Due the destructive fires in Maui you might need to alter some of the plans in Lahaina

• Itinerary -

Oahu

Waikiki 3N

Haleiwa 2N

Maui

Lahaina 2N +2N 

Hana 1N 

Hawaii 

Kailuna - Kona 3N 

Volcanoes Park 1N 

Hilo 1N

= 15N

There are 137 islands in the Hawaiian Archipelago - usually recognised by its major 8 islands of which 7 are inhabited. The 3 above plus Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe. In WWII Kahoolawe became a bombing range for the US military and they didn't stop falling until 1990.

Hawaii (The Big Island) is the biggest island in the USA and it is still growing. Amazingly it  has 8 of the worlds 13 climate zones

• Visa -

At the moment 37 countries participate in the Visa Waver Program. They will need to go online and get a Electronic System for Travel Authorization. You will get 90 days on arrival. 

Click here for information

• Budget -

Not cheap. Accommodation is very expensive in the US. If your currency is weak against the US$ it makes everything expensive. There are ways and means to keep costs down and at the end of the day it doesn't have to be any more expensive than Europe and other first world destinations.

• Population - 1.46 million

OAHU - 953,207

MAUI - 144,444

HAWAII - 186,738

• AKA - "The Sandwich Islands"

OAHU - "The Gathering Place"

MAUI - "The Valley Isle"

HAWAII - "The Big Island"

• About -

Fly in and out of Honolulu unless you are coming from Los Angeles where you can get a return flight from Hilo on Hawaii - The Big island.

Have some beach time at Waikiki and get around to the major attractions. Road trip for 2 nights 

up to Hale'iwa on the North Shore. Drop car at airport on the way out.

Fly to Maui (Kapalua or Kahului Airport) and transfer to your hotel. Have 5 days there to see and do what you like from Lahaina. 

Hire a car for 2 days and do the Hana Loop.

Fly to Kona Airport on Hawaii (The Big Island) and spend a few days looking around  Kona. 

Pick up a rental for a couple of days and drop itoff at the airport on the way out

Go stargazing up Mauna Kea. Make your way back to the Volcano Park and spend a night there before ending up in Hilo for a Lava Cruise.

Fly back to Honolulu and home or just home if you are going to Los Angeles

• Go -

Hawaii's warm weather means it is a year round destination

The best time is March to September when rainfall is lower and temperatures are high.

 

It can rain here in any month depending on which island and which side. West coasts are drier than East coasts. July August is the busiest time.

It can get cold when you are on top of a volcano, especially for sunset and stargazing activities

January to March is the time to catch the surfing action on big swells

April - May and September - November are shoulder seasons with fewer crowds

Humpback whales can be seen from December to May with January - March being the peak time

March and November are the wettest months

• Airports -

OAHU -

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) - 

Has direct flights to 59 destinations in 18 countries including Asia, Australia and NZ and North America. Outside of these areas you'll need to hook up with one of the major hubs in one of those continents.

Fly in and out of Honolulu's main airport or if you are coming from LAX you can get a flight home from Hilo International Airport (ITO) that would save a leg back to Honolulu. If you come from Japan you can fly back from Kailua - Kone Airport (OGG)

MAUI -

Maui has 3 airports. 

 Kapalua Airport (JHM) - near Lahaina 

The main one is 

Kahului Airport (OGG) -

and Hana Airport (HNM) -

HAWAII -

Fly into - Kailua - Kona International Airport (KOA) - 

which has flights to Tokyo

And out of - Hilo International Airport (ITO) -

• Stay -

Book very early because once the cheaper places are gone the rest will add thousands to your trip

OAHU - 

Waikiki 3N - plenty to choose from at the high end of town

Waikiki Heritage Hotel  ** - 

outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, 700m from the beach

Ewa Hotel Waikiki ** - 

rooftop sundeck with ocean views

Haleiwa 2N - not a lot to pick from, best rates and choices at

BackPackers Plantation Village, Vacation Inn & Hostel * - 

something for everyone

MAUI - 

Lahaina 2N + 2N - get in early to look for the best value

Napili Sunset Beach Front Resort -

Self catering apartments with full kitchen facilities and an outside pool and free parking

