<p>We’re planning a family trip to the Hawaiian Islands for mid to late July. We have never been there before. We met with a travel agent, who is encouraging us to visit Honolulu for a couple of days and then spend a week or so on Maui. I had previously followed a thread on CC about Kauai and that sounded so great, but the travel agent thought we would be bored on Kauai after a few days, based upon her experience. She is a Certified Hawaii Specialist for what that’s worth. We have 3 teens and are interested in hiking, snorkeling, some beach time, learning how to surf, etc. It seems that the hiking is way better on Kauai than on Maui from what I can find, but do you have any personal experiences? </p>
<p>My main question is, are there any advantages of Maui over Kauai or vice versa? Where would you pick to spend a week, given that we’re taking 3 teens (15-19 years old)? They won’t be interested in shopping or any of that, just outdoor activities.</p>
<p>Can you go to the Big Island? I really think that would have more of what you want with three teens who like hiking, etc. We have been to Maui several times, Honolulu, and the Big Island, and we much preferred the Big Island. (Have not been to Kauai.) I would not bother taking teens to Honolulu, unless they really want to see Pearl Harbor.</p>
<p>We also visited Maui in the 1980s and it was much more built up and touristy, had fancier resorts, more golf courses, etc.</p>
<p>We have been to the big island and Oahu, too…mostly 20+ years ago, and we like Kauai and the big island, less citified. What does your family like? To me Honalulu is a lot like LA beaches, city & beach right there together, nothing special.</p>
<p>Agree with bookiemom about Honolulu – even though we haven’t been! From all our research, about the only reason H & I would want to go there is to visit PH. We’ve been to Maui 4 times, twice with our teenage kids, and once to the Big Island with the kids. The Big Island was great – Volcanoes National Park, snorkeling, cultural places. Both D & S took surfing lessons on Maui at this place: [Welcome</a> to Hawaii’s Most Renowned Surf School! Surfboard Rentals. Hawaii Surfing Lessons. Standup Paddling. Lahaina Surfing School. Maui Surf Instruction!!](<a href=“http://www.goofyfootsurfschool.com/]Welcome”>http://www.goofyfootsurfschool.com/) S did 2 days of kiteboarding lessons from this place: [Maui</a> Kiteboarding Lessons | Kiteboarding lessons Maui | Kiteboards | Maui action sports | Maui water sports](<a href=“http://www.ksmaui.com/]Maui”>http://www.ksmaui.com/) We also did the drive to Hana, which is a great adventure, with lots of places to stop, get out, and hike. We had the best banana bread EVER at a roadside stand on the way to Hana. Oh, and we did a horseback ride down into Haleakalā Volcano on Maui – very cool.</p>
<p>I’ve been to the Islands over 20 times. You are talking about three different places. Honolulu is much more touristy, but has very interesting cultural and historical sites. Included are the Bishop Museum, Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Punchbowl Cemetary. I would not go there for a relaxing time. Maui has stuff to do: Haleakula, zip lines, Hana, but it is not urban. The vibe that you get depends greatly on where you stay: Wailea reminds me of BevHills (where else does one wear pool jewelry?), Kapalua is quieter with great snorkeling, kaanapali is younger and can be busy, Lahaina is funky, Napili is filled with condos. If you golf or play tennis Maui and Kauai are great. Kauai is laid back and has much more rain. </p>
<p>I would suggest that you go to TripAdvisor.com (I am not related to it except as an occasional poster) and go to different island posts and see what people have to say. Have a wonderful trip!</p>
<p>We did Honolulu, Maui and the Big Island in '05. THe kids were 12 and 15. We saw PH and Waikiki Beach to cross them off the bucket list. Maui was to indulge. All the fun was on the Big Island. We took the road to Hana and Volcanos National Park on Christmas Day. My kids list that drive as their favorite Christmas memory.We also toured a pineapple plantation which was surprisingly fun. All fabulous fun in an off the beaten path kind of way. I have never been to Kauai, but my parents, both in their 70’s thought it was boring for what that is worth!</p>
<p>My last trip we stayed about a week on Kauai and then about a week on Maui. I’ve also been to Oahu and the big island before. I don’t like laying around a pool or a beach on vacation since I can do that any day here so we spent most of our time snorkeling every day, doing some hiking, and seeing what there is to see. I’d get bored with more than a week on any one of the islands.</p>
