Hello!

My wife and I went to Oahu on our honeymoon just about 15 years ago. We've seen Pearl Harbor and just about everything on Oahu.
Now I'm in the planning stages of taking her back to Hawaii for our 15-year anniversary, and I'm curious as to what other island we should consider?

I've been leaning towards Maui or Kauai, but I also know we have members that live there, and lots of vacation experience to draw from. We're basically looking for a quiet week of lazy tropical time together, not anything nutty or super adventurous.

Lay it down for me!

Maui or Kauai would be my choice for sure. My wife and I did the down hill cycle from mount Haleakala and it was probably the most amazing day of my life. Cycling down through the clouds was incredible.

My vote is for the big island. I love the variety of climate around the island and enjoy car rides, so consider that in my recommendation. The Kona side of the island has some very nice resorts, is mostly rocky. The north end of the island has some elevation and is grassy ranch type land. The Hilo side is more lush and tropical. The South end has Volcano National Park. I have driven the outer loop of the island in a single day on many occasions. Plenty to explore but ample opportunity to lay around with a drink in your hand doing nothing.

Maui. Good food, resorts, beaches, things to do, biking, some hiking, good water access.

We just had a similar thread, so check here:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/4840095854

I've never been, but my daughter is there now for her second time in 3 years. Each time she has visited friends on Kauai and just raves about it. From the pictures she sends it looks like a tropical paradise away from the hustle of business of the bigger islands/cities.

My vote is for Kauai. It's called "The Garden Island," and it has the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" in its interior.

A lot of the island is inaccessible by car. The Na'pali Coast has one of the most difficult and extreme hikes in the world, if you're into that sort of thing.

A helicopter tour is the way to see the parts you can't get to by foot or vehicle.

It's less commercial than Oahu and Maui, but there are lots of places to go and things to see: Polihale State Park, Kamokila Hawaiian Village, waterfalls, beaches, etc.

quote:

Maui or Kauai

Definitely since you've already done the Oahu / Pearl Harbor trip.

Another vote for Kauai. We stayed on the South side which was beautiful, but the North has more resorts. Depends on what time of year you go as to which side has higher waves/more wind. Highly recommend the helicopter tour. Easy to drive around the island.

Dang I didn't get that on the search results. I should have just searched "15 year".

Can you merge the threads via magic script?

Mrs.BurtonRW and I thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Big Island (Hilo side - away from the tourists). South Point is something to see and you can hike to the nearby green sand beach or stop at Punalu'u (black sand beach) on the way there or back to hang with the local sea turtles.

Maui is our other favorite. Lahaina is as far north as we went (again - staying mostly away from the tourist meccas) and we didn't find it to be that crowded. It's where you'll find the best authentic luau (Old Lahaina Luau - books well in advance) and it's an easy drive to the Road to Hana. (I highly recommend completing the loop rather than turning back at Hana. Just make sure your rental agreement doesn't prohibit it and a little ground clearance doesn't hurt in a couple of spots. I wouldn't do it after a heavy rain, either.)

-Rob

If you want a "change" compared to your last Oahu visit I'd go with Kauai. More laid back compared to Maui, way, way, more compared to Oahu (if the wife prefers shopping, etc., Maui is more accommodating though), come back and celebrate your 20th, 25th, or 30th on Maui or Big Island. They will still be here, unless N. Korea launches a real one at us!

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Maui or Kauai would be my choice for sure. My wife and I did the down hill cycle from mount Haleakala and it was probably the most amazing day of my life. Cycling down through the clouds was incredible.

2nd on cycling down Haleakala. I did the trip about 10 years ago where they bus you up before sunrise. It was a clear night and the star gazing was great. A person with the cycle group was pointing out constellations. Very enjoyable.

We are taking a cruise in Feb for our 50th. It goes to all of the islands.

I love Kauai

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
My vote is for the big island. I love the variety of climate around the island and enjoy car rides, so consider that in my recommendation. The Kona side of the island has some very nice resorts, is mostly rocky. The north end of the island has some elevation and is grassy ranch type land. The Hilo side is more lush and tropical. The South end has Volcano National Park. I have driven the outer loop of the island in a single day on many occasions. Plenty to explore but ample opportunity to lay around with a drink in your hand doing nothing.

This is what I would have said if Jim didn't.

I'd have to say it depends on what you want...


We've done Oahu a few times, other than the historical/cultural things (Pearl Harbor, Punch Bowl, Polynesian Cultural Center), it is just to crowded and touristy for me.

My wife's favorite is Maui-we've been twice together and she has been there a third time for "work". Better than Oahu, but still very touristy. She likes the consistency and is happy doing the same thing over and over. I am more of a "been there, done that, what's next?" when it comes to vacations

We went to Kauai a few years back (2010 if I recall correctly) and I loved it. Very lush and tropical, rural for the most part, nice quiet pace with things to do but not super busy. I would definitely go back.

Our most recent trip was to the "Big Island" just this past April into May. Loved it! My wife was very hesitant, but after going she had a good time. She actually said the next trip could either be Maui or Big Island.

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
My vote is for the big island. I love the variety of climate around the island and enjoy car rides, so consider that in my recommendation. The Kona side of the island has some very nice resorts, is mostly rocky. The north end of the island has some elevation and is grassy ranch type land. The Hilo side is more lush and tropical. The South end has Volcano National Park. I have driven the outer loop of the island in a single day on many occasions. Plenty to explore but ample opportunity to lay around with a drink in your hand doing nothing.

TXJIM hits most of what I would say. Island is definitely huge, but roads are great and outside of Kona or Hilo there is not much traffic so getting from "A" to "B" was not a problem. My wife LOVED the botanical gardens north of Hilo, it was what sold her on the trip.

My MOST AWESOME Hawaii activity, and one of my lifetime top ten things Iv'e done would be the Manta Ray Dive (more of a float really) off of the Sheraton Resort in Kona. I just wish lava had still been flowing. We had 8 full days there, weather was not great for the first couple so I missed out on star gazing from the top of a volcano and trying to get some Milky Way photos, but I expect we will go back to Kona for our next Hawaii trip in 4-5 years.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
My vote is for Kauai. It's called "The Garden Island," and it has the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" in its interior.

A lot of the island is inaccessible by car. The Na'pali Coast has one of the most difficult and extreme hikes in the world, if you're into that sort of thing.

A helicopter tour is the way to see the parts you can't get to by foot or vehicle.

Kauai or Maui but I may give the edge to Kauai only for the helo ride. Absolutely amazing.
How long are you going for? Can you do both?

I love Kauai. Do some reading and you will find that a lot of movies and TV was filmed on this island. Whenever a remote tropical setting is needed they got to Kauai.

Donovan's Reef
King Kong (1976)
Jurassic Park
Six Days, Seven Nights
Tropic Thunder
Radiers of the Lost Ark
Outbreak
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The Decendents
Just Go With It
Fantasy Island
Magnum PI (some episodes)

My last trip we did an ATV tour and drove thru a valley that was featured in the movie Jurassic Park. This island is truly beautiful. We stayed on the eastern side in Kapaa. I tell my friends that all you have to do to take a professional photo is just hold your camera up, close your eyes and click. Works every time.

We are now planning our next trip to Maui...so I can't tell you how that island is yet.