Which island in Hawaii?

[bigtmac19]

I definitely vote for Kauai. Try to get to Lumahai beach if you stay there, it's just beautiful. It is quiet but the scenery is stunning.

[bossy22]

I've been to Maui, Kauai, and the Big island. With smaller kids, I'd vote for Kauai. Some awesome swimming/snorkeling spots, the playground at lydgate park is amazing, and the scenery is incredible. It's quieter, more intimate. Maui, is more expensive, and touristy. The beaches are the best on Maui. Maui is my favorite, but with kids, I like Kauai.

[flamesgirl18]

I've been to both Oahu and Maui a bunch of times and I'd pick Maui hands down. We went for our honeymoon last year for two weeks and it was the greatest two weeks of my life. If you go, make sure you do the Haleakala bike tour - they take you up for sunrise and send you down on bikes and it was one of the best things we did while we were there!

[troutman]

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/trav...articles/76554

http://www.hawaii-guide.com/content/...sland_to_visit

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g28...ch.Island.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michel...b_3869115.html

[East Coast Flame]

I've been to all the islands, and it's Maui for sure and Kauai is the runner up. Like someone said, Maui has the best mix of everything.

[greyshep]

I am leaving for Maui in a couple days! My wife won a trip through her work so it took the "which island" decision out of our hands. First time Hawaii experience for us.

From what I am reading on this thread it sounds like its gonna be fantastic, though considering its a free trip I already consider it fantastic!

The only thing I added to it at our own cost was a day trip to Oahu so I can visit Pearl Harbor. Cant wait!

[burn_baby_burn]

You can't go wrong with any of the Islands of Hawai'i. However, if you are looking for a great family vacation, especially for younger kids. Look at Disney's Aulani at Ko'Olina on the west side of Oahu. It's a very clean and fun resort for the whole family. The kids in particular will love it. If you have any questions about Aulani send me a PM. I've spent 20 nights there in the last two years.

[Jordan!]

Maui for you, but Kauai is the overall more beautiful Island

[OldDutch]

All islands have pros/cons. For the first trip especially with kids I say Maui.

I honestly think the Big Island and Oahu are my favorite if I had older kids. The eco-tourism in the Big Island is unbeatable. However the beaches are few and far between.

Oahu I love with young kids, we usually go to Ko Olina. There is a Disney resort next to the condos we stay at. Costco and Target are 5 mins away. There is an outlet mall 10 mins away. Honolulu has great food, a zoo, and an aquarium. Lanakai beach is one of the nicest beaches I have been to. It is probably the best area for the set up camp and don't move set.

Maui is a blend of the two above. That is why I say try it first. If you like the outdoors stuff, try Big Island next, if you like the amenities of a city but in the tropics go to Oahu.

[KelVarnsen]

I am willing to provide your wife a map of the islands if so desired.

[handgroen]

went on a honeymoon for 13 days over christmas this year. we went to the big island and did the resort thing for the first 5 days on the kona side. hapuna beach is consistently voted one of, if not, the best beach in america. then did the vrbo thing over on the hilo side did some hiking and and sight seeing. volcano national park is awesome balls.
diversity on that island was stunning, don't like the ecosystem you're in? drive 15 minutes.
desert to rainforest to rolling green pasture ala the shire. and just about everything in between.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I am willing to provide your wife a map of the islands if so desired.

creepy? or no?

[BEANZ]

Originally Posted by handgroen

creepy? or no?

Creepy, but that is how he rolls

[BEANZ]

I really appreciate all of the great feedback to this point, thanks everyone.

Anyone have any experience with VRBO in either Maui or Kauai?

When people say Maui is more expensive what does that actually mean? Looking at accommodations they seem to be comparable same with flights.

[BigNumbers]

I did VRBO for 3 weeks in Kauai a few years ago - was awesome, loved it. You have to be careful as there are scams where people list someone elses place, take your deposit and vanish. so always call the people, etc to ensure you don't get scammed that way.

[East Coast Flame]

I used Air BnB to book our condo in Maui last year. It was great, no problems at all. I find Air BnB to be a lot more reliable than VRBO. Way too many horror stories from VRBO.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

When people say Maui is more expensive what does that actually mean? Looking at accommodations they seem to be comparable same with flights.

Meals are expensive. Hawaii imports most of its food (up to 90%).

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

When people say Maui is more expensive what does that actually mean? Looking at accommodations they seem to be comparable same with flights.

It depends on the accommodations. For a condo, there really isn't much difference between islands. But I've gotten 3-3.5 star hotels on Oahu and the Big Island for $60-80 a night through Hotwire and Priceline, but I've never seen anything close to that on Maui. Though to be fair, last time I looked there wasn't much like that on Oahu or the Big Island either so maybe I just got lucky the times I've gone.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

I used Air BnB to book our condo in Maui last year. It was great, no problems at all. I find Air BnB to be a lot more reliable than VRBO. Way too many horror stories from VRBO.

I have had success with both, VRBO tend to have more listings of family sized units.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by BEANZ

I really appreciate all of the great feedback to this point, thanks everyone.

Anyone have any experience with VRBO in either Maui or Kauai?

When people say Maui is more expensive what does that actually mean? Looking at accommodations they seem to be comparable same with flights.

I would say it depends on the location, leeward side is always more expensive, west/south in Maui, South on Oahu, South on Kauai and West on the Big Island. You can get great deals around Hilo, Hana, and the north of Kauai, but they tend to get more rain. Booze is always cheaper in Hawaii and about equivalent in all the islands.

In Maui, Wailea is expensive, Kaanapalli in the west can be pricy, other then that its quite affordable. The big island its the Kohala resorts(Best beaches in Hapuna and Mauna Kea areas) that are pricey. Oahu and Waikkiki can be really expensive but there are so many hotels and accommodations that it can be quite a bargain if you move away from the beach areas.

Ive done VRBO, most units now except credit cards so that offers you piece of mind.