<p>If I had to pick a single one of the two to spend a week at I’m really not sure which one I’d pick. They both have their attributes. You can do snorkeling, hiking, etc. on either although Maui has more spots to see but Kauai has the big canyon but Maui has the big mountain but… . I’m not sure about surfing on Kauai. I like the more laid back atmosphere of Kauai and the chickens running around but I think Maui has more snorkeling spots. I’m not into shopping so I don’t care about that aspect but since Maui’s more built-up it has more places for shopping but you can get a t-shirt or something at any of the islands. I haven’t done it but I know people who have and they said the helicopter ride on Kauai was fantastic - better than the one on the big island over the volcano.</p>
<p>One option to seriously consider although it’d cost a bit more for the airfare - go to both! Make your ‘week or so’ be more like a week and a half an spend 4-5 days on one and 4-5 days on the other. That way you’d get to see more and have more activities to do. It’s not that big of a deal to travel from one to the other although you generally go through Honolulu to do so. I think a good solid 4-5 days on each would be adequate to do most of what each island has and then you can decide which one you’d most like to go back to. This is the option I’d choose.</p>
<p>Another suggestion - skip Oahu. Although it’s been over 20 years since I’ve been outside of the airport on Oahu I didn’t like Waikiki at all - not much of a beach and crowded with people and ‘hawkers’ who were trying to sell me everything including drugs of which I wasn’t appreciative. I hope they cleaned that up since then. Oahu has a snorkeling area at Hanauma Bay which can be nice when it’s not crowded but it’s usually very crowded and not so nice when there are so many people every square foot of the water. Oahu has Pearl Harbor and the Az memorial which I saw and is worth doing if you’re on the island but IMO not worth going to Oahu primarily for that. You really don’t see much at it. Oahu has the gigantic waves on the North shore during the winter which are pretty amazing to see but I don’t think they’re generally very big in the summer.</p>
<p>Yet another island I liked was the big island which also has nice snorkeling spots, the volcano, etc. </p>
<p>I think we need HIMOM to weigh in on this thread.</p>
<p>I have it on good authority (i.e., rumor) that HiMom is vacationing on Molokai … and is consequently without Web access!</p>
<p>I second the suggestion of spending time on both Maui and Kauai. As others have pointed out, Kauai is considerably quieter and wetter than Maui. DW and I risked exposure to hike the Napali Coast in the rain. Ah, memories. As others have pointed out there’s LOTS more to do on Maui … and Oahu or that matter.</p>
<p>O’ahu has much more to offer than just Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, tho’ both are worth seeing. Besides the Bishop Museum (already mentioned), I’d recommend I’olani Palace (the only royal palace in the U.S.). Also probably worth a visit if you have interest in Polynesian culture is the Polynesian Cultural Center.</p>
<p>For hikes, Kaua’i has the Na Pali Coast and the hike in to Kalalau Valley. Maui has lots of hiking possibilities in Haleakala crater, with cabins you can reserve on the crater floor.</p>
<p>As others have said, Kaua’i is much more rural, while Maui has a much more developed tourist infrastructure. It is certainly possible to do plenty of hiking, snorkeling and beach going on both islands.</p>
<p>As for learning to surf, I’m sure there are surfing lessons available on all the islands, but the beach boys on Waikiki are justly world famous for teaching surfing.</p>
<p>We have been to all of the islands but now we just go back to Maui. We go for 2 weeks every other year in Feb for the whales. Friends go for 6 weeks every year (they have more money). There is so much to do there and so many different ecosytems that we never tire of it. We love the vareity of restaurants from the fancy to the locals and all the beaches. We also love the local stores and events. </p>
<p>They are all worth visiting but folks warned us that once we went to Maui that is where we would return and they were right.</p>
<p>We’ve been to both in recent years, and I think you could be very happy hiking, snorkeling and beach going on either island.
