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Started By
Message
11 days on 4 Hawaiian Islands. Looking for recommendations on places and ‘tours’
Posted on 8/25/26 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 8/25/26 at 9:15 pm
Wife and I are flying to Hawaii the end of September. We have a 7 day cruise booked out of Honolulu. The first stop is 2 full days in Maui, then 2 full days on the big Island (Hilo, then Kona), then 2 full days at Kauai. Then back to Honolulu where we have a condo booked for 3 nights by Waikiki.
We have never been, and have some must dos like Pearl Harbor, a luau, road to Hana, helicopter tour. We will be hiking as well (not extreme).
Just looking for any guidance on the really not to be missed items and priority/highlights for each island. We are both in our 60s and fairly active. We’ve been on several cruises and book local tours. We really like traveling on our own, but this was a really great way to see several islands on a budget.
Thanks in advance.
We have never been, and have some must dos like Pearl Harbor, a luau, road to Hana, helicopter tour. We will be hiking as well (not extreme).
Just looking for any guidance on the really not to be missed items and priority/highlights for each island. We are both in our 60s and fairly active. We’ve been on several cruises and book local tours. We really like traveling on our own, but this was a really great way to see several islands on a budget.
Thanks in advance.
8
Posted on 8/26/26 at 5:10 am to sparkinator
Will you have a car? I graduated from UH Hilo. Where the cruises come in really doesn’t see anything. Frankly Hilo is kind of a dump. If it were me I would see about going to volcano (not sure how it looks post hurricane) or see about doing something up in Waipio Valley. If you don’t have a car you can do a tour of the chocolate farm there because it is close to town.
On the Kona side the town is cool but small. You can go do a coffee tour. There are plenty of places to snorkel. I prefer going north of town to Hapuna Beach but that wouldn’t have you see much.
On Kauai if you can find a way to do a tour of the Na’Pali Coast it is worth it. We did a boat tour from the north side of the island in Hanalei and LOVED it. One of my best memories.
On the Kona side the town is cool but small. You can go do a coffee tour. There are plenty of places to snorkel. I prefer going north of town to Hapuna Beach but that wouldn’t have you see much.
On Kauai if you can find a way to do a tour of the Na’Pali Coast it is worth it. We did a boat tour from the north side of the island in Hanalei and LOVED it. One of my best memories.
Posted on 8/26/26 at 5:35 am to sparkinator
The road to Hana can be torture if you or any of your passengers get carsick. If that’s a potential problem I would drive a few miles into it, then turn around and go back.
Posted on 8/26/26 at 7:36 am to sparkinator
Jurassic Falls helicopter tour in Kauai
Even if you don't do the Jurassic falls one, just get on helicopter to see the Na'pali coast and Waimea Canyon
Even if you don't do the Jurassic falls one, just get on helicopter to see the Na'pali coast and Waimea Canyon
Posted on 8/26/26 at 8:17 am to CaptainJ47
quote:
Will you have a car? I
I will have a car rented on Oahu for the 3 days we are there. I won’t have one on the other islands.
Thanks for all the responses. Keep them coming! Really interested in visiting the right spots on the right islands.
I looked at the Jurassic falls helicopter tour and it looks fantastic. Even if you don’t land at the falls.
Posted on 8/26/26 at 9:22 am to sparkinator
We just did this cruise on the POA this summer. Commenting so I remember to come back when I have more time to let you know what we did.
Posted on 8/26/26 at 12:03 pm to metallica81788
quote:
Jurassic Falls helicopter tour in Kauai
Even if you don't do the Jurassic falls one, just get on helicopter to see the Na'pali coast and Waimea Canyon
When I was in Kauai in 2019 I went to Kalalau Lookout to get a look at the beach from there. It was foggy as hell. Get back to the hotel and a whole family was killed crashing into the mountains. frick a helicopter.
What was fun is taking Capt. Andy's Zodiac when I went back in 2023 and seeing the Napali coast from a boat and flying through a sea cave. Food was good too.
This post was edited on 8/26/26 at 12:04 pm
Posted on 8/26/26 at 1:44 pm to sparkinator
We went to the big island for a week and stayed in the western (dry) side. It was incredible and my favorite part was just driving around the entire island seeing all the state park beeches and just relaxing.
Go see the volcanic black sand beaches somewhere. They are awesome.
Go see the volcanic black sand beaches somewhere. They are awesome.
This post was edited on 8/26/26 at 1:45 pm
Posted on 8/26/26 at 8:29 pm to sparkinator
Surfing lessons in Oahu, Hook up Surfing
Posted on 8/27/26 at 7:41 pm to sparkinator
quote:
We have never been, and have some must dos like Pearl Harbor
quote:
Wife and I are flying to Hawaii the end of September.
My son is a U.S.S. Arizona memorial boat pilot.
Unfortunately, he's coming home from September 26th to October 5th.
If you are going to the memorial outside of those dates let me know. I'd really like someone to frick with him.
Posted on 8/27/26 at 8:38 pm to TideSaint
quote:
My son is a U.S.S. Arizona memorial boat pilot.
Congratulations.
quote:
Unfortunately, he's coming home from September 26th to October 5th.
Damn. We fly in the 25th late and fly out the 6th early.
quote:
If you are going to the memorial outside of those dates let me know. I'd really like someone to frick with him.
I’m the guy that would definitely frick with him.
Posted on 8/27/26 at 9:21 pm to sparkinator
quote:
Congratulations.
Thanks.
He is 20 years old. He's been at Pearl Harbor for a year.
He is testing for Craft Master in a couple weeks and according to his leadership he will be the youngest Craft Master in US Navy history if he gets certified.
quote:
I’m the guy that would definitely frick with him.
Stay an extra day. He thinks he's hot shite. I need someone to frick with him.
Posted on 8/28/26 at 1:22 pm to sparkinator
Been on this cruise. You may want to book rental car in Maui, Hilo, Kauai and Honolulu. Kona is docked offshore to take boat to/from ship so rental car is simply not feasible due to time constraints. Snorkeled in Maui and did the Luau there. Hilo has elevations to drive and plan to visit the black sand beach. In Kona, strolled shops right there by the drop off point as well as snorkeling right there, as well.
This post was edited on 8/30/26 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 8/28/26 at 10:37 pm to TideSaint
quote:I have a distant cousin still serving aboard the Arizona.
My son is a U.S.S. Arizona memorial boat pilot.
Please thank your son for what he does, I know he gets the gravity of his daily service.
Recommend a visit to the Punchbowl of the Pacific on Oahu.
Posted on 8/30/26 at 10:32 am to sparkinator
quote:
I will have a car rented on Oahu for the 3 days we are there. I won’t have one on the other islands.
Do yourself a favor and rent a car on every island. Some of our best days in Hawaii on various islands was just driving around and seeing the islands beauty. You don't need a destination just enjoy the view.
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