Final Thoughts: Looking Back on 13 Incredible Days in Hawaii
It's hard to believe that thirteen days, three islands, and countless unforgettable memories could pass so quickly.
When we first started planning this trip, we knew Hawaii would be beautiful. What we didn't know was just how different each island would feel or how much each one would offer. From the energy and history of Oahu to the lush landscapes of Kauaʻi and the adventures of Maui, every island left us with memories we'll never forget.
If there's one thing this trip reminded us, it's that there isn't one "right" way to experience Hawaii. Whether you're spending a week on one island or hopping between several like we did, each destination has something unique to offer. Looking back, we're incredibly glad we chose to experience three different islands, even if it meant a faster-paced itinerary.
Explore Our Hawaii Guides
This article is the starting point.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be publishing in-depth reviews of the places we stayed, restaurants we loved, and excursions we experienced.
You'll find links throughout this guide as each article is published.
Whether you're looking for the perfect hotel, deciding which boat tour to book, or planning your own Road to Hana itinerary, we hope these guides help make planning your trip just a little easier.
Our Hawaii Favorites
🏝️ Favorite Island: This depends on who in our group you ask! 😊 Mine was Kauaʻi, but everyone had a different favorite, and honestly, I think that's one of the best things about Hawaii. Each island offers something completely different.
🏨 Favorite Place We Stayed: The Royal Hawaiian
🍽️ Favorite Restaurant: Mama's Fish House
🤿 Favorite Excursion: Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling
🚤 Runner-Up Excursion: Nā Pali Coast Sunset Cruise
🌅 Favorite Beach: Waikīkī Beach
🌄 Favorite Scenic View: Waimea Canyon
🥾 Favorite Hike: Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls
🍌 Favorite Snack: Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread
🛍️ Favorite Shopping Stop: CocoNene at Kihei Kalama Village
Biggest Surprises
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was just how different each island felt.
We expected beautiful beaches and incredible scenery everywhere we went, but each island had its own personality.
- Oahu blended history, city life, and world-famous beaches.
- Kauaʻi amazed us with dramatic cliffs, lush landscapes, and incredible outdoor adventures.
- Maui offered the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, amazing food, and unforgettable experiences.
How We Budget for a Trip
One thing we always try to do when traveling is balance memorable experiences with smart spending. We try to be intentional with every decision we make while planning a trip. We think carefully about what experiences are worth spending money on and where we can comfortably save without taking away from the overall experience.
One phrase we often joke about is:
"We don't go on vacation to save money."
Meaning, if our goal were simply to save money, we wouldn't travel. We travel because we love experiencing new places, and we're willing to spend money on those experiences. That said, we don't plan or spend frivolously. We believe in spending intentionally.
A few things that helped us keep costs down included:
- Flying Southwest whenever possible and using travel rewards.
- Staying in vacation rentals when traveling with a larger group.
- Grocery shopping for breakfasts, snacks, drinks, and lunches.
- Packing reusable water bottles.
- Mixing free activities like beaches and scenic drives with paid excursions.
At the same time, we also learned that some experiences are worth the splurge. Staying at the Royal Hawaiian, dining at Mama's Fish House, and taking the Nā Pali Coast cruise all exceeded our expectations and became some of our favorite memories.
What We'd Do Differently
Every trip teaches us something, and Hawaii was no exception.
If we were planning this itinerary again, we would:
- Spend additional days on Oahu.
- Buy fewer groceries (especially when we're hungry 😆).
- Continue building flexibility into our schedule for changing weather.
Honestly, though, there isn't much we'd change. Most of these are simply small lessons that will make our next Hawaii trip even better.
Would We Do It Again?
Without hesitation.
In fact, we were already talking about our next trip before we boarded the flight home.
There are still so many places we want to explore, beaches we didn't have time to visit, restaurants we want to try, and adventures waiting for us on each island. Hawaii somehow exceeded every expectation we had, and that's not something every destination can say.
🎥 Watch Our Hawaii Adventure (Coming soon!)
If you'd like to experience this trip alongside us, be sure to check out our Hawaii vlog series on YouTube. From room tours and scenic drives to snorkeling adventures and unforgettable sunsets, we captured as much of this incredible journey as we could.
🎥 Watch the Full Hawaii Series on YouTube (The videos are almost ready, and this blog will be updated when they are)
Mahalo!
Thank you for coming along on our Hawaiian adventure.
One of the reasons we started Windows of Travel was to share honest experiences, practical tips, and the lessons we learn along the way in hopes of making someone else's journey a little easier or inspiring them to book the trip they've been dreaming about.
We hope this guide has done exactly that. Hawaii gave us memories we'll cherish for a lifetime, and we hope this guide helps you create some unforgettable memories of your own.
If you have questions about anything we experienced, we'd love to hear from you in the comments. And if you're planning your own Hawaii adventure, we hope you have an incredible time making memories of your own.
Until the next adventure,
– Krystal & Scott
🌺 Mahalo!