Whichever you pick, make sure you aren’t staying near where the cruise ships dock! Lahaina is a zoo when a ship is in port, and I’d imagine Lihue is even worse. The one exception to that rule, if you change your mind and visit the Big Island, it’s fun to have brunch at Splasher’s [Splasher’s</a> Grill](<a href=“http://www.splashersgrillkona.com/]Splasher’s”>http://www.splashersgrillkona.com/) and watch the disembarking cruise ship passengers get soaked by the waves that they don’t realize will come right over the sea-wall.<br>
Sorry, laughing at wet tourists isn’t a good lesson for teens - retract that suggestion…</p>
<ol>
<li>Kauai. If you are experienced hikers, the Kalalau trail on Kauai is something to be considered. Before attempting any hikes on it, check this site:</li>
</ol>
<p>^^Lots of good, solid advice. The Kalalau is not a day hike (although some people have done it in one day), you will have to bring your camping gear and arrange for parking (since you cannot leave your car at the tarilhead). H and I are planning on conquering the trail someday… But there are many shorter trails perfect for day hikes.</p>
<p>Kauai is called The Graden Isle. If you visit this place, you will understand why: [National</a> Tropical Botanical Garden - Tropical Plant Research, Education, and Conservation.](<a href=“http://www.ntbg.org/]National”>http://www.ntbg.org/) My socks were completely kocked off by the Allerton Gardens - what a lush plant paradise! [Allerton</a> Garden - National Tropical Botanical Garden - Tropical Plant Research, Education, and Conservation.](<a href=“http://ntbg.org/gardens/allerton.php]Allerton”>http://ntbg.org/gardens/allerton.php)</p>
<p>Just don’t go to luaus and river boat tours - very cheesy, IMO. Save up some $$ and eat at Roy’s located in the shopping village in Poipu - you will love it.</p>
<p>No, haven’t been to Molokai in decades (have been nursing a bum hand & preparing for a long road trip along the West Coast), but have spent limited time on each of the islands. Honestly, each has its own charms and drawbacks. Oahu (where I’ve lived for decades) really does have a lot, but also is more of a big city than the others. Kauai is the most rural & Waimea Canyon is truly lovely. It is an island of great contrasts–some of wettest and driest spots on earth. The Na Pali Coast is also breathtaking. Maui has fern grotto, Haleakala, and Iao Needle. It is a very lovely island (unfortunately you will miss whale-watching season). The Big Island is spectacular, especially if you are able to view the volcano and lava flowing into the ocean (my docs don’t allow me to do that).</p>
<p>It’s probably best to write the pros & cons of each island out & then just choose the two you will go to this trip & save the rest for your next trip. It’s like me trying to figure out which national parks to visit this summer. We’re hitting Mt. Rainier, Crater Lake, coastal redwoods, Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks, but are missing a lot of other great places we’d also like to see. We’ll just save them for another trip.</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong–there is a ton to do & see in our lovely state & because of the bad economy, there are a lot of great deals available as well. Car rental rates are quite reasonable as well.</p>
<p>We went a number of years ago and chose Maui and Kauai. Skipped Honolulu…flew right into Maui. Maybe you could consider that? </p>
<p>Maui was great. We biked down a volcano. Did lots of hiking. Went to Hana and stayed in an old sugar plantation house. </p>
<p>Kauai was also a blast and absolutely gorgeous. We did a helicopter tour that took us through the “Jurassic Park”. Went kayaking. Hiked on the coast and snorkeled. Beautiful!!</p>
<p>We took a week long family vacation to Maui when our kids were about 10 and 12. We flew directly into Maui. </p>
