We have 1 week, a moderate budget and have never been to Hawaii. If you had to chose 1 island to start with, which would it be and why?

Depends on YOU, Ruby.
What kind of experience do YOU want?
Maui is for the people who want plenty of restaurants, shopping, activities, luxury resorts. Great beaches.
Kauai for those who want the natural, unspoiled tropical ambience. Little in the way of development outside the resorts and main villages. The most beautiful island by far.
Hawaii has the active volcano, is very quiet, great parks, beaches not as plentiful or nice on the whole.
Oahu has a little of everything. It's much more than just Honolulu, but you have to get away from the city to really enjoy it.

Brad your descriptions are very helpful, it simplified things for me. For me great beaches and restaurants area must, luxury resorts are a want, but I can shop anywhere. I think it will be Maui and hopefully a few days to recoup in Kauai.

If you are only going for 1 week, I also suggest you go to Maui. It has the balance of beaches, restaurants, and sites to see. I would not go to more than 1 island in only 1 week; too much time of your time is spent traveling. I would suggest you stay in the Wailea/Makena area if staying in a hotel, or stay in Kikei or Napili if staying in a Condo.

I agree with ddd, don't do more than 1 island in a week and I would recommend Maui. It has a little of each island. If you want to see a little bit of Kauai, go to the Iao Needle park or Hana. You will find plenty of good food and great beaches. Rent snorkel gear by the week and enjoy the fish.

Have fun.

Hogwash.
We always do two islands in a week and it's no big deal.
Just depends on how stressed you get about packing/unpacking.
We travel light.

Kay, you could be right. 2 islands can be done but I would recommend an early morning inter-island filght. If you can arrive on the new island by 10am you have the whole day. If you travel like most people you fly around noon. What do you do in the morning and what do you do in the late afternoon? It takes up an entire day, mentally if not physically.

We also had moderate budget for our first ever trip to Hawaii last year. Picked Oahu for: (1) cheaper airfare (from midwest); (2) huge variety in scenery/attractions/accomodations/excursions; (3) more choices in shopping (to buy our own groceries, etc.); (4) a chance to experience both rural and city sightseeing.

We thought Oahu was awesome. Stayed on the north shore - lovely rural area, perfect for relaxing. And the windward shore scenery is breathtaking. Loved our day-trips to Honolulu/Wakiki (but glad we weren't staying there). And we want to relax on vacation, not run, run, run all the time, so chose to stick to just one island, which made the trip more affordable too.

The original question was which one island would you choose?

My answer is Maui. I have been to all the islands and it is by far MY personal favourite because it is has a little of everything: beauty, scenery, nightlife, great beaches, things to do and see. You also get two other islands thrown in to the deal, Molokai and Lanai, which are about 9 miles offf the coast of Maui. You can experience these islands by taking day trips by ferry. Maui is the only island where you can get to other islands without flying.

Kaui - too quiet for me (no nightlife), and to see most of the beautiful scenery that Kauai is famous for you have to fly or go by boat.

Big Island - also far too quiet for me, but the volcano is worth a visit. Not the best beaches.

Oahu - My second favourite sland. Waikiki is far too crowded and the beach is not that great anyway, but there is lots to do and see (especially Pearl Harbour, and lots of shopping and nightlife. And the North Shore of Oahu is a different world from Waikiki.

Molokai and Lanai: small islands, very quiet, but they offer a completely different experience (for a day or maybe 2). Probably the closest to the Hawaii of old.

The original question was which one island would you choose?

My answer is Maui. I have been to all the islands and it is by far MY personal favourite because it is has a little of everything: beauty, scenery, nightlife, great beaches, things to do and see. You also get two other islands thrown in to the deal, Molokai and Lanai, which are about 9 miles offf the coast of Maui. You can experience these islands by taking day trips by ferry. Maui is the only island where you can get to other islands without flying.

Kaui - too quiet for me (no nightlife), and to see most of the beautiful scenery that Kauai is famous for you have to fly or go by boat.

Big Island - also far too quiet for me, but the volcano is worth a visit. Not the best beaches.

Oahu - My second favourite sland. Waikiki is far too crowded and the beach is not that great anyway, but there is lots to do and see (especially Pearl Harbour, and lots of shopping and nightlife. And the North Shore of Oahu is a different world from Waikiki.

Molokai and Lanai: small islands, very quiet, but they offer a completely different experience (for a day or maybe 2). Probably the closest to the Hawaii of old.