In Hawaii we are going to Kauai and Maui, which one is better to go first?
Ron S asked:
We are going for our honeymoon. Thanks in advance for your help.
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We are going for our honeymoon. Thanks in advance for your help.
November 27th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Well, I’m from Hawaii and am currently living here, on Oahu. I would definately say Maui. There’s Lahina, which is amazing, Krispy Kreme, Sonic, and Kula is so awesome it has strawberries the size of your fist. Kauai is more land and chickens…
November 28th, 2008 at 7:06 am
They are very different.
Kauai is less populated. It is a very beautiful island ~ lush flowers, green. It is a small island – you can drive from one tip around to near the other tip but you can’t drive alll the way around it. You must stay on the south tip Poi Poo Beach area is the only ALL SUNNY area on the island.
Maui is more high desert like ~ many dry hills and you can see a long ways. Take a jeep ride around.
Both are beautiful ~ but when my husband & I went, we went to Kauai first and then to Maui. We stayed at beautiful resorts in both places so it was much the same. The Kaui Hilton and the Wailea in Maui. Gorgeous !!! Aloha !!
November 29th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Maui has more adventurous things to do, along with city things while Kauai is more laid back and rural. Go to Kauai to relax in an amazing setting, go to Maui to do something amazing.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Are you looking for an active honeymoon? Or would you rather spend more time…indoors?
As others have said, Maui has better nightlife of the two. If I were you, I think I would go to Kauai first and spend some “alone” time in a tropical, secluded setting, maybe in Hanalei were the pace is relaxed and just…”chill”. there is a great beach at the end of the road, some fabulous hikes, and some great views. Po’ipu is on the other side of the island – the sunny side – and will have a little more shopping etc. If you want to get away from it all on Kauai, you should look in Hanalei area. Otherwise Po’ipu.
For Maui, Lahaina has some decent nightlife…I’m disappointed someone would recommend Krispy Kreme and Sonic while you’re in Hawai’i! Find somewhere with fresh seafood, some quaint restaurant you can’t find at home…or at least head to Hard Rock Cafe/Cheeseburger in Paradise! (Both in Lahaina) Ka’anapali has a fabulous beach and is where most of the resort hotels are. It is about 15 minutes from Lahaina. Lahaina has fewer hotels but more nightlife; we rented a townhome in Lahaina for our last trip. There are also BnB’s in town.
Hana is on the other side of Maui (the wet side) and is definitely off the beaten path. There is one great hotel there – the Hana Hotel. If you can afford it and want the privacy, I think it’s worth the trip. There is a great black sand beach at the Waianapanapa State Park, along with freshwater lava caves. It is a long drive across the very scenic Hana Highway to get there; if you go, I would recommend spending the night.
I would also recommend heading up Haleakala to watch the sunrise…You have to get a *very* early start (4:30a or earlier) and bring some nice blankets (it may be in the 40′s)…but of the…15 people I’ve dragged out of bed and taken up there, no one has regretted it.
Okay, can you tell I’m ready to go back to Hawaii?
I hope some of this was helpful. Enjoy your honeymoon!
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 am
I had more fun on Maui not sure thats a hard one
December 5th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Both are excellent choices and, as others have said, offer different types of vacations. if you are into outdoor activities such as hiking & kayaking, Kauai is great for this. It has less tourists, less shopping & nightlife, etc. It is relaxing. My husband and I got married on Maui, where my family lives, and then split our honeymoon between the Big Island and Kauai. we stayed in the Hanalei area, but traveled all over the island.
Maui has lots of great places to stay and things to do. Lots of great recommendations have already been mentioned (although I disagree with Krispy Kreme & Sonic as good recommendations), but I will put in my restaurant recommendations. I’d suggest lunch at Seawatch Restaurant at the Wailea Golf Club in Wailea. Ask for a table with an ocean view. You are at the top of a hill and can see out to the ocean with a view of Molokini. Other views are of the golf course.
If you like seafood and feel like really splurging, I’d recommend Mama’s Fish House near Ho’okipa. Definitely make reservations and ask for a table as close to the water as possible. Don’t make your reservation after dark, or you will miss the ocean view.
We also like BJs Brehouse on Front Street in Lahaina. It’s a franchised chain, but the food is good and tables at the window give you a nice view of what’s going on below. Split an entree and save room for the Pzookie dessert!
Finally, I would recommend the Old Lahaina Luau on Front Street in Lahaina. They put on an excellent show and the food is great. Make reservations before you leave, as it fills up quickly. The price is on the high end, but definitely worth it. I’ve gone to several luaus on the island with friends who have never been, and this has been the best!
It all boils down to whether or not you want to start your honeymoon on a more relaxed pace (Kauai) or on an island with more people and more to do (Maui). Both are beautiful and worth the visit.
Congratulations on the marriage & best wishes!