Aston Kaanapali Shores **** -  

2 oceanfront pools, Spa & Wellness Centre, free scuba lessons, free ukelele lessons, restaurant, bar, ATM, onsite parking for US$11 a day

Hana 1N

Ekena - 

suite with ocean facing deck

Hamoa Bay House & Bungalow - 

Balinese style treetop studio

Bamboo Inn on Hana Bay - 

oceanfront with balcony

HAWAII (The Big Island) - 

Kailua-Kona 3N - 

Royal Kona Resort *** - 

Don the Beachcomber onsite restaurant, private beach, saltwater lagoon, outdoor swimming pool

Volcanoes Park 1N - 

Alii Kane Cottages with Loft - 

Free parking, laundry, self catering, rainforest, whole bungalow, free wifi

Tiny house with kitchen equipped with essentials near the Volcano Park - 

Free parking and wifi, patio, kitchenette, entire home

Kilauea House -

Free parking and wifi, exceptional breakfast, terrace

Hilo 1N

Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel *** - 

Free parking, outddor swimming pool, beachfront

• Features -

OAHU -

The most populated and developed island. Big contrast between the north and the south. What most people know about Hawaii is on this island. Famous sights and attractions and the legendary surfing on the North Shore.

MAUI -

Has been called the best island in the world by Trip Advisor. Quintessential Hawaii - stunning beaches, lush rainforests, two massive volcanoes, some of the best Humpback Whale watching in the world and the best Luaus

HAWAII (The Big Island) -

The least developed of the three islands Hawaii is famous for its volcanoes and continuous eruptions. The Kilauea Volcano is one of the most active in the world. If you're lucky you'll be able to see hot lava pouring into the sea

• History -

First settled by Polynesians 1,500 years ago

Visited by Captain Cook in 1778. Where didn't he go? His next visit was the last though. He was killed at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island when he tried to kidnap the chief to trade for a stolen longboat.

In 1810 the Hawaiian Islands were united. Ten years later missionaries arrived.

In 1835 the first Sugar Plantation opened. As it grew workers were recruited from Asia and Portugal.

In 1898 the islands were annexed by the USA. In 1901 the first hotel opens up on Waikiki Beach - the Moana Hotel.

1942 the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour. 20 ships and over 300 planes were hit. Fortunately none of the aircraft carriers were home that morning.

In 1959 Hawaii voted to become the 50th  and last US state. It was pipped at the post by Alaska who joined the Union earlier in the year.

· See -

OAHU -

Pearl Harbour - the most visited tourist site in the USA

Lolani Palace - learn about how the monarchy was overthrown by the sugar plantation owners which led to Hawaii becoming a state. There are still bad feelings about this today.

North Shore - the surfing capital of the world - with the legendary Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay

Kualoa Ranch - multiple Jurassic Park experiences from off road to horseback

Dole Pineapple Plantation - for all things Pineapple - over a million tourists a year can't be wrong

MAUI -

Humpback Whales

Maluaka Beach - aka Turtle Town home to a large population of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles

Maui Ocean Centre - fascinating local marine life

The penguins at the Hyatt Hotel

Seahorse Farm - help conserve seahorses and make friends with one

HAWAII (The Big Island) -

Stars - gazing - from the world's highest mountain (If measured from the sea bed)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - The World's most massive volcano - see lava flow (into the sea hopefully) - lava tubes - crater rim drive

Raëlian UFO Peace Park, Big Island - strange religion / cult invented in the 70's

Snow in the tropics 

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Akaka Waterfall - Hawaii's largest

Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park -

interesting history about local customs and a sacred site

· Do -

OAHU -

Chinatown - Go to Roberta Oaks to buy yourself a Hawaiian Shirt. You'll need one later on at a few places. Or Tori Richard have about 4 outlets around the place. Or you might like the feel of a Tommy Bahama. The ladies would probably like something too.

