First trip to Hawaii

Planning our first trip to Hawaii for summer 09. Want to see and do as much as we can in 10-14 days. Will visit any island that has beautiful scenery, nature, and adventure and yet laid back. Not interested in shopping, nightlife or city life. Love to hike, bike, kayak, snorkel, relax on beach and see wildlife, vegetation, waterfalls and volcanoes.

My question to all of you Hawaii lovers is . . . where do I find this? What islands should we visit and what should we be sure to see and do? What places have any of you stayed at that you absolutely loved and why? Very much interested in experiencing the real culture of Hawaii, and would love to go to a luau. Really don%26#39;t know a thing about Hawaii and am just beginning to do my research.

I am a Trip Advisor lover and spend every night reading tons of posts, but am very confused with all the different islands. I do plan on seeing Pearl Harbor, so definitely would visit that island (Oahu???), and would be interested in any must-see areas on that island.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

First trip to Hawaii

Kaua`i is perfect for you; it%26#39;s everything you want. You could fly into Honolulu and spend a day or two, maybe three to see Pearly Harbor and some of the other high points. In 10-14 days you can easily do 2 islands.

First trip to Hawaii

Well, I am inclined to agree with the previous poster - I LOVE Kauai, and especially since you mentioned visiting during the summer - perfect time to stay on the northshore, where the scenery is some of the best in Hawaii. Hawaiian royalty use to spend their summers on Kauai. :)

Each island is unique and different . . . but since you aren%26#39;t really interested in city/nightlife, I would skip Waikiki (on Oahu). Kauai offers everything that you mentioned other than an active volcano - you would have to go to the Big Island for that. While you can visit 2 islands (a good rule of thumb is one island per week) the ultimate of a relaxing vacation would be to just stay put. :)

Why Kauai?? Well, here is why I first picked it and why I return . . . it%26#39;s the has a law - no building can be taller than a coconut tree, so no tall building to mar the lovely views. It also is the only island w/o the mongoose, so more native birds than the other islands. It has incredible waterfalls, lush gorgeous scenery like how most of us ';picture'; Hawaii looking . . . that is why so many movies have been filmed in Kauai. It has the Waimea canyon - considered the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. . . it has rivers to kayak, tons of hiking, and a real aloha spirit. It is one of the only places I have traveled to that I did not want to leave. see some photos: http://www.kauaivisitorsbureau.com

For a luau, go to Smith%26#39;s luau. Hope that helps get you started - good luck with your planning! :)

From what you request I would really advise going to either Kauai or the Big Island (Hawaii). If you plan on Pearl Harbor then fly into Honolulu for 2 nights and hop to the island of your choice and leave from there...just my opinion, but Pearl Harbor is not complete without a visit to the Punchbowl, The Cemetary of the Pacific, has a lot more meaning than the Bowfin etc that you are charged for...this tour is free! Just make sure you drive...tour busses are not allowed to stop...and it is well worth the time.

Your description of what you would like to see/experience in Hawaii fits Kauai perfectly! Happy planning. I started with alot of guidebooks and then narrowed down my choices, then hit the TA boards. Nice idea to start in Honolulu for a couple of days, then head to Kauai for the rest of your trip.

There is more to see %26amp; do on Oahu than any other island.

With 10 days, stick with 2 islands. 6 days Oahu %26amp; 4 days Maui.

If you want to see three islands %26amp; have 14 days, spend 5 nights on Oahu, 4 or 5 nights on Maui %26amp; 4 nights on Big Island.

Lots of info:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29222-i37-k647862鈥?/a>

Thanks to all for helping me get started planning my trip to Hawaii and for the great websites. Would love to hear from anyone else regarding a place they stayed that they loved, or an excursion that was fun and worthwhile doing, or a place they visited that they enjoyed. Keep the ideas coming!!!! :)

Where you might stay really depends on what kind of surroundings you want. Kauai`i has some pretty nice resorts, timeshares, condos and cottages.

The most spectacular thing on Kaua`i is a helicopter tour. Since so much of the island is vertical it%26#39;s the only way to access it.

We%26#39;d most likely prefer either a resort, possibly a condo. Something on the beach. Just wasn%26#39;t sure what type of accommodations were popular on this island. Again thanks for your input.

Resorts on the beach would be the Hyatt in Po`ipu (not a swimmable beach, but just a short walk to one) and the Marriott in Lihu`e (on a swimmable beach). Condos are everywhere, many, many beachfront properties. Do you want to be directly on a swimmable beach? Easy access to restaurants and what shopping we have? Budget? There are just too many places to recommend without narrowing the field a bit.

I%26#39;d probably split the trip. It sounds as though condos would suit you better than hotels.

You might spend two or three days in Honolulu while you see Pearl, Punchbowl, Diamond Head, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum -- and just experience the polyglot culture of the city. Rent a car for some additional days to tour the east and north shores. Oahu is a beautiful tropical island once you leave the city behind. You don%26#39;t *have* to have a rental car in the city; there%26#39;s The Bus. You will need a car everywhere in Hawaii outside of Honolulu.

Kauai is a small island. Big Island is HUGE. You can %26#39;do%26#39; Kauai in a short time but need to plan a lot more time for Big Island. So...if you spend a week on Oahu, I%26#39;d pick Kauai for Island #2. If you spend less time Oahu, Big Island would be my choice. Kauai is a %26#39;typically tropical%26#39; island. Big Island has a dozen micro-climates (including tropical); it%26#39;s my favorite.

If you choose Kauai, stay north in summer. On Big Island, the best lodgings are (inconveniently) all in the NW corner. If you want to tour the volcano, plan to stay IN Volcano at least one night -- not deluxe, but OK. I%26#39;d skip Kona Town and Hilo as places to stay; visit, yes. Best luau: Kona Village Resort (not IN Kona Town).

A budget would help us recommend places to stay.

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