Craig and I both 51 years old, are planning on staying in hostels the entire trip (not reserved yet), and see and do as much as we can with a rental car without going on tours. This would include driving around and through each of the islands, touring the botanical gardens, aquariums, rainforests and arboretums, wildlife parks and refuges, hiking to the lava flow and through the Thurston lava tube, exploring the beaches, seeing the large houses, shopping, driving the Road to Hana, etc. We have a dirving guide we are following and I am inserting the activities I have found for each area that we drive. I'm sure you can imagine that our manual is hundreds of pages long at this point because I have the sights itemized with a short explanation, the directions on how to get to each, the hours of operation, and the cost for adults.

Craig has asthma and can't swim, and I can swim but am overweight and have a bum ankle and knee. I will probably have my cane with me or may bring my wheelchair (without foot rests). Both of us are blind without our glasses and they don't make prescription goggles strong enough unless specially made (I'm -13.25 and he is -12.50).

Paid commercial activities we are considering are parasail, zipline, tubing, snorkel (probably off shore), ATV, ocean raft, helicopter and plane ride, Duck tour, tours that take us to the volcano summits where a rental car isn't allowed, Polynesian Cultural Center, Luau and Show, just to mention a vey few of what we have already found on the internet. We have not decided on any tour particular company at this point and wouldn't mind recommendations. Craig will be fit enough to do most of these, and I can watch him on several or he can go alone if need be.

We would like to find more unusual activities that are not highly advertised. I wouldn't mind a nice boat ride without the snorkeling on any of the islands but I haven't found this yet. The Duck tours were not highly advertised and sound fun. Also tours that will take us places where we can't go with the rental car.

Of course there is the shopping, self tour sightseeing, etc. that we have already found. We do not plan to golf, fish, nothing romantic, no dinner cruises, no expensive restaurants, no museums, not too many historical places, no sunning on the beach, no bars or clubs. Our goal is to see as much of each island as we can, and do as many activities as we find in the time we will be there.

A
Sounds like a fantastic trip - and you are so well prepared ) You're already one up on everyone else.