Trying to decide which 2 Hawaiian islands to visit

[Anonymous]

I've been to Oahu, Kauai and Maui. I've not been to Big Island, but I do think you'd really enjoy it! There's 2 areas, and most recommendations I see are to spend a little time in both. So you could do Big Island Kona, Big Island Hilo, and another island.

Kauai was absolutely my favorite, but Maui is fun for a first time visit too. The road to hana is a really enjoyable day. If you are priced out, take a look at kauai and see what you think.

[Anonymous]

Op here - thanks everyone for the great recs! Much appreciated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100000% big island and Kauai. I’ve been to all of them, and those two will give you the best cross section of the state.

This is really good advice. I would do the Big Island first and Kauai second. If they are really into the idea of surfing or sandy, easy beaches, it would be best to go to Kauai as your last stop. I love the Big Island beaches but they can be rocky and reefy in a way that might be disappointing for teens after experiencing Kauai.

[Anonymous]

We love the Big Island because of all of the activities you can enjoy. We loved the greeat snorkeling right off of the beach at the Mauna Lani and did a night snorkel with the rays which was a breathtaking experience. Probably my favorite part of the trip was our trip up to the observatory atop Mauna Kea -- they had a free astronomy program that included fancy telescopes that we could look through; I was able to see Saturn and it was as clear as in an illustration in a book -- amazing. Volcanoes Nat'l Park is a don't miss; ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to see the caldera of an active volcano, and it did not disappoint. We stayed in the park. One of the best views of the caldera is from the park restaurant. There were so many other great things as well. So my vote is the Big Island.

I've been to Oahu/Honolulu several times for work, and I do love Waikiki. It's easy, if that makes sense. I stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is affordable and perfect for families. Took a surfing lesson which was super fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100000% big island and Kauai. I’ve been to all of them, and those two will give you the best cross section of the state.

Agree!!!

[Anonymous]

The Big Island is my favorite. Lots of amazing swimming. I just went out for a swim and got to watch wild spinner dolphins under the water. Volcano National Park, Manta Rays, waterfalls.

Kauai, when they say Waimea Valley is the grand canyon of the Pacific, they mean it. Great hiking. The weird thing about Kauai is there are chickens everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

[Anonymous]

We're going to Kauai in July with 4 teens. We've been to Maui before and wanted a change. We wanted something less commercialized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're going to Kauai in July with 4 teens. We've been to Maui before and wanted a change. We wanted something less commercialized.

Lol. You are tourists. You are the ones causing the commercialization you are being condescending about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're going to Kauai in July with 4 teens. We've been to Maui before and wanted a change. We wanted something less commercialized.

Lol. You are tourists. You are the ones causing the commercialization you are being condescending about.

You seem confused. A place where tourists go can still be less built up and crowded than a different place where tourists go. Such as Marathon, FL vs. South Beach. St. John vs. St. Thomas, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're going to Kauai in July with 4 teens. We've been to Maui before and wanted a change. We wanted something less commercialized.

Lol. You are tourists. You are the ones causing the commercialization you are being condescending about.

You seem confused. A place where tourists go can still be less built up and crowded than a different place where tourists go. Such as Marathon, FL vs. South Beach. St. John vs. St. Thomas, etc.

Yeah -- it's you who seems confused. Your trip -- you and your "4 teens" --to that "less built up and crowded" place changes it. Do you really not know this?

[Anonymous]

Not PP but it's a super imperialist move to go to Hawaii when Hawaiians have been asking white mainlanders not to come for years.

[Anonymous]

Oahu and Kauai.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not PP but it's a super imperialist move to go to Hawaii when Hawaiians have been asking white mainlanders not to come for years.

Stop the racism. They have been asking ANY mainlanders not to come -- since the fires.

My family has lived in Hawaii since 1979. Most residents make their living from tourists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're going to Kauai in July with 4 teens. We've been to Maui before and wanted a change. We wanted something less commercialized.

Lol. You are tourists. You are the ones causing the commercialization you are being condescending about.

You seem confused. A place where tourists go can still be less built up and crowded than a different place where tourists go. Such as Marathon, FL vs. South Beach. St. John vs. St. Thomas, etc.

Yeah -- it's you who seems confused. Your trip -- you and your "4 teens" --to that "less built up and crowded" place changes it. Do you really not know this?

I'm not the PP above you. "Less commercialized" means that there are fewer restaurant/retail establishments/hotels in the area. Which is a factual statement about Kauai vs. Maui. It does not mean anywhere there are no tourists. You have a weird chip on your shoulder. Obviously you've been to both places.

[Anonymous]

Without tourists, they be eating spam and rice.