Which Hawaiian island is your favorite?

I recommend taking a 7-day cruise around the islands to get a good idea of where you'd want to go back. From the cruise, I determined that I have to go back Maui and Kauai someday... Anything else is just a much welcomed plus.

 

Have been to Oahu and Big Island when I was younger and back to Oahu one more time when was a bit older and Oahu/Honolulu/Waikiki just got too crowded and touristy for my liking.

My wife and I took our honeymoon a few years ago in Maui because we both enjoy nature scenaries while still have access to some modern necessities. It was fun to see quite a few people on our flight there holding the same "Maui Revealed" guidebook.

For Maui we stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. Gorgeous, white wash-walled hotel with very aesthetic decorations.

We watched the sunrise at Haleakala, it was truly a breath-taking experience. Our trip was a day right after our wedding and the sunrise trip was scheduled for the day right after we flew in so needless to say we were both tired. But this trip up there made it all worth while.

We also did the Road to Hana. Indeed a very scenic drive, lush vegetation, splendid looking waterfalls and pools on one side and the blue azure Pacific Ocean on the other. We did the drive back and decided to take the south side (e.g. try to go around). The southside of the island is a totally different place for sure (almost no green vegetation) and looked somewhat barren. I have not seen an island where it looks different from one side to the other.

Food there is expensive, but very good. I guess they try to compensate for the high price of food by having a lower sales tax (I think is around 4%)? Some of the seafood we ate there, we still talk about to this day.

Having driven there, I remembered that it was considered rude to honk there, the highest speed limit was 50 or 55, we felt truly relaxed and just thought how impatient we must have been back here in Texas during our rush hours. After all, how much of a rush can you be on? You are in Maui!

We will definitely go back there again.

 

Which? Lol I'd like to just visit an island one day.

 

We actually just got back from Maui today and absolutely loved it, from the moment we stepped off the plane.

I did a lot of searching trying to find the right hotel, and we found a contemporary hotel/condo resort in Lahaina, called the Honua Kai Resort. Awesome place and if we ever go back I'd definitely go there.

We rented a soft-top Jeep (a convertible in Hawaii is a must imo) Wrangler. Did the Summit at Haleakala. I was trying to time it so that we could see the Sunset and do some star gazing, but we came down before that. We did the 2 mile round trip hike that overlooks the crater, which is a stunning view. It's completely different that seeing it from the observation points further up.

We also did the Road to Hana, which took us 12 hours. We got up at 530 and beat the crowds through much of the morning. I think my favorite spots were the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, the lava tube self-guided tour just before Hana and Hamoa Beach. Did not care for Black Sand Beach. The view was extraordinary, but by the time we got there it was overrun with tourists. Same for 'Ohe'o Gulch, only not only was it overrun but we were exhausted by that point. We also stopped to get some coconut juice and some banana bread, which was well worth it. The road was fun, but not scary at all. Actually my favorite part of the road itself was driving the unpaved section of Pi'ilani Highway to do the full circle. Sheer cliffs above and below with no netting to catch falling rock, no guardrails to stop you from going over the edge, one lane roads and nothing but the deep blue sea to catch you. It was a little terrifying and no way I'd want to do that on the ocean side of the road. But I saw some incredible views I won't forget. Not only that but we got to see the completely different southern side of Haleakala, which was pretty awesome.

We made some time to go to the beach almost every day, and then our last day there we drove Kahekili Hwy to the overlook and blowhole (that was another awesome drive, but we didn't go all the way around) and went to Iao Valley.

I think by the time we were done we saw just about every part of that island. And honestly, my favorite sections of road were Pi'ilani Hwy, Kahekili Hwy and the Summit drive. There were a few sections of Hana that were incredible too, but I think it may be a little overhyped. Certainly from what my mom has said it is nowhere near as perilous as it once was. One thing that bugged me is every seemed to be going fast. I can understand that for a local who's just getting from point A to B. But for a tourist, why? Slow down and enjoy the ride, which is what we did.

I'd love to go island hopping if given the chance...so much to see.

 

Second that...we had some seafood on Front St in Laihana that was excellent. We also found a street-side taco stand that was awesome and cheap...Ono Tacos. And then Zippy's. I don't know if the locals would like the Denny's comparison, but that's the best way to describe it, only with better and more variety of food; Korean Fried Chicken, enough said! Oh and then Ululani Shave Ice in Lahaina. Ice shaved so thin it melts in your mouth. Incredible.

 

Don't worry man, you can start a Fort Worth thread. Or wherever you live.

 

larry ellison (oracle) just bought the island of lanai, well 98% of it.

 

Isn't Maui where Zack Morris and the gang spent one summer in?

 

I live here... Its ok

 

Well, I was kidding, mostly. But then Larry Ellison goes and validates my comment.