Monilonilei

I´m planning a trip to Hawaii in Mar. 2007. I´ve never been there before and now I´m not sure to wich island we (me and my boyfriend) should go. We don´t like the "big city fuss" so much. Maybe a place that isn´t so touristy. I´ve been looking at Big Island and Maui over internet, but I cannot deside.
Tell me about your own expirience.
If you want I can help you with trip advice to Finland instead.

Ida101

Why not visit more then just 1 island?
I think almost all places in Hawaii are touristic, one more then the other.
Fly to Big Island, Kona, rent a car and circle the island in 2-3 days (overnight in Hilo)with visits to Volcano Nat. Park, City of Refuge, Waipio Valley etc.
Then fly to Maui, drive to Hana and the Halekala.
Kauai is another option with Waimea Canyon.
That way you make your own schedule, see a lot, stop where you want etc.
So much to see and do.

carolyn

Since you have not been to the Islands before, you owe it to yourself to see Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head on Oahu and at least drive along Kalakaua to see Waikiki Beach. Assuming you really don't like it there, as soon as you get away from town, Oahu is as beautiful and as empty as any of the other islands. Maybe you can tell it is my favorite.

OldSouthernBelle

Having only been to Maui and Oahu, I'd recommend Maui. Oahu has both big city and more 'natural' areas so it's a good blend, but since you don't like 'big cities' Maui would be a good 1st visit.

We are planning a visit to BI and Kauai next year. Big Island may be another great choice for you if you have several days to enjoy it.

MelissaHI

Did you also do some research on the board?

http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....ses=16&start=0
to start.

Linleedo1

We loved Maui & Kauai. We didn't want the Big City Fuss either.(We were trying to get away from the hustle & bustle of life). We loved Maui.We stayed at the Sheraton Maui on Kaanapali Beach. Lots of things to do if you choose:nature-waterfalls, smorkeling at beaches, scenic Road to Hana(we did a tour instead of driving(much more relaxing)Iao Needle;great restaurants& different towns to visit. Kauai was gorgeous-green, lush & awesome. We enjoyed a helicopter ride over the North coast & the Napali coastline. It was unreal. We stayed at the Princeville Resort for our 25th Anniversary. Pricey. We loved it.If you don't stay there, at least visit it to eat(the Friday night Seafood Buffet was out of this world) & enjoy the view of Bali Hai. We had a short visit to the Big Island. We mainly wanted to see the Volcano. Unfortunately, we stayed on the Kohala coast of the island. We were only there for 2 full days,so we booked a tour of the island.Big disappointment. Some roads were closed in the park & we never saw the lava flow. Had we known, we wouldn't had stayed on the Big Island & would have taken a day trip to the Big Island & booked a helicopter ride to see the volcanos. Hope this helps.

Monilonilei

Thank you so much........all of you.
I will talk it over with my boyfriend and HE can decide between Maui & Kauai.
As you can see I´ve narrowed it down to these two now! Maybe we´ll do as you Ida suggested, visit them both! Thank you once again.