Help with choice for trip plan??

We just returned from a 10 day stay in Mexico and we are planning our next trip to Hawaii for our 5th anniversary. We have never been there due to the long flight from Wisconsin but it is time to try something new. We have gone to Mexico for several years now and even twice last year and we do love it very much but it is time.

We are in our mid forties and have done mostly all inclusive resorts until this last trip where we stayed in a condo and loved it. We are not sure where to stay as far as location, I did see a thread on the Mexico forums and it seems most people enjoy ';The Big Island';?

We plan on 10 days in July 2009, I%26#39;m not sure this is a good time as far as weather??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Cobalt

Help with choice for trip plan??

Well first off there is only one all inclusive in all of Hawaii, which should tell you that is not the norm there.

I guess in order for you to decide which island (S) to see you need to let us know a bit about what you like to do. Hawaii is not at all in any way (other than maybe the weather) like Mexico so it is best not to even try comparing them.

Each of the 6 main islands offers something a bit different so dending on what you like to do that might help you decide. A thumbnail view of each would be:

Oahu - Most populated, has world famous Waikiki beach, tons of night life and shopping still has spectacular scenery for viewing. Lots of organized activites.

Maui - Next most populus, not quite as much night life and shopping as Oahu but stll lots. Spectacular beaches and great scenic drives. Many organized activites

Kauai - Oldest of the islands, Waimea canyon to explore, some would say it is the best scenery. Many organized activties. Some shopping and nightlife.

Big Island (Hawaii) - live volacno to explore (the park itself is over 200,000 acres). Largest of all the islands, bigger than all the islands combined. Green and black sand beaches. Some organized activites, limited shopping and night life.

Molokai - tons of deserted beaches, very limted lodging, not one single traffic light on the island, super laid bad, great scenery, virtually no shopping or nightlife to speak of.

Lanai - Smallest of the islands. Two Four Season resorts, on on the water one up country plus the hotel Lanai pretty much are the lodging choices (there are a couple homes for rent). Nice to explore, limited shopping and nightlife.

Now if you just let the forum know what sorts of things you like to do perhaps we can assist you in picking the perfect island. By the way, Northwest has a direct flight from MSP to Honoulu that takes about 7.5 hours.

Help with choice for trip plan??

It does not rain much in July so it is a good time to go.

If you want to see whales %26amp; nice waterfalls, the winter season is the time to go.

With 10 days you have time for 2 islands.

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

Big Island is also a good choice.

Lots of info:

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

Ahh perfect response, thank you Bill!

We are definitely pool people, preferably not many children or none at all. We like a little night life but not party animals (Bed by 12:00am). We love to go for morning walks, for exercise mostly but it would be great to walk on a trail or road versus beach due to knee surgery. We typically never go in the ocean but love the view of an incredible beach. We would not want to be completely isolated but do not like huge crowded resorts. We love to venture out and about for our meals but a quick snack near a pool is always nice.

The flight out of Minneapolis sounds perfect as we can get there from Green Bay no problem and we have tons of miles on Northwest to use up :)

Thanks again Bill!

Cobalt

Most welcome cobalt.

Depending on when you go will be the deciding factor as to the number of kids around. There will always be some as there are no kid free zones as far as I know. You will find more during the summer or the traditional holiday times plus spring break.

From your likes it sounds like Kauai might suit you or possibly Maui. Oahu might be too crowded and as I said Molokai and Lanai are not known for their nightlife at all. Something in or near Kona on the big Island could work to but Waikoloa is probably too islolated although they do have some nice resorts and restuarnat within walking distance.

I am sure others can give you some more specific advise.

If you are going to try for the direct MSP-HNL flights (808.809) you need to try as soon as they become available (352 from your return) because they go fast, at least the mile saver tickets and first class. If you are going the 1st class route the plane (An A330) has lie flat seat in 1st. One thing to bear in mind when booking a FF ticket is you actually arrive back in MSP the next day so the 352 days out rule needs to be considered as you will need a connection for m MSP back to Green Bay.

Any way have fun seaching the forum and planning your trip, I am sure you will love Hawaii, very very very few people don%26#39;t and most go back again.

Budget is a big consideration on the Big Island even though it is the most economical overall, access to groceries, and atmosphere

Kona and Keauhou is a non-resort town of residential and lowrise condos and hotels It has the atmosphere of a beach town form the 70%26#39;s Wide selection of reasonable restauraunts dinner for 2 will run under $100 and places to stay... No beaches really, but outstanding snorkeling. Kahaluluu lagoon.. a 2 hour drive to the Volcano.

Hotels all under $200 a night, condos 120 to 200

All properties are well kept but older... Lots of atmosphere Kona is the center of the majority of activites. July in Kona will be HOT and somewhat humid. Limited shopping and entertainment.. good for groceries. Very your in Hawaii feel

Resorts are on the Kohala coast, Mauni Lani and Waikoloa Beach and are 45 min drive north of Kona Hotels start at 300 to 1000 a night in well crafted resort complexes. Condos range from older to new. and start at about $200 to $800 All hotels have beach access or beaches.

Only one condo Kolea has a beach Restauraunts are all highend and outstanding Figure for 2 $150+

everything is resort priced...and is all tourists no locals or local places. Cooler than Kona with less Humidity, Atmosphere is resort polish .

Hilo is a totaly non-tourist town and port with a large surdurban area...and a very ethnic population its a working mans town .. where it rains a lot.

No beaches for swimming or snorkeling, 1 Hour to Volcano Natl park. Not a restauraunt town... very few condos...and all very old.

Volcano Village... no condos... all B%26amp;Bs in the rainforest....can be very wet and cool. Subject to Volcanic gas problems at times Has one great restauraunt Groceries in Hilo and hour away

Hello Green Bay! (Dear friend from U of W days lives there -- and visited with us on Big Island once with her DH.)

We own on Maui and fly out there every February on AA from O%26#39;Hare. We buy coach and upgrade to first with AA-miles. Try to get a direct non-stop flight to at least Honolulu and look for the lie-flat seats if you do upgrade. It%26#39;s nine hours out; eight back.

We %26#39;discovered%26#39; Hawaii 25+ years ago. Before that we escaped winter in the Caribbean. I%26#39;d suggest coming in winter -- both to get out of the snow and cold and to be able to enjoy the whales in Hawaii (Dec. - Mar. are best times).

Thank you all so much! Let the research begin, to me it is all part of the trip. I must say it is a bit confusing but I%26#39;m sure I will get all the info I need here on your forums. We will be going in either April or July, love the winters to much to leave (Snowmobiling). I have seen some very nice places in Kauai and The Big Island but at this point I%26#39;m not sure of exact locations or if they are even the same lace LOL. I guess after the long flight I would hate to hop on another plane to go to another Island (Hoping to go direct on Northwest from Minneapolis to HNL).

Thank you all again!

Cobalt

Cobalt, interisland flights are very short and are easy to get from HNL. Depending on your airline from the mainland you may be able to check baggage through.

Hi Cobalt

I fly frequently between Minneapolis and the Big Island. The Northwest Airbus 330 is the way to go, even in coach. Northwest is partnered with Hawaiian and your luggage will be checked all the way through.

For the best deals, I book through nwaworldvacations.com. You can book air + hotel or air+car or all 3. The savings are significant. You can use miles to upgrade to first class.

Dusty your link was a great help!

Boulder I think that is what we are going to do!

Do you have any suggestions for locations to stay on the Island that NWA includes in their packages?

After looking at some of the personal photos linked on the forums I can not wait to go!

Thanks,

Cobalt