First Vacation to Hawaii

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I would recommend maui, and would highly recommend the bike ride down haleakala, its about 26 miles going down hill, its awesome. they pick you up like at 2am though and you take off on the bike at sunrise (around 5am when i was there). Also, as mentioned above, the Road to Hana, we bought the CD that you drive to and points out all the sights, it was surprisingly accurate.
 
We also got the CD on the road to Hana...agree that it was worth it and surprisingly accurate. That road is freaky though with the one-land bridges and blind curves...I compare it to the kinds of roads you'll see on the coast in Italy.
 
I liked the Big Island the best. Partly because I loved the volcano stuff, and partly because there's a lot more space per person so a lot more wild-feeling but accessible areas. But I've been to all 4 of the big ones and they are all great. Of the chopper tours, Kauai was best because of Wai'ale'ale - OMG, what a moment. But you often can't see it because of the rain.



Warning - Sunrise on Haleakela is very beautiful - but it's cold up there! I brought a winter parka and I was still cold.



Gotta second the recommendation on Doughty's "<island name> Revealed" series. They are GREAT! Honest opinions, lots of information, and they're really fun to read!
 
For nature I would definitely say Kauai. The Princeville area is spectacular. A little remote, in the middle of the jungle, waterfalls, etc. Maui is more resort/tourist oriented than Kauai.
 
<p><em>Would end of May be a good time to visit?</em></p>

<p>A vacation in Hawaii - it's always a good time to visit. It's paradise.</p>
 
<p>May is a decent time, as it is usually sunny and warm, but not too warm. It'll get into the 90s in the late summer. Winters are very wet. I was there for 5 days in December and it rained every single day across the entire state while I was there. 8" in a day where I was. If I had to pick one or the other, I would pick SoCal weather over Hawaii weather to be completely honest. It does get colder here in the winter, but Hawaii is too humid in the summer. Not midwest or Florida humid, but well outside my comfort zone.</p>
 
Regarding flights, as usual the earlier you book the cheaper the fares. There's a spring break, summer and winter premium, with winter holiday fares starting around $700 for coach, even with several months' notice. I book well in advance and try to go during off-peak times, like February or September. I usually pay less than $300 R/T including taxes, though the cheaper airlines usually have the oldest and most cramped planes. Hawaiian Airlines almost always has the cheapest tickets when I book. Flight times are typically 5-6 hours. I've heard headwinds/tailwinds cause the biggest variations in travel time.
 
I've been too a few of the islands and here's my take. The big island is great if you're looking to power-lounge, catch up on your reading or as someone else put it, enjoy the lava/volocano. Oahu is pretty urban, lots and lots of resorts, some traffic, good nightlife--great place if you're in your 20s and want to party, not so much if you're going with a family. Kuaui is very nice and pretty low key, but has a lot more dining, recreation options than the big island. Poipu on the south shore is has a bit more in terms of night life while the north shore is tropical paradise and very low key. Then there's Maui. I've only stayed in the Lahaina area. It has a nice balance of tourism, natural beauty and a fair amount to do. Great place to go if you're bringing a "date."
 
I have never been to Hawaii, but from travel experiences when it comes to cost...it is much cheaper to go before the Memorial Weekend. After the holiday the price is consider summer rate for most airlines. So the best time to travel would be after Spring Break, before Memorial weekend, than after Labor Day before Thanksgiving.
 
<p align="left">Go on a Whale Watch. Every December the island of Maui is blessed with the return of the majestic Humpback whales. From Alaska, more than 600 whales make the 3,000 mile trip to mate and give birth to their young in the warm waters around Maui, Lanai and Molokai. After the baby whales are born, they will remain in the warm waters off Maui until April or May. Young whales will gain up to 100 pounds per day nursing on their mother's rich milk which is almost 100 percent fat. The baby whales will need all that they can get in order to make the return trip to Alaska for the summer.





<strong>IMPORTANT NOTE:</strong> I've got Bad News and Good News! The Bad News is: Whale watching is available only during the winter whale season. Specifically, whale watch cruises are available only from December 16 through May 14. From May 15 through December 15, there are NO WHALES to watch. However, the Good News is that Parasailing and Jet Skiing, prohibited during whale season, are both available from May 15 through December 15!</p>

<p align="left">I copied and pasted the above to save Typing </p>

<p align="left">Maui is really nice, we went there the last two years (during March). The Road to Hana is great but make sure you rent a Jeep..it's really funny watching first-timers trying to navigate this road in a little Chevy Hatchback...we always spend at least two Days doing Hana, the best direction is anti-cockwise, you're always on the Ocean side ...</p>

<p align="left">We stayed in Beach Front Condo's both times, it nice to sit on the Lanai first thing in the morning and watch the Whales..."oops, sorry Madam"</p>

<p align="left">We prefer a Condo in Maui because we Cycle, they have Kitchens and full Maid Service just like in a Hotel so as we leave the Airport we stop at Costco and stock up with Flats of Water, Fruit, Steak and milk etc on the way...</p>

<p align="left">We stayed both times on the West Coast just above Lahaina (Front St in Lahaina is well worth a visit too)...</p>

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Maui is for Honeymooners. Kauai "The Garden Island" is known for natural wonders (waterfalls, Waimea Canyon, Hanalai Bay, Na Pali, etc.)
 
One more thing... I would pick up a guide book on the island that you wind up choosing. You can buy them at any Barnes and Noble. I wound up with the Frommer's day to day on Maui and it was really useful.
 
Get the "Ultimate" series - those are the BEST guidebooks by far. Just browse Amazon for Ultimate Guidebooks Hawaii - it's those blue covered ones with the satellite shot.


<a href="http://The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook)" name="Ultimate Kauai Guide"></a>
 
Just quickly glanced through the posts, have been to Maui and Kauai. Wife and I would overwhelmingly prefer Kauai. A lot more natural, feel more at peace. Maui is a bit more commercialized.
 
<p>Any of your have experiences with little ones ( 3 to 5) in Maui? We are going to Maui end of May.</p>

<p>My wife and went to Maui 10 years ago. 5 years ago, we went to Kauai. But things might have changed? Plus we didn't have kids at that time. </p>

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I don't have kids but I can tell you there were a ton of kids when we went to Maui last July. The whole island seemed quite family friendly.
 
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