That "once-in-a-lifetime" Hawaiian getaway-from-it-all

[Tab]

Any advice appreciate - I'm sure you get Q's like this all the time...

I'm getting married this September, and am looking for a place to get away for the honeymoon and not be part of the teeming millions. We don't need to do the "tourist thing".

I've had this fascination with Molokai, but for as much as I've been able to learn about it, I can't tell where on the island and/or if it's really a getaway, or we'd get bored after a few days (granted, we don't need much entertainment - just good food, beautiful scenery, and privacy).

Is Molokai the place to try? What about a lesser-appreciated, but more mainstream, island? I'm also trying to keep the costs reasonable. I'd love to just park in paradise and enjoy the week, but we don't need a ton of shopping or to be entertained every second of the day.

Suggestions appreciated!

Thanks

- Tab

[flamingyouth]

1. I've been to Molokai

It's definitely secluded. Check out some of the condos for rent on the west side, near the Molokai Ranch. I think the resort is called Kaluakoi.:hi:

On edit - definitely see if you can get down to the Kalaupapa colony while you're there.

[Tab]

2. Oh, I can get to lots of places cheap

My question is, will I (1) be glad I went there, and (2) should I be on the east or the west? I gather the topography is extremely different.

[oasis]

3. Kauai: watefalls, valleys, a canyon, flowers everywhere( the garden isle)

and many panoramic views. It's not as commercial as most other islands in Hawaii.

Molokai: I've never been there but it may be too quiet for your first trip to the islands.

[opihimoimoi]

4. Forget Molokai, go Kauai...mo bettah

[Quetzal]

5. Don't go to Maui if you want to keep costs down

Lana'i is kind of expensive as well (although the hotels there are the best in the world - they are in the top 10 category.)

Go to Kau'ai or Moloka'i I say.

[tommcintyre]

6. Yep... Kauai - you won't be sorry.

Splurge a little on a helicopter ride to see the Nepali Coast and the waterfalls (the wettest spot in the world).

Then rent a car and go see Wiamea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific).

As an alternative, you could see three islands in a week. When I first moved here in '91, I booked a package with Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays (I think). We had 3 days on the Big Island, 2 days on Maui and 2 on Kauai. The package included airfare, car and hotel. We flew into Hilo (saw the volcano, etc.), drove north around the island to Kona, then flew to Maui, then to Kauai. It wasn't too expensive then (but I didn't have airfare from the mainland added too). I didn't feel rushed with itinerary, in fact if I had to do it over, I would do one day in Maui (The Volcano is a must, but La Haina and the road to Hana could be missed IMO), and three in Kauai.