The Big Island!!!
Waikola Hilton!! Boat to your room. Swim with the dolphins (actually when we were there, 'wading' with the dolphins, since 3 were pregnant, and the trainers said the deep water was kept free just in case a dolphin did not wish to participate). Get a tour of the underground support tunnels & facilities (you need to sign up in advance..).
On the Big Island is the active volcano! Sea Mountain Resort at Punaluu is a great base to start from to see the green sand beach on the South Point, or to go to the Volcanos National Park and see the lava flow at night (take a flashlight 'cause there are no street lights there!!). If you are lucky like we were, you can see the red hot lava lighting up the hill side and watch it quenching in the ocean.
Other favorite places!!!
Oahu!!!
Turtle Bay Hilton on the North shore. Far away from Wakiki beach! But don't forget to go to King's Row for shopping and the Kodak Hula Show. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and climbing Diamond Head are also required activities (at least for us..)!
Maui!!!
Maui has a dormant volcano, but it still is worth seeing!!
Hana Plantation houses are great if you want to stay in Hana! Don't miss the Seven Sacred Pools and Lindberg's grave (not easy to find..). The Red Sand beach is also a must after you have seen the black and green sand beachs on the Big Island! There is also a nice black sand beach right before Hana!
Kihei beaches are the best!!
HAWAI'I LINKS