Fodor - Kauai 1-Day Itineraries

So much to do, so little time, is a common lament among visitors who think they can see Kaua'i in a day or two. To get a good sample of the highlights, try some of the following one-day itineraries.

Waimea Canyon & Koke'e State Park. Start early, pack a picnic, and head up the mountain for some of the loveliest scenery on the island. Stop at the scenic overlooks and peer into the colorful chasm of Waimea Canyon, then continue on to the cool forests of Koke'e. Spend the afternoon hiking, then cruise down to Salt Pond Beach Park and watch the sunset.

Wailua River & Kapa'a. Whether you rent a kayak, take a guided tour, or board one of the motor boats, spend the morning traversing the Wailua River. You'll pass through lush tropical foliage and wind up at the Fern Grotto. Afterward, drive up Kuamo'o Road to '.paeka'a Falls, then head into Kapa'a for lunch and a bit of shopping in one of the many boutiques and galleries on the northern edge of town.

Sweet History. Start at the Kaua'i Museum in Lihu'e for an overview of island history, then tour Grove Farm Homestead to get a feel of country life in bygone days. As you head west on Kaumuali'i Highway, stop in at Kilohana Plantation and check out the mansion. Continue on to Kaumakani, the dusty little camp town on the west side, where you can take a guided tour of the island's last sugar plantation, owned by Gay & Robinson. After viewing the fields and seeing how cane is processed into granulated sugar, head east to Koloa town, site of Kaua'i's first plantation. Browse the shops in the historic buildings that line the charming main street, or zip over to Po'ip. Beach, where you can wash off the dust with a refreshing swim before dinner.

Beaches & Birds. Load up the kids and head for Lydgate State Park on the East Side, where they can enjoy Kamalani Playground and everyone can swim and snorkel. For lunch, grab a bite to eat as you drive north through Kapa'a. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you continue to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where you can watch seabirds soar and perhaps spot whales and dolphins cavorting offshore. Continue north to Hanalei Bay, where you can swim, boogie board, or jog on the beach. If the waves are huge, stay out of the water and check out the surfing scene. As the sun sinks and the mountains turn rosy, pick up a pizza and drive back to your hotel while the kids snooze in the back seat.

Fodor - Maui 1-Day Itineraries

Maui's landscape is incredibly diverse, offering everything from underwater encounters with eagle rays to treks across moonlike terrain. Although daydreaming at the pool or on the beach may fulfill your initial island fantasy, Maui has much more to offer. The following one-day itineraries will take you to our favorite spots on the island.

Beach Day in West Maui

West Maui has some of the island's most beautiful beaches, though many of them are hidden by megaresorts. If you get an early start, you can begin your day snorkeling at Slaughterhouse Beach (in winter, D. T. Fleming Beach is a better option as it's less rough). Then spend the day beach-hopping through Kapalua, Napili, and Ka'anapali as you make your way south. You'll want to get to Lahaina before dark so you can spend some time exploring the historic whaling town before choosing a restaurant for a sunset dinner.

Focus on Marine Life on the South Shore

Start your South Shore trip early in the morning, and head out past Makena into the rough lava fields of rugged La Pérouse Bay. At the road's end, the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Marine Preserve has no beach, but it's a rich spot for snorkeling and getting to know Maui's spectacular underwater world. Head to Kihei for lunch then enjoy the afternoon learning more about Maui's marine life at the Maui Ocean Center at Ma'alaea.

Haleakala National Park, Upcountry & the North Shore

If you don't plan to spend an entire day hiking in the crater at Haleakala National Park, this itinerary will at least allow you to take a peek at it. Get up early and head straight for the summit of Haleakala (if you're jetlagged and waking up in the middle of the night, you may want to get there in time for sunrise). Bring water, sunscreen, and warm clothing (it's freezing at sunrise). Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the various look-out points in the park. On your way down the mountain, turn right on Makawao Avenue, and head into the little town of Makawao. You can have lunch here, or make a left on Baldwin Avenue and head downhill to the town of Pa'ia where there are a number of great lunch spots and shops to explore. Spend the rest of your afternoon at Pa'ia's main strip of sand, Ho'okipa Beach.

The Road to Hana

This cliff-side driving tour through rain-forest canopy reveals Maui's most lush and tropical terrain. It will take a full day, especially if you plan to make it all the way to 'Oheo Gulch. You'll pass through communities where old Hawai'i still thrives, and where the forest runs unchecked from the sea to the summit. You'll want to make frequent exploratory stops. To really soak in the magic of this place, consider staying overnight in Hana town. That way you can spend a full day winding toward Hana, hiking and exploring along the way, and the next day traveling leisurely back to civilization.

