So my boyfriend and I are finally taking a trip together and hitting up Hawaii in May, 2008! I am very excited and we are planning early, way early. He has been to Maui before and I have never been to the islands. We are either going to visit Oahu or Maui and can also not decide on whether to do an all-inclusive type resort or just get a hotel and leave the meals up to us.
I appreciate any feedback.
both Oahu and Maui are awesome islands. I live on oahu and have spent a great deal of time on Maui. now personally I'd say jues get a hotel and get meals on yu own, and if you go to oahu, chances are that you will be staying in waikiki, in which case, get out of waikiki as much as you can, get to the windward side, Kaneohe, kailua and of course the north shore. feel free to drop me a line at any time if you want help planning. and when you come out here if I'm available I'd be happy to show you 2 around. also something to look into is the beach houses and gust houses and bungalos in kailua on oahu. they'r cheaper than hotels and staying in one of those would give you much more of a "hawaii experience" than staying in waikiki.
cheers.
What hawaiinate said... plus, I just wanted to add that I have been to both islands and found them both awesome, but Oahu is definitely more commercial (at least in the place you will probably stay: waikiki.) In Maui, I had the good fortune to stay with friends who live there in Wailae(sp?). What a beautiful place. I would just find your food elsewhere so that you are freer to do whatever you want during the days. (Bringing picnics to beaches is fun and saves some money.) If on Oahu, go to the Dole Pineapple farm and definitely do the drive around the Island and stop at North Shore. There was also a beautiful preserve/garden that we went to on Oahu, can't remember the name now, but it was awesome.
Thanks for both of your advice, it's such a hard decision and we actually have to make up our minds within the next two months... I have heard such great things about both even though they are so different, but if you absolutely had to choose one with the possibility that you would never see the other, which would you select??
in may I'd say Oahu, both islands will be rediculously crowded but oahu has more "hole in wall" kinda places where you can be alone, as I said before just drop ,e a line and I'll offer any adivce I can, Oh and I know some people who own beach cabanas if you're interested,
Hawaiinate is definitely more experienced with the islands, so I would take her advice. But you should make your own decision. Both islands have great things to see and do so either way you will have fun. Do some exploring the internet, maybe try tripadvisor.com, and search hawaii.
On Oahu-- a must is a visit to Pearl Harbor. Don't miss it!
Best restaurant: Duke's Canoe Club
Rent a car for the day and make a loop: go north to the north
shore and around and back to Waikiki. It's great!
Best Luau: Paradise Cove ~ it's out a ways and on the beach, but
they will pick you up in a nice bus-- good food, excellent entertainment;
Best souvenir shopping: Swap Meet (check dates), International
Market (in Waikiki) and all the great ABC stores! They're everywhere
in Waikiki. Also, a fun store: Hilo Hattie's.
You need to look online and study a bit. Make a list. Don't miss
anything you really want to see.
Have fun and be safe.
aw....why don't u chk out kauai...its much more laid back and less commercial, a true holiday! there are super cheap flights on hawaiianair.com if u book soon (i think 29 one way).
when were u thinking of going?
i help my mom sign people up for the hawaiian air credit card....u get 5,000 miles for signing up which is good for a free one way interisland....let me know if u interested.
i currently live on oahu and wk in waikiki....so msg me if u have any further questions...cause i think u cld easily do 2 islands!
If you rent a car, by all means do not leave valuables such as purses or cameras visible in the passenger cabin. Locals look for tourists with their guard down, and will break into the vehicle and steal the items. Lock them out of sight in the trunk. Enjoy the trip.
don't leave any valubles in the trunk either...locals will break thru the window and just pop the trunk!