1

I really enjoyed hiking in Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. You could walk across this crater where there was steam coming out of the ground. I didn't get to see lava flow, but you might get lucky. Plus Big Island has dramatic scenery in general--lots of black rocky areas with bright colored vegetation growing out of it. There is rainforest on the Hilo side as well (though I think Maui's may be better for hiking). I don't know how the snorkeling is, though I did some great dives. Are you looking for snorkeling from the beach, or out on a dive boat?

There is excellent day hiking on the W. side of Kaui. It isn't near any beaches or decent places to eat, but you can stay on the W. side of the island more cheaply than the North side (where the nice beaches are). Although the hiking is wonderful, I preferred Big Island.

I haven't been to Maui in ages, so I can't comment on it. I do have memories of beautiful rainforest with gorgeous flowers.

2

The Big Island is really big, you would need all 10 days just to see it. I would see Maui (whale season in February) and Kauai or maybe Oahu (have not been so cannot comment on it). All the islands have something worthwhile to see, Kauai does have good hiking. In February you want to stay south and just visit the north. Get your lodging and rental car lined up now, lots of places are already booked up. Also you do not say how much you have to spend per night in $, but condos can save you some money and have more space vs. a hotel room.

3

with 10 days, Id add 1 other island MAX.

4

I think 2 islands is perfectly reasonable for 10 days, it's just a matter of personal preference. With 5 days in Big Island, you could spend 2 days each on Kona and Hilo (using Hilo as a base for Volanoes). You could spend the other day somewhere between the two cities--there are a number of nice towns.

5

I'd recommend Kauai but most of the "west side" beaches are inaccessible. Both the north (Hanalei area) and south (Waimea area) sides have good hiking possibilities and the scenery is great. Beware the surf on the north shore.

6

Not sure what Marocfan means by the west side beaches, but Salt Pond State Beach is really nice and friendly, restrooms, showers and a lifeguard. Now Kekaha has had LOTS of erosion and Polihale is nice to visit but do not think about swimming there. It is a bit of a tough drive and you have to be careful to not get stuck in the sand.

7

The "west side beaches" was the term used by a previous poster. I don't know what it means either. I would consider Salt Pond a south side beach.

8

Nobody has discussed "west side beaches" on Kauai, because they are few and far between and are extremely ugly.

One thing that isn't obvious--the main road that goes around Kauai dead ends one the West side of the island. So while the North side looks very close, it is actually an hour drive away (at least in traffic). The restaurants on the West side aren't very good and the whole area smelled like burning tires (this was August 2011, so things may have improved). If I return to Kauai, I will stay somewhere else.

9

Wow, thanks for all the replies! I will use it to read some more and will probably come back with more questions

About my budget, i haven't decided exactly yet. If i don't look for fancy hotels, what will reasonable budget be?

10

totally depends on the island. Maui is expensive, and fewer options. Oahu has LOTS of choices. You can find nice hotels there near the beach for under 100/night....or $150/night on the beach give or take.

11

Tilos, West side beaches on Kauai are ugly?? Polihale (Barking Sands) is wonderful!

Ten days? Probably two islands. If it was me I'd do O'ahu and Hawai'i. O'ahu has Waikiki of course, with lots of action and great restaurants, and the best beaches by far, the best surf, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head (we got a deal for 4 days in Waikiki over thanksgiving and hiked from our hotel to the top of Diamond Head! Good workout), the big winter surf on the North Shore, Hanauma Bay and so forth. The Big Island has the resort and coffee and sun side, the west, and the green wet side, the east, and some giant mountains dividing the island.

It depends on what level of visit you want. You can see the highlights on day tours or sink in in one area for several days. I live on the Hilo side of the Big Island and some visitors spend days exploring Pahoa (funky town with great eats) and Kalapana/Kaimu, Kapoho tide pools, Kehena beach (beautiful little black sand beach), the friendly Poho'iki beach park (smile and someone will offer you a puff on a joint!) and the rest of Puna, but most tourists never even see this area of Hawaii, except to drive by on their way up the highway to the Volcano National Park. Which is the biggie and should be seen. We hike the trails and Kilauea Iki is a fave.

We used to stay in condos in Kailua Kona, but realized years ago we liked Hilo and the rainforest and the culture of the east side (way more Hawaiian and very green) more than the hotter more touristy west side. My family goes over to Hapuna Beach Park and Kailua Kona on the east side every month or so for a visit or stay - it is nice to get on the dry sunny side sometimes - there are no white sand beaches on the east side.

When our five year old nephew was visiting he wanted to go to Ahalanui warm pond every day - a nice safe place for a kid, a little boring for me after a while. If you like a rough hour or two hike across lava, people love hiking into see the active flow is going on now, tours from Kalapana @$100/person.

It all depends on what you like to do. Dance clubs and shows? Waikiki. Sailing and bars, Lahaina. Hawaiian music and hula? Wednesday night market party in Kalapana can't be beat, and you'll be one of the few tourists among the hundreds of people partying.