My friend and I (we're gals in our late 20's) are going to Maui in mid-late March and have 2 days to puddle jump. People have highly recommended Kauai - both Poipu and Princeville. Can anyone explain the difference and suggest where we should go for fun in the sun? Have already been to BI and Oahu. What about Molokai or Lanai? Thanks!

If you are looking for "sun in the fun" you should go to Poipu. Poipu is on the southern and usually sunny end of Kauai. Princeville is on the northern end and the weather can be iffy. We stayed at the Sheraton Poipu and loved it. Waimea Canyon is less than a half our away and you can drive to Princeville in an hour if you want. Have a good trip.

Skip Kaua'i. It's overrated. Trust me. I've been there several times. Stay on Maui and find a rental in Hana for those two days.

Good one, Bill, you are acting true to your bumper sticker ("If you love Kauai, tell your friends to go to Maui"). Yes, spending only 2 days on Kauai, would be like ripping your heart out, when you have to leave. Go for a week, or don't bother going at all? Tough call, wattsrocks, but be careful, not spending too much of your precious time "in transit".

If it's on the day of your visit-head to Princeville, if however up north (e.g. Princeville) then check out Poipu (southern Kaua`i)

Anyway appears as "puddle jumpers" you'll be among the most welcome in K'auai or Maui
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/02/10....ap/index.html

Well, that depends.

You say you're going to be on Maui, but you don't say for how long - a week... or a couple of days? It may make a difference on my suggestion. You also don't mention where on Maui you are staying. Again that may affect my answer. South Maui is desert-like, West Maui (especially further north) is fairly green and park-like. Windward Maui is lush, wet and green. With you having been to both Oahu and the Big Island I'm guessing that you already know the difference between what it's like on the windward (Princeville in this case) side and the leeward (Poipu) side of one of these islands. The windward side is lush and green (with generally fewer safe beaches and more rain, but with more tropical-looking scenery) and the leeward side is rather arid and has a bit calmer water(similar in climate/vegitation to Wailea on Maui). If sun and playing in the water is most important to you then Poipu is the obvious choice. If you think you'll have had plenty of time in the sun and water on Maui (this is where the location and length of your stay on Maui comes into play) then by all means stay at Princeville as the scenery is about the best that Hawaii has to offer.

Ken

We are staying at the Sheraton in Kaanapali for 7 days with a 3rd friend who is not interested in island hopping. But she's leaving on the 7th day, so the 2 of us have the extra 2 days to explore. I'm thinking Poipu might be the way to go. Any thoughts on Molokai or Lanai?

If you are just looking for another place to hang out on the beach you ought to just stay on Maui. Its a hassle to fly interisland as you'll lose a half a day each way dealing with airport security, waiting, car rental. IMHO, go to Kauai only if you want to see/hike Waimea canyon. There is plenty to explore on Maui - perhaps drive over to Hana and stay there for a couple of days ? Or if you must see another island then take the ferry to Lanai and stay there.

I'm not looking for "just another beach
to hang out on" or ele I wouldn't be flying half way across the world to go to Hawaii. I have been there 7 times in my lifetime and it is my favorite place in the world, for ALL it has to offer. However most of my time has been spent on the Big Island and that is why I want to explore other islands. Taking a flight to another island doesn't concern me if I am going to experience a new variation of the heaven that is Hawaii. Is it really that much of a hassle? Alanwar suggested Lanai and I would love to hear thoughts on Lanai and why you recommend it over Kauai. Thanks!

I recommended Lanai partly for the same reasons as iamq and because it is a only a ferry ride away from Maui. Security and waiting for the plane is a hassle, but not really a big deal. Losing a half day or more to travel on a 2 day trip doesn't seem like as much fun as a ferry ride.

Lanai (if you get away from the resorts) and Molokai are more different from Maui, Oahu and the Big Island than Kauai. You'll have a different experience on those islands as compared to Kauai. Go to Kauai for the hiking, Waimea canyon, and beautiful secluded beaches.

Sorry to always say this...but you do NOT have to "lose a half day" doing interisland travel! (Gah! Running around ripping my hair out! ) Seriously, sorry to be a freak about this--but I always post when I see this because it's so untrue. All you have to do is book a nice, early flight and the airport will be uncrowded, you'll hop on the plane, and you'll be on the next island in a couple hours total. Grab your car and go.

BTW I would not recommend Lanai over Kauai...there's more to do on Kauai. Lanai is kind of boring (I hope I don't offend anyone with that) and you need to rent a (very expensive rental) Jeep to really see everything. Whereas on Kauai you can rent a regular car and get twice as many scenic/adventure opportunities.