Oahu or Maui?

[raidermatt]

We prefer Maui becuase its less built-up than Oahu. (Not that Oahu is a "bad" place by any means...).

If you want the most shopping and entertainment choices, Oahu would be best. If you want more of the "natural" experience, Maui is better (with Kauai being less developed than Maui).

Maui still has places with nightlife and shopping, there's just not as much as on Oahu.

We've never stayed in Wailea, but it is very nice.

Ka'anapali is also a good spot. It has nice beaches, a shopping village, and is only a 10 minute drive from Lahaina.

As others have said, the road to Hana is worth the trip. Just allow a full day as there are lots of places to stop and relax along the way (waterfalls, black sand beaches, etc).

If you like snorkeling, you can sign up for a trip out to Molokini, which is awesome.

We also like driving up to the crater of Haleakala. (bring a sweatshirt as it gets cool up there). You can also bike ride down Haleakala, or do some hiking if that's your thing.

Have fun! Its a wonderful place!

 

[aunties]

Definitely Maui!

I was not impressed with Honolulu or Waikiki or eve Diamond Head. Though, I would highly recomend a visit to Pearl Harbor. It was a short and inexpensive plane ride from Maui to Oahu to do this.

The road to Hana is breath-taking in more ways than one! I can't remember how many hairpin turns there are. The scenery is gorgeous. Definitely is worth the day-long drive. I would recommend taking a picnic lunch. The restaurant at the end is not much better than fast food. Most hotels will pack a lunch for you. Also drive Haleakala (sp?), the volcano on Maui. It is another beautiful drive.

Lahina has some great restaurants and shopping.

One thing we did, though outrageously expensive, we took a helicopter ride over the active volcanoes on the big island. It was unbelievable.

 

[catsrule]

Thank You, everyone.

 

[browneyes]

Are you taking me to Hawaii, MJ?


I bet Simba chooses Meowi.

 

[catsrule]

Meowi does have a huge litterbox.....

 

[Pop Daddy]

I love cats, could I come

 

[Sandy51]

Definitely Maui

You can do a day trip to Oahu to do the tourist stuff. You should not miss The Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Cemetery, Waikiki Beach, and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

On Maui, we stayed at a very nice condo in Kapalua. Not too expensive, and close enough to Lahaina for dinner and shopping. Do not miss the sunrise at Haleakla and the glorious night sky before the sunrise. It's a beautiful island. Can't wait to go back.


Sandy

 

[LuvTigger]

I would also choose Maui, and I live on Oahu! (Which I guess could make me biased...you know how you wouldn't want to vacation somewhere you've lived your whole life!)

Raidermatt really summed it up though, I like Maui because there are things to do, but it as not as developed with Oahu which has a lot of high-rises, etc. Maui still has a lot of natural beauty left, but has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, night life, etc. I agree that the road to Hana, including the 7 Sacred Pools, and Haleakala are must-dos. If you do go to the 7 Sacred Pools, please do be careful though...there have been quite a few drownings of tourists there lately. If you're careful, you should be fine though. We also have a rumored "big cat" roaming the Olinda area (I believe on the hills approaching Haleakala)...people have sited a big cat-like animal, and have found deer carcasses and other "evidence" and we even have a "big cat" expert visiting from Arizona trying to catch it!

I would also recommend Kihei/Wailea. Wailea if you can afford it, Kihei on a budget. We stayed at a condo there, I'm sorry I can't remember the name at the moment, but there's lots of them, but it's a great location, and the condos are typically quite roomy and nice.

Please feel free to PM me with questions. I know most about Oahu since I've lived here my whole life, but I've visited Maui a few times, I probably know most about the Big Island next to Oahu. I've been to Kauai and Molokai once.

 

[FreshTressa]

Just got back from Maui TODAY!!! LOL, what a coincidence.

We stayed in Kehei, and it was perfect. Lahainia seemed kind of far away from everything to me and a lot of the hotels didn't have air conditioning. And it is hotter there. I would pay more to stay in Wailea. We stayed at the last hotel before Wailea, and it was really reasonable and it was easy to get everywhere. There was no beach access from out hotel though.

Wherever you stay though, you'll have a blast!! You have to make sure and make it to big beach.

 

[FOJMO]

We've been to Hawaii twice and stayed on Oahu both times. We LOVE it in Oahu! We like to be "where the action is". Contrary to other posts, I can relax anytime here in Florida (or the Caribbean), so when I go to Hawaii, I want to see and do things.

We are now planning a 10-day trip to Oahu for May 2004, right after DD graduates from HS. We are planning to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort in the Lagoon Tower, which has suites with kitchens. So we will grocery shop in Oahu and make some meals "at home" in the suite.

I've never even wanted to venture to any of the other islands because, although they are beautiful, they are too laid back for me. We are not golfers, tennis players, snorkelers or scuba divers. We are shoppers, nightlife and attraction goers. But, to each his own...

 

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by raidermatt
We prefer Maui becuase its less built-up than Oahu. (Not that Oahu is a "bad" place by any means...).

If you want the most shopping and entertainment choices, Oahu would be best. If you want more of the "natural" experience, Maui is better (with Kauai being less developed than Maui).

Maui still has places with nightlife and shopping, there's just not as much as on Oahu.

We've never stayed in Wailea, but it is very nice.

Ka'anapali is also a good spot. It has nice beaches, a shopping village, and is only a 10 minute drive from Lahaina.

As others have said, the road to Hana is worth the trip. Just allow a full day as there are lots of places to stop and relax along the way (waterfalls, black sand beaches, etc).

If you like snorkeling, you can sign up for a trip out to Molokini, which is awesome.

We also like driving up to the crater of Haleakala. (bring a sweatshirt as it gets cool up there). You can also bike ride down Haleakala, or do some hiking if that's your thing.

Have fun! Its a wonderful place!

I couldn't have said it any better than Matt did -- I agree 100% with him on all those points.

 

[Towncrier]

The drive to Hana is an adventure that you shouldn't miss. You may even want to purchase an "I survived the Hana Highway" t-shirt when you get back to Lahaina. Just leave yourself PLENTY of time for the trip.

We attended a wedding in Hana back in 1997 (which was the reason for our one and so far only trip to Hawaii). The groom was from Hana. The wedding was at Fagan's Cross on the top of a hill overlooking Hana. And the reception was a REAL luau, not the kind that they have for the tourists at the Poly Culture center on Oahu. Because we were there for a wedding, we didn't make the time to see the Seven Pools or the black sand beach. Our mistake.

Perhaps I'll have to seriously look into trading out some of our Disney Vacation Club points for a room on Maui. That's a tough choice. Maui or WDW.

FYI - Our time on Oahu was OK. We visited the Bishop Museum and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. We found Matsumoto's General Store and had a Hawaiian Shave Ice with ice cream and beans. We visited what's left of the Dole Plantation. But mostly we wished we were back on Maui.

 

[catsrule]

Thank You, everyone. DH has been in Oahu, when he was in the Navy. I have never been. I am in shock that he said he would go. 'Whatever makes you happy dear.' is what he said. Looking to go in May 2004.

Gotta look out for that big cat, probably waiting for his Queen....

 

[catsrule]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
I love cats, could I come

I will remember you said that, and never let you forget it....