Which Hawaii island provides the most diversity?

Question

If you could only visit one island which would it be? Oahu might be the cheapest to fly to, but does it contain all the natural beauty of the other islands?

Answer 1

Oahu is where the majority of Hawaii's residents live. It is also home to most of the military personnel stationed in Hawaii. It is touristy and very commercialized. If you want to see the modern day Hawaii then you'll find it on Oahu. Some of it's original beauty is still there but it isn't as accessible and is sometimes hidden like a diamond in the rough.

Maui is the second most populated island and in many ways has become another Oahu. It too still retains a lot of it's original beauty but, like Oahu, it is often masked by commercialism.

Kauai, being the oldest of the main islands, is the most weathered. Kauai's terrain is like no other Hawaiian island. Kauai is also the most heavily vegetated island; hence the name Garden Island. Without a doubt it is a very lush and beautiful place and worth the price of a plane ticket to see.

However, if diversity is what you seek, then the Big Island of Hawaii is where you should go. It's the youngest island and portions of it are still covered by smoldering lava. On the Big Island you will find one of Hawaii's two national parks - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There you can watch molten lava pour into the sea. You will also find the two highest mountains in Hawaii - Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the summits of which are usually snow covered during the winter months. Mauna Kea is home to some of the largest astronomical telescopes in the world. Then there are the rain forests that you can experience at places like Akaka Falls or take in the breath-taking vistas at places like Waipio Valley overlook.

Visit the following web site for information on all the islands.

Answer 2

I would have to agree with Kauai. Kauai is not over-developed like Oahu and Maui. There is no High Rises nor "Sky scraper" looking buildings on Kauai. It is beautiful, majestic and lushfully green, after all, it is the Garden Island, you can't get any natural than that.

Answer 3

Seal...I wasn't sure what kind of diversaty you were referring to till I read all your info...

Without question...Kauai....It has the most beautiful natural settings of all the major islands....It is less inhabited than Oaho and has an allurement 2nd to none...It's called the Garden Island for a reason.You'd have to see and smell the flowers personally to see what I mean. I have visited there many times, It is truely georgous... :)...Yukoneze

Answer 4

Kauai is very beautiful, but I think the big island is very spectacular. It has a live volcano and a nice rain forest. It also has the highest peaks in Hawaii.