multi-island Hawaii trip

the beach at Manele Bay, Lana'i

While west coast residents have the luxury of traveling frequently to Hawaii and experiencing a different island each time, the rest of North America doesn't have that luxury. That's one reason to consider a multi-island Hawaii trip.

the Hawaiian Islands

Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island. While many people enjoy Waikiki Beach for its buzz (lots of bars, restaurants, and nightlife - and an ABC Store on every corner), I recommend getting away to a more secluded tropical setting, the Kahala Resort, which I've enjoyed both times I've stayed there. Oahu is also the home of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Maui is blessed with great beaches and offers beach vacations at every price point, from affordable condos to luxurious five star resorts such as the Four Seasons Maui. There's plenty to do. Many vacationers enjoy a bike ride down Haleakala Volcano at sunrise ... or a submarine tour from Lahaina.

Kauai is an active vacationer's dream, with widely varied landscapes on a small island easily explored in a week. Don't miss the Napili Coast, but wear shoes you won't mind throwing away after your unforgettable hike along a sometimes muddy trail. Stay at the St. Regis Princeville in the summer months and at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in the winter months.

The Big Island (Hawaii) offers an incredible diversity of scenery: fields of hardened lava flows north of Kona (resembling a lunar landscape), verdant rain forests on the Hilo side of the island, black sand beaches, and even an active volcano. Four Seasons Hualalai is my idea of what every tropical resort should be - low rise, two-story buildings spread out over a spacious resort.

Lana'i is what Hawaii used to be before the developers discovered this tropical paradise — not a single traffic light on the island. There are just two resorts: one by the sea (Four Seasons Manele Bay) with its beautiful, secluded beach — and one 1,500 feet above sea level in a setting that resembles a traditional Hawaiian pineapple plantation (Four Seasons Lodge at Koele). Still relatively undiscovered, Lana'i offers the best luxury values in Hawaii.

my favorite two-island itinerary

Maui and Lana'i are just a 45-minute ferry ride apart, and it's easy to combine a stay on these two islands. Begin your vacation in Maui, easily reached with non-stop flights from the west coast as well as Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, and Chicago — and many Canadian cities. Kick back your feet and enjoy a casual beach vacation. Rent from Hertz at the Maui airport (OGG), and plan to drop off your car at the West Maui Hertz office for a small drop-off fee. Hertz will drive you to Lahaina Harbor where you can catch the Ferry to Lana'i. Finish your vacation in the lap of Four Seasons luxury, either at Manele Bay or the Lodge at Koele. Fly home through Honolulu with easy connections everywhere.


multi-island Hawaii trip (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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