Climb the Stairway to Heaven - the legal way. AKA the Haiku Stairs were built during WWII for soldiers to access the radio antenna at the top of the hill.

Road trip up the east Coast to the North Shore then back down through the centre encompassing - Hanauma Bay (Think Elvis and Blue Hawaii and swimming with the fishes) / the Waiahole Poi factory / Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park) / Iconic eateries / Legendary surf coast / 2 nights in the Surfing Capital of the world - Haleiwa / visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation

MAUI -

Snorkel Molokini Crater / Surf / Follow the Lahaina Historic Trail / Horseback riding at Ironwood Ranch / Take a helicopter tour / Cycle down a Volcano

Buy a Ukelele and learn how to play it

Drive the Hana Loop - (See TIPS for more info)

Special food stops (in order clockwise Ka Haku’s Smoke Shack - Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread - Da Fish Shack and Huli Huli Chicken - see in EAT below) / Bamboo forest Hike / Chings Pond / Rainbow trees /  Wai’anapanapa State Park / the 7 sacred pools (a swim to remember) and sunset at Haleakal National Park

HAWAII -

Scuba or snorkel with Manta Rays at night

Visit a coffee plantation there are over 650 - best before noon for the sunshine

Walk the Kilauea Iki and Crater Rim Trails for amazing views and wildflowers

Helicopter tour over an active volcano

Walk through a fern forest before exploring lava tubes

Kayak the bay where Captain Cook kidnapped one native too many

Join in the IRONMAN World Championsip

· Highlights -

OAHU -

Iconic sights / Road Trip / Big wave Surfing / Haleiwa

MAUI -

Hana Road Trip / Luau

HAWAII -

Don the Beachcomber / Volcanoes / Lava / Sunset and Stargazing at Mauna Kea

• Eat -

All around the world a ham and (controversially) pineapple pizza is called a Hawaiian Pizza.  Not here though. With their love of all things spam an authentic one should probably be a spam and pineapple pizza!

Spam with rice is very popular / Spam Musubi - spam and rice wrapped in seaweed, like sushi. Burger King and McDonalds have been fighting a Spam war in Hawaii

Loco Moco - gravy, rice, hamburger patty with an egg on top - good lunch time filler

Poi - a Hawaiian staple - sort of a paste made from taro

Poke - raw marinated tuna - often had in a Poke Bowl

Shave Ice - great way to cool down at the beach - finely shaved ice with fruit syrup, condensed milk, ice cream, lilikoi cream Azuki beans, mochi pieces

Hula Pie - a sort of a vanilla macadamia ice cream cake with chocolate fudge on top - get it from Duke's on Maui

OAHU -

Hula Grill - for local favourites on the beachfront. Have some Spam with your eggs.

Chinatown - Maguro Brothers cheap stall - hidden gem with the best poke bowls / Lucky Belly for Ramen 

Rainbow Drive In - one of Obama's favourites (He was born here so he should know - or was he?)

The Pig and the Lady - Popular with visiting celebrities - innovative combination of flavours and ingredients

Helena's Hawaiian Food - serving the same authentic food since it opened in 1946 - you'll be eating history

Leonards Bakery - famous for its Malasadas (donuts which originated in Portugal) since 1952 - dusted with Plum Powder

Hukilau Cafe (from 50 first dates fame - the real version) - Loco Moco and pancakes are their specialties

Ted's Bakery - home to the original chocolate haupia (coconut pudding) cream pie and many delicious others as well as hot food.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck - good value

Matsumoto Shave Ice - famous in Haleiwa - check out their retro T-shirts

Haleiwa Joes

MAUI -

Aunt Sandy's Banana Bread (As seen on Gordon Ramsay)

