First time Hawaii visitor
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii this August in connection with a conference. The conference is in Honolulu and we hope to be able to visit one other island in addition to it on our trip. We're deciding between Maui and Kauai but are not sure which would better suit our needs. We love the outdoors and like good food, but do not need much nightlife. Also, about how much should we expect to pay for the flight between islands? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kauai for a more natural type setting, outdoor activities, hiking beaches, etc. Maui for more "touristy" stuff, shopping, etc. I'd give Maui a bit of an advantage re. food (but very close).

You say you like the outdoors and don't need much nightlife. That's Kauai to me.

Except to pay between 70-100 one way per person between islands.

I agree -- if you like the outdoors and don't want nightlife, Kauai is the place for you. Very beautiful. I think Maui is overrated, but that's just MHO.

Kauai certainly is not overrated. It is the third most visited Hawaiian Island and that is exactly where it belongs - third!

I Concur with Juanita
Kaua'i IS your best bet.

Agree with choice of Kauai.
RT from HNL will be almost $200/pp. I think if you join as a Frequent Flyer on Aloha Airlines, and/or are Auto Ass'n member, you get some kind of deal on the interisland flight. Once you decide which other island you want to visit,you could plan a route where you fly onto HNL, then fly to the neighbor island, then leave directly from there for trip back home.

We have been to Hawaii twice the first time to Maui and loved it. The scond time to Kauai after a friend suggested it, so we went last month and it exceded our expectiations. It is so lush and gorgeous. The people are friendly and the towns are so cute. Other islands can be so touristy but not with Kauai. I suggest staying on or near the North Shore, the area is breathtaking. To look out over Bali Hai everyday with fantastic and the town of Hanelai is out of a dream.
You cannot go wrong there, so much to do and see. We spent a week and could not see it all.
Aloha!

Regarding inter-island airfare...

Just booked myself Kaua`i to Honolulu roundtrip for a quick business trip. Hawaiian Air $150.50 plus waaaaaaaay too many extra taxes and fees, total ticket $172.97. And that was the low end of the ticket fare selection (whew!).

With fuel prices rising rapidly, odds are that airfares will be rising also. If you can book your interisland now (choices are Hawaiian Air, Island Air, and Aloha Air), do it. They will require payment now, but at least you'll lock in these (laughingly) low fares.