Done that on other trips and found it very informative.

Avoiding the lineups is a good thought - never considered that. Might have to do some checking as to when is the best time is to avoid such lineups. Guess a phone call to a certain sight ahead of time might get me those best times.

[IHATEOILERS]

I've been to all of them and I think Kauai is easily the nicest, Maui next. If you go in the winter consider staying on the south side of the islands since the weather is most reliable there.

Kauai really has minimal nightlife though, so you'd be there to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

[MoneyGuy]

I've been to all of the major islands.

Kauai = slower pace, beauty, waterfalls, good diving if you dive
Oauhu = lots to see and do, but get away from Waikiki, which is a beach in the middle of a big city; but this may be your best best for a first-timer who wants a little of everything
Maui = quieter pace, but still lots to do
Hawaii (Big Island) = my favourite island, volcanoes, terrific

A great way to see several islands and combine vacation types is to see the islands from a cruise ship. We've done that also.

[OilersBaby]

Maui is amazing! Definately go there...the helicopter ride of the island is awesome, the water is nice and warm. June/July are good..it rains in the winter. July might be full of lil kids, so June might be the best option. May could work too, but def avoid the winter.

Oahu is nice, and although Waikiki is very commercialized, you want to go there for one day just to see it. Then fly to the other islands.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

Maui is amazing! Definately go there...the helicopter ride of the island is awesome, the water is nice and warm. June/July are good..it rains in the winter. July might be full of lil kids, so June might be the best option. May could work too, but def avoid the winter.

Oahu is nice, and although Waikiki is very commercialized, you want to go there for one day just to see it. Then fly to the other islands.

I have only been in our winter months, twice in April, once in February, never had any rain. You have to stay on the west side of Maui, Lahaina or south, and you are almost guaranteed good weather every day.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

June/July are good..it rains in the winter. July might be full of lil kids, so June might be the best option. May could work too, but def avoid the winter.

One of the reasons us Canadians go to Hawai is to escape the cold and the snow. Could never see myself going in June or July.

Been to both Oahu and Maui in January and encountered little rain.

The only advantage to going to Hawaii in the summer might be the cheaper prices as most Canadians go during the winter months.

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by Dion

One of the reasons us Canadians go to Hawai is to escape the cold and the snow. Could never see myself going in June or July.

Been to both Oahu and Maui in January and encountered little rain.

The only advantage to going to Hawaii in the summer might be the cheaper prices as most Canadians go during the winter months.

makes sense but i forgot about all that snow stuff cuz I live in in a warm place myself. but that totally makes sense.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

makes sense but i forgot about all that snow stuff cuz I live in in a warm place myself. but that totally makes sense.

Wanna trade places?

[wookster]

I was in Maui last February. Stayed on the North side and it was awesome. Mind you the north side beaches aren't for swimming as the surf is huge but it was fun to watch the surfers. Plus the drive to the calm beaches was only 30-40 minutes. I would recommend renting a jeep/car if you are going to Maui. We did and it was great, took our time and just went wherever we wanted to go with no hassle. The only hard spot to get to was the town in the South/east side of the island as there was only one road to it with about 50 one-way bridges on it. Lots of cool stuff to see on the way though.