Hawaii, hands down. Tremendous diversity of landscape, climate and culture.

The topography of each destination is quite opposite. What exatcly are you looking to do on vacation as that will determine which one would be the better choice fo you? Right now, most of the answers will be people's personal preference and not what you might be looking for. For example, we liked Aruba over Hawaii.

YOu couldn't pick two more different beach destinations.
Aruba is a desert island...barren and dry.
Hawaii is lush with vegetation and gorgeous scenery.

Hawaii.

It wouldn't even be close for me, although I've been to Aruba and Hawaii many times. I'd choose Hawaii any day over Aruba, and would go more often if it was closer to the East Coast. But without knowing your preferences,-- do you want to do a lot of sightseeing? do you want to island hop? or are you just looking to flop on a beach for a week, etc.-- it's hard to advise you.

Hawaii, no contest.

Been to both...Hawaii gets my vote!

Agree....Hawaii...Have been to Maui and Aruba and Maui was way more beautiful and lush.

www.stayhawaii.com www.konaweb.com for me recently

www.princeresortshawaii.com Hapuna Prince for me last

priceline.com package for 1 week incl air car $1k pp great deal

Best variety adventure less rain on Kohala Coast volcanoes.

Aruba ok a deserty little island like the Hyatt Palm Eagle

great winter beach with warm water nothing much else going

on more dodginess casinos party drugs etc.(Mr Frogs the worst)

recent crimes involving US females so I would skip it.

US women tourists

I have been to Hawaii and love it. I was just seeing opinions on this.
Thanks

qwovaadis, to what recent crimes involving US females are you referring? I heard the story of an American woman who was murdered in Aruba and her American traveling companion/boyfriend is suspected. Othewise the only case I've heard of is Natalee Holloway and that happened 6 years ago. Are there more stories I've missed?

I'm pretty sure those are the only two.

Interesting how one or two isolated incidents that are reported and media-hyped get so much attention and people want to not recommend a particualr Island as a vacation destination to others. Before doing that, they should really look in their own backyards. How many people are murdered and reported missing on a daily basis in the USA and other countries? Most people don't tell others to not to go there on vacation. Giving acurate information and telling that person to research thier options before making thier own informed decision is one thing. Telling them not do go just because of what has been reported in the news is another.

Which island on Hawaii? I hated Aruba. So over-developed and too many chain restaurants. If I were given a free trip I do not think I would ever go back there again.

To the repliers: is there any carribbean islands that would be better than Hawaii in your opinion? Have been to Hawaii, but would like to see the carribbean also.

Chris97141, post a new thread with your specific criteria for a vacation, what you want to see and do, the type of topography you are looking for, budget and departure airport and you'll get plenty of replies.

Chris~ I wouldn't say "better than Hawaii" but I also love Jamaica. It's a very beautiful island.

I agree with Suze, but also really loved St. John and Nevis.

Hawaii. Even sitting out on your lanai with a glass of wine at night is better than anything Aruba has to offer!

Hawaii is a tropical paradise, Aruba is a desert Isle. Want to hit the beach, gamble, eat good food, yet keep expenses low go to Aruba. I spent one day off a cruise ship on the island and I loved it.
If you like surf, snorkeling and boogey boarding, volcanoes, lush tropical landscapes, unbelievable sunsets, with lots of night life, do Hawaii. I spent three weeks there. A one week cruise, 4 Islands, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, & Oahu. The cruise features a night sail-by Kilauea, and an evening sail-by the Kauai coast. Great scenery, but the cruise experience (on board) was only fair. We spent two weeks in Honolulu (Oahu) and loved it. Honolulu is a big city lots of people watching unfortunately some homeless too. Beaches are nearby and the surf is world class. Witnessed the Volcom Pipe Pro surfing Championship Jan. 2010. You can snorkel, surf, and bogey board all within 30 minutes of the city depending on traffic. Lots to do but it is pricey. My choice would be Hawaii.

We have been to both Aruba and Hawaii. Although Aruba is very beautiful with great beaches, shopping, food and people, I would choose Hawaii over Aruba any day. Hawaii is pure heaven in every sense of the word. I love Maui and Kauai and Oahu is a lot of fun. Hawaii is very expensive for us Canadians, but it's worth it. I would go back to Aruba, but my first choice is definitely Hawaii.

The two destinations that you picked couldn't be more different. Hawaii is a tropical paradise. It is lush, green and beautiful. Aruba is a fun island with great beaches, restaurants and nightlife but is a dry arid island. It actually surprised me the first time we went there in 2002 because we had been in Maui for our vacation the year before. I wasn't expecting it to be so flat and dry. I've grown to love Aruba over the years but you need to decide what you are looking for in a island. If you can afford to go to Hawaii, it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

WHile I liked Hawai'i (we stayed on Oahu and the Big Island) and liked it just fine, I would return to just about any island in the Caribbean over Hawai'i. Without knowing more about *you* though, it's hard to make recommendations either way.

Easy answer= Hawaii

You may want to consider Granada! It is close to Aruba but very much like Hawaii! You get the best of both...lush tropical mountains and beautiful beaches. My 2nd choice would be St. John. Can't go wrong with either of these two gorgeous islands.