And everyone is a fan of mai tais.

I actually proposed to my wife at the top of Mt. Tallac at Lake Tahoe, she’s an avid fan of hiking so we always try to get a hike in wherever we’re going.

@Hawaii Blog: I’d probably just end that bit of advice at the “because.”

Don’t you hate their “specials”? Nothing against timeshare investors but I think many tourists fall down to timeshare just to save $100 or less

I’m usually not a fan of tours because my wife and I like to hike. Hiking doesn’t really need a tour, we just find the trail head and follow the dirt path. The other thing about tours is that it locks up your morning or afternoon, so you lose a bit of that flexibility. Part of the fun of vacation is doing whatever you want, when you want… even if it’s absolutely “nothing” like lie on the beach!

@Kris: All of the islands need multiple visits, at least that’s my excuse!

RE: Blue Book – I had some mixed feelings too, on one hand I do like how you can drive around and it tells you where to go. On the other, I don’t like how it tells you to climb down dangerous areas and such. I think if you use your own judgment you’ll be okay… some people are just foolish.

Definitely no trespassing, that’s rude.

@Kris – You’re right about multiple trips just for one island- as many times as I’ve been to Hawaii, I still have a “to do list” for each island for my next visit. For example, I’ve spent nearly a month (combined) on the Big Island and I still have things I want to do there!
@Ben – Thanks for your first time comment at Go Visit Hawaii. I never would have thought of good poke being at the Costco. We sampled some poke at the Safeway and found out that most of it was actually frozen and shipped in from somewhere else. Strange, huh?
@David – Ha! I’ll speak to the boss about your suggestion.

Re: the “Guidebook.” Right on for your cautions about dangerous area’s. There are public hearings taking place on Maui now regarding closing off some area’s that have been made popular by the blue book. Injuries and cultural damage are cited.

Scraped Maui! I can only assume you’re saving the best for your next trip.

Sheila, you’ve got to get to the islands more often. This has really become a lively place since your BI visit

David

When at Costco, avoid going on a Saturday afternoon (parking can be a 20-minute wait). If you venture inside on a Saturday, prepare for elbow-to-elbow congestion in the main isles. Costco also sells liquor, although, for a vacation for two, the quantity may be more than you’d use: I hope, otherwise you’re missing out on the islands!

If you’re interested in trying the raw fish, or “poke” (po-kay), Costco has it and I’ve heard wonderful reviews from locals and tourists!

I was pretty happy with the rental snorkel gear in the places I’ve visited. Some of the off-site rental places, like Snorkel Bob’s, often give discounts and coupons when you rent gear there, as well.

To the visit them all comment, it is certainly a good idea to plan multiple trips if you have your heart set on seeing all the islands, that is, unless you like packing and unpacking every 3 days while on vacation. Even on some islands (not to name names) you might even need multiple trips to see and do everything just on that one alone.

@Jim, I do hope you and your wife get to go back and see Maui in the future.

Did you take any tours while you were there? I’m not a huge tour fan–although I’ve been on some great ones in Hawaii–but I wonder if being on a honeymoon you had a preference.

Take a tour, and concentrate on your new bride. Or, organize it yourself and spent some quality alone time. Curious to hear your advice.

Thanks again for some great tips!

You’re very welcome Sheila, I had a lot of fun writing it… it’s like when I write, I go back to Hawaii.