I'm looking to do a Hawaii trip and was wondering what was the best time of year to go and which islands to visit. Any help from veteran travelers are appreciated!
Jack
I just got back from a 2 week trip to Maui and the Big Island, took daughter and her husband. It was my 5th trip.
The islands you travel to depend entirely on your desires/wants/dreams that you want to experience.
1) The islands are unique to themselves and to each other. Kauai is the farthest island, very lush, not as touristy as other islands. The streets roll up at 9:00 pm. Very beautiful, my favorite, expect several brief rain showers a day.Don't need AC here. Oahu is the opposite; very touristy, crowded, reminds me of a giant anthill. Beautiful, many, many beaches, some very good snorkeling, location of Pearl Harbor/ Arizona memorial and Polynesian Cultural Center, need AC, again frequent rain showers. Maui, very popular, better snorkeling, beautiful beaches, a lot of traffic. VERY breezy, may need a coverup, no AC needed. Usually a few showers a day, we experienced NO RAIN at all in 7 days. On the road to Hana, rain fuels the waterfalls, so they were pretty much trickles. On the Big Island, I am a mining engineer by education, so I have to go see Volcano National Park. On the Kona side, it does get humid, the humid air gets backed up by the mountain/volcanoes by afternoon, gets very cloudy. A few good swimming beaches, great snorkeling near Captain Cook monument with fish, turtles and dolphins. Typical traffic, a lot of 2 lane highways.
2) All the islands are a series of mountains; for the most part, the only way to get from one place to another is along coastal highways that are crowded.
3) We stay at Condos, recently through VRBO. More flexibility, better accommodations, I feel much cheaper. About $2500 for 2 weeks, for two king size bedrooms, two baths, on the ocean, no front desk, bellhops.
4) We rented a huge SUV on both islands, $550/week. The most I paid for gas was $2.99/gal IIRC. At normal grocery prices were a touch higher on some things, not on others. Restaurant prices for four adults, 3 drinks each, $150-250.Korean BBQ place, local fish shack $70, on Maui and Big Island.
5)If you just want to lay on beach and take in rays, stay on mainland. Not worth the aggravation of being hurled across the ocean in a metal tube with some @ssholes you don't know, who expect everyone to kiss their @ss.
6) If you want some more info, PM me.
7) My first Cosco purchase included a bottle of Laphroig Scotch for $39.99.