I am planning a trip to Hawaii in January. There's 3 of us and we want to explore a second island in addition to Oahu. We were planning on checking out the Big Island and doing the Volcano thing, but we have heard the Big Island is sort of boring and the volcano is a long hike up a bunch of rocks and not really worth the trouble. That said we are still interested in checking out a volcano and mabe see hot lava flowing somewhere But I have heard other good things about it too. Another option we were thinking of is Maui, which we have heard is beautiful.

If anyone has been to Hawaii and has suggestions, let me know.

I am also looking to swim with the dolphins, but not in an enclosed place. So if anyone has suggestions on that, that'd be cool.

I would highly recommend Kauai, especially the northern shore. The city of Hanalei is one of my favorite places in the world. The Na Pali coast is beautiful, but then again all of Hawaii is incredible.

oldmanjohnson said:

Is Kauai the name of the big island? Or is that another island?

The Big Island is actually the island of Hawaii, with Hilo being the biggest city. Kauai is a different island.

KAUAI

Kauai is BEAUTIFUL. Less developed and touristy than Maui or Oahu. I haven't been to the Big Island (Hawa'ii) but I've heard the same thing, that it's mostly volcanic ash and rock, which is cool but not incredibly exciting.

Plus Kauai is where Lilo and Stitch were!

Oahu

- Well the city of Honolulu is so commericalized. Go to Haunama Bay for snorkling in the reef, it's safe from sharks (although having the jaws music playing in my head freaked me out lol). Also go to the Polynesian Village which is run by the mormon's, nice shows of dances etc of diff cultures of Samoa, Tahiti, etc. And go to Hilo Hati's that is a must. I liked the malls which are open air such as the Ala Moana shopping centre. If you want to try surfing then take lessons. Take the tour to the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbour. Mahi mahi is a fish that is very nice to eat. Taking a stroll down Kalakaua avenue to check out the international market place.

2nd Island - Maui is nice. Lahaina is a nice little town to visit. If you want to drive up the volcano you will have to start real early as it takes a while to drive up and back down you don't want to be driving back down in the dark. Very narrow road and no room for mistakes.

wahini - girl/woman
kane - boy/man
mahalo - thank you
aloha - good bye/hello

Don't forget your passport for entering the USA.

Here's their website for more info http://www.gohawaii.com/

Definitely Kauai. The Na Pali Coast is breathtaking. Although a whole lot smaller, they have their own version of the Grand Canyon. I think this is the Island where they film ABC's Lost.

SilverlakePhil said:

[Edited 11/25/08 11:25am]

superspaceboy said:

I know a guy that lives a couple hundred yards from an active lava flow. I could probably hook you up, but it'll be next week before I can reach him.

luv4u said:

Passport? I live in the US. Also, does Maui have a volcano?
[Edited 11/25/08 11:43am]

SilverlakePhil said:

That's why we were going. We tried to hit the Premiere date, but we overshot it by a week So if Kauai is where they shoot much of it, that might be the place to go.

SilverlakePhil said:

No Lost is shot on Oahu, mostly the North Shore.

superspaceboy said:

Hi I'm from Hawaii and honestly the Big Island, Maui, and Kaui are all very nice places to visit in there own way. Swimming with the Dolphins are usually at certain locations, there is a Hotel on the Big Island that offers this.

I was on Hawaii (Big Island) in Feb. '08 and it was breathtaking... we stayed on the Kona coast in the city of Captain Cook.
That area was amazing and the snorkeling was top notch.
You can go to South Point and be at the southernmost tip of the United States.
There are a variety of ecosystems from lush jungle to lava rock wasteland which was interesting.
We didn't like Hilo much because it had a "big city' vibe to it.
No lava viewing at the time either due to a build up of poisonous gasses.
Rainbow Falls was really cool too.