Maui or Kauai solo?
 

I am yearning for a return to Maui and/or Kauai, but I've never been there solo. I went with my (ex-)husband last time, and these islands seem to be well-suited for couples. Not sure if I'd love it solo. Can anyone share their thoughts or experiences with traveling these islands alone? Thanks (or I should say "Mahalo"!)

I would love to go to Maui solo. The last time I was there my friend was sick so I spent a lot of time alone anyway. I had a car and would just set out exploring the different areas, have a nice lunch and then start heading back to the condo at Napili.

I don't know what style you like but there are lively condo and hotel complexes where you will have people around you.

Did you get a plumeria tat?

If you love Hawaii with a spouse, significant other, or a friend, you'll love it solo! I have visited all the major islands solo (except Molokai, which I visited with a friend). I've gone during Christmas week, when I enjoyed it even though I felt like a freak among the herds of families and endured discrimination from restaurants that wouldn't take reservations for one. And I've gone in May and October, the off-season when going solo is the most pleasant. I even enoyed Waikiki although I absolutely did not expect to.

Yes, the islands are well suited for couples. Their tourist boards aggressively promote them as honeymoon/anniversay/romantic getaway destinations that are also family-friendly; they ignore solo travelers as well as non-romantic friends traveling together, almost certainly out of sheer ignorance. The heavily-crowded areas-- such as Kaanapali on Maui and Poipu on Kauai-- are honeymoon and family havens that may indeed be uncomfortable if you're alone. But if you're looking for nightlife, partying, mingling, or more, that's where you'll find it.

The good thing is that the islands are big and diverse enough so that there are plenty of accomodations away from the all the honeymooners and families. There you can find solitude and something like the "real Hawaii" if that's what you're looking for. That's what I'd recommend, unless nightlife and partying are important to you.

I went to Maui solo last year, and stayed in a condo near Paia. A full kitchen let me avoid the discomfort of having dinner alone (I had lunch in some nice restaurants). It was uncrowded, with a nice little beach that I usually had all to myself. It was also a good base for driving all over the island, enjoying the scenery and the photographic opportunities. Sure it can get lonely at times, but that's unavoidably true of any solo vacation. But that doesn't last, and it's certainly better to be alone in a beautiful place than alone at home (or in a soul-sucking cubicle at work).

If you yearn to go back to Maui and/or Kauai, by all means go alone! Even better, go with a friend and rent a two-bedroom condo so you can get a good balance of privacy and companionship. I've had the best Hawaiian experiences that way, although I've also enjoyed it alone. If the tourist boards could ever get over their old-fashioned belief that vacations are only for families and couples, they could probably bring in significant extra revenue promoting the islands as ideal for the solo traveler as well.

There's only two places I would travel solo in Hawaii. Waikiki on Oahu and Lahaina on Maui. Anything else would be too isolated for my taste. I prefer not to rent a car and you don't have to in these two locations. I like to be able to walk from my hotel and get to the beach, shops, restaurant, bars, galleries, be around people (not be stuck at a resort with couples, retired folks, and families).

If there are other places on the islands that fit my description, please chime in, I'd be thrilled to hear about 'em.

for Plumeria~ what I like may or may not have anything to do with what you seek
;-)

I would not have a problem renting a car and driving around on my own. My concern would just be if many of the active things I did last time (hiking, snorkeling, etc.) would be as doable if I was alone. I hadn't really considered Oahu, but I guess I should since there are no doubt plenty of activities there for the solo traveler.

(And yes....I did get a tattoo of a Plumeria while on Maui!)

Definately Maui. Last time I went to Oahu I couldn't stand it. Way to commercial. Like any other major city. I enjoyed Maui on my own. I rented a car and explored. I had a nice room with a frig right next to the Whaler. Money was an issue, so, I couldn't afford a condo here.

Everyone likes different things and needs different opportunities to have fun on their vacation. For me, I do not find Oahu "way too commercial". And I'm guessing the poster above means Waikiki. There's a lot more to Oahu than just the city of Honolulu.

Crackers, did you get outside of Honolulu to explore the rest of Oahu? You really thought the entire island was commercialized?