|
Which Island ??? | |
|
Many first time visitors try to decide between Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Perhaps our descriptions below will help you:
OAHU is the main Hawaiian island and home to the international
airport. Honolulu the capital is like any modern large US city including
sky scrapers, Interstates with a rush hour, cell phone toting businessmen, and
more concrete acres than grass and palm trees. Waikiki -- the world
renowned beach playground -- is adjacent to Honolulu. Waikiki
accommodations along the beach are 1000 room hotels set in a high rise district.
The mile long beach has lovely sand, crowds of people, and nice swimming.
There is always some activity to enjoy. Just off the oceanfront, there are
4 more city blocks of Waikiki low rise hotels -- again more concrete than
tropical garden. Once outside of Honolulu and Waikiki, Oahu becomes
more tropical -- albeit with tourist dressing and frequent crowds. One
million people live on Oahu and five million more visit each year. If your
idea of a Hawaiian vacation is a city atmosphere with great beach, then
Oahu/Waikiki is for you.
MAUI is the second most popular island among visitors.
If Oahu's vacationers feel like they have the familiarity of a city at their
doorstep, Maui's visitors must feel like they are in upscale suburbia.
Maui is modern, tidy, and pricy. One review talks about the $25
continental breakfast and the $8 cup of coffee. In the early 90's we
paid $400/night for hotel and $150/night for dinner. Top vacation
spots are Kaanapali Beach [a long, gentle crescent backed by high-rise
hotels and condominiums dating from the 1970's], historic Lahaina [an old
whaling port once the capital of all Hawaii] and Kihei [where one can get
find in-town bargains or beach front luxury resorts]. The rest of Maui
is dotted with quiet town, eucalyptus forests, charming roads such as the
one to Hana, and of course towering Haleakala volcano. Maui offers
plenty of excellent beaches, fine golfing, wonderful restaurants, and great
not-so-crowded sightseeing. If your idea of a Hawaiian vacation is the
"top name" -- with prices to match -- then Maui is for you. KAUAI is by many accounts the most beautiful Hawaiian island.
Most of the island is tiny rural towns are flanked by miles of sugarcane
fields, flourishing tropical foliage, and more miles of white sandy beach
than any other island. The island's jagged interior mountains, plunging
waterfalls, and isolated beaches have a beauty all their own which explains
their roles in films such as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and
Body Heat.
Kauai's most impressive natural attractions are the enormous Waimea
Canyon and the awesome cliffs of Na Pali coast.
In exchange for the natural unspoiled beauty is reduced tourist
infrastructure, less grooming, and a higher percentage of cloudy days.
Vacation prices are frequently less expensive by 20%, 50% or more than on Maui or Oahu.
If your idea of a Hawaiian vacation is comfortable luxury, scenery, and
quiet -- all with a small town feel -- then Kauai is for you.
MORE THAN ONE ISLAND?? Many people consider splitting a trip
to Hawaii into two or more islands. We don't advise this
practice. You will consume the better part of a day in the
pack-checkout-depart-travel-checkin-unpack cycle. And you will
fail to achieve the relaxing magic of Hawaii that you've planned your trip
for. We have visited Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Hawaii, and
Kauai, we believe that there is sufficient similarity and overlap between
the islands that any one of them will give you the experience you are
looking for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We hope you can found answers to your questions on this website. If not we are happy to spend time with you on the phone. Feel free to contact us, it's part of the service included in renting #4202 or #9302. |
|
|
USEFUL LINKS. It's difficult to find
links with simple unbiased comparison of all islands. Here's the
best we've been able to find.
Travel Hawaii Island --
Basic information with slight bias to Hawaii, the Big Island |
|
HomeContactVacation Rental Condo 4202Vacation Rental Condo 9302PrincevilleCliffs ResortKauai ActivityFirst Time KauaiNorth Shore Beachespartner sitessitemap