Kauai or Maui?

Originally Posted by MikeyC

I was just on both islands back in late August/early September for my honeymoon. I strongly preferred Kauai. It's much less developed and much more green. If I wanted to go somewhere with beaches and t-shirt shops on every corner I don't have to go all the way to Maui. I can save a few bucks and just go to Cape Cod.

The best hotel in Kauai in my opinion is the Hyatt in Poipu. It's on the dry (as opposed to rainy) side of the island and there are TONS of great restaurants in Poipu. I highly suggest The Beach House for dinner one night if you need to bring your lady to a romantic spot. Make sure you make a reservation and ask for a seating during sunset (maybe 6 PM). It's a bit early for dinner on vacation to do that but you can't beat the view.

I agree with everything Mike's said here. And I'm actually surprised to see y'all fairly evenly split on the whole Maui / Kauai thing but I think it might be becuase more people have actually been to Maui than Kauai and I'm not exactly sure why.

We've been to both several times (and Oahu, the Big Island and Lanai) and my favorite Hawaiian island is Kauai hands-down as somebody said here. It's what you think of when you think of tropical paradise. Maui has a part that's tropical paradise (Hana) and I make mrsreindeer put up with the drive there every single time we visit. Most do not because it's such a long drive. And it ain't about the destination because there ain't nothin' in Hana except for a handful of places to stay. It's about the DRIVE and the scenery along the way. And most people avoid the drive and hate it. Again, I'm not sure why. It's beautiful and pretty much the only paradise-like part on the island (with the only runner-up being the way north past Kapalua, past that beach Kelly mentioned...which is an awesome beach and great snorkeling spot).

The Hyatt in Kauai is a great hotel but you definitely need to know it's in the more dry part of the island as Mike mentioned. It's beautiful and the Beach House is just down the road and not to be missed. It's nice being in Poipu because it's pretty much half-way between the lush north & Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaiii and not to be missed).

There is a hotel in the north that's quite fancy and nice (but also expensive) called the Princeville and if you want to be in the more tropical part of the island, this is the place to be, just south of beautiful Hanalei and those awesome beaches to the north, the last of which is where the road ends and that Napali coastline hike begins (we did about an hour of it and we almost lost mrsreindeer....no joke...just be careful where you step).

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

I spent a week in both on my Honeymoon, I give a slight edge to Maui for the nightlife. I would take Kauai in the daytime, but definately Maui at night.

We went to Maui first to have a week of partying, then we went to Kauai to have a week of relaxing!

Yeah, I'd agree there too...but if you're looking to party, Oahu is the way to go, I've heard.

Originally Posted by Ashcan Bill

Maui is nice with great beaches and shopping, but Kauai is more laid back and tropical. I'll always go with laid back and tropical.

Originally Posted by md4958

I strongly suggest you pick up Maui Revealed www.wizardpub.com, or any of the "revealed" books... they are written by residents, so they give some great tips, secret spots and resturants... and they are usually spot on

Moe is ABSOLUTELY right....I use these books as my bibles when visiting Hawaii. They put out a book for almost every island and they're written by locals (as Moe said) and are amazing. Heck, if you want, I can loan you my copies but they're a few years old.

Gosh, I want to go so bad... I don't think you'll regret choosing either island. There's certainly plenty to do on both. I don't think you'd get bored in Kauai....plenty of hiking, sightseeing, exploring to do. Just like in Maui. Maui, I think, is more like the Florida of the Hawaiian union. Beach resorts, lots of people, lots of shopping...certainly some good spots for sure (and it's mrsreindeer's favorite island) and excellent sight-seeing in its own right but Kauai is paradise, in my opinion. I hope they don't f' it up by building up and making it more commercial.

If you need any tips on either, I'd be happy to help. Friends of ours just went to Maui and I shot 'em a lengthy email with our favorite spots. I can forward it on to you if you like or I can shoot you one about Kauai.

Man, I'm just remembering a place in Waimea in Kauai called Shrimp Station; anyone ever been? That place is SICK! Like a dozen different preparations of shrimp...so freakin' good. I've even called them to ask if they'd ship and unfortunately they won't. I guess I have to go back.

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

Man, I'm just remembering a place in Waimea in Kauai called Shrimp Station; anyone ever been? That place is SICK! Like a dozen different preparations of shrimp...so freakin' good. I've even called them to ask if they'd ship and unfortunately they won't. I guess I have to go back.

I was there. Great shrimp, indeed! Second only to Giovanni's Shrimp Van on the north sore of Oahu!

Originally Posted by Footbag

I was there. Great shrimp, indeed! Second only to Giovanni's Shrimp Van on the north sore of Oahu!

MAN, so good, so good!! mrsreindeer had one plate (and she doesn't eat shrimp) and I ordered THREE....Thai, Cajun & I forget the 3rd...

