We enjoyed two days on each of Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, returned comfortably to the original port of Honolulu on Oahu, and had plenty of entertainment, comfort and high-quality service along the way.

BBC: Otherworldly Hawaii, for less

While the warning at the time said waves could surge between 3 and 6 feet, the largest wave, measured in Kahului on the island of Maui, was about 2.5 feet above ambient sea level.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Airports on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island were temporarily closed but have since reopened.

BBC: Resources for travellers stranded by Japanese tsunami

On this back side of the island, the West Maui Mountains exert themselves and push the road around like a piece of string, tight switchbacks yield to long swooping arcs that bring me deep into valleys and then shove me back out toward the coast.

CNN: Driving Maui's wild highway

The best starting point is " Lonely Planet's top 10 Hawaiian vistas", a survey of the best spots across Maui , O'ahu and the Big Island where you will take the obligatory perfect photo and explore from there.

BBC: This is Hawaii week

Paia, Maui's North Shore surfer outpost, is the refreshing antithesis of the sprawling resorts on the island's south side.

CNN: 10 dazzling hideaways by the sea