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Which Island to Visit in Hawaii
Selecting the Hawaiian islands you want to visit will depend
mostly the kind of activities, attractions, events, and
accommodatoins you enjoy the most.
What is Oahu Like?
80% of Hawaii's population - about 1 million people -
live on the island of Oahu,and about 5 million
people visit every year. Hawaii's top two visitor attraction
are on this island: the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor and
the Polynesian Cultural Center on the North Shore.
Big wave surfing in winter. plenty of nightlife.
world class dining. Great bus system. Hotels in all
price ranges from budget hostels on up. Lots of opportunities
to soak up local culture in museums, community theater
productions. Almost all hotels are in Waikiki which makes
that area crowded, but also making the rest of the island
rural with a warm local feel. Three resort areas.
Waikiki, Ko Olina, and Turtle Bay.
Top Attractions: Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center,
Big Wave Surfing in winter. Crowds, traffic jams,
tourist hot spots. Kids don't mind the crowds, in
fact they like to have all the other kids on the beach.
Lots of nightlife.
What is Maui Like?
Blend of beauty, less crowded then Oahu but not
as isolated as other outer islands.
About 100,000 residents and about 2 million people
visit every year. Popular vacation spot
for college kids but Maui also has the most expensive
accommodations in Hawaii, mostly because of the ultra-luxury
resorts in the Wailea area. You will find more nightlife
here then on the other outer islands, mostly in Lahaina and
at the top hotels. Some of Hawaii's best windsurfing beaches.
Top attractions: Road to Hana, windsurfing beaches,
whale watching.
What is Kauai Like?
Seclusion and beauty.
About 70,000 people live on Kauai and about
1 million people visit every year. One of the
best islands for hiking, canoeing, and other
outdoor activities. The wettest island.
Northeast cost is lush and green. Southwest coast is dry.
Top attractions: Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon,
Hanalei Bay.
What is the Big Island Like?
Hilo::lush forests, volcanoes, ethnic foods
Kona: Captain Cook on bluff over th ocean.
Kona side is dry. Driving around island
takes about 6 hours
Exploring Volcanoes! South tip os
southernmost tip of the U.S.
white sand beaches (as well as black sand and green sand ones),
tropical rainforests, cattle ranches, coffee farms, observatories,
historical sites, golf courses, day spas, and quite a few
other things here.
Population is about 140,000 and about 1 million
people visit every year.
More driving is required on this island because
things are farther apart then other islands
Wolcanoes! Skiing, black sand beaches,
Hilo is "old hawaii", Kapoho, Mauna Kea
gets snow in winter, observetories
Best beaches are between Kona and the Northwest tip
of the island.
Some visitor nightlife in Kona and more local
style nightlife in Hilo, but those towns are not
most well-known for their late night spots.
What is Molokai Like?
Very "old hawaii". Very secluded.
Kalaupapa Leprosy Colony,
Father Damien's work,
huge cliffs,
long empty beaches, Molokai Ranch,
Halawa Beach Park,
Larger population of Hawaiians then other islands
but resident population is only about 7000.
Visitor population is about 80,000 per year (less
then all of the other islands including Lanai)
Very rural. Lots of empty beaches and other natural areas.
quiet and peaceful Biggest complain is "there's nothing
to do" but I don't find that true at all. It really
depends on what you like to do and how you want to spend
your time.
Few hotels. Many visitors rent condos or vacation
homes. Best reason to go here is to experience
old hawaii or to get away from it all. No nightlife.
Shipwreck Beach, Garden of the Gods,
Manele Bay,cool highlands.
One golf course
What is the Lanai Like?
Tiny island and resident population is about
3000. Visit population is about 100,000 per year.
Don't go for the nightlife
Few roads. Off-road jeeping is a popular activity.
Only two luxury hotels, one moderate hotel, and
a few vacation home and room-only rentals.
One of the luxury resorts is a golf resort in
the highlands and the other is a beach resort
on Manele Bay.
See also:
Hawaii Travel Planner
Activities in Hawaii
Attractions in Hawaii
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Related Links
About Hawaii
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
Elsewhere on the Web
U.S. Mint State Quarters Program
Wikipedia on the 50 State Quarters
50 State Commemorative Quarter Designs
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