I want to visit Hawaii, but I've heard some areas are "too touristy".....?

Question

Where would be a good destination, where I can see all the beautiful sites, eat some fab food, swim in the ocean etc.?
I am a little obsessed with the whole thing, but this will probably be a one time thing, so I want to make the best of it! Please help!

Answer 1

Do not visit Oahu or Maui if you are trying to avoid touristy areas. I live in Oahu and have been to Maui and unless you venture off on your own you won't find paradise in either of these places.



The Big Island is the best place to go. The population is really small and they aren't too focued on tourism. That does not mean however that they don't have a million quaint B&B for you to stay in and live with the locals. They have beautiful rainforest hikes, black and green sand beaches, the largest mountain mass in the world, the largest telescope in the world, and lots of cool lava. You'll probably want to rent a car and explore on your own but there aren't too many roads so it would be hard to get lost.



Kauai is also a nice place. Parts of the island are touristy but you can also camp in the rain forests if you're up for it. There are a lot of amazing hiking areas, especailly the Na Pali Coast.



If you have to go to Maui or Oahu you can definitely get away from the tourists. Just do not stay in Waikiki (Oahu) or Lahaina (Maui) and rent a car - explore. Get a hiking guide book, a surf board, and some snorkel gear.



Enjoy!'



Check out www.iflygo.com for $39 one way airfare. Great deal since the other airlines (Hawaiian, Aloha, Island Air)usually charge $75 one way.

Answer 2

I've been to Kaui only. It's very beautiful and less developed than bigger islands. I ended up in several beaches where my family were the only people in sight! You can keep busy on this island for 3~4 days. Definitely rent a 4x4, you'll need to get to some remote beaches or top of mountains. If you can afford to stay longer, you may want to take an island hopper and split the vacation between two islands. You can fly to another island for about $150~$200.

I think you'll have good time no matter which island you go to. My next trip will be to a big island. I want to see the volcanoes and catch some cheesy shows. Due to competition, boat rides seem to be cheaper at bigger islands.

Answer 3

Oahu is the most popular among all the islands. It is the most crowded. Some of the areas that are too touristy include Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor.

Answer 4

i live on the island of Hawaii aka the Big Island. don't go to kona because it is 'too touristy.' hilo is getting to that stage but isn't too bad. there are really nice places to visit there like the waterfalls etc. kona has the nice beaches, hapuna and Kawaihae, hilo rains kind of a lot but it's beautiful.

as for the other islands, o'ahu is waaaaaay too busy.

maui is supposed to be really nice. and the other islands as well.



anywhere you decide to go will be beautiful because, it's Hawaii!! But, i'm sure your holiday will turn out awesome!

Answer 5

go to Hawaii the first time is very special. Too touristy for me is something you get after afew trips really.Waikiki is very touristy,but the first time it's still very cool!

Answer 6

the best island is maui. it has some wait make that tones of tourists, but they are not packed together like on oahu. the same goes for kaui. if you want something that doesnt even have a macdonalds i suggest molokai or lanai

Answer 7

"Too touristy???" The entire island chain for many years has relied on tourism for the cash. That is their only industry, besides the various farming (macadamia nuts, pineapples, sweet onions, and perhaps sugar beets).

Answer 8

maui. also check out the state of hawaii website.