Horseback riding - which Island?
 

On which Island should we experience a horseback ride if we only plan on riding once?

Kauai?
BI?
Mauai?

I've only done Oahu. Big Island sounded exciting.

We did a ride in Waimea (BI) on our last trip. While the scenery (hills and open range, no ocean views) was gorgeous, I cannot recommend the company - Dahana Ranch. It was one of the worst outfits I have ever ridden with mostly due to our overbearing wrangler. At one point I was ready to give up and head back and probably would have had it not been for the fact that I was with 3 other people. Unfortunately I have no experience with other riding outfits on the BI. Have heard good things about the Waipio rides though.

On Kauai, I've ridden with CMJ stables in Poipu. Very good experience there. They separated us into groups of 6 riders per wrangler and spaced the groups so we were not crowded together. Nice ocean views on this ride.

My daughter and I had a wonderful experience with Makena Stables on the south side of Maui. Our two hour sunset ride (including drinks and snacks) cost $130 per person.

Big Island;

My niece and I loved the 6 hour ride Top of Waipi'o down to a fresh water pond and waterfall for lunch/swim and back. The Paniolo Wranglers are delightful guides. Great story tellers and very entertaining. The two hour ride just to the top of the ridge is great if six hours is more saddle than you think you wish to sit. They served us bottled water, macadamia bread, and sandwichs, and we had saddle bags for our belongings. It was a fabulous day! After the ride, we cooled and rested on the porch of the Waipi'o Valley Artworks with the very best home made Kona Coffee Ice Cream we have ever tasted!!! Found fabulous gifts there too, and had shipped home. Then a local meal at the restaurant next to the Pacific Coast Real Estate office in Honokaa. The secret recipe deep fried scallops are fabulous!!! Please, if some one knows the name of this diner, please tell me and the address. I still want to write a thank you note. It was our most perfect Hawaiian day!

http://www.waipioridgestables.com/

Could the restaurant in Honoka'a have been Jolene's Kau Kau Korner? I don't recall if it was next to the real estate office, but it was incredibly good. There's another diner-type spot called Herb's Place, on the same street (the main street in town).