Suggestion for a 3 week Trip, first timer..
 

Aloha
I am planning for a 3 week trip to Hawaii (dez-Jan). To be honest, The TV show hawaii 5-0 (and lost) was a movtivation....But I am lost at the possibilities, maybe you can give me some suggestion about great places to go?
We (a couple,35) look for two places to rent. We absolutly don't need nightlife / middle of tourists and main things.

We want to swim/snorkel in the sea, maybe take some surf lessons.
We want to see some scenery, hiking, biking in the mountains. So there should be some nature within drivable distance.

I think places on two islands, a bit remote, with access to sea and parks/mountains within driving range (which is for me 1 hours drive). Shopping / village / small cities nearby.

I would be very happy to receive some insights and tips. Currently I am totally lost.....

Thanks very much
Wombelero

Based on your description of what you're interested in, I'd suggest you do a little research on Kauai, or possibly the Big Island. Maybe split time between the two?

The interesting thing about the Big Island is it has just about every type of climate on earth. It's a pretty interesting drive all around the outside of the island, from the beaches and lava flows at Kona, to the ranches of Waimea, through the gorges on the north side, the waterfalls near Hilo, and the volcano.

Lots of scenery, hiking, biking, waterfalls, lava flows, mountains, etc. on both.

Kauai has tons of parks, waterfalls, hiking, etc.
The Big Island has Volcano National Park, with some good hiking plus the bonus of a volcano. :)

The Big Island also has some excellent snorkeling. I have not seen a lot of surfing outside of Oahu or Maui, but others can comment on that.

I'm mostly familiar with Maui and the Big Island, but hopefully that helps a little until others add on.

Welcome to Hawaii!

All of the main Hawaiian Islands have wonderful natural scenery, hiking and surf opportunities.

The Hawaii Island (formerly known as the "Big Island" before it became politically incorrect to refer to it by that moniker) has the most diverse ecosystem around. It has tropical rainforests and deserts in close proximity. Snow-capped mountains and surf within a relatively short drive. The best beach on all the islands is the one fronting Mauna Kea Resort and the Hapuna Resort.

All of the other islands have their own charms. On Maui, you can hike through a dormant volcano, Haleakala. On Kauai, you can hike the Na Pali trail to get to Kalalau

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalalau_Trail

On Oahu, if you stay out at the Turtle Bay Resort, you will be outside of the main tourist areas and near wonderful natural environments. One nice thing about Oahu is that if you want a break from hiking, biking and surfing, you can see museums and other historical treasures:

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=USS_Arizona_Memorial

http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

Note about the time of year during which you are coming: It can be rainy at that period, so if you are going to be hiking, make sure that familiarize yourself with the trail, weather reports, and have a cellphone that can call 911 (our emergency number). Take emergency supplies. We have too many reports of people who need to be rescued or recovered because of lack of knowledge and preparation.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

I also feel Kauai and the Big Island are your best best. On Kauai virtually everything is within an hour drive, unless you are staying at one end of the road in which case you would have to drive about 1 1/2 hours to the other end. If you stay in the east side of the island, you can reach everything within an hour drive.

The Big Island requires more planning to have less than one hour drive. But a stay in the east side or near the volcano would give you access to a lot of the island within an hour.

The Big Island is probably my favorite place to visit in the world!

Personally, I would probably split my stay on the Big Island. Spend several days on the east side near Volcano National Park and use that as a base to do the adventurous stuff on that side.... and then book in the Kona area to enjoy the beaches and life on the more active part of the island.

I would love to have more than a week on the Big Island.... an amazing part of the United States!

If you want to actually see some of the places shown in Hawaii 5-0 and Lost, you'll have to spend some time on Oahu.

The beach used for filming Lost is there. I had the pleasure of visiting it when they were still shooting and saw the set. It's on the North Shore and close to the Turtle Bay Resort mentioned above. The location is stunning, and even though they're not shooting, I still go to that beach at least once a trip, and sometimes twice.

