tbone1130 Loc: Pittsburgh Pa

Hi guys,
I want to take a trip to hawaii next year. Ive never been there and it will probably be the only time that i go. What is the best way to see the islands? What islands are best for photography? As always thanks for you input!!

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

That is not an easy question to answer tbone. I've only been to Oahu but from what I have seen from looking at the posts here, each island has it's own personality and photo ops. Maybe the search box above can help you narrow down the choices.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Plan a full day for the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. The tickets aren't cheap but the experience is worth it.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

As previously posted, each island has its' own personality. My favorite is Kauai. There is a reason so many movie scenes have been filmed there. There are daily flights between the islands and were, when I went, rarely full.

You did not say how long you will be there. A week vacation, for instance, will allow 5 days To tour. A day each will be used getting there and back from the East Coast. I had two trips - the first was two weeks, did 3 islands & drove 1255 miles. We were so busy sight seeing that we forgot to stop and smell the Hibiscus. Five years later, made it a three weeker, did two islands, and left time for snorkeling, etc. A web search will provide things to do island by island. See what each has to offer and then match what you want to do with the time you have there. One can easily spend two weeks on any island and not do all that is available. If it were not for the long trip getting there I would go every year. Plan in advance and enjoy.

MaryAnn Loc: Florida/Massachusetts

My husband and I stayed 5 nights in Oahu and then took a 7 day cruise of the islands with an overnight in Maui and an overnight in Kauai my two favorite islands. I loved everyplace for photography.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I say, get a rental car. That way you can stop anytime you wish to get a shot (or turn around and go back). This way you are on your own schedule.
Make sure hotel has car parking. Most all, do.

My wife & I used either Fadors or the other travel book for a list of scenic drives on the 4 larger islands.

What islands are you visiting?
How long will you be on each island?

Don't forget to post images and send me a postcard!!!!
Pat

RLSeipleSr Loc: North of Boston

Have done the NCL cruise around the islands twice with extra days on both ends ... wonderful trip ... ! Thinking about doing it again with my son and daughter-in-law ...

Being retired Army (and retired federal service) stayed at the Hale Koa and did all the military tours around Oahu.

Good luck with your trip ...

Bob S

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I also stayed there twice (retired DoD civilian). All the luxury one could want.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

What Mary Ann said.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Years ago we went to visit my brother when he and his family were stationed on Oahu. It was in January, and it started to rain as our plane landed, and it was their rainiest week in recorded history! Roads were washed out, beaches were closed due to sewer plants overflowing, etc.... Our last day there the sun came out - we headed up to the North Shore, and decided to do a short 2-hour sailboat ride. As we got offshore we were surrounded by a pod of humpback whales, some of which were breaching within 30-40 yards of the boat! It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, and it made the whole miserable week worth the trip! - So - if you go in the winter, plan a whale-watching trip - the humpbacks come from Alaska to calve in the warm waters there! I think they also have a tourist submarine in one or more places in Hawaii. We took that in Grand Cayman one time - it goes down about 100 feet and has large windows to see the coral and sea life - very much worth the cost!

My impression: the "big island" of Hawaii has the volcano, but otherwise not as outstanding as the main three: Oahu for WWII history, and Kauai and Maui are probably the most beautiful in terms of beaches and tropical scenes.

If you enjoy reading and/or history, before you go you should read the book "Molokai" - a fictional story set in the 1930's about the leper colony on the island of Molokai - a moving and very well-written book.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

:thumbup:

PS And go to the Luau at the end before the show. 8-)

CaptainBobBrown

Superlatives: The island of Hawaii is the biggest of all the islands (size of state of Connecticut and larger than all the other islands put together) and has the greatest climatological diversity ranging from treeless arctic conditions on top of Mauna Kea at 14000 feet to tropics with both dry and rain forest conditions.

Mauna Loa is the world's largest mountain, still growing active volcano, and site of the atmospheric observatory which provides the most pristine atmospheric CO2 measurments. Mauna Kea, the world's greatest observational astronomy site with 13 observatories including the twin Keck 10 M. telescopes, has daily tours operated by several licensed companies. A not to be missed experience.

Beaches, rugged coast lines, colorful small towns, Volcano National Park. You'll need a rental car. Stay in B&B's is nicest but more expensive than the chains typically ... unless you go upscale and stay at the resorts on the northwest coast amongst the huge and spectacular lava fields.

katherineivey Loc: Corinth, Texas

I go every year and my favorite island is Maui followed by Kauai. If you can go January, February or March you can take whale watch tour cheaply with Pacific Whale Foundation and get some good shots. Rent a car and stay in a condo if you can. We love the Lahaina area of Maui and any area North of Lihue on Kauai. Drive up Haleakala. The crater is awesome and you can see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from the top. Also drive the Hana highway all the way around stopping to hike the trail above 7 falls through a bamboo forest to one of the highest waterfalls on the isle. Each of these takes all day. Have a wonderful time!

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

Just got back from a week on Kauai last month rented a car and put 650 miles on it, Saw 3 Botanical Gardens and many historical buildings ( churches) If you get a chance take a Helicopter trip to see more waterfalls.

spinkick Loc: Watseka IL

go to http://www.hawaiifive0.org and look at the links section. we have a variety of choices.
http://www.oahunaturetours.com awesome guided tours on Oahu.
Do take the time to see Pearl Harbor and the new Ford Island Museum.
The Movie tour on Kauai is not to be missed. And do spend the $$ for helicopter.
Big Island volcano park and city of refuge.

Once you pin down the time frame islands and $$ to spend we can help you more