Jackie

I'm curious--for those of you who love Maui, why do you prefer it to the other three Hawaiian islands?

KK

Jackie if you want to read hundreds of opinions about Maui, good and bad, type Maui into the search box. Fastest way to get lots of answers.

Mike

Maui has more activities than the other islands. Less crowded than Oahu, but more to do than Kauai and the big island.

Tracy

You know, I hear so many people say the same stuff about how Maui has "more activities" than the other islands, but what exactly does that mean?? I'd really like to know what kind of activities you can find on Maui that can't be found on the other Hawaiian islands. Hiking? Snorkeling? Nightlife?

Kathy

Whales is Feb is what takes me to Maui. Each island is special and different. I also love the flowers at different stops along the Hana drive. Yikes hate that drive but if you buy the tape and are on Maui in July you will see some great flowers.

jan

Ok Maui is the best!! Beautiful, peaceful, it's just perfect!! Oahu is citified. If you want City life just go to Oahu. I felt like I was at home when I went there. Maui is inner peace, beauty... It's paradise!!

Jen

Is Maui more beautiful and peaceful than Kauai??

Sarah

Jane Maui is different. I think the landscape on Kauai is more dramatic and diverse. You have Waimea canyon in the West, Napali coast line on the North Shore, Lighthouse area with bird migration watching, Alikai swamp more bird watching and a region of forest unlike any place else in the world.

Maui has and I need more help as I am Kauai gal (in-love with), Hana drive with water falls, the seven sacred pools, bamboo and flower spotting if you rent audio tape for drive. Haleakela (dormant volcano crater top) which is like a walk on the moon, silverswords watching on the drive up Haleakela. Io (sp) needle on another shore, upcountry drive on the back side of Haleakela. Old Lahaina Lua which is the last authentic Lua on any island.

Put simply you are comparing coconuts to guava here.


NOBODY CAN TAKE JUST ONE TRIP TO THESE ISLANDS THEY ALL OFFER SOMETHING & DIFFERENT. I still don't know how people can go to the islands and skip seeing the volcano dripping into the ocean at night. But I did this just last summer when I took people to see Kauai last summer.

Sarah

Sam Choy's for thanksgiving because he focuses on big, also on food network and a number of cook books. I like his location in town.

Alan Wong's (fusion) just voted as a top US restaurant in U.S Roy's in Hawaii Kai similar cooking stlye and equally yummy. They blend french and and Asian styles....You won't go back to exclusively French food once you taste.

Legend's Seafood for superior Chinese.

Kincaids yummy American (Steak and Seafood) near alamoana mall in Ward Wharehouse. Pleasantly surprised here this past summer.

Michel's in the W hotel very romantic and a glorious view of the Ocean but food is French and this seems a waste to me when you are so close to Asia here. But oh that view will knock you off your feet and the food is good just not overwhelmingly new if you are coming from the east coast.

CHOW!!!

Sarah

sorry Jackie I have accidently gave you a response for someone looking for restaurants on Oahu

Celeste

I lived on Oahu for three years and always said Maui was my favorite island, but now I can't say that as parts of Maui certainly are as "citified" as parts of Oahu. The north and windward shores of Oahu are just as laid back as parts of Maui. I think Kauai is truly beautiful and different than both Maui and Oahu, as is the Big Island, but different people like different things. If you've never been to Hawaii before, go to Waikiki for a week and never venture to other parts of the island, or another island, you have not seen Hawaii. Likewise, if you only visit Maui or Kauai or the Big Island and skip Oahu, I don't think you've really seen Hawaii.

Hawaii is NOT just Waikiki but it's not just Maui, either!

travelgal

I am going again to Maui and probably to big Island in April--What do you mean that you haven't seen Hawaii if you havent been to Oahu??? What is there that is not at the other two besides big hotels?? really I want to know-what?

Celeste

Waikiki and Honolulu are the only real city areas on the island of Oahu. Although I love strolling through Honolulu (especially Chinatown) with its gorgeous backdrop of mountains, visiting Pearl Harbor's Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri, hiking up the extinct volcano of Diamond Head to see the glorious views of Waikiki and the windward coast, visiting Punchbowl National Cemetery, hiking up Round Top/Tantalus or a waterfall (these are only the "in town" attractions), I also adore visiting the north shore for its wonderful views, beaches, shops, surfers, shave ice, and people. Waimea Falls valley is breathtakingly beautiful. On the way there, north of Wahiawa, you can visit the pineapple fields and bite into a truly ripe pineapple, not the ones shipped to the mainland long before they ripen. Turn right after the north shore and travel down the windward coast, with more breathtakingly beautiful scenery and picture-perfect beaches. Maybe hang glide. Maybe body surf. Maybe scuba dive or snorkel. There's nothing like Hanauma Bay! Or an afternoon at Kapiolani Park! Or some time at the aquarium and zoo. There are MILLIONS of things to do on Oahu - and all of them are as nice as anything on Maui. Just my little old humble opinion.

xxx

Jackie - your question implies that there are only 4 Hawaiian islands - and everyone responding believes this is true. I noticed that someone else pointed this out yesterday but that post was deleted by Fodor's. This is not your fault - but I'm wondering why Fodors has gone so far as to promote geographic ignorance in order to spare feelings. Too PC, in my opinion.

Jackie

Yes, and I responded to this post. As you see my response was deleted as well. For the second time, I do NOT believe there are only four islands. My post was referring to the only four islands that are visited with any regularity. Why in the world would you assume that those who responded above(politely and on-topic, I might add) actually think there are only four islands, just because they didn't feel the need to point this out?? How's this: I'm curious--for those of you who love Maui, why do you prefer it to Kauai, the big island, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Niihau (yes, I know this one is forbidden and there's probably no one who's ever been there, but heaven forbid we leave it out and promote ignorance in geography)? Satisfied?

Thanks to all who responded with helpful information.

Sarah

xxx just working on getting this thread deleted ignore.
Travelgal do a search on Oahu for all of the cultural events that take place through out the year. For me coming from the east coast I love all things Asian on Oahu; Japanese Cultural Center, Byodo temple, Botanic Gardens near Honolulu or in, chinatown, Kabuki at UH when it is on, Cultural festivals from all over Asia at different times of the year, Foreign film festival in November. These are just a few just can't get this stuff with authenticity on the East Coast. We have a foreign film festival in NYC but you can't get near tickets there is such a high demand. In honolulu I got into every show and then heard lectures from directors ...that was pretty cool. Let's not forget Bishop museum, Iolani Palace, gorgeous Heiau overlooking pacific on the north shore, another birthplace of the Alii in what looks like a field on the way to North Shore. Want to feel Hawaiian spirit and past come to Oahu....Ooops I am not in Oahu so go to Oahu. Love these day dreaming posts. I think April is a nice time to see Oahu less tourist. There is less wide open country space than Maui but there are still beautiful pockets of open space you come here excuse me go there for what I have mentioned in this post.

ALOHA