Most of the Hawaii 5-0 scenes are shot all over the island. My parents saw them shooting in the middle of Waikiki in February, but they can be anywhere on the island.

Hawaii
 

I would recommend Maui and stay in either Napilli or Kapalua. These are quiet areas and are still close to your list of activities.
I would avoid island hopping.
Rent a car through Costco travel.
Try vrbo.com for rental listings as an alternate to hotels.
I would also avoid redeye flights.

LOL...you've basically hit every point of the trip I have coming up in a few weeks. Staying on Maui the whole time, rented in Napili via VRBO, and I'm on a redeye home.

I feel like 3 weeks on Maui is too long for me though. Not sure about the OP. But why not do two islands in 3 weeks? 10 days on each is great, and it's a short flight in between (lose half a day). Pairing any other island with the Big Island makes a great trip as it gives you a lot of diversity in the trip.

Thanks for the valuable insights! As it seems flights are available with my miles and Hawaii is very much possible.
As it looks at the time we will try an rent house on two islands and have 7-10 days each.
Big Island and Maui or Kauai seems to be great.

Oh man....options and possibilities and whatnot. Can't wait to get there. Any more tips and insights are very much welcome.

Wombelero

Let me know if you need suggestions for Switzerland:)

With that much time (very jealous!), I would definitely split between 2 islands. If you do want a taste of Lost/5-0, I'd staple 2-3 days on in Oahu at the end if you are set on that (as you'll most likely be flying in/out of HNL if you are coming internationally). Aside from that, definitely take a look at what Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island have to offer. I haven't been to Kauai for a long time, so my memory may be rusty, but it is definitely less populated and more remote than the other two. Whereas Maui and the Big Island both have some population centers, Lihue (which is the city you fly into on Kauai) is a pretty sleepy town with not much to do. Gorgeous scenery to see, and lots of outdoorsy stuff to do, but if you're looking to trek into 'town' at all, Kauai isn't the island for that.

If you do consider spending all your time on one island, the Big Island is the place to do it - so many different parts of the island to see, and the farthest you'll ever have to drive in one shot to get somewhere is ~2-2.5 hours.

I would echo choosing Kauai and the BI based off of want you are looking for.

I know you mentioned Lost and Hawaii 5-0, but you may not realize Kauai has probably had more movie scenes shot on it than any of the others. All the Jurassic parks movies, Raiders of the lost arc, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tropic Thunder and on and on. The opening sequence of Fantasy Island features Kauai's Wailua Falls and the Gilligan's island Pilot was shot on Kauai as well.

see link... for more

http://blog.hawaiigaga.com/index.php...lmed-in-kauai/

Personally it's Kauai's hiking and more laid back vibe that keeps me going back. Not to mention the fact that it is not as crowded as Maui and Oahu. Just google Napali Coast or Waimea Canyon photos is you want natural beauty. Both of these areas offer a multitude of hiking options.

Also once you settle on which islands I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Hawaii Revealed specific to that island.These are the best selling travel guides in the world for a reason.

http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/

Hope this helps.

PS: I am headed to Switzerland in a couple months for my first visit and may pm you

Unless you are returning in the near future, any bucket list should include the Arizona Memorial.

Been There
 

I would suggest 1 week on Kauai and 2 weeks on the Big Island.

No more than a couple days on Oahu to see what it is like compared to the other islands.

Thanks again for the input. So far Big Island is set due to the diversity, active volcano etc. Still deciding for Kauai or maybe staying longer on the BI and a shorter stay on Oahu (as we arrive there after a very long trip).

Allow me another question for the experts: As we will arrive just before christmas: Where would you get the most "christmassy" feeling? I am guessing Oahu? Nice decorations, maybe even surfing santas etc?

