Hawaii!

[WalkersMommy]

Hello ladies! Dh and I (and ds )are thinking about taking a little trip to Hawaii if we end up having enough money left from our new homeowner's tax credit after we pay some debts. But I have NO idea where to look for good places or anything because we have never been anywhere so I have never planned a vacation. We never had a wedding or a honeymoon so this is like our consolation lol. Any advice? We are planning on going in April probably. We won't have a TON of money lol, but enough to stay like 4 days or so. If you have been, where did you stay and what did you do?

[lizzyfizzy]

go to the island of kauai! it's the best island...for real. do the atv tour and the zip line. oh and relax...it's serene there!

[sammi]

I have been to the big island...even though the resort was amazing, not whole lot there to do. My SIL is from Kauai, and says it's so much better with lots to do and see!

[Coila]

So jealous! But you will have so much fun! I hear Hawaii is just beautiful.

We usually use my Grandma's timeshares when we go on vacation. The only time we weren't able to use the timeshares I booked a vacation package to Disneyland from getawaytoday.com because it seemed cheaper.

When we went to Puerta Vallarta we were stopped by all of these timeshare people and they try and get you to commit to going to the different resorts to utimately buy a timeshare. But, we did agree to go to one and got 4 free passes to a pirate dinner cruise which was amazing and saved us a bunch of money! Good thing my husband can say no though or else we might be timeshare owners now, lol.

Any way, good luck planning your trip and I hope you have a great time!

[CA Dreamer]

Ooooh, congrats! I want to go too! If you are going in April, make sure that you stay on the South shores of the islands. You will be warmer and find the beaches as you expect them to be--sunny and calm and beautiful!

My family is from Maui and Oahu. I absolutely agree with Lizzy--Kauai is the best island for vacation, IMO. Very relaxing. Stay in Poipu. But, if you really want a lot of night life activities, then go to Maui. We try go to Hawaii every other year.

[lauren grier]

go to maui <3 I love it there. the black sand beaches are amazing. one of the 2 times I've been to hawaii we went to maui- it was a family trip when i was a teen.. no night life activities or anything for us then haha. i really want to go back one day now that i'm an adult and will appreciate it more haha.. we seriously saw some amazing things I was just a moody kid.

[Megan Turnidge]

I have never ever been.... but I'm so jealous! I bet it's just gorgeous there!

[pewtertm]

I've been to Oahu (the whole Waikiki thing)...way overcrowded and pricey. But the north side is beautiful, alot less crowded. We were mainly there to see Pearl Harbor...definitely worth it.
Spent a week in Kihei, Maui. Maui is gorgeous...Haleakala Crater, the Road to Hana, Iao Valley and Lahaina were all beautiful. However, Maui has ALOT of tourists. That's not necessarily bad, but if you're wanting alot of seclusion, it might not be the best bet.
Personally, I think the big island would be fantastic...I'd love to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

[dabittymama]

My Mom lives in Kona on Hawaii (the big island) so that is where I have been the most. Its a cool place because of the different climates there is snow on the valcano, rainforset, and wonderful beaches but its not very "touristy" for lack of a better word. There is still ton to do, but it is more of a low key island. If you do go there Waipio valley is a must on the Hilo (north) side of the island. The beach is black and the waterfalls are amazing. There is also Keialakakua (sp?) bay on the Kona side (south) great for snorkeling, kayaking and it has a cool history with Capt. Cook landing there to meet a King.

Oahu is the only other island that I've been to outside of the airport in Maui. if you go there it is greater gearedfor tourism. Lani Kia, is a great beach for body surfing and has some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen.

All in all, you really can't go wrong no matter were you end up Its still HAWAII!!!

[nesser1981]

Originally Posted by WalkersMommy

Hello ladies! Dh and I (and ds )are thinking about taking a little trip to Hawaii if we end up having enough money left from our new homeowner's tax credit after we pay some debts. But I have NO idea where to look for good places or anything because we have never been anywhere so I have never planned a vacation. We never had a wedding or a honeymoon so this is like our consolation lol. Any advice? We are planning on going in April probably. We won't have a TON of money lol, but enough to stay like 4 days or so. If you have been, where did you stay and what did you do?

We did a cruise when we went in 2006. Left from Oahu, went to the Big Island, Kauai and Maui. On Kauai & Maui we had 2 days there. I think its the best way to see Hawaii if you don't have tons of money. Our Cruise was $1800 for me, DH & DD.

On the Big Island we went to Hilo & Kona. We did lots of different things. We also spent a couple days on Oahu before the cruise left. We went to the Dole Plantation, Polynesian Cultural Center for a Luau http://www.polynesia.com/, saw a surfing contest at North Shore. Did Wikiki, probably more we could have done, but DD was only 18 months at the time.

[4noisyboys]

Kauai!! I loved it. My friend has a vacation home there, so I met her there and we had a great time. We went on a botanical tour (amazing...), kayaking, snorkeling, etc.. We drove all over the island! The south side will be much warmer. I went in May and it was raining in the north, and warm and calm in Poipu. I almost went back with my friend this fall, but my dh was still working in Alaska, so I wouldn't have anyone here to take care of the kids. Next time!