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ryan4601 · 2010-10-12, 10:47 AM

Having lived in Hawaii for the majority of my life, I suggest going to Maui for vacation. In my opinion it is the best combination of everything good that Hawaii has to offer. Decent selection of hotels from the extravagant to the affordable. Good shopping, good food, good tourist style things and also decent flight options. You can fly into Kahului directly from nearly every major airport on the west coast.

Several reasons why I suggest Maui over 2 of the other 3 major islands (Big Island & Kauai). Both the big island and Kauai are beautiful. Honestly, Kauai has some of the prettiest scenery that the world has to offer. Not a whole lot to do there though unless camping, hiking and fishing are what you would like to do for a week. Just a tough place to fill a weeks worth of vacation. Biggest draw for the big island is the volcano. Getting to watch an active lava flow roll into the ocean is incredible, but again, not a whole lot else to do there. Huge island, not a lot of people.

Oahu (where I'm from) probably has the best shopping, good beaches, but TONS of people. You have to remember that a million people live in the city and county of Honolulu plus upwards of 200,000 tourists on any given day of the year. Traffic & crowds are two things that most people don't plan on having to deal with when going on vacation to Hawaii. That aside, Honolulu has Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the best flight options.

Getting back to Maui, Kevin, Mauna Kea is spectacular, but watching the sunrise on Haleakala is something that everyone should see in their lifetime. You are above the clouds, and on a clear day, you can see every island in the state. Maui also has some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. Road to Hana as Dean mentioned is a cool day trip and a week will give you more than enough time to hit pretty much everything that you should. Also Maui is far less crowded and "city" like than Oahu (honolulu). We are talking the difference between approx 200,000 residents (Maui) vs. 1,000,000 residents on Oahu. So traffic, crowds and all else will be reduced. Not sure about the summer, but whale watching is also the best on Maui both from the shore and from the many whale tours.

Although I suggest Maui, any of the 4 major islands will make for a great vacation. Make your choice, buy a tour book and enjoy.
Ryan

2010-10-12, 10:47 AM	#9
ryan4601 EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 244 Car: 2004 wrx	Having lived in Hawaii for the majority of my life, I suggest going to Maui for vacation. In my opinion it is the best combination of everything good that Hawaii has to offer. Decent selection of hotels from the extravagant to the affordable. Good shopping, good food, good tourist style things and also decent flight options. You can fly into Kahului directly from nearly every major airport on the west coast. Several reasons why I suggest Maui over 2 of the other 3 major islands (Big Island & Kauai). Both the big island and Kauai are beautiful. Honestly, Kauai has some of the prettiest scenery that the world has to offer. Not a whole lot to do there though unless camping, hiking and fishing are what you would like to do for a week. Just a tough place to fill a weeks worth of vacation. Biggest draw for the big island is the volcano. Getting to watch an active lava flow roll into the ocean is incredible, but again, not a whole lot else to do there. Huge island, not a lot of people. Oahu (where I'm from) probably has the best shopping, good beaches, but TONS of people. You have to remember that a million people live in the city and county of Honolulu plus upwards of 200,000 tourists on any given day of the year. Traffic & crowds are two things that most people don't plan on having to deal with when going on vacation to Hawaii. That aside, Honolulu has Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach and the best flight options. Getting back to Maui, Kevin, Mauna Kea is spectacular, but watching the sunrise on Haleakala is something that everyone should see in their lifetime. You are above the clouds, and on a clear day, you can see every island in the state. Maui also has some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii. Road to Hana as Dean mentioned is a cool day trip and a week will give you more than enough time to hit pretty much everything that you should. Also Maui is far less crowded and "city" like than Oahu (honolulu). We are talking the difference between approx 200,000 residents (Maui) vs. 1,000,000 residents on Oahu. So traffic, crowds and all else will be reduced. Not sure about the summer, but whale watching is also the best on Maui both from the shore and from the many whale tours. Although I suggest Maui, any of the 4 major islands will make for a great vacation. Make your choice, buy a tour book and enjoy. Ryan Last edited by ryan4601; 2010-10-12 at 10:50 AM.