2007-09-25 18:26:29 · 7 answers · asked by Rockhard9111 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Honolulu
I have always felt that the Honolulu area was too crowded, though Maui is rapidly becoