We are too senior ladies, wanting to travel to Hawaii in September 2026. Any recommendations for tour companies, all inclusive packages to all four islands if possible. Planning to stay two weeks. Is it possible to see all four islands In that amount of time? Recommendations on the Hawaiian must see or do list.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16859 posts
Road Scholar has several programs in Hawai’i. While I have done 13 with them I’ve not done any of the Hawai’i ones. I’m on my iPad and the silly website won’t capture a search page so go here and just search Hawai’i.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
13381 posts
Hawaii tour from link in Pam's post.
With 2 weeks I would do no more than 3 islands. Even better, do 2 this time and the 'other 2" next time.
Except for Oahu/Honolulu, having a rental car lets you go/do what you want at your own pace. Honolulu is New York city with palm tress as far as cars being useful goes.
Recommendations on the Hawaiian must see or do list.
What are your interests? Each island has its unique features
Any mobility issues?
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2591 posts
In January 2025 (for my 80th birthday), I took the Road Scholar tour that covered four islands: three nights in Waikiki and then 7 nights on a Norwegian cruise ship going to the other islands. I was impressed with the lectures and field trips that Road Scholar had arranged. However, we just hit a few highlights on each island - I can't say we "saw" them comprehensively. And we spent one unplanned day at sea because a storm kept us from our port stop. I'll be interested to see what others post about your question.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3021 posts
christinemcarvey,
My two cents...We have never used a tour company for Hawaii, just gone on our own, which is pretty easy to do on the islands. We have been to Kauai twice, Oahu once, and Hawaii island once. Never been to Maui so I can't make a suggestion. To me, in your amount of time, I would see no more than three islands. Five-six days on Hawaii, four on Kauai, and four on Oahu. I would rent a car on Hawaii and Kauai and on Oahu rent a car just for one day (to drive up to and back from the North Shore), returning it the same evening. In Honolulu the Holo bus card can get you almost everywhere around there, and Lyft and Uber work out well. On Kauai with a car you can visit most of the island in four days. The big island of Hawaii could use 5-6 days. Two in Kona, and three on the Hilo side, driving around the perimeter counterclockwise (or clockwise...no matter). Take a full day to go back to Kona and explore the northern half of the island on the way.
Must see, IMO:
In Honolulu, Oahu...the Bishop Museum, Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl National cemetery, sunset on the beach (at the end of Waikiki, from the Barefoot Beach Cafe), driving to the North Shore along the Kamehameha Highway, a free concert with hula dancers and the Royal Hawaiian Band at the Iolani Palace lawn.
On Kauai... explore Poipu Beach, the Wailua river, Waimea canyon, Hanalei beach, Hanalei town, Limahuli Gardens, McBryde and Allerton Gardens, Wailua Falls, Spouting Horn...really, it is called the Garden Island for very good reasons. It is the oldest and lushest of them. You don't have to be a surfer or snorkeler to enjoy its beauty. Visit a coffee plantation or one of the small old churches (Old Koloa church and the Wai'oli Hui'ia church in Hanalei are historical). And enjoy the chickens walking around while you have an ice cream from Lappert's.
The big island has so much...I suggest you just check out the tourist info website for the island. To be honest, you could spend all two weeks here. I confess to preferring the Hilo side, but the Kona side seems to have more tourists. The whole island is a wonder!
Correction...the Hilo side of Hawaii island may be more lush than Kauai. Some problem to have!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3021 posts
P.S. No need to change lodging on Kauai or Oahu. The islands are small enough to return to your lodging after exploring in your car. We stayed near Poipu and went in the Hanalei direction one day, and the opposite direction another.
Posted by
138 posts
We will be visiting Hawaii in 2027 and I love the generous information provided. Thank you for sharing.
I have looked at tours and found a tour with Tauck that looks interesting as do the Road Scholar tours.
However, I think we will travel independently to try to reduce costs.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3021 posts
Tauck is considered to be one of the most expensive. You can check all the major tour companies to compare, if you wish.