hawaii -7 to 8 day trip

[Anonymous]

Hawaii experts - please help.
never been to Hawaii, overwhelmed already.
What're the not-miss destinations? Can you help plan an itinerary from DC area to Hawaii and back?
How much is doable in 7 day period, without cramming too much.
Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

What island? You should go to the trip advisor forum, lots of advice there! Lucky!

[Anonymous]

op here - looking for island recos as well. thanks!

[Anonymous]

Are you going with kids or without kids? Are you by yourself or are with someone? It's kind of impossible to give advice when you haven't given any details.

[Anonymous]

My kids loved Maui - there is a lot to do there, both active and relaxing. For 7-8 days I would stick to one island.

[Anonymous]

I started in Kauai with a helicopter tour over the waterfalls, then snorkeled along Bali Hai. Then to Oahu for some business, but fit in tours of Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace and a hike up Diamondhead. Then on to the Big Island - a sunset tour to the observatories at the top of Mauna Kea, a small bus tour to Hilo and surroundings, and a visit to Volcanoes National Park, with a helicopter ride over erupting Kilauea. Finally, on to Maui for a sunrise tour to the top of Haleakala, then crashed for a few days at the Grand Wailea beach and pools.

Ah, youth. That was a long time ago. Still, it gives you an idea of what's available.

[Anonymous]

7 days is not very long. If you can extend your trip to 10 days to 2 weeks I'd highly recommend it. You will be extremely jet-lagged for a few days. Use that by getting up early and enjoying the day (farmers markets, sunrise on the beach, etc.). With only 7-8 days, stick with one island. Don't eat up your precious time island hopping.

Read a bit about each island in guidebooks or online to see what matches your vibe best. Oahu gets a bad rap because it's the most populous, but there are lots of great things to do (snorkel at Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, Bishop Museum on a rainy day, any number of hikes, gorgeous beaches like Lanikai and Kailua, etc).

Our family's favorite is the north shore of Kauai, known as the Garden Isle. It's far less developed than the other islands (except Molokai) and the natural beauty is astounding: fantastic snorkeling, amazing beaches, challenging hikes, etc.)

We've been to Maui and didn't care for it because it seemed too developed for our taste. But millions of others love it, so it's a personal preference.

[Anonymous]

Didn't love Maui but did love Oahu - outside of Waikiki it's great. Also the big island is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids loved Maui - there is a lot to do there, both active and relaxing. For 7-8 days I would stick to one island.

Yes. Best advice you can get. One island only for a trip of this length. Maui would be good because of its variety of activity. But YMMV--you really should do some reading about each Island, as they have different feels. Can't go wrong

[Anonymous]

I'd go with Maui but you can't go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go with Maui but you can't go wrong.

^ specifically in the Wailea area. Road to Hana (overnight if you had more time). Snorkeling in Molokini. Lots of beach time. Luau one night.

[Anonymous]

We did a week on the big island last summer. Flew into Hilo and did 2 days on that side of the island (1 day at the volcanos and 1 day at waterfalls). Then we drove through Waimea over to Kona for 5 days. One day swimming with wild dolphins, one day up to the observatory, one day snorkeling with manta rays, and 2 lazy beach days.

It was just the right amount of time for the island. I'm glad we didn't try to cram in more locations. I've done a week in Maui and a week in Oahu previously, and both were good too. Really...its Hawaii. You can't go wrong. Spend some time on trip advisor, rent a condo if you're on a budget, and relax!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7 days is not very long. If you can extend your trip to 10 days to 2 weeks I'd highly recommend it. You will be extremely jet-lagged for a few days. Use that by getting up early and enjoying the day (farmers markets, sunrise on the beach, etc.). With only 7-8 days, stick with one island. Don't eat up your precious time island hopping.

Read a bit about each island in guidebooks or online to see what matches your vibe best. Oahu gets a bad rap because it's the most populous, but there are lots of great things to do (snorkel at Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, Bishop Museum on a rainy day, any number of hikes, gorgeous beaches like Lanikai and Kailua, etc).

Our family's favorite is the north shore of Kauai, known as the Garden Isle. It's far less developed than the other islands (except Molokai) and the natural beauty is astounding: fantastic snorkeling, amazing beaches, challenging hikes, etc.)

We've been to Maui and didn't care for it because it seemed too developed for our taste. But millions of others love it, so it's a personal preference.

Jet lag didn't hit me till 2 days after I got there (from DC) and it was for a few hours. Maybe I got lucky, who knows.

I do agree with sticking to one island, and what someone said about the big island is pretty much dead on in terms of what to do.

[Anonymous]

Maui is the best of all worlds.

[Anonymous]

What part of Maui is best to stay at? Hoping to use Marriott points - any suggestions.