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[quote=Anonymous]We've been lucky enough to visit the Hawaiian islands about 7 times in the last 14 years due to work, wedding and pleasure. So here is my opinion. Others will disagree:

Know that you can take a surfing lesson on all the islands and there are beautiful people everywhere.

Skip the resorts and look on VRBO.com. We have booked rental properties through vrbo.com for the last 14 years, including a cliffside mansion where we held our wedding. You'll get more bang for your buck. Since you are pulling something together last minute, your choices may be more limited.

Maui, while indeed beautiful, was our least favorite island. It was much more commercial and developed than the others.

Oahu is the most crowded, but there are some great things to do here and if it is your first trip, a nice place to "get your feet wet." Avoid Waikiki, unless you are having drinks at the Halekulani Hotel's House Without a Key and going shopping afterward. Instead consider staying in Kailua (it used to be quiet before this guy named Barack started going there on his family vacations). The North Shore is also nice, but you would have to drive more to see different sites. Highlights: Hanauma Bay snorkeling, Lanikai and Kailua beaches (kayaking at Lanikai and kitesurfing at Kailua), excellent hiking around the island; Pearl Harbor (get the audio headsets and the kids won't grouse as much); The Bishop Museum (very interesting); and beaches on the North Shore, etc.

Big Island: a completely UNIQUE experience. The island looks otherworldly because it is covered with lava rock. There are some beautiful beaches here for relaxing; you can see lava from an active volcano oozing and popping into the ocean (requires a long hike, but so worth it); kayak to an incredible snorkeling spot on Kealakekua Bay; learn a bit about Native Hawaiian culture at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Park; drive to Hilo to see some lovely waterfalls; etc.

Kauai: Our FAVORITE island. We got married here because we love it so much. This place has it all: gorgeous beaches like Hanalei, Ke'e and Tunnels (great snorkeling at the latter);  excellent hiking trails on the North Shore and elsewhere; a breathtaking helicopter ride; a cute little museum in Lihue; a CANYON (imagine a mini Grand Canyon, sort of) on the west side with spectacular views and cool hikes; some impressive formal gardens, if that's your thing. If you go here, stay on the North Shore (Haena, Princeville or Hanalei). It is far less developed than the southern portion of Kauai.

I'd recommend Kauai and the Big Island, or Oahu and Kauai. Wherever you decide to go, you will have an incredible time. You can google the name of the island or islands you choose and surf lessons to find an instructor.

I'm not sure how long you intend to stay, but I'd recommend no less than 10 days. The time change really knocks you for a loop and there is a lot to see. If you only have a week, stick with one island (Kauai!!), if you can somehow manage 10 days-two weeks, split your time between 2 islands. You want to relax and enjoy the place, not eat up your time bouncing between islands.

Aloha!
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