Aloha! Are you dreaming of Hawaii, but feeling overwhelmed by the choices? In this episode of Travel Talk, we demystify the planning process by breaking down the best ways to experience the islands. Whether you’re considering a traditional land vacation, an adventurous island-hopping itinerary, or a cruise, this episode guides you through the unique characteristics of Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Tune in for practical tips on navigating Hawaii’s diverse landscapes and climate zones, and learn why working Magical Memory Planners can help you coordinate the perfect trip for your specific travel style and group.
Understanding the Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are a United States destination, which is something many people do not always think about right away. Hawaii can feel exotic and far away, but because it is part of the United States, there are some familiar conveniences that make travel easier.
You do not need a passport to visit Hawaii. You can rent a car and drive around the island. They drive on the right side of the road and they use U.S. currency, so many of the things that make domestic travel feel simple also apply to Hawaii.
There are several islands that make up Hawaii, but there are four main islands that people generally travel to: Oahu, the island of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.
Oahu
For many people, Oahu may be the island they think of first when they think about Hawaii. Most people fly into Oahu. This is the island where Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is located and it is where many of the larger flights from the mainland arrive.
Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor, which is on many travelers’ bucket lists when they think about visiting Hawaii. It is also home to Waikiki, the North Shore for surfing and Diamond Head, a famous place people like to hike.
The Island of Hawaii
The island of Hawaii is also referred to as the Big Island. While we often talk about the Hawaiian Islands as a whole, there is one island that is actually named Hawaii.
The Big Island is very large. In fact, it is so big that all the other islands could fit inside it. It is also incredibly diverse with four out of the five major climate zones. You can find everything from snow-capped mountains to beaches and rainforests.
The Big Island has black sand beaches, volcanic activity, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Since the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanoes, this island offers a unique opportunity to see that volcanic landscape and diversity.
Maui
Maui hits a sweet spot between development and natural beauty. It has hotels and places to stay, but it also has beautiful untouched areas.
Maui is very popular for couples, especially honeymooners and foodies. It is also where you will find the scenic Road to Hana. If driving the Road to Hana is on your Hawaii list, Maui is the island where you would want to be. And of course, Maui also has beautiful beaches.
Kauai
Kauai is more undeveloped and feels more like a tropical paradise. There are still beautiful places to stay, hiking, and things to do, but it is much more focused on nature.
Kauai does not have as much of the luxury resort town feel or as many tourist areas. It is a little more remote and quiet, making it a great option for travelers looking for that type of experience.
Ways to Visit Hawaii
Once you understand the main islands, the next step is deciding how you want to visit Hawaii.
One way is through a land vacation. Many people fly into Oahu because Pearl Harbor is often on their bucket list. From there, you can stay on Oahu, split your time between islands, or plan an island-hopping vacation.
Another option is cruising through the Hawaiian Islands, especially if you want to see a variety of what Hawaii has to offer without packing and unpacking multiple times.
A Land Vacation in Hawaii
For a land vacation on Oahu, one of our favorite resorts is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in the Ko Olina area.
Aulani is on the south side of the island, a little farther from the airport in a quiet area. It is on the opposite side of the island from Waikiki and the North Shore, which are busier tourist areas. This makes Aulani a really nice home base for a trip to Oahu.
One convenient feature at Aulani is the rental car facility right at the resort. If you want to stay there for a longer period of time and plan a day trip or two around Oahu, you can rent a car for the day right from the resort, go on your adventure, and come back.
Aulani also brings the stories of Hawaii into the resort. It is actually one of the largest cultural centers in Hawaii. There are other cultural centers you can visit, but Aulani offers a cultural experience within the resort itself.
The resort has an authentic luau and a restaurant called ‘Ōlelo, which is the Hawaiian word for “word.” Items in the restaurant are labeled with their Hawaiian words, so guests can begin to pick up a little bit of the Hawaiian language.
Aulani is also a great option for families. It has a kids club called Auntie’s Beach House, which is perfect for children ages 3 to 12. The resort also has a snorkeling reef, which feels almost like a large fish tank. It is a great place for kids to try snorkeling because they are not out in the open ocean, so it’s a safe, contained way to have that first snorkeling experience.
There are also great pools and amazing restaurants, making Aulani a strong option for families staying on Oahu.
Island Hopping in Hawaii
From Oahu, you can also island hop.
You may choose to fly into Oahu, stay at Aulani for part of the trip, experience some of the things on Oahu, and then fly over to Maui or the Big Island for another part of the vacation. This type of split stay allows you to experience more than one island while still having time to enjoy each place.
We work with great partners who can put together island-hopping trips if you want to experience Hawaii this way. This can be a wonderful option if you want to split your time between two islands or create a more customized vacation.
Cruising Through Hawaii
If you want to do a lot of island hopping and see a good variety of what Hawaii has to offer, then a cruise may be worth considering. There is one cruise ship that regularly sails the Hawaiian Islands: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. This ship departs from Oahu, so you can fly right into Honolulu.
It can be a good idea to fly in a day or two early to adjust to the time change and see Pearl Harbor before the cruise begins.
The Pride of America offers a 7-night sailing out of Oahu. There are also cruise tour options that include a land portion before or after the sailing, giving you more time to explore Oahu. You can also choose to add that extra time on your own.
One of the great things about this sailing is that it visits several islands and includes overnights in a few places. That is helpful because you do not have to rush back to the ship. You can go out in the evening and see more of the destination.
A typical Pride of America itinerary includes an overnight in Maui, which gives you about two days there with an overnight in between. The ship also stops on the island of Hawaii in two different places: Hilo and Kona. Since the Big Island is so large, it is helpful to stop in two different areas. The itinerary also includes Kauai, with an overnight there as well, giving you two days on the island.
Because the cruise begins and ends in Oahu, you can spend time there before or after the cruise to visit places like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, the North Shore, or Diamond Head. Those are not things you would typically do during the cruise itself, so they are best planned before or after sailing.
Choosing the Right Hawaii Vacation
There are several wonderful ways to visit Hawaii. You may want to stay mainly in one place, split your time between two islands, plan an island-hopping vacation, or cruise through the islands.
The right choice depends on what you want to see and who you are traveling with. Maybe you are planning a family vacation with kids and grandparents and need something that works well for a larger group. Maybe you are planning a honeymoon and want something quiet and different. The Hawaiian Islands are diverse and each trip can look a little different depending on your travel style.
This is where working with a travel advisor can be so helpful. A travel advisor can help narrow down what will work best for you and coordinate all the pieces to make the trip as easy as possible.
That is what we are here for at Magical Memory Planners and we would love to help you plan your Hawaii vacation.