Thanks, W

Christmas is a good time to be in HNL. For example:

http://www.honolulucitylights.org/

Oahu vs. Kauai

Both have some great natural features - beaches, hiking, etc. - which you've said are important to you. While I'm sure there are hundreds of differences, I'd sum it up this way:

Oahu - more crowded, traffic, but Honolulu is a great city with good restaurants and shopping, and it has Pearl Harbor

Kauai - more laid back, relaxed, sometimes you may have a beach nearly to yourself, more limited options if you want to get back to "civilization" for a few days.

Oahu has a lot more tourist options, but more headaches to deal with. Kauai is kind of make-your-own-vacation island. In the end, you really can't make a wrong decision. You'll have a great time on either island.

Christmas
 

The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, across the street from your hotel, has an award winning gingerbread village at Christmas time. Just Google Princess Kaiulani Christmas for lots a web sites.

https://www.google.com/search?q=prin...gQ7Ak&dpr=1.25

http://www.discoverhawaiitours.com/b...cess-kaiulani/

If you do end up staying on Maui, make sure to do the Trilogy tour to either Lanai or Molokini. Best time ever.

www.sailtrilogy.com

Christmas Time in Hawai'i
 

If you are planning to Rent a Car during this time of year no matter which islands you choose I suggest that you book your car / cars ASAP.

Hope that you enjoy your trip as Christmas is always a Great Time to visit the islands.

Have you tried the Four Winds to Molokini? I'm wondering how they compare. I was very happy with it last time and am thinking about booking it again when I'm there in 2 weeks. But I was looking at Trilogy as well.

I'm going with 6 other family members who have never been to Hawaii so I'm hesitant to take a chance on something that might not be as good. Mostly what I've found are people who love the trip they took but no comparisons. :)

sorry, I can't help out on the comparison question. I've only sailed on the Trilogy.

That's a great way to explain Kauai. If you're the type that wants your vacation spoon fed to you, Kauai is definitely not the place. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but to truly see Kauai's beauty, you're going to be driving from one corner of the island to the other, and if you just want to stay at your hotel 24/7, I wouldn't even bother going to Kauai, as Oahu is fine for that purpose.

Okay, I think we will be settling for Big Island and Kauai! These Islands sounds exactly what we are looking for. Great scenery to explore, fun things to do and shop etc.

Now does someone here has a nice house that he is willing to hand over:)?
W

I know this property. Nice pool, overlooking the ocean. It's a coffee farm near Kailua-Kona.

http://www.vrbo.com/450590

Island Hopping
 

Great thread and posts. I was looking exactly for something such as this being that I'm planning a surprise wedding anniv for 9/15 for 2 wks. I want to do Oahu for about 4 days: Pearl Harbor-I'm a Disabled Vet, Kaui: 3 days,Maui: 4 days and back to HNL for 3 days.Thinking of doing the Hyatt Diamond Challenge between Kaui and Maui on "pts+cash."
What I would like to know is when it comes to car rentals,what do you have to do: turn them in each time (of course). And which inter-island airline is the cheapest?

You do realize that you will waste a ton of time going between islands. Figure half a day at least.

Yes, you have to turn the car in.

The fares between islands is on the high side - as in around $75-$100 each way.

Why come back to HNL?

Would you say that Kauai is better for a wedding anniversary setting (scenery, dining,etc) than Maui? This is for a surprise wedding anniv (9/24-10/8. Will be in Hawaii for 2wks, the 1st 4 in HNL (Disabled Vet trying to see Pearl Harbor). The next 4/5 days (9/28-10/2 or 3) I was thinking about the GH Kauai b4 hopping off to Maui for maybe 4 days (depending on Kauai) and 2 more back in HNL.
Island Air currently has specials for $59.

I would say Oahu for Pearl Harbor, Kauai for a few days and the Big island.

I think Kauai is great for its beauty and the Big Island for a contrast. The Big Island would need at least a week.

See if you can do a stopover or open jaw to cut costs.

Really a matter of personal preference. I like Maui more because it has a bit more to offer IMO, but if you're looking for a surprise getaway, Kauai is probably the better bet. That said, it's hard to beat sunset dinners from Wailea every night in terms of romantic scenery ^