Which Hawaiian island is the best? (Hilo, Kihei: oceanfront, schools, college)

[Zeusophobia]

I know it's a rediculous question, but what makes your Hawaiian island better or worse than the other islands?

[hotzcatz]

Best for what? How about "what makes your island different"? "Best" is a relative term and implies something else is substandard. Isn't it kinda a rude thing, to think something is "best"?

Each island is different. Ni'ihau is still Hawaiian. Kauai has loads of rainbows, the taro in Hanalei and the Waipio valley. Oahu is known for good surf and has loads of people and things to do. Lanai used to have a bazillion pineapples, dunno if they still do. Molokai has the pier at Kaunakakai and the scenic palis on the windward side. Maui has the Road to Hana and that big banyan tree in Lahaina. Molokini has snorklers. Kahoolawe is best known for being abused by the military. Hawaii has the observatories.

[Zeusophobia]

Ok, what makes your island different? I like that too. Thanks for the response btw.

[JuliaHuff]

i was only on two islands-Maui and Oahu so far, and i cant tell which is best, they are both amazing in their own way.

[PacificFlights]

Lo`ihi'
I heard there is no property tax. No drugs. No crowded roads. No invasive species. All private property is currently oceanfront. Best snorkling. No high electrical prices. Most enviromentally friendly of all islands in Hawaii. No noisy neighbors. No crime.

[cynmkolohe]

My island...in my opinion...

Best because I like space...and we've got it. Best because we have big, beautiful sandy beaches on the Kohala coast that are less crowded than Oahu and Maui. Best because we have the Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Village. Best because my friends bring me produce from the Waimea market--and because we have Waimea! Best because there are a lot of different people here from lots of different places and we pretty much get along, even those who choose to live off-grid and/or unconventionally are part of the fabric of everyday life here. Best because we have a four-year college campus and you can actually find a parking space there during the day. Best because I (usually) can be almost anywhere I need to be in Hilo in less than 15 minutes.....

Worse...no good clothes shopping in Hilo. I miss my favorite stores and hate having only Macy's when I have a last minute event to shop for....That's the worst thing in my opinion, so really not so bad, I guess. Sometimes I miss having more restaurants to choose from, but, really, we do ok and have a few favorites that are always a good choice. Some of the other things thare are "issues" for me aren't unique to the Big Island. I have a real problem with people owing dogs and not caring for them. Also, will never accept that junk cars in someone's yard is ok. But these are common issues that all Hawaii residents have to face...

As for the taxes, politics, etc....I think each island has its own pros and cons, but no one likes paying taxes or dealing with corruption in politics, so my answers are more about the ins and outs of day to day life. I also don't have children, so I'm not commenting on schools, which would be more of a personal factor for me if I was a mom. (Can you tell I kind of like it here?!)

[hotzcatz]

What's wrong with the junk car in my yard? That's the one I drive!

[Jungjohann]

So, dats whea my cah stay????? My personnal favorite island is Kahoolawe, quiet, great views, not too touristy, you still kind of have to watch where you step though. I think all folks who have lived on the Islands for any period of time, like over twenty years or so, will argue till dawn why "their" Island is the best. And then you get down to "what part of the Island is the best?" arguement, Lahaina is better than Kihei, no......Kula is the best....not quite....Hana's got em all beat....nope........Wailuku is da bess....Don't forget Haiku and Waianae, they're better yet. I've heard some pretty funny disagreements over here in the last 30 plus years..

Aloha

[cynmkolohe]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

What's wrong with the junk car in my yard? That's the one I drive!

Junk cars ... I guess one is ok! But is yours in your yard?? As in-- it looks like it was planted there a few years ago?

[JULANI]

Originally Posted by Zeusophobia

I know it's a rediculous question, but what makes your Hawaiian island better or worse than the other islands?

I am not a resident ... not just yet ! But I know Puna , Big Island of Hawaii is the best !