<p>As other posters have said, there is so much to do in Maui and the individual locations do have a distinctly different feel to them. We stayed in Kaanapali and were fairly close to Napali (the area with lots of private condos). We did lots of snorkeling, The Road to Hana, hiking and horsebackriding in/near Haleakala and took a breaktaking helicopter trip over the volcano. Went to another National Park nearby (sorry, forgot the name) which was absolutely beautiful.</p>
<p>We loved Maui as did our kids, but we have always regretted not visiting Pearl Harbor on Oahu. I’d definitely pick Maui as our “home base” again if we were to travel with kids. It was great to have so many options of things to do, but at least where we were, it never felt crowded or anything close to “urban”. However, if H & I go back without our kids, we would go to Kauai. We’d like an even more profound nature experience. This time, we would make sure to do a stop-over even just for one night in Oahu to visit Pearl Harbor.</p>
<p>First trip to Hawaii and short on time with kids?: Maui.</p>
<p>I’ve been to the great state of Hawaii countless times, and am heading back to Maui in June. </p>
<p>As much as I love Kauai, I’m not sure I’d take teens there. I don’t remember there being surfing, and the snorkeling was better on other islands. The zodiac boat rides on the Napali coast was fun, and yes, there is hiking, but all and all, it’s a very relaxing, quiet island. </p>
<p>My teens have been to Maui many, many times. They like the snorkeling and kayaking. There is hiking, especially on the Hana side. They enjoy watching the world class wind surfing near Lihue, and the zip lining down the volcanoe. We stay in Wailea, though I have heard teens really love Kaanapali also.</p>
<p>Throwing the big island into the mix, I’m thinking that might be a winner. The trip to the volcano national park for hiking through lava tubes is amazing. There is snorkeling galore, horseback trips, etc.</p>
<p>Honolulu is a big city, with a enchanting tourist neighborhood in Waikiki. It’s not the relaxing beach vacation you get on the other islands, but if Pearl Harbor is important to you, it’s a can’t miss. I wouldn’t stay there more than a few days, just because the weather beckons you to play in nature, and nature is a bit harder to find there.</p>
<p>Actually, you can find just about anything you want on Oahu, but it is good if you schedule around traffic. Keep in mind that much of Lost & other great shows & movies were filmed on OAHU, so there is a lot of gorgeous scenery there too. Kailua and Lanikai are lovely, as is the Kualoa Ranch area (where much of LOST & many films have been shot). It has the only palace that was used for monarchy in the nation and many other treasures. There is much to see and do on Oahu, but the other islands are also very enchanting. Figure out what you’d most like to see/do this trip & start saving for another trip to see/do the rest. :)</p>
<p>The traffic in Honolulu is some of the worst I have ever seen, and I lived in DC and its suburbs for 30 years. We are frequent visitors to Kauai although I prefer Maui.</p>
<p>Well, tsdad, then you local traffic is not so bad - we found the Honolulu traffic to be much more bearable than our local traffic. Maybe the sun made all the dirrefence. </p>
<p>Visitors to Oahu who stay in the city tend to equate the entire island with Waikiki and Honolulu. We usually stay in Ko Olina, rent a car and explore the island at our leisure. There is more to Oahu than the city and its crowded beaches.</p>
<p>HIMom, did you notice that CC is buzzing about HI vacations? I’m keeping fingers crossed for your economy :)</p>
From all our research, about the only reason H & I would want to go there is to visit PH. We’ve been to Maui 4 times, twice with our teenage kids, and once to the Big Island with the kids. The Big Island was great – Volcanoes National Park, snorkeling, cultural places. Both D & S took surfing lessons on Maui at this place: [Welcome</a> to Hawaii’s Most Renowned Surf School! Surfboard Rentals. Hawaii Surfing Lessons. Standup Paddling. Lahaina Surfing School. Maui Surf Instruction!!](<a href=“