If it is not too much of a bother, can anyone tell me the specific differences between the islands of Maui and Kauai, please?
Thank you!

Beth I haven't been to the islands in a few years but I think that the major difference between Kauai and Maui is how commercially developed they are. Kauai is more untouched. When we were there the day activities where great but the nights were slower and calmer because of less people (less restaurants etc). Maui is very commercialized. Still beautiful but more tourists.

Kauai is older than Maui, therefor more "scenic" IMO..Kauai has several rivers. Maui more rolling hills versus
scenes like the Napali coast. Kauai more laid back. More night life on Maui.
Weather the same. dry side/wet side.
Both have great beaches.If your looking for, what I consider "tropical paradise" it's Kauai hands down IMO.

I haven't been to Kauai for quite awhile but I think the difference is mainly in the ambience and scenery of the place. Kauai seems to be more laid back but there are places on Maui that fit that laid back feeling as well.

Kauai is lush, beautiful and green because it is the oldest of the main islands in the chain. It is small and easily assimilated. Maui is larger in area but has a more varied scenery. You can visit Haleakala volcano in the morning and be freezing cold and swimming after lunch! You can drive through a rainforest on the way to Hana or spend the day Upcountry visiting flower farms, shopping in funky little Makawo or wine tasting at Tedeschi Winery!

You can't beat tourist shopping on Maui! Lahaina is filled with tourist kitch as well as galleries full of fine art and everything in between!

In my opinion, either island is a great choice but Maui just has more of everything.....hotels, condos, restaurants, shops, nightlife, scenic drives, and yes, tourists too..... but they have more room to spread out

Choosing is a tough job, but somebody has to do it....lucky you!!

Two separate islands with two separate histories. Something tells me you are only looking for superficial differences like landscape, hotels and restaurants. Go to a book store and look over Maui Revealed and Kauai the ultimate guide, both are by Andrew Dougherty and his wife. Both are very light reading filled with pictures you can quickly flip through and come to your own conclusions.

Have been to Maui twice, about to go next month to Kauai for the fourth time, so that will tell you what I think.

Maui is nice. However, it is VERY commercial. I know this will sound strange, but I'd rather stay a few days in Honolulu than go to Maui. Honolulu, I expect the commercial nature, the crowds, etc., but even with it, there's something neat about Honolulu. The commercial aspects of Maui really surprised me and bothered me. Too crowded. Too many highways. Admittedly, there are nice, interesting things to do on Maui with a car, but the resort areas are just too crowded and Miami-ish to me.

Kauai is heaven. It is, to me, the Hawaii I would imagine if I hadn't been. Posh, green landscape, beautiful scenery, rivers, waterfalls, even a canyon!! It is idyllic. But, it is very quiet, no nightlife to speak of, except what hotels offer, so it just depends on what you're looking for.

Each island publishes a free magazine size "Vacation Planner", both useful and I think the Kauai issue is excellent. You can order through the State's site:

gohawaii.com & click thru' to the relevant island's page.

I'll summarize it to you in simple terms, Kauia is BOOOOORING and Maui is WAIKIKI WANNABE.

Kauai is not boring if you have some money. At least learn how to spell it before you knock it. Z is very close on the Maui description.

It's a shame to see some people knock Maui. Maui was the best vacation I've been on and VERY beautiful to boot. I think it had just the right combination of "commercialized" area and peace and beauty.

You people are absurd. Both Maui and Kauai are pure paradise and to travel to either is a complete privilege and luxury. Anyone who thinks Maui is like Waikiki (which is neither a luxury nor a privilege to visit) has obviously never been to Hamoa Beach in Hana. True, Maui is more developed than Kauai, but just like most tourist popular destinations, once you escape the tourist centers, there is unadulterated beauty and culture to be explored and savored. Avoid spending too much time in Lahaina, Kahului, Kiehi and regretfully now, Wailiea, and you'll see the real Maui.

sn all the more reason to go to Kauai it will suffer the same fates as Oahu an Maui in our life time.