Where In Hawaii

Please excuse my ignorance but my boyfriend and I have been visiting America for many years now (different states) but never visited Hawaii and would like to this year, however I do not know anything about it.

Can anyone tell me the differences between the islands as I am not sure where to stay or whether it is best to try to do more than one place or how easy this is.

Any help is gratefully received.

Thanks

Where In Hawaii

A quick break down is:

Oahu - this is the most populated. It does offer Waikiki and shopping. Tons of nightlife.

Maui - next most crowded. Offers more exotic sightseeing. Has nightlife.

Kauai - very scenic, not too crowded, limited nightlife.

Big Island - Climates from tropical to snow covered. Very large, lots to see. Limited nightlife.

Molokai - Wonderful huge beaches, scenic, virtually no tourist activities, one resort, no nightlife to speak of.

Lanai - least crowded, 2 resorts one hotel. Almost no tourist activites. Nightlife limited to resorts.

Getting between islands is generally by air (20 minute or so flights). You can take a ferry from Maui to Lanai or Maui to Molokai.

Where In Hawaii

BrightonBill%26#39;s synopsis is accurate. Beyond that, you%26#39;d have to let us know what kinds of things you like to do. If you%26#39;re looking for nightlife, obviously Kaua%26#39;i, Moloka%26#39;i and Lana%26#39;i are out. On the other hand, if you want incredible scenery and a very laid-back experience, Kaua%26#39;i and Moloka%26#39;i are it. How much time do you have. IMHO, with one week you should stay on one island, although if you fly into Honolulu you could do an overnight, at least see Waikiki and fly interisland late in the day. With two weeks you can do 2 islands and get a reasonably good feel for them. Three islands in 2 weeks entails a fair amount of travel time. You can sort of hit the highlights, but it wouldn%26#39;t be a relaxing vacation. (I%26#39;ve done it -- in my younger days -- when I mistakenly thought I%26#39;d never be in Hawai%26#39;i again.)

Cheers..... Brighton Bill ( no not that Brighton) and others have told you true.

I would suuggest you get the Guide to Hawaii by the National Geographic Society.... it is a photo essay and insight to what the History ( hey brits put this palce on the map..Capt Cook) culture, recreation and society. By the way Britians national observatory is now on top of Mauna Kea here on the Island of HAWAII, we call it the ';Big Island'; so you wont get confused.

We are a chain of islands 1600 miles lond with only 6 really developed and are classifies as '; Polynesia';

Indeed...the Big Island is the same latitude north as Tahiti is south..... and we speak the kings english rather than french....oui

Weather is very stable.... vairies less than 15 degrees from summer to winter....

It is very expensive to fly- between the islands...even though some are less than 20 miles apart.

A fun way to see this paradise is to fly to LA, and get a 15 day round trip cruise for about $1600.. all meals and room included.

NCL, Holland AMerica, Carnival,Princess, Royal Carribean and Celeberity do this cruise also from San Diego too; it will spend 6 days sailing around all the islands seeing what is here to meet your desires. When you add up all the coats it is a buy. Also since it is a 17 hour flight here from UK it chopps 6 aprox hours off the trip each way.. and saves about $600 in air fare @

so......for about $1000 each you are getting a whole tour of the entire island group.. saving the 150 to 120@ inter island flights and all the hassel......not to mention the jet-lag

Then you can see Disneyland, San Diego, Hollywood on the same trip for a few pounds more....... Thats what would do if I were you.....

let me know iif I can help more......

%26gt;%26gt; Then you can see Disneyland, San Diego, Hollywood on the same trip for a few pounds more. %26lt;%26lt;

This is a good idea. Break up your trip by stopping on the west coast for a couple or three days. Or even spend a couple of days in another state, if you%26#39;ve already been to California.

For good text info, I%26#39;d recommend ';Moon Handbooks Hawai%26#39;i.'; It covers all the islands, and will give you some history and highlights.

Thak you all so much for you very good information.

We both enjoy nice surroundings both in scenery and hotel. We both enjoy shopping and browsing around. As for night life we are not bothered about loud clubs or bars I%26#39;m afraid I have passed that stage in my life fortunately!!! We do however enjoy wandering around in the evening after a nice meal etc.

We do not have children and are both late thirties and would be there for two weeks. We do not mind travelling around as we have been to places like California quite a few times now and always end up doing at least four major stops, however we do both want a more relaxing holiday this year.

I would say we would probably be happy to do two stops. We also like beaches and lazing around on them. One of our main things wherever we stayed would be a nice hotel.

I do like the sound of the cruise though not thought about that before. 17 hours is a long time on a flight but sounds like your island is worth the haul so would grin and bear it.

Highly, highly recommend hawaiiandan%26#39;s suggestion of seeing the Islands by cruise ship. You%26#39;ll see lots more because you won%26#39;t be spending time showing up and then waiting for flights here and there. If you want to rent a car for the day there will be car rentals at the docks. If you want a private driver to taxi you hither and yon, they will be waiting for you at every dock. There will always be a concierge at hand to suggest myriad day tours and activities to fill your time. You won%26#39;t have to lug your baggage from place to place, packing and repacking, and checking in and out of accommodations (all this takes soooo much valuable vaction time).

If you don%26#39;t want to spend the extra time onboard the ship from CA to Hawaii and back, you can fly to Hawaii and board the cruise there. It depends on your budget and how much time you want to be on a ship. By the way, the food is FABULOUS on the Norwegian lines. Yum, yum, yummy yum.

Suggestion for the Big Island of Hawaii. There are two good outfits that will take you up to the top of Mauna Kea to the observatories, if you are interested in astronomy.

I like the Big Island because it has so many microclimates and the variety of natural settings is astounding. No real nightlife to speak of, but oh, the natural wonders are delightfully plentiful.

Go to cruise critiic for a review of ships they are not all equal.... NCL is a nice average ship with mega ships and passenger totals. 2600, Carnnival in is in this league.

Next step up is:

Princess, Royal Carribean stiill large.

Look at the mid-sized ships 1300 or less persons... Holland America is one of those I like

Then come the Luxury ships ; Radisson, Crystal, , they cost about the same when you consider how many extras they throw in.....

Taking a 5 or 6 star ship will cost you 600 to 1000 for 2 ,a day, but includes liquor, no tipping, no extra charges for sodas, water, All wines at dinner, no surcharge for speciality restauraunt... huge 300 Sq ft rooms as standard with walk in closets, complmentary wet bar, huge marble baths..... and fantastic service. have less than 700 passengers and michelin 2 star food.. and real Cordon Bleu ( as from Paris) chefs... Dining is all open.... Room service is 24-7 and free.

Go with a 5 star ship...minimum as your outline suggests.....

there are 10 day circle island trips to0

My favorite iis a 26 day....by Radisson...LA to Marqueseas, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Christmas, Hawaii, Oahu. Maui...San Francisco.

runs about 7K per person.....