|
Having vacationed for a week in Oahu and a week in Maui, I would also have to suggest Maui. It is indeed more quiet that Oahu. It has more of the balance that it sounds like you might be looking for. Beautiful beaches, the road to Hana and the town of Lahaina for great food, shopping or just people watching. Just naming a few things to do. I definitely second reviewing the book Maui Revealed. It has a wealth of info about where to stay, where to eat, excursions. It tells you the good and the bad. Maui is much more laid back than Oahu, but not so back to nature that you won't have other options.
|
I love Oahu...but I agree that Maui sounds like a better choice for these particular posters.
I am a "Big Island" person by the way, so I'll make a plug for it: I think it has the nicest resorts. |
Can't help but agree about giving a review with only one day to go from. We did a circle island tour of the Big Island, and saw enough that we want to see more of. If you go to Oahu and don't get out of Honolulu it's your own fault. As you cheated yourself out of some beautiful scenery, beaches mountains etc. We are planning on Kauai and Oahu as my brother and his wife haven't seen much of Oahu yet, also doing a fly and drive on Maui. Wishing we had more time, but leaving an excuse to go back ( like we need one ). I'm sure which ever you decide on you'll fall in love with it as most on here.
|
I had to step back from the fray and think about this post and the emotions behind it. I have to agree, no matter which major island you choose, you'll fall in love with Hawaii. But just keep in mind, those who actually <b>know</b> Oahu take great offense to those who <i>think</i> they know Oahu and proclaim it to be too busy, noisy, congested, and not worth your time. You can see it yourself from the air as you fly in: All the high rises are concentrated right there in Honolulu proper. But beyond that you can see the other parts of the island are nice, almost pristine. I've done a fun run that circled the entire island of Oahu and there's some wonderful, "undiscovered" parts of the island that more than prove the naysayers wrong.
Read the "Why I love Oahu too" thread and you'll see that there's a ton of wonderful elements to the island, no matter what you are looking for. |
Okay, I have spent just 12 days in my life on Oahu. Although, it would be hard for anyone to deny that Honolulu (including Waikiki) is a more conjested area than other parts of both Oahu and the other HI islands. I personally wasn't putting down Oahu, I just enjouy the vacation expenrience better on other islands. I wouldn't mind a B&B on Oahu suggestion that might have a similar feeling to the B&B's I have stayed at in Maui's Upcountry (Haiku and Makawao). Thanks!
|
There is no "best island". There may be an island that appeals more to some people than to others...this is entirely subjective. What's fortunate for all of us who love Hawaii is that there are so many things to enjoy and experience on each island. Having said that....the original post requested an island choice for seven days, with specifics about beaches, dining, r&r, etc. There are lovely beaches and great food on each island. To me Waikiki is not quiet. It is joyous and exciting. Oahu has stunning scenery....and traffic. For what arubatraveler requested I would recommend Kauai or Maui because they are smaller islands than the BI (also gorgeous, but seven days IMO is not enough). My suggestion -- 15th anniversary Kauai, 16th Maui, 17th Oahu, 18th -- with more than 7 days -- Big Island. Save your vacation days and money on the 19th then come back to the island you liked best for a great 20th anniversary vacation. |
aaaaack! Waikiki is NOT Oahu! Waikiki is a small 2.5-mile stretch of an entire island. You guys are killing me.
|
Melissa.....easy honey....calm down, take a deep breath. There....that's better.....have a mai tai.
Some people know not of what they speak. They talk the talk but haven't spent any time there. You know it, Dusty knows it, Makai knows it, I know it. Right now my main interest is going to Kauai (59 days), but in the 2 years that I lived on Oahu I never ran out of new things to see and do. It is a magnificent island, as all of them are. So many people think Honolulu is Oahu. I lived at Kapiolani Blvd & Date St, across the Ala Wai Canal from Waikiki and I rarely went there (though I love the IMP). There is just to many great things to do on Oahu to spent it all in Honolulu. Honolulu itself is good but it is not the whole island. Some people will spend 1-4 days in Honolulu, 1 day driving around the island, and think that they know Oahu. Melissa, just ignore their ignorance and enjoy the sunset. ((D))8-) |
I don't consider it ignorance at all that people (yes even the ones who make it out of the Waikiki area) STILL find Maui a litte more laid back and relaxing. For some of us, it provides more of an overall balance. That's preference, not ignorance.
|
Okay, this is the good news: you can't go wrong! I've been to Lanai, Kauai, Maui, Big Island and Oahu, and everyone of them is simply gorgeous! Kauai was the most gorgeous with the Napali Coast and Lumahaii Beach, which, though, is not a place to lay out.
No, make that Oahu, with the turquoise Waimanalo Beach and sea turtles swimming about. No, make that the Big Island, with those black sand beaches with the white foam washing up and making turquoise at your feet. No, make that... What a wonderful decision to be making! |
Aloha everyone!! It IS great that we all have our personal Hawaii favs. That's what makes the islands wonderful... they are so diverse. MUST agree with CindyW... that's the aloha spirit!
chasechow, I don't think jamaltay was saying that people who think Maui is more relaxing are ignorant. Seems to me that she was referring to someone who "tags" an island as though they KNOW it when they really don't. I know that I would rather see people make "no comment" if they really haven't spent significant time on an island. It makes sense for those looking for experienced travel knowledge. I love Maui... I love Kauai... I love the BI... I love O'ahu... all for their distinct flavor. Every answer to this type of question will be different ~ just as we're all different. That's why I suggested to arubatraveler to research them all. You really can't go wrong. ((R)) Aloha arubatraveler... happy planning... congrats on the anni! |
Poor Melissa, LOL. Again, I know Waikiki is not Oahu. And where Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hale Koa are on the west end of Waikiki, I really liked it and the beaches there.
|
My vote would be Maui if your looking to relax on a beach. Kaanapali is my favorite and we are heading back there in a few weeks. If you want quiet, the north end of Kaanapali is best. I LOVE Hawaii and think you will enjoy your stay whatever island you decide on.
|
Waikiki is THE MOST FAMOUS BEACH IN THE WORLD - and the most over rated beach in the world. Not only is the beach itself narrow and crowded, but it is actually mostly an artificially created beach which was originally a narrow half mile strip. If you miss Waikiki you have missed nothing. If you have to pick only one Hawaiian island pick any island EXCEPT Oahu!
|
The phrase "pouring gasoline on the fire" comes to mind.
-Bill |
LOL! At first I thought Rusty was Dusty and I almost spit my lunch all over my keyboard. What a hoot. Diversity makes life colorful for sure! Aloha spirit to all! ((R))
|
makai, I had to do a double take on rusty's post, too, thinking dusty did that! One of us is off the meds.....
|
Rusty and Dusty...hmmm...Has anyone seen them BOTH in the same room at the same time?
Rusty - Is there NO part of Oahu that is worth a visit? Just curious. I haven't been there in quite a few years and was thinking about a re-visit... |
The only thing on Oahu that is truly unique and a must see is Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Other than that there is nothing especially unique or notable on Oahu that you can't find on the other islands, and is actually better on the other islands. Other than Pearl Harbor, the only advantages that Oahu has over the other islands are shopping and night life.
|
Yes, I have to agree. There is absolutely nothing special about Iolani Palace, Aloha Tower, Bishop Museum, Contemporary Museum, Byodo-In Temple, the North Shore, and Chinatown, for starters. Ptooey.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:59 AM. |