Fodor - Big Island 1-Day Itineraries

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

The volcano is not to be missed. How often do you have the chance to see earth being formed? Call ahead of time to check the lava activity and plan your time accordingly. If the volcano is very active, go straight to the lava flow area. If it's less active, find out the best times of day for seeing what lava glow there is and head to the active flows at that time. And don't forget that there's a lot more to see in the park. Hike on the Kilauea Iki trail, a 4-mile loop that takes you down through volcanic rain forests and then across the floor of a small vent, and check out the Thurston Lava Tube. Just before sunset, head down to the ocean via Chain of Craters Road; this is the best spot to see the nighttime lava show. Consider staying a night in Volcano village, especially if your home base is on the Kona side. It will give you the time to explore, without having to rush off for the long (over 2 hours), dark drive back to Kona.

Waipi'o Valley

Completely off the grid today, it's hard to believe that Waipi'o Valley was once home to a thriving little village, not to mention early Hawaiian royalty. Waipi'o is a uniquely Big Island experience -- untouched nature and a mystifying bit of island history. It's best to book a tour to see the valley either on horseback or from a jeep. Most tours last from two to four hours.

Hamakua Coast

This jagged stretch of coastline along the eastern side of the island embodies all things tropical. There are waterfalls galore, and the trees and plants are thick and bright green. It's wet, but it tends to rain most in the mornings and clear up in the afternoons. Plan to spend some time driving down the tiny roads that dart off the main highway. Anywhere you see a gulch, there's a waterfall waiting to be discovered. And keep your eyes peeled for rainbows.

Kohala Beach Day

Chances are that one of the main reasons you came to Hawai'i was to lie on the beach and work on your tan. You will not be disappointed with the Kohala Coast. Hapuna Beach has powdery soft white sand and crystal clear blue water. Or get an early start and hike into one of the Kohala Coast's unmarked beaches, like Kua Bay or Makalawena. Either way, end the day at a seaside restaurant in Kawaihae or Kailua-Kona, watching the sunset and sipping a mai tai.

Paniolo Country

Upcountry Waimea is not what pops to mind when you think Hawai'i -- rolling green hills, a chill in the morning, and ranches. Stop first at the old sugar-cane town of Hawi or at Pololu Valley. Then take Kohala Mountain Road (Highway 250) up the hill to Waimea, stopping along the way to snap pictures of the incredible view. There are several ranches in Waimea where you can go horseback or ATV riding. Plan on staying for dinner at one of Waimea's top-notch restaurants.

Fodor - Honolulu 1 Day Itineraries

First Day in Waikiki

You'll be up at dawn due to the time change and dead on your feet by afternoon due to jet lag. Have a dawn swim, change into walking gear, and head east along Kalakaua Avenue to Monsarrat Avenue, and climb Diamond Head. After lunch, nap in the shade (sunburn!), do some shopping, or visit the nearby East Honolulu neighborhoods of Mo'ili'ili and Ka'imuki, rife with small shops and good, little restaurants. End the day with an early, interesting, and inexpensive dinner at one of these neighborhood spots.

Windward Exploring

For sand, sun, and surf, follow H1 east to keyhole-shaped Hanauma Bay for picture-perfect snorkeling, then round the southeast tip of the island with its wind-swept cliffs and the famous Halona Blowhole. Fly a kite or watch body surfers at Sandy Beach. Take in Sea Life Park. In Waimanalo, stop for local-style plate lunch, or punch on through to Kailua, where there's intriguing shopping and good eating.

The North Shore

Hit H1 westbound and then H2 to get to the North Shore. You'll pass through pineapple country, then drop down a scenic winding road to Waialua and Hale'iwa. Stop in Hale'iwa town to shop, to experience shave ice, and to pick up a guided dive or snorkel trip. On winding Kamehameha Highway, stop at famous big-wave beaches, take a dip in a cove with a turtle, and buy fresh Island fruit at roadside stands.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is an almost all-day investment. Be on the grounds by 7:30 AM to line up for Arizona Memorial tickets. Clamber all over the USS Bowfin submarine. Finally, take the free trolley to see the Mighty Mo battleship. If it's Wednesday or Saturday, make the 5-minute drive mauka (toward the mountains) for bargain-basement shopping at the sprawling Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.

Town Time

If you are interested in history, devote a day to Honolulu's historic sites. Downtown, see 'Iolani Palace, the Kamehameha Statue, and Kawaiaha'o Church. A few blocks east, explore Chinatown, gilded Kuan Yin Temple, and artsy Nu'uanu with its galleries. On the water is the informative Hawai'i Maritime Center. Hop west on H1 to the Bishop Museum, the state's anthropological and archeological center. And a mile up Pali Highway is Queen Emma Summer Palace, whose shady grounds were a royal retreat. Worth a visit for plant lovers: Foster Botanical Garden.