Hello Mark

Package Vs DIY, always a difficult one to answer, I would suggest you create an itinerary then compare prices i.e. package and DIY.

The only difficulty you may have is obtaining prices so far ahead.

As for seating on flights, there is a website which confirms the seat pitch for almost all airlines, unfortunately I cannot remember it right now fortunately, I do have it somewhere on my computer, I look for it, and post the information back here for you.

We have visited Hawaii twice.

First things first, Hawaii is a long way, and you need to take this into consideration when booking, also please bear in mind Hawaii is eleven hours behind UK time.

So, there will be a number of options open to you when you book, a stop over in the US, somewhere like, San Francisco, LA, Chicago, I would seriously consider.

Hawaii is around 5 hours flying time from SF / LA, I therefore would also recommend a stop over at an alternative destination above on your return journey.

On our first trip, we booked a package via United Vacations, visiting Vegas 7 days, Oahu 7 days, and New York 5 days.

The package with UV includes flying on UA; overall we found them a good airline.

Our next trip, I created a DIY, booking everything through the Internet, which included 4 days in LA, then 7 days in Oahu, followed by 7 days in Kauai, and finishing with 4 days in San Francisco.

One issue, we found Oahu to be very touristy, especially with Japanese folk, however, don't let this affect your choice of islands.

O both trips to Oahu, we stayed at Sheraton Diamond Head hotel, directly across from Waikiki Beach; we had no problems with employees, atmosphere, pool, poolside service, restaurants, and food.

Just a few of our favourite memories of Oahu:

Ala Mona Beach Park, nice beach.

Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island for some great view of Waikiki, and Diamond Head
Ala Wai Boat Harbour (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island)
Downtown Area:
Aloha Tower (be sure to visit the top, for a great view).
Chinatown,
Hawaii Maritime Centre,
Lolani Palace,
Bishop Museum, other museums.
North Shore to watch the waves
Arizona Memorial/Mighty Mo

Initially, we had thought about doing a cruise around the islands, however having done some research whilst in Oahu, the locals opinion was a Hawaiian cruise does not do the islands justice, so we postponed the idea.

On creating our second trip to Hawaii, we combined Oahu with Kauai.

In Kauai, we stayed at Sheraton Kauai in Koloa on the south shore, which had a good beachfront location, and within walking distance of good restaurants
.
Some of our favourite memories of Kauai

Hanalei Bay: we found this to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Kilauea Lighthouse: A must do, it is such a gorgeous spot with spectacular views

Gaylord's restaurant, yes, it is expensive, but worth the visit just for the Plantation ambience alone, however combined with great meals and a speciality drink called the "Kilohana Punch" it was an exceptionally good establishment.

Waimea canyon, known as "The Grand Canyon Of The Pacific" one cannot describe in words how awesome this location is.

Ke'e beach, although a very busy beach, you have to take one of the most beautiful scenic routes in the world to reach it, I suspect it's the scenic route that's the attraction and not so much the beach.

In both locations we hired a car through Dollar, which can be booked direct through the UK.

To be honest, choosing a Hawaii Island, I honestly believe there can be No wrong choices!

When leaving Hawaii, my partner said, leaving Hawaii was like absolute torture.

You will notice I have mentioned several times about doing research, I cannot stress this enough, this is the most important issue when considering and booking a holiday.

As you are not visiting for 2 years, you have sufficient time to make your trip one of excellence.

On a personal note you can see by my avatar I love the US, we visit different states several times a year, and although the US is probably one of the hardest Countries to emigrate to, given the opportunity Hawaii would be our preferred dream home.

I trust my post gives you the incentive to pursue your dream.

Good luck

Driver02

thanks for the post Driver

Mark

Have you looked at Virgin Atlantic flights to LA? You can upgrade on these to Premium Economy for about £300 per person each way.

The flight from LA to Hawaii is a more bearable 5 hours - if you get an American Airlines flight, the legroom is supposed to be very good. Have a look at seat 'pitch' on http://www.seatguru.com.

Hawaii is a year round destination but the peak seasons are their winter, i.e. mid-December to March, and when the kids are off school, e.g. during the summer from June to September. I've heard that April/May is the best time to go.

We visited all four of the main islands in September 2005 - we did an organised tour with Archers Direct. It was the most amazing trip I've ever been on - Hawaii is wonderful; each of the the islands are so different!

The Big Island was the main reason we went to Hawaii; since I was little, I've wanted to see live lava flowing! We did the heli trip over the volcano and it was amazing - definately the best way (and possibly only way at the mo) to see the lava. Other than the volcano, I wasn't very impressed with the Big Island, so I'd recommend only spending a few nights there. We stayed in Kona, which is a long way from the volcano area - approx. 2 - 3 hours drive each way. It's true that it's a 'Big Island'! Hilo would be a better base for you if it's just the volvano you want to see.

Waikiki, which is on Oahu, is very commercialised. It's great to see but it's not what you think Hawaii will be like, more like an American Benidorm. I'd recommend only spending 3 - 5 nights here, perhaps when you first arrive as this is where you'll probably fly into. Must dos here are a visit to Pearl Harbour, a surf lesson and a visit to a luau, e.g. Polynesian Centre.

Kauai was my favourite island - just how I'd imagined Hawaii to be. Stunningly beautiful and less commercialised than the other islands. We stayed in Kappa, but I'd stay on the north coast or in Popui if I had the choice. Must dos on Kauai are a heli trip over the awesome Na Pali Coast, and a boat ride up it too, and a visit to Waimea Canynon and the north coast.

Maui is quite commercialised - it seems to be the favourite place for Americans to go on their honeymoon. It's a lovely island though and there's plenty to do and see. The must do here is a trip to the top of Haleakala - the most amazing views ever!

We had booked with Virgin Holidays to go back again to Oahu, Kauai and Maui this September for three weeks (unfortunately we had to cancel as I've become pregnant since booking). For everything, including upgraded Virgin flights, all interisland flights, transfers, 4/5 star hotels and a few days in Las Vegas on the way home, they quoted us £4,500. They can include Big Island too, if you want someone else to do all the organising for you.

Have you been on http://www.tripadvisor.com? Its Hawaii forum is a great place to get advice from Americans who live in Hawaii/holiday in Hawaii.

Have fun planning your trip.

U2fan

Have you heard of Maxjet, they fly from Stansted. They only offer first class seats, for April next year they work out at about £800.00 return to LA. When we visited Hawaii, we used https://apps.hawaiianair.com/reservations/1/GetAvail.aspx
Its never to early to start planning for your trip, perhaps consider breaking your journey in LA, we spent 3 nights there on our return.

Kaz

Hawaii is not really a cheap holiday. Period. Things tend to more expensive as flown over from the mainland. But it is a WONDERFUL place & should not be missed.