How to Plan a Vacation in Hawaii
By Jamie Lisse
Planning a trip to Hawaii can be overwhelming because there are multiple islands and a lot of things you can do. There are ways to lessen the stress that comes with planning the trip. Knowing the best time to visit Hawaii can save a lot of money on airfare and lodging that can be used on sightseeing and outdoor activities instead.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Select travel dates that are on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Hotel and airfare rates are typically cheaper during the middle of the week. The best airfare deals to Hawaii are typically during the off-peak season times of September 21 through December 21 and right after Easter through June 21. The weather is nice during both of those periods.
Decide which island you want to visit. Oahu is the most popular island with tourists and where you can get the most discount flight deals. It features Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Maui is the second-most popular island to visit. Its beaches and whale watching are big tourist draws. Kauai and the Big Island are the next most popular islands to visit. Kauai is known for its greenery, and the Big Island is known for its black sand beaches and active volcano.
Create an itinerary to determine the needs of your group. If you are traveling with children, you will likely want to stay near the more tourist areas and may not need a rental car. The public transportation system in Hawaii is excellent. If you are interested in outdoors activities such as hiking and golfing, you will be better off staying a bit outside of the tourist area and will probably need a rental car.
Look for hotels that meet your itinerary needs. If you are going primarily for golfing and outdoor activities, the Makaha Resort in Waianae, Oahu (see Resources section) has its own 18-hole championship golf course on-site. To stay more in the central tourist area, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa is just a 7.5-mile cab ride from the Honolulu Country Club and Golf Course.
Consider getting an attractions pass from City Discovery. The Honolulu Power Pass offered by City Discovery grants admission to more than 35 tourist attractions in Honolulu, including Pearl Harbor and the Diamond Head crater tour, for one low price. The 2009 Honolulu Power Pass started at $35. City Discovery also offers other Hawaiian attractions passes, such as the Haleakala, Central Maui and Iao Valley Tour pass for visitors to Maui and the Waimea Canyon and Wailua River Tour for visitors to Kauai.
If you plan on golfing a lot in Hawaii, schedule your tee times before you arrive. Hawaii is a popular golf destination, and tee times can book up in advance. If you are staying at a gold resort, you likely won't have to worry about this, but you can call to see if scheduling in advance is recommended.
About The Author
Jamie Lisse has been writing professionally since 1997. She has published works with a number of online and print publishers. Her areas of expertise include finance and accounting, travel, entertainment, digital media and technology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English.