Mama's Fish House  / Bobs Dogs / Ka Haku Smoke Shack

Cafe Cafe - Aciai Bowl for breakfast

Leilani's on the beach - the place to learn about aloha

Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop - chocolate, macadamia, banana, cream - you get the picture - savoury pies too

Gazebo Restaurant - for breakfast - if you don't want to line up order it "to go" and eat it on the beach

Paia Fish Market

Da Fish Shack - on the road to Hana - seriously good fish tacos

Huli Huli Chicken - also featured on Gordon Ramsay's visit

Joey's Kitchen - Loco Moco specialist

Ululani's Gourmet Shave Ice - over 50 flavours

HAWAII -

Da Poke Shack / Umekes Fish Market Bar and Grill

• Drink -

OAHU -

Dukes - Waikiki - Iconic with great views, beachfront setting, live music on the beach, filled with Duke Kahanamoku memorabilia (The father of surfing) - Sunday afternoons are very popular (Henry Kopono wrote a song about it - Dukes on Sunday) - the food is good too

La Mariana Tiki Bar and Restaurant - Tiki gold from1957

MAUI -

Old Lahaina Luau - One of the best - traditional feast, panoramic ocean views, famous Maui sunset and bottomless cocktails

Lahaina - Front street - most paces are closed by 11pm

Fleetwoods - owned by Mick Fleetwood and he performs on occasion. Other live music also most nights

Ulupalakua Ranch - it's a winery - buy some of the unique pineapple wines - have a feed across the road on your way out at one of Maui's hidden gems

HAWAII -

Don The Beachcomber

Volcano Winery - some interesting blends - pick up a bottle or two for your treehouse in the rainforest

Hilo Town Tavern 

• Sundowners -

OAHU -

Ha Noku II - Sunset booze cruise

Dukes - Sunset cocktails

House Without a Key - Mai Tais

Sunset Beach

MAUI -

Haleakal National Park is the place for sunrise and sunset - BYO

Kimo's - in Lahaina for cocktails

At the Black Rock Cliff Divers

HAWAII -

Mauna Kea - then hang around to see the stars come out (This is where NASA comes to look at them)

• Specialties -

OAHU - Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie from Teds Bakery  

MAUI - Aunt Sandy's Banana Bread / Specialty Chocolates / Coffee / Hula Pie from Dukes

HAWAII - Coffee / Don the Beachcomber

• Tips -

Try Discount Hawaii Car Rental  for your car rentals

MAUI -

Download the Road to Hana GyPSy Guide. It doesn't need wifi.

• Famous -

OAHU -

Waikiki / Diamond Head /  Pearl Harbour / Banzai Pipeline / Sunset Beach

MAUI -

Beaches / Humpback whales / Sunrise and Sunset at Haleakala

HAWAII -

Volcanoes / Lava pouring in to the sea

· Festivals - Dates could change

OAHU -

The Honolulu Festival - Mar

Prince Lot Hula Festival - Nov

The Aloha Festival - Sep

Triple Crown of Surfing - Jan

Hawaiian Food & Wine Festival - Oct - all 3 islands

Spam Jam 5 blocks of Spam - Apr

MAUI -

Film festival in Jun / Jul

Made in Maui County Festival - Nov

East Maui Taro Festival - Apr

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Mar / Jun / Aug

HAWAII (The Big Island)-

Merrie Monarch Festival - Hula - Apr

Kau Coffee Festival -Apr / Aug

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival - Nov

Kona Brewer's Fest  - March

Annual Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest  - May

Panaewa Stampede Rodeo - Feb

Annual Hawaiian Island Festival of Birds - Oct

Hawaii Yoga Festival - Oct

IRONMAN World Championship - Jun

Slack Key Guitar Festival - Sep

• Extra -

Fly from Honolulu to Los Angeles and you could do #66 Get Your Kicks (Route 66 to Chicago) in 'Countries M - Z' USA or have a look at 'Train Trips' for Across America (LA to Montreal via New York)