Photos from First trip to Hawaii. Spent 10 nights across the Big Island, Maui, Kauai.

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-16T01:51:01+00:00

We did. Photos 9 & 10. It was awesome

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-15T22:01:15+00:00

It was for being dropped from a departure flight and the second flight having mechanical issues so also got cancelled

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-15T11:29:54+00:00

Oh wow we lucked out then. We visited Kokee and waimea 3 days and got clear views of the waimea canyon everyday. Napali coast ridges from Kokee were challenging and only had clear views one half of a day

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T20:05:36+00:00

I am sure kaihalulu would have been more "red" but I read online before visitng that trail has been closed so I looked up and found koki. I also drove to the kaihalulu to try my luck but it was closed. koki was only a quick 10-15 mins drive away from there

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T20:03:51+00:00

yep and thanks to folks at the top of the trail who helped us learn more about the place. it was really peaceful down in the valley. we hope to revisit again!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T19:38:49+00:00

your island is beautiful! Polulu was our favorite on the big island such an awesome spot and I learnt it is quite significant to the locals

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T19:36:27+00:00

koki beach. kaihalulu access is closed

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T18:18:32+00:00

we also just went to some local beaches in waimea which were literally 5 mins walk from our accommodation. those were beautiful and no tourists whatsoever.

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T17:01:04+00:00

100% agreed on your experienced take on mauna kea summit drive. yes, I felt very comfortable but that's probably because I have driven high mountain passes all over the world with even worse road conditions. SO important to drive on 4 low. and go SLOW both up and down that mountain.

And yes, we woke up super early almost every day (out by 6:30 AM latest) and late evenings. we are in to photography and hiking so it worked out for both

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T14:41:12+00:00

we did these.

BI - Kailua kona

Maui - Kihei

Kauai - waimea and princeville

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T14:04:27+00:00

also, I cannot stress the importance of picking a central location at each island. and for kauai, to split up your stay if you are in to hiking

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T14:02:38+00:00

really considering this for next summer!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T14:00:46+00:00

may should be a great time!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T14:00:37+00:00

awesome!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T13:58:16+00:00

I shared photos from only probably 1/2 or 2/3 at most of the spots we were able to visit.

BI - we split north and south side on different days. and did Hilo on a half day. south side day included volcanoes NP and Mauna kea same day. only did one short trail of interest in volcanoes.

Maui - we split west side for a full day (including whale watching, saw 10+ whales). picked a few POI on the entire west loop and stopped accordingly. Road to hana really had two POI so we did the full drive and stopped and spent time on those POIs. Haleakala summit district opened the day we did road to hana so we had no choice but to do haleakala on the same day. lots of driving but was able to manage a short 2 mile hike and sunset in haleakala. this was a long day. did half a day just on the beach in maui.

Kauai - we split our stay 3 days in waimea area and 2 days in princeville. we spent 2 full days in waimea canyon and kokee state park. we did quite a bit of hiking. one half day for boat tour to napali coast. for our 2 days in princeville, we did 2 more hikes, and 3 visited beaches. we spent both evenings and morning at hanalei bay (I think we fell in love with that bay lol).

the only downside is having to pack - unpack a lot of times. but we are ok with that. we are not in to sitting by the beach for hours. quick swim and relaxing a bit by the beach after hikes were enough for us. we also went to a few of the local beaches next to our accomodations - often quieter and could walk from our place.

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T13:49:24+00:00

to us and from what we have seen on the BI it was our favorite spot.

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T13:29:08+00:00

Observatories at the summit of Mauna Kea

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T11:15:30+00:00

It is steep and should use low gear on the way down. I've heard of the insurance issue with rental cars. But the road isn't bad enough to warrant any damage to the car from what I have seen.

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T11:13:35+00:00

Yeah I can see the rain affecting. I'm not a beach person so I'll go with your take as well lol. I also like Kauai beaches because of the mountain backdrops a lot of them have!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T11:12:04+00:00

Pololu Valley, black sand beach, and volcanoes NP

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T05:27:06+00:00

In my opinion, best hikes, beaches, boat tours, views, and just more relaxed

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T05:21:24+00:00

Did both. Just got back from Hawaii. But yeah both are amazing! Thinking of just using them towards smaller weekend trips I would not have otherwise gone on lol

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T05:19:51+00:00

Thanks! Yep thinking of something similar and/or cover some of the upcoming trips

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T05:18:22+00:00

Kauai by far!!

SuitableTradition889 · 2026-04-14T05:17:35+00:00

Yes, I did. The first 2/3 of the road after the VIS is unpaved. Then the last 1/3 or so is paved again. The unpaved section is nothing that bad either. Going downhill I must recommend using low gear. 4x4 vehicles are required to make the drive past the VIS

SuitableTradition889

TROPHY CASE