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

MAN, so good, so good!! mrsreindeer had one plate (and she doesn't eat shrimp) and I ordered THREE....Thai, Cajun & I forget the 3rd...

After seeing one of the waterfalls from the canyon overlook, my wife and I decided to take the 2 mile walk to the waterfall. We didn't eat that morning and ran out of water on the way to the falls. We figured we'd fill up there. Sure enough, we got to the falls and there were danger signs all over about no drinking the water. I completely panicked and felt like cr%p.

The Shrimp Station was our first stop when we got out of there. I could swear I heard angels singing when we pulled up!

Originally Posted by Footbag

After seeing one of the waterfalls from the canyon overlook, my wife and I decided to take the 2 mile walk to the waterfall. We didn't eat that morning and ran out of water on the way to the falls. We figured we'd fill up there. Sure enough, we got to the falls and there were danger signs all over about no drinking the water. I completely panicked and felt like cr%p.

The Shrimp Station was our first stop when we got out of there. I could swear I heard angels singing when we pulled up!

Oh man, you didn't read your 'Kauai Revealed' guidebook...always take PLENTY of water (and shrimp) with you on every hike! I think we did that hike too...it was the first 'hike' you get to once you hit Waimea Canyon...was about 2 miles...first part was through some forest...second part was along some exposed red dirt & boulders on the outer edge of the canyon and ended up at some pools, one of which was the top of the waterfall if I'm remembering correctly...just watch that edge!

Didja hit Jo-Jo's Shave Ice after Shrimp Station?

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

Oh man, you didn't read your 'Kauai Revealed' guidebook...always take PLENTY of water (and shrimp) with you on every hike! I think we did that hike too...it was the first 'hike' you get to once you hit Waimea Canyon...was about 2 miles...first part was through some forest...second part was along some exposed boulders and ended up at some pools, one of which was the top of the waterfall if I'm remembering correctly...just watch that edge!

Didja hit Jo-Jo's Shave Ice after Shrimp Station?

That's the hike! Downhill all the way there uphill all the way back! One think I've learned about Hawaii is that there is a beware sign when you enter the country, besides that, you're on your own.

No shave ice for me. We did pick up some great granola at a place that was right across from the Shrimp Station. And I'm not really a granola guy!

Originally Posted by Footbag

That's the hike! Downhill all the way there uphill all the way back! One think I've learned about Hawaii is that there is a beware sign when you enter the country, besides that, you're on your own.

Yep! And yep, that's it! mrsreindeer was fightin' me all the way...but damn it, the view of the canyon from that waterfall pool was incredible!

[md4958]

Originally Posted by Footbag

No shave ice for me. We did pick up some great granola at a place that was right across from the Shrimp Station. And I'm not really a granola guy!

Shave ice with vanilla ice cream is probably one of the greatest frozen concoctions known to man.

we hit up one shack on the road to Hana (recommended in Maui revealed) that I can still taste... I wish I could bottle that chit and take it home with me!!

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

I agree with everything Mike's said here. And I'm actually surprised to see y'all fairly evenly split on the whole Maui / Kauai thing but I think it might be becuase more people have actually been to Maui than Kauai and I'm not exactly sure why.

I'm guessing a lot of people who have only been to Maui are chiming in. If you've only ever been to Maui I guess it seems like a great place, but IMO and I'm guessing yours too Kauai blows it away.

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

The Hyatt in Kauai is a great hotel but you definitely need to know it's in the more dry part of the island as Mike mentioned. It's beautiful and the Beach House is just down the road and not to be missed. It's nice being in Poipu because it's pretty much half-way between the lush north & Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaiii and not to be missed).

There is a hotel in the north that's quite fancy and nice (but also expensive) called the Princeville and if you want to be in the more tropical part of the island, this is the place to be, just south of beautiful Hanalei and those awesome beaches to the north, the last of which is where the road ends and that Napali coastline hike begins (we did about an hour of it and we almost lost mrsreindeer....no joke...just be careful where you step).

The north side of Kauai is the rainy side of the island. So, if you stay there expect a brief rain shower almost daily. It's actually one of the rainiest places in the world. The south side of the island is picture perfect weather everyday.

Princeville is nice, but I understand they're closed for rennovations (at least the hotel is) for the next year so that they can increase their rating by 1 star to 5 stars. I HIGHLY recommend if you are a golfer though that you visit their golf course. It's beautiful and challenging. The starter told me to expect to lose one ball for every stroke of my handicap. I didn't quite lose that many but it was a tough track. Also, if you're into golf do the "Kauai Golf Challenge." You can sign up at the Marriot Kauai Lagoons, Poipu Bay, or Princeville golf courses. Basically you get to play all three courses for the price of two and you also get a pro-shop discount.

If you end up going to Kauai shoot me a PM. I've got TONS of amazing restaurants I can recommend. I also know a few good ones in Maui.

almost dead even vote