Kauai or Mr. Big?
 

Love Hawaii. Want to go back. Love tropical, lush, flowers, the beautiiful Hawaiian people, etc. Never been to the Big Island, would love to check it out. Do not want too much desert feel - West Maui had a lot of desert feel (not Kapalua though). Should we try the west side of the Big Island or go to Kauai? Mahalo!

The east side is lush tropical. The west side, other than around Kailua-Kona, is quite arid and incredibly awesome black lava beds! The north-western part (around Mauna Kea) is paniolo country (cowboys)... think vast grazing hillsides. You can see for miles from some of the hillsides.

I was just there a week ago, and loved the BI! Can't wait to go back again. Before this trip, my favorite outer island was Kauai. I've now changed my fave!!

The west side of TBI is even more desert-like than south Maui. It is a series of fairly young (geologially speaking) lava flows that have had little opportunity to develop the soils needed for "tropical lush flowers" atmosphere. Many of the big resorts have lovely plantings that are due to watering. The Hamakua Coast and Hilo/Puna areas are much wetter and greener. The Kona airport is built on a hot, black lava flow. I do love TBI for it's incredible changes in topography/climate.

If you really want more tropical, I think Kauai would be a good choice. North Kauai is certainly wet and green.

If you didn't like the desert feel, you may not like the Big Island. it is a great island for adventure and sports, like mountain-biking or hiking. It is not exactly a spot to kick back on the beach, because the beaches are so new and are not as luxurious as some beaches on Maui or Kauai. The east side of the Big Island gets a lot of rain, which is why it is very lush in vegetation, but, again, can't really sit on a beach when it is raining outside. I loved Hilo, but a lot of people don't like it. It felt very local and authentic to me. Definitely not a party town.

Kauai sounds like a better fit, especially the Northwestern part of the island.

I liked the Big Island. Enjoyed Akaka Falls, the Painted Church, Place of Refuge; the Seahorse Farm; and VNP. Had a wonderful trip.

Then I went to Kauai ... and fell hopelessly and madly in LOVE with the north shore. The area around Hanalei and north of that to Ke'e Beach are magical. Extraordinarily beautiful, lush scenery -- and an hour away you've got the incredible Waimea Canton and Kalalau Lookout.

For me there's no comparison -- but everyone has different tastes and I know many people love the BI.

As songdoc pointed out, everybody loves a different island. I love the big island and it's diversity. However, it sounds like you are Kauia people. I too love the north shore of Kauia and the spectacular combination of geology and flora of the Napali Coast. If you want lush go to Kauai's north shore especially Hanalei.

If you want divisity with one incredible national park go to Hawaii. Or plan on doing both islands.

Since I was born and raised on Kauai, my opinion might be slightly (or a lot) biased... but it kind of sounds like you would fall in love with Kauai. Even the dry part of Kauai (the West side... where Waimea Canyon is located) is still a lot greener than many places.

But, I will say that the Big Island had a wide variety of terrain and there is a lot of really cool areas. Hilo is very lush and green, it basically rains every day. Kona is more the desert side, but the Lava rock scenery is a unique sight to see... just be sure not to take lava rocks home! :)

We did a split between the Big Island and Kauai and loved it. The BI is so interesting due to the volcano and lava flow. If you really want lush and green and gorgeous, Kauai is hard to beat. If I had to pick one favorite, that would be it. The Na Pali Coast is the most beautiful spot I've ever seen.

W Maui has had a desert feel lately because of the drought, but its most often green. The vacation areas of the BI are even more arid and the wet side is not as inviting as even the S side of Kauai.. I think Princeville on Kauai is what you are looking for

Another vote for the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei, Princeville. Paradise.