It’s hard to find anything about Hawaii to dislike! We have been to three of the islands and I will try to give some perspective on each one. Our travels have been in the months of May and July so I have no help about the winter months and traffic congestion.
When you travel to the Big Island, Maui and Kauai a car is almost essential. If you are Costco member, try Costco Travel for rental cars as we have had good success with their services. You also get a second driver at no extra charge. http://costcotravel.com
- Kailua Kona – The Big Island
We have been to Kailua Kona twice and have booked again for two weeks in 2018. We like this Island because it is quiet. You do have to do some driving to go to the beaches and for activities; however, we think it is worth it.
We stay in the Kahalu’u Bay Villa Condos and found excellent two bedroom, two bathroom condos on VRBO (HomeAway). The price has been good and the location works well for us. We have an ocean front view from the lanai and this sunset photo says it all. 
There is a grocery store a short drive away and a Costco for those that need to stock up on groceries, beer and wine.
One of the best snorkelling beaches in all of Hawaii is located in front of the condo at Kahalu’u Beach Park. The beautiful white sand swimming beaches are a drive in both directions so the condo is in a prime location.
The downtown restaurants are easy to get to on Ali’i Drive. There is plenty of variety and Trip Advisor gives very good recommendations.
The drive to Kīlauea Volcano is a day trip but we found it worth our time. You drive through lava fields on the south coast to get there and they have an interpretive centre at the site. You cannot get right up to the crater because of safety issues. We were fortunate to see the lava lake that rose up in the Volcano days before we got there. It was just below the crater’s edge and there were spectacular views from a distance. The bubbling lava and the fire made for great pictures. The one below was a zoomed in version to get a better view of the fire.
After the Volcano, we drove over to Hilo and then came across the Island back to Kailua Kona. The road is very good and much faster than the south route to Kilauea.
Another nice drive was up to Waimea and the north coast. Good road and not much traffic. There are some big ranches up in the north and no problem finding restaurants for lunch. The north coast has some good lookouts and the ocean has a different perspective. It looks very rough along the rugged coast. We will do this drive again as the countryside and coast is worth the visit.
- Maui
We have been to Maui twice and stayed in Kihei both times. There are plenty of condo rental options in Kihei and we were in the Maui Banyan area across from Kamaole Beach II.
There are a lot of things within walking distance in Kihei; however, you still need a car to get around to cover everything. There are a couple of good grocery stores in the area and plenty of restaurants. The Kihei Caffe is good for breakfast. Sit outside after lining up to order breakfast. This place is well-known and busy.
For happy hour break in the afternoon give Moose McGillycuddy’s a try. We did a few times!
The 5 Palms Restaurant in Wailea has great outside seating to view the ocean and the food is good as well. We also enjoyed the Flatbread Company for pizza in Paia just before the Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana has 600 tight turns and the same number coming back! I drove this both ways with Kathy and our friends on my birthday. We picked up sandwiches and drinks in Paia and left early in the morning. There was a nice waterfall walk along the way and some stops to see the waves on the north shore of the ocean. The highlight was a black stone beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park towards the end of the drive. The views of the ocean here are fabulous. This drive will not be for everyone as it is slow and requires careful driving. The turns are real and slow. Be careful as the trip back is even slower behind drivers who are challenged in this type of excursion.
There is a nice drive up to Lahaina and Kaanapali and Kapalua. Stop in Lahaina for lunch, shopping and the art galleries. Farther up the island there are places to stop and snorkel. Great way to spend the day.
Makena State Park is south of Kihei and is home to Big Beach. The waves are huge here and you must be careful in the water. When we were there the life guards were telling people not to turn their backs on the waves because the waves drive you down into the bottom head first. Serious possibility for injury. We saw a mother and child get caught outside a wave and could not get back in and the life guards had to go out to bring them in.
We also enjoyed the beaches Kamaole I, II, and III. Easy to get to and gentle. They are busier because the access is in the heart of Kihei.
We took surfing lessons from a beach truck board rental right on the Kamaole IIBeach. Good time and lots of stories to laugh about. You are only in waist deep water and the instructor was really patient with me. Our adult kids had no problem getting the hang of it and Kathy did really well. I was challenged but did get up on the board a bit.
The snorkelling boat trip – Calypso – we took was excellent and the price was very good. We snorkelled at the Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. After, they took us up and down the coast to see Kihei, Wailea and Makena State Park from the water. About 7 hours and full value.
Kathy and I did the 23 mile “bike ride” down Haleakala and paid money to do it. This is not for the faint of heart and I do not recommend it. You actually only pedal the bike for a short time as you are riding the bike downhill almost all the time. You are constantly braking and the enjoyment part never seems to arrive. The curves are sharp, fairly steep and there is car traffic as well. I think this trip should be left to experienced bikers. Save your money and drive to the top and hope everything is not fogged in.
- Kauai
We have travelled once to Kauai, the Garden Island, and stayed in Poipu (south side of island) at a condo on the water. We would try a different condo next time, although, Poipu is a great area to stay. We saw lots of turtles in the water in front of our condo and down at the public beach.
Our son and daughter-in-law have stayed on the north side near Princeville and they enjoyed that area as well. We drove up that way a couple of times and will probably stay there next time. The north side leads to the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park where we drove to the end of the road and did a walk. Note to expect some single lane bridges and narrow roads. Beautiful.
Driving the south side of the island is also nice. We went up the Waimea Canyon and the views are incredible. Not to be missed.
The restaurants were good and on back to back nights I had perhaps the best meals ever at Tortilla Republic The Upstairs and Eating House 1849 in Poipu. We went to Pizzetta in Old Koloa Town twice and give it high marks for pizza and bar food. The beer was good as well.
Overall, we will return to all these islands and hope to get to Oahu as well. Each island has lots to offer. Maui has more activities and the Big island I much quieter. Hard to pick which is better – lov’em all!
My second cup is now empty…………………..