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Which Hawaii island to visit?
16.) Nightlife
If nightlife is important to you, then make sure you keep this option on your list. A lot of Hawaii shuts down after dark, but if you're just starting when most are heading to bed - add these to your score.
Points - Big Island (4), Maui (7), Oahu (14), and Kauai (1)
17.) Getting away from it all (privacy)
If you're looking to escape while on your vacation, and get away from it all, then put this option on your list. Remoteness isn't always easy to come by in Hawaii, but it does exist - on some islands more than others.
Points - Big Island (9), Maui (1), Oahu (0), and Kauai (15)
18.) High-class Shopping
Take your pick from some of the worlds greatest shops. Hawaii offers the big city names in the places you might least expect them. If fine art and high-class merchandise are for you, then add these to your list. General shopping is the next option, so feel free to skip to it if you're not a high-class kind of shopper.
Points - Big Island (5), Maui (7), Oahu (12), and Kauai (3)
19.) Souvenir Shopping
If you're more budget oriented and are really looking for some great things to take home with you, then this is the choice for you. You don't have to break the bank to take home some incredible art, local crafts, or souvenirs.
Points - Big Island (8), Maui (11), Oahu (13), and Kauai (6)
20.) Scuba or Snorkeling
If it's what's under the waves that piques your interest, then you've come to the right place. Hawaii has some incredible opportunities for anyone interested in these two activities.
Points - Big Island (8), Maui (11), Oahu (6), and Kauai (5)
21.) Water sports
Love to surf, body surf, or wind surf? Then come hang on the waves in Hawaii. During the winter months, you can't find a much more optimal location.
Points - Big Island (2), Maui (11), Oahu (15), and Kauai (4)
22.) Whale Watching
If you simply have to see the whales during your trip, then make sure this is on your list. Also, make sure your trip falls between the months of December and April if you want the best chance of seeing the Humpbacks. The whales can show up as early as October and depart as late as May, but optimal times are Dec-April (or even March some years).
Points - Big Island (7), Maui (11), Oahu (3), and Kauai (4)
Questions all visitors should answer
23.) Accommodations (Select ONE option):
World Class Resorts - For folks looking to live the high life on their vacation, this is probably the choice for you. If you're not likely to leave the resort, want to relax on the beach most of your trip, play golf, enjoy a large pool, etc - then consider this option.
Points - Big Island (11), Maui (10), Oahu (4), and Kauai (6)
OR Hotels - The choice of the average traveler, hotels provide very nice accommodations for a much cheaper rate than the big resorts. While they certainly don't have the same services and additional amenities, they serve the purpose of giving you a great place to spend your vacation. Ideal for families.
Points - Big Island (3), Maui (8), Oahu (11), and Kauai (6)
OR Condos - The choice of many budget oriented travelers, condos are a good way to save some money during your stay in the islands. This is also a great option for anyone not looking to spend a lot of time actually in their room. Condos often include a kitchenette for fixing meals in your room if you so choose. Ideal for families.
Points - Big Island (5), Maui (12), Oahu (4), and Kauai (8)
OR B&B (Bed and Breakfast) - The choice of those seeking seclusion and the 'warmth' of a living home on their vacation. B&B's make a very nice choice for many couples who are on their honeymoon, or for individuals looking to have a local person to talk with on a regular basis. It's a much more intimate accommodation situation, but for many, they'd choose no other option.
Points - Big Island (8), Maui (4), Oahu (2), and Kauai (3)
24.) Transportation (Select ONE option):
Public Transit - For folks who prefer modes of public transportation like the bus, taxis, etc, this is the choice for you. We'll be honest, your choices are limited.
Points - Big Island (0), Maui (1), Oahu (5), and Kauai (0)
OR SUV - Despite the fact you cannot legally drive off-road on ANY Hawaiian island (without renting from a company that expressly permits it), some folks still prefer a SUV on their trip. Some islands have roads more suited for these larger vehicles than others.
Points - Big Island (8), Maui (4), Oahu (5), and Kauai (5)
OR Regular Car - The choice of most vacationers, a regular car is the best way to get from point a to point b.
Points - Big Island (10), Maui (11), Oahu (8), and Kauai (10)
OR Other or Walking - Applicable only on the islands with larger cities, this choice is not encouraged.
Points - Big Island (3), Maui (1), Oahu (4), and Kauai (0)
25.) Money (Select ONE option):
Money isn't a concern - If you're looking for ultimately luxury and don't consider money an option, this is the choice for you.
Points - Big Island (15), Maui (18), Oahu (10), and Kauai (12)
OR Save a little - Want to both spend a little and save a little? Then this is the choice for you. Optimal for most visitors looking to save when it comes to accommodations, food, vehicle rentals, and purchases - but still have good fun on activities.
Points - Big Island (13), Maui (15), Oahu (18), and Kauai (13)
OR Budget travel - If you are looking to stick to the cheapest accommodations, don't want to rent a car, and want to save as much as possible, this is the option for you.
Points - Big Island (7), Maui (10), Oahu (15), and Kauai (8)
Your results
If you haven't already, tally your results and we'll discuss each island below. The higher your score for each island, the better choice it'll be for you and your travel party. The lower the score, the more inclined we are to tell you to skip that island (for now).
Oahu
If Oahu ranked up the most points on your scorecard then you're probably someone who enjoys the big city, fine accommodations and dining, and the general atmosphere that comes with a big city. Honolulu is the 11th largest city in the US and is probably where you'll spend a lot of your time. Oahu has the best selection of both cultural and historical sites in the islands, including good museums. The island is an excellent place for water spots, and the beaches will be sure to please. Oahu lives up to its nickname, "The Gathering Place." Want to learn more about Oahu? Just visit our Oahu Guide section.
Maui
A lot of folks say "Maui no ka oi," which means "Maui is the best." Whether or not your score card shows this, Maui is a fine location for almost all visitors to the islands. It's the middle-ground between the big city on Oahu and the country life of Kauai and the Big Island. A lot of folks choose Maui as their honeymoon destination. Many families love the large selection of condos available here. The Hana Highway is one of the worlds premier driving attractions and Haleakala, one of Hawaii's National Parks, is a incredible place to visit. Golfers and windsurfers will also find Maui very suitable to their liking. Maui's nickname is the Valley Isle, and when you arrive, you'll see why. Haleakala to the east and the West Maui mountains to the west - incredible! Want to learn more about Maui? Just visit our Maui Guide section.
Hawaii's Big Island
If the Big Island topped your list, we don't blame you. It's our favorite too, and for good reason. The Big Island is by far the most diverse of all the Hawaiian islands, and it's BIG - really, it's the size of all the others COMBINED! From barren grasslands to lush jungle, lava fields to snow capped mountains - it's all here. Plus, it's the only island you can literally walk on land younger than you are! How cool is that? Kilauea is still erupting, and often puts on quite a show for visitors where lava enters the ocean. The Big Island offers a solid selection of world class resorts on the Kohala 'Gold' coast, condos around the island, and excellent B&B's in both Kona and near the Volcano area. The Big Island also is bustling with activities to partake in, be it hiking to a recent lava flow or riding horseback in gorgeous Waipio Valley. Plenty of good hiking is available, and bird watchers will love the volcano area as well. Want to learn more about the Big Island of Hawaii? Just visit our Big Island Guide section.
Kauai
If you like all things green, like seclusion, and love to hike - OK, if you're into nature... welcome home! Kauai offers the paradise to all folks interested in ecological-based activities. Kauai is the oldest of the major Hawaiian islands and has certainly earned it's nickname, "The Garden Isle." Beautiful flora and fauna exist all around the island. Being the oldest island, Kauai also has some incredible beaches. But what really wins the price on Kauai is the fact that the bulk of it can't be reached by car. So, that means grab your hiking pole and head out to hits the trails. Kauai offers the best hiking of any island in the chain; be it the beautiful coastal Kalalau trail on the Na Pali coast or a hike inland to see Wai'ale'ale's "weeping wall," you can't beat the hiking on Kauai. Kauai is also home to Waimea Canyon, which Mark Twain called, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Kauai is definitely one of the more romantic islands as well. The only downside is often the weather. All things green means lots of rain. But don't let that worry you, Kauai is an incredible island to visit; a personal second favorite in the chain. Want to learn more about Kauai? Just visit our Kauai Guide section.
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Author: J.C.Derrick
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Questions directed at our staff will be answered as quickly as possible.
Once you've gone through all the questions and jotted the points down in their respective columns, just add them up. The island with the highest number of points is your best bet.
Aloha,
John