Pick Your Island

 

So which Hawaiian island do you want to visit?


This is the first question you need to answer for yourself.  So let me give you a brief description of each island.


O’ahu

This island is home to Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head and the North Shore.  It is the most populated of the Hawaiian islands so there is a lot of tourist opportunity and it is one of the two main airline hubs so it is easy to get flights.  When you see those super cheap hawaiian vacation deals they are usually for O’ahu.


I’ll be honest, O’ahu is my least favorite of the islands I’ve visited.  I like to say Honolulu is like San Diego with a better beach.  When I go on vacation I do not want to get stuck in a rush hour traffic jam, which has happened to me on O’ahu.


The points in O’ahu’s favor are:


        1. Price.  You can get a very affordable vacation deal here.

        2. I have found that the people who prefer O’ahu are big city folks themselves.  So if you are a city slicker, this may be your island.


        4. If you are a history geek like me you have got to see Pearl Harbor at least once in your life.  The museum there is top notch and they do a very good job of taking you back to December 7, 1941.  There is something unexplainable about standing on the USS Arizona Memorial knowing the events that happened in this bay on December 7, 1941.  Just across the harbor is the USS Missouri, where the unconditional surrender of Japan was signed and next door is the USS Bowfin, a WWII submarine.  You’re set for a day of history.


        6. This is the home of the classic Hawaii 5-0 experience.  Picture you and your family on an outrigger canoe being paddled full speed toward Waikiki with Diamond Head in the back ground while you all “sing” the Hawaii 5-0 theme song at the top of your lungs.


        8. If you are a surfer, you have to pay homage to the North Shore.  Dude, it’s the North Shore.


        10. This is where most of the TV shows based in Hawaii are filmed.  So if you are hoping to see a certain celebrity you’ll probably have to visit O’ahu.


        12. The Polynesian Cultural Center is here.  I never wanted to visit the center when I was on O’ahu because I thought it was just another tourist trap.  But I have since heard really good things about it so I suggest you check out the web site and decide for yourself. http://www.polynesia.com


My recommendation for someone like me who wants to see the highlights but still wants more of a paradise experience as well; fly into O’ahu and spend one day seeing Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach and then fly out the next day to another island.  This only works well if you have 7 days or more for you stay.


Maui

Maui is my wife’s favorite island and my 2nd favorite.  It’s not as crowded and busy as O'ahu and it is the number one tourist island so there are tons of things to do here.  It is also a hub for airlines, so flights are easy.  This is the island where you will find Lahaina, Ka’anapali Beach, Mt. Haleakala and the road to Hana. 


The points in Maui’s favor are:


        1. This is the fun island.  It feels young and active with tons of things to do.


        3. Because it it the number one destination it is totally set up for tourist and you can get some good package deals.


        5. The road to Hana.  There’s only one and it is here.


        7. The Iao Valley, this iconic view is simply gorgeous.


        9. If you’re on your honeymoon you can pick up a lot of fun “Just Maui’d” souvenirs.  It’s just fun to say.


        11. Little Beach.  Life’s short, swim naked in the ocean !



Kaua’i


Kaua’i is my favorite island.  It’s the oldest of the main islands so it is the most lush.  This is my tropical paradise.  It has a smaller town feel than Maui does, so it is not for everyone.  As far as I know you can not get a direct flight to Kaua’i, you’ll have to change planes in Maui or O’ahu but it is worth it.  This is the island where you’ll find Hanalei Bay, Po’Ipu, the Napali Coast and that water fall from Jurassic Park


Points in Kaua’i’s favor are:


        1. It’s beautiful!!  This is the Island that is home to the wettest place on Earth.  Because of the shape of the mountains the moist air is pushed to the apex of the island making for one very wet mountain top and a lush tropical paradise below.

        2. If you love nature and hiking this is your island.


        4. This island is home the Hindu Monastery.  This place is amazing!  What the monks have created here is absolutely gorgeous and a must-see.


        6. Chickens.  They are everywhere.  Apparently Hurricane Iniki took the roof off of a chicken farm and the “buggas” got away, and have thrived.  Seriously, if you won’t find a rooster crowing outside your room charming, you may not enjoy this island.  I love them!



Hawaii

(The Big Island)


I love the Big Island!  It is the youngest of the main islands and the largest, bigger than all the other islands combined.  This is the island the ancient hawaiian royalty chose to call home and it is loaded with historical points of interest.  And this is the island with an active volcano!  As far as I know, you can not get a direct flight to The Big Island but it is worth the extra hop.  This is the island where you will find Kilauea, Mauna Kea Observatory, Paniolos (cowboys) and snow skiing!


Point’s in The Big Island’s favor are :


  1. Volcano!  Let’s face it, we all want to see an actual volcano spewing lava…from a safe distance.


  3. History.  This is the home island of King Kamehameha and you can’t throw a stick without hitting something of historical significance.


  5. Weather.  The Kona side (west) of the island has the best weather of all the islands, which is why it was chosen as the home of the royalty.


  7. Huge gorgeous resorts.


  9. Diversity.  Because it is the youngest island you have everything from stark black fields of lava as far as the eye can see to lush tropical rain forrest


  11. You can actually snow ski on Mount Kea!  Sometimes there is a skiable amount of snow on the mountain.  You’ll need to rent a 4 wheel drive and shuttle yourselves , but you can do it.



Lanai


This island was formerly one large pineapple plantation owned by Dole and only turned to tourism  when local agricultural labor became to expensive to compete internationally.  I haven’t yet been to Lanai but I do want to go.  It is a small island touted as the place for Lovers.  There are two Four Seasons resorts and the Hotel Lanai which touts “plantation charm”.  If you’ve been to Lanai I would love to get your feedback!


Molikai


I really want to visit Molokai.  It is the least touristy of all the islands you can visit and being a small town girl I think I would feel right at home on an island without any stop lights.  The beaches are supposed to be beautiful and empty.  There are no resorts but there are hotels, condos and B&Bs.  If you’ve been to Molikai I would love your feedback!