Posted by Hali Sowle on January 15, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Hi all,
I didn't know what forum would be the most appropriate for this so I'm posting here...
I'm headed to Hawaii for 2 weeks this fall and have a bit of a dilemma as to where to go. My plan is to spend 4 days on Oahu (for a convention) 4 days on Hawai'i and I have another 4 days that I want to spend either on Kau'i or Maui but I'm not sure which. We are hoping to do some snorkeling and hiking with our sightseeing and photography so any advice as to which would be great. I want to spend the whole time on one or the other to be able to see the most of the island and not feel pressured to run from place to place. Thanks alot
Before you leave Oahu, head over to Dillingham Air Field on the North Shore and hire a glider ride with Honolulu Soaring. We did that this past Christmas, and it was the high point of our many trips to Oahu. Incredible photo ops along with an unreal ride.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 16, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Ko'Kee Swamp on Kauai is one of the last bits of native Hawaii left. The cliff trails are awesome, the boardwalks through the swamps are great, and you have a chance to see some of the remaining native birds. It seriously rains there, but it's worth the wet.
Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island has some amazing photo ops. If lava is flowing, you need to be there at dusk though...
Posted by Ron Leraaen on January 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM
When I went to Kauai, I did a trip on Interisliand Helicopters. They fly with the doors off, which creates great photo ops. I also second visiting Volcanoes. If you need to hike at dusk to see an active flow, you need to be prepared. The terrain is difficult to walk on especially after dark.
Posted by Bob Ampula on January 16, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Have been to the islands several times and in addition to the two islands you have id'd I would recommend Kauai over Maui, easier to get around and not as crowded. Kokee State Park, the National Botanical Gardens. Princeville area and the NWR on the northern coast are great for both birding and photography. Poipu Beach has some of the best snorkling we have experienced, primarily because it is on the leeward side of the island and has a number of sheltered coves that are generally not too crowded. On Oahu, would recommend the U.of H. Botanical Gardens for birding. Agree with the above recommendations as well. All good experiences. Good luck deciding. Hard to fit all of it in.
Posted by Mike Roberts on January 16, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I grew up on Maui and live here now. With the years I have been photographing Maui, there are still shots to be shot. I have seen many visitors try to get it all and miss so much. All of the islands are loaded with great photo ops - even Oahu. My suggestion is to save some money and airport time. You can easily spend a month on any island and not "really" see it all. Every time you change islands, you blow a precious day. The less flying and standing in airports you do, the more good pix you'll bring home.
Have fun!
Posted by Hali Sowle on January 16, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Wow! thanks everyone for some great ideas I really appreciate them. I'm leaning towards Kaui then Oahu and then most of our time on the Big Island so I can maximize our time in each spot. If we didn't have to go to Oahu I think I'd pass on that, but it's my ticket to taking much of this trip off on my taxes so I've got to do my time at the convention. 'm not worried about the hiking even at night, we're pretty experienced hikers and have lights and with the full moon it should be pretty light to see our way around, I may invest in a GPS for further saftey though. Any recommendations as to lenses I "must" have? You guys are great, I can't thank you enough for the input, it's making my trip planning much easier.
Posted by Ron Leraaen on January 17, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Hali,
The last time I was on the Big Island, I stayed in Kona and found I spent a lot of time driving to places to shoot. You may want to consider staying at a couple different locations. The Kona side is where the best beaches and snorkeling are located. Volcanoes and the rain forest is on the other side of the island. If I were to go again, I would stay around Volcanoes or HIlo since I'm not the type to spend a week at the beach.
Discussion
9 repliesI didn't know what forum would be the most appropriate for this so I'm posting here...
I'm headed to Hawaii for 2 weeks this fall and have a bit of a dilemma as to where to go. My plan is to spend 4 days on Oahu (for a convention) 4 days on Hawai'i and I have another 4 days that I want to spend either on Kau'i or Maui but I'm not sure which. We are hoping to do some snorkeling and hiking with our sightseeing and photography so any advice as to which would be great. I want to spend the whole time on one or the other to be able to see the most of the island and not feel pressured to run from place to place. Thanks alot
Hali
Have fun!
Hali
Have a great trip.
The last time I was on the Big Island, I stayed in Kona and found I spent a lot of time driving to places to shoot. You may want to consider staying at a couple different locations. The Kona side is where the best beaches and snorkeling are located. Volcanoes and the rain forest is on the other side of the island. If I were to go again, I would stay around Volcanoes or HIlo since I'm not the type to spend a week at the beach.