We were married on Kauai 5yrs ago & are planning a trip to Maui, I have been there (Maui) my husband has not, we have everything already booked & confirmed Dec 1-7, should I change it & do Kauai instead? I guess I'm just seeing so many good posts about Kauai lately!

IMO there is no comparison. Kauai is the best - so much more lush and old Hawaii. It is really what you like. When I think of Maui (been there twice) I see T shirt shops and shopping centers. Kauai has me hooked. It is the only island I go to and I have tried them all.

Aren't differences of opinion fun?! I love Maui. (Have been to both islands recently.) When I think of Maui, I think of gorgeous South Maui Beaches, the Iao Valley, and the drive up to Haleakala (especially Kula)!

We were married in Maui four years ago and went to Kauai for our wedding night. Kauai was smaller and charming, but traffic was quite congested when we were there. We prefer Maui and there are still places that are less commercialized there such as Kapalua.

I'm on the fence here. I'd stick with Kal, that Kauai really has nothing to offer - yawn. However Maui is nearly just as bad - bore! Why waste the time not to mention money....

You have already been to Kauai so you know what it is like - very quiet and laid back,lots of outdoor activity, a nature lover's paradise, no night life!! Kauai appeals only to a certain type of person so if you liked it the last time you will like it again. If you were not crazy about Kauai the last time then go to Maui this time.

For me, Maui is an over blown Waikiki. Kauai has Kokee lodge and state park and that is heaven. But I like to rough it - no phones, TV. Just a pot belly stove, stars and the chickens.

For a week of just kicking back - I'm with Kauai. For a few days of intense hiking - I'm with Maui and up on Haleakala trecking across the crater.

If you like fancy, fruu-fruu hotels - then Maui is much, much better than Kauai. Kauai has a few, but not as many.

Personally, try something totally different - stay at a B & B on Lanai - drive down to shipwreck beach. My husband and spent 8 hours hiking that beach and we never saw one set of foot prints.

Or do the Mule ride down to Kalaupapa on Molokai. I believe it is the most beautiful place and sad at the same time.

D

I would do Maui, esp. if you husband has not been there. Alternatively is there an island that neither of you have been to that is of interest, perhaps the BI or Lanai? And what aboput a 2 island trip?

Well, it is all a matter of opinion, so, in my opinion, Kauai is the best choice. It is gorgeous and lush, quiet and peaceful and, yes, devoid of nightlife (which is just fine for me). The hotels and restaurants are better on Maui, but you can find good condos on both and reasonable restaurant choices on Kauai.

In addition, 6 or 7 days is a reasonably good amount of time for you to get your hands completely around an island the size of Kauai, but would be really pushing it for Maui.

For what it counts for, the shopping for arts and crafts is much better on Maui. If you really want hiking, then you can do the 22 mile roundtrip hike of the Napali coastline on Kauai (which would take your entire trip). Remember that 70% of Kauai is remote and nearly inaccessible, so you should find your own part of paradise there fairly easily. If you want peace and quiet and all the beauty your eyes can muster then Kauai would be my choice, but seriously, Maui is no slouch (nor really are any of the islands depending upon what you are looking for).

Good luck.