Anonymous wrote:Maui Maui Maui! Lots of outdoorsy things to do (surfing lessons, swimming, paddle boarding, waterfall hikes) and so beautiful. I also recommend staying along Kaanapaali Beach instead of Wailea. We've stayed at both and while Wailea is very luxe, it's also boring and quiet. Kaannaapali is much more lively and fun, with plenty of restaurants along the beach path where you can find reasonable priced dinners (we pretty much lived on fish tacos).

*reasonably priced. You will have trouble finding that in Wailea, where most of the restaurants are very high end.

Maui Maui Maui! Lots of outdoorsy things to do (surfing lessons, swimming, paddle boarding, waterfall hikes) and so beautiful. I also recommend staying along Kaanapaali Beach instead of Wailea. We've stayed at both and while Wailea is very luxe, it's also boring and quiet. Kaannaapali is much more lively and fun, with plenty of restaurants along the beach path where you can find reasonable priced dinners (we pretty much lived on fish tacos).

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much! Really appreciate all the info. Have two more questions:

How to rent a condo or find a timeshare?

Also do we need to book the ticket way ahead of time to catch a small plane to fly between two islands?

Thanks!

for timeshares, we've found owners on Redweek. I've also rented a unit with someone via ebay.
Read T.U.G. - timeshare users group to learn how to go about renting.
There are also companies that rent people's timeshares. Google "Marriott Ko Olina timeshare rentals"

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much! Really appreciate all the info. Have two more questions:

How to rent a condo or find a timeshare?

Also do we need to book the ticket way ahead of time to catch a small plane to fly between two islands?

Thanks!

We have rented twice (maui and big island) via vrbo and had great experiences. Look for places with good reviews and good communication. Also, the key things to do are to book the big flights from the continental us to hawaii. The inter island flights can be booked later -/ Hawaiian airlines, and they are much cheaper and have lots of options.

Anonymous wrote:Maui is my favorite island (I've been to Oahu and the big island too). Timeshare is a good idea because it frees you up for dining and other options. But I loved staying at the resort and getting pampered too.

We rent someone's timeshare at Marriott's KO Olina on Oahu or Marriott's Maui Ocean Club. Both are big resorts with restaurants and great pools. The Ko Olina is on the lagoons which provides gentle waves which makes the ocean swim-able for kids.
We usually rent a 1 br for $1500-1800 for the week which includes a full kitchen, living room, bedroom and washer dryer.

We like Kapalua in Maui.

Also, do a Hike Maui tour if you go to Maui. My kids really loved hiking through fruit trees and swimming in a waterfall.

Thank you so much! Really appreciate all the info. Have two more questions:

How to rent a condo or find a timeshare?

Also do we need to book the ticket way ahead of time to catch a small plane to fly between two islands?

Thanks!

Caveat - I prefer isolated beaches, nature areas, snorkeling with sea turtles and hot springs, not shopping, crowds etc. and usually visit many but do not stay at $$ top end resorts. I highly recommend the "Revealed" guides for whatever island you decide on. You can split your trip! It's easy to catch a small plane over and try out two islands on the same trip. One thing for sure, Hawaii does not suck. Even the Wendy's drive thru on Hawaii has an incredible ocean view.
The Big Island has a lot of geographic variety and not the traffic and grunge of Oahu. Kona area is central, has good weather and amenities. There is the high mountain observatory, Merrie Monarch Festival, "champagne pool" and other fresh water springs, black sand beaches, fabulous resorts on north central coast, affordable vacation condos just south of Kona, Cook Bay for kayaking with wild dolphins etc. My favorite spot for snorkel + Body surfing is Puako Beach.
Maui is also nice, slightly more commercial. I liked Makena area - best beach and snorkeling, my BFF likes the Kaanapali Beach area which is very family friendly.
My brother lives on the Big island and in his opinion Kauai is the most beautiful island, it is older and has the gorgeous Bali Hai/Na Pali area, more erosion means more interesting mountains. It's drier in Poipu, Princeville is rainy but it has the views to die for, up where Pierce Brosnan lives.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the others--if you're only doing 1 island, hit up Maui. Rent a condo for the week (cheaper than a hotel, and you'll have a kitchen for making cheap lunches if you want).

+1

I prefer the Wailea area with kids - calmer beaches & closer to everything

+2 We liked the Wailea area better also. I would at least try to do the Big Island for a couple of days. The Volcanos Park would be a great place to go with kids. Our kids (ages 4 and 8 at the time loved it)

We stayed at the Hilton on the Big Island. Very kid friendly. Took the 8 year old snorkeling in Maui and it was great.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the others--if you're only doing 1 island, hit up Maui. Rent a condo for the week (cheaper than a hotel, and you'll have a kitchen for making cheap lunches if you want).

+1

I prefer the Wailea area with kids - calmer beaches & closer to everything

I agree with the others--if you're only doing 1 island, hit up Maui. Rent a condo for the week (cheaper than a hotel, and you'll have a kitchen for making cheap lunches if you want).

Maui is my favorite island (I've been to Oahu and the big island too). Timeshare is a good idea because it frees you up for dining and other options. But I loved staying at the resort and getting pampered too.

we rent someone's Marriott timeshare on either Maui or Oahu.
See redweek.com for listings.

My kids loved Maui, as there was a lot to do there. As long as you're near a beach, they are usually happy. For a longer stay, you might want to rent a condo.

We are planning to go to Hawaii in August with our 8 years old kid. It is our 10 years anniversary. This is 1st time go to Hawaii. (have not been on a trip for more than a year due to time/financial restriction). Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Which island should we go? Any recommendation on which hotels to stay?What activities to do? It is a 10 days trip. Many Thanks!