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.

I like St Croix, St Maarten and St John. Closest to Hawaii would be St John.