If you look at Waikiki (tourist capital USA) then you’ll find high rise condos and hotels……but if you venture out to the windward side of Oahu, then you’ll find the fabulous beaches and laid-back Hawaii that you’re looking for.

I would suggest you look into a bed and breakfast type place on the windward side (Kailua, Kaneohe, Lanikai, etc) of Oahu or visit one of the neighbor islands.

Good luck finding what you’re looking for….happy travels!

Go to Maui HI, you won’t regret. You can lay around all day, on the beach or spend time in the water, clear blue blue water. It’s almost unreal.

Sure, Waikiki Beach is where all the hotels (well most of the hotels are located in that area), but really, it doesn’t seem to me as crowded (and I have been there six times). We usually go in May (around the earliest part) while the kids are still in school (less crowded). It is not all bad, in fact, you can laze around the beach and it doesn’t really affect you that much. Now, I have seen the webcam for Waikiki Beach and Kuhio Beach last evening, and it was jam packed there!! It is live webcams taken at the time it is in Hawaii.
You can go to other parts of the island that isn’t as crowded and I usually stay at the “Diamond Head” end of Waikiki where there is less action. Pacific Beach Hotel. It is right across the street from Waikiki Beach, but it is more “toned down and quieter at that end then going “ewa”.

It really depends on the island you go to. Oahu (Honolulu) is more of the “high-rise condos and hotels”. I personally love Kauai the best. It is definitely laid back. In the town of Poipu (on Kauai) there is a wonderful family beach where you can play with toddlers. We took our 6 month old and she loved getting in the water. Also builders are not allowed to build anything higher than the tallest palm tree in Kauai, so you don’t see the high rises on that island.

I’ve included a link to a book that we used when vacationing at Kauai. It has wonderful information in it. Hope you have a great time.

GO TO HAWAII!! you wont regret it! obviously anywhere that is touristy is built up, but it is only like that in certain areas. Any of the islands that you choose to go to will have peacseful areas away from the crowd and high rises. My best advice is to just ask some of the locals when you get there ar drive away from the touristy locations. Thats what i did and i found some BEAUTIFUL spots. I couldnt believe how wonderful it was.

Just go to the big Island. They have some touristy stuff. But, most of the whole Island is layed back..For white sandy beaches you can go 20 min. north of Kona to Hapuna beach. For black sand go 1hr. south of Kona or 45min south of Hilo to the beach. Big sea turtles in the water in the summer. Great snorkling.

There are beautiful falls near Hilo (rainbow falls). You can go around the island in a day, or drive and stay and so on. Lava flows and helicopter flights are available.

But, most of all you can just kick back and do nothing. The locals on the Hilo side are more friendly, the Kona side is a little more touristy. Have fun.

Congrats on the Baby!