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Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,749 posts, read 23,819,647 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghengis
Maui Nō Ka ʻOi
Mahalo, yes Maui has something for everyone. I think it's the best beach island. A day at Makena Beach and then stopping at a fruit stand for fresh pineapple on the way in and food truck on the way out for a fish taco, and listening to a local band with outside seating in Lahaina while watching a sunset over the ocean is a perfect day in Hawaii.
Though I'm quite partial to the Big Island for its variety of lush tropical terrain, mountains/volcanos, lava rock covered desert, agriculture, and overall friendliness.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 05-23-2013 at 08:50 PM..
Oahu. I like the other islands too, but Oahu offers much more. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just one big touristy city. It has that, yes, but also it's more isolated and serene spots, like the North Shore and Lanikai Beach. The other islands are serene and beautiful, but if someone wanted perhaps more "chain restaurants" larger stores or big city amenities, you can't really get it. In Oahu you can live in a nice relaxed area but still head into the city if you want.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,749 posts, read 23,819,647 times
Reputation: 14665
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaii4evr
Oahu. I like the other islands too, but Oahu offers much more. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just one big touristy city. It has that, yes, but also it's more isolated and serene spots, like the North Shore and Lanikai Beach. The other islands are serene and beautiful, but if someone wanted perhaps more "chain restaurants" larger stores or big city amenities, you can't really get it. In Oahu you can live in a nice relaxed area but still head into the city if you want.
I suppose that's something to consider for living in Hawaii, however my idea of a Hawaiian vacation usually doesn't really include dining at PF Changs or TGI Fridays, locating where the best mall is, or urban environments. I'd rather go to where they have the best beaches, hiking/recreation, for dining finding the best Ahi Poke or Kalua pork, and farmers markets for island fruit and produce. Maui didn't seem too short on shopping and civilization to me. I haven't made it to Oahu yet, though I'd be more interested in hearing about the unique attributes of Honolulu & Oahu and things that are less everyday commercial and more uniquely Hawaiian/Pacific Rim.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 05-24-2013 at 02:59 PM..
I suppose that's something to consider for living in Hawaii, however my idea of a Hawaiian vacation usually doesn't really include dining at PF Changs or TGI Fridays, locating where the best mall is, or urban environments. I'd rather go to where they have the best beaches, hiking/recreation, for dining finding the best Ahi Poke or Kalua pork, and farmers markets for island fruit and produce. Maui didn't seem too short on shopping and civilization to me. I haven't made it to Oahu yet, though I'd be more interested in hearing about the unique attributes of Honolulu & Oahu and things that are less everyday commercial and more uniquely Hawaiian/Pacific Rim.
Yes, I agree with you there. Personally I'm not interested very much in those types of restaurants, but if someone were living in Hawaii, perhaps they'd like to go every now and then. Many stores in Oahu carry poke and traditional types of Hawaiian, Asian or Island foods. I can recommend the shrimp trucks near the North Shore-absolutely delicious!
Kauai is beautiful, though I've been there too briefly and still need to go hike the Na Pali Coast myself. All in all it was the calmest of the three islands that I've been to--I had a lot of friends from Hawaii in college and all the Oahu kids would talk about going to Kauai to take a vacation from Oahu, "It's all country out there." Really laid back and really interesting for hiking.
I've never been to Maui, though I'll have to say that the Big Island might be my favorite. Just a really dramatic range of scenery. Kona is a really nice little tourist town if not amazing in terms of the town itself--but it's nice enough in terms of it's location to warrant a stay. But the best part is just driving around that island--you go from black sand beaches with pine trees above to blue water coves to drier desert like volcanic landscapes to active volcanoes to rain-forest and tropical valleys on the other side. The leeward/windward split just seems more pronounced on the Big Island. There's some great snorkeling spots south of Kona as well--and there's some interesting historical sights as well.
Oahu is interesting--there's places on the North Shore and Kailua that are just as nice as anywhere in the other islands in terms of beaches. It's the best place to see the diversity of Hawaii--and there's all kinds of interesting restaurants. Though it can be a little more hectice(as hectic as Hawaii gets)--Waikiki is sort of a weird Vegas-on-the-islands feel. It's a good places to have friends in though...
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