We took the 7 day NCL Pride of America cruise around the islands and then spent 8 nights at Aulani. Great way to seere to see more islands. On the cruise you spend 2 days/ 1 night at Maui, 2 days at the Big Island/Hawaii (2 different ports sailing past the lava flow into the ocean between stops) and finally2 days/1 night at Kauai sailing past the Napali Coast as you depart.
While we were at Aulani we spent a day at the World War 2 Valor in the Pacific National Monument (USS Arizona, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin and Pacific Aviation Museum). We went to the Dole Plantation and the North Shore as well. And we did the Swap Meet (about 1/4 of it) one day too.
The CMs are a wonderful resource for places to visit, shop and eat, especially if you want to save $ or find local things. At the Valet Desk they have preprinted directions to all the local sights with return directions on the reverse so you can get back.
Be sure to check the Daily Iwa for activities. There are so many free things to do at the resort-tours, storytelling, games etc. If you are DVC members there is a tour for members of the best Grand Villa in DVC! (And I love GVs especially VB, HHI and OKW!)
Check this board as well as the FB page ‘Disney’s Aulani Trip Planning’. I found both to be very helpful.
Also Hawaii.com for events and tours. I started a notebook with notes of things we wanted to do and see, Except for the time change (6 hours difference from NY to Hawaii-they don’t do daylight savings time so from April to Novemebr there is an extra hour difference) we had a blast!