OT; Going to Hawaii... Which Island is best?

Ladder7

colebears' thread on San Diego got me thinking.

We're planning our 25th anniversary in May, 08. So far we're considering two weeks in Maui. Mostly cuz we're older and Waikiki is too nutty. Ideas anyone?

lawnmowerman

I have no idea but congrats and have fun!

Matt

Publius

Kona.

Some of the best diving Ive had. Did a really cool night dive there where they put out some lights to attract the plankton, which attracts the stingrays. Just amazing.

Good hiking, great nightclubs

lawnmowerman

<< <i>Kona.

Some of the best diving Ive had. Did a really cool night dive there where they put out some lights to attract the plankton, which attracts the stingrays. Just amazing.

Good hiking, great nightclubs >>



Man, I dont know about that. Werent you thinking about sharks?

I know I would

cravetopps

kauai - lush, tropical, beautiful beaches and quiet
hawaii - rocky beaches, hugw island with lots of varied scenery and terrain such as the Volcano national park. not crowded.
maui - best beaches, good restaurants, more crowded than the above but if you like lots of action and decent nightlife, this is the place

if you want solitude and spectacular beauty go to Kauai. if you want some Don Drysdale memorabilia, go to Hawaii. if you want great sunsets and good nightlife go to maui.

AlanAllen

Kauai, no contest.

mandeld

Maui or Kauai. PM me if you want details on hotels, areas, etc.

FavreFan1971

<< <i>Maui or Kauai. PM me if you want details on hotels, areas, etc. >>



Ditto. The Maui Sheraton at Kanopoli beach is top notch.

PasadenaMudSlide

Been to four islands . . .

Still love the North Shore of Oahu at sunset.

Sunrise at Haleakala on Maui is stunning. Ride the bikes down the mountain afterwards.

You really can't go wrong with any of the islands, my friend.

Wife grew up in Pearl City on Oahu. Spend three weeks there every couple of years.

Leave your crackpipe at home or Dog'll bust you.

roastedcat

Maui's the best, more stuff to do there, it's an island for tourist attractions.

If you do decide to do anything, heres a BIG money saving tip for you, if your going to do some serious funs like snorkling, shark fishing, vocano bike ride down the mountain. Look into time share seminars, don't buy anything, just sign up to attend a viewing, after the viewing is
over, the time share company will hand you tickets to do vacationing events. Every time I go to Maui, I look for timeshare opportunitys, just say no you aren't interested after the showing, and they hand you tickets for the events you want to do. or if you sign up through an agent, and they tell you to view a time share, you can go that route, however those guys will only knock off a few hundred on your event package.

we got a Free helicopter ride, Free Bike ride down the Volcano, & a Free submarine ride, Free shark fishing tour, all for viewing time share and saying no it's not for us in the end.

Griffins

Kauai, hands down. Specifically the north shore.
Big Island 2nd, Maui a close 3rd. Don't waste time with Oahu.

jradke4

kauai. no doubt. calm, peaceful, beautiful, relaxing!!!

baseballjeff

I have been to Hawaii 4 times, and have been to all of the islands. The best island hands down is Kauai. The second runner up would be the big Island. If your trying to get away from it all go to Kauai, if your going to see all of what Hawaii has to offer than go to the big island. The big island (Kona) has the best beaches for playing, and snorkeling, than you could hit Volcano NP, and drive a couple more hours and be away from the desert and into the lush tropical rain forest of the Hilo side.

Great place! Keep us posted!

Jeff

Guru

Maui is the best by far!

If you want to see some pics from my trip or any info, just PM me with your email address. Fantastic place to escape!

Guru

itzagoner

greetings from Poipu Beach

Kauai No Ka Oi

Brian48

<< <i>Kauai, no contest. >>



Ditto. Take a mountain tour. It's well worth it.

JVette

Been to Hawaii about 8 times, and I am a Maui fan. The Kaanapali Beach area is a great place to stay. And Lahaina is one of my favorite cities in the world. Great art shops, shopping and restaurants. Maui offers calm and solitude if you want it - or offers 5 star tourist attractions. The road to Hana is fantastic. Sunrise at Haleakula (sp?) is other worldly. The diving at Molokini (back wall), the Cathederals and Turtle Shoals is great.

Kauai is my next favorite - very laid back. And the Big Island (Hawaii) is next with dramatic scenery. But whatever you choose - you will have a great time !!!

- Jack

MCMLVTopps

You can't miss with Kauai. Stay in Kapaa, or the Poipu area then make daily trips to explore and enjoy. You would do very well to find Polihale Beach State Park on the western edge of the island. A bit rough to get there through the cane fields, but you will be well rewarded for the effort. Hit the north shore and find the hiking trail along the steep cliffs. Much to see and do on Kauai, really a no brainer. If you think of a helicopter ride, this is the island to see from the air!

If you really want to blow it out (your 25th), I would highly recommend the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on The Big Island. It ain't cheap, but you'll never forget the luxury and ambience. You can make a nice day trip around the island to visit Hilo and Volcano National Park.

Should you really be adventurous, Maui is hard to beat as well. Drive the Hana road and enjoy the scenery, twists and turns with waterfalls along the way. Find Charles Lindbergh's gravesite...he's buried in the Palapala Ho'omau church graveyard in Kipahulu. Your rental car is not supposed to continue around the island, but it's quite a drive if you're up to it. Drive up to Haleakala and drink in the view. Air gets a little thin at 10K elevation, but the drive is worth it. If you stay in Maui, the Maui Prince Hotel is hard to beat...a companion property to the Hupana Beach Prince. If you drive all the way around, watch your oil pan!!

I think Oahu is a bit congested to enjoy, although I'm sure there are nice places to see.

Salinas

I have been both to Kauai and Oahu. I am heading to the Big Island in November for 10 days. Out of the first two, I recommend Kauai without a doubt. Unfortunately for me and my wife, we were there during the historical floods last year. So we were in our hotel in Kapa'a for most of the week. If you go to Kauai, stay near Kapa'a or Poipu. It is centrally located to the other places on the island. I would recommend a helicopter tour and seeing all of the different beaches you can. You can see places where they filmed Fantasy Island and Jurassic Park. Check out Kauai Revealed (a blue book that is great for local dining places, secret beaches, and places to stay). Oahu was too crowded for me. Other than Waikiki Beach, there was not much else to lay around and enjoy a typical beach. But the North Shore and its shrimp boats were great. And you can take a tour of Pearl Harbor. I recommend everyone see that.

I am hoping that the Big Island is great this November. I want to see the volcano erupting. On the way to work this morning I was reading the companion blue book to the one I recommended earlier: The Big Island Revealed, so that I can start planning our activities for our trip.

BobaFett72

i strongly urge you to avoid picking up any suspicious Tiki idols

Publius

<< <i>Kona.

Some of the best diving Ive had. Did a really cool night dive there where they put out some lights to attract the plankton, which attracts the stingrays. Just amazing.

Photo of the stingray dive at Kona i took.

jradke4

If you are going to go the big island and Volcano National Park, stay at the Volcano Lodge Bed and Breakfast. Its great. It was started by the makeup artist from Magnum PI, after he went to Europe to become a Chef. The food is to die for.

If you go to Kauai, look for some specials on Condos in the Poipu area. My wife and I were there the week before thanksgiving last year and got a great deal on the rooms. To top it off I played Poipu Bay Shores golf coures (it a Hyatt operation I think) just a few days before Tiger and three others pros played it. I saw some of them after my round but not Tiger. That course has some of the best views of the ocean.

Ladder7

So far, It's Kauia now. The downhill bike ride and "Grand Canyon" look spectacular. I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

"A very popular biking tour is the 12 mile canyon to coast downhill bike ride. This fun and exciting bike ride from the rim of the famed Waimea Canyon (often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii) travels from the 3500' elevation, down 12 miles of smooth winding blacktop all the way to the shores of the blue Pacific. You'll stop along the way to take pictures and learn about the history, culture and legends of this beautiful area on Kauai. This is a short tour of only about 4 hours or so and has departure in both the morning and the afternoon."


Hanalei Kauia, Some big waterfall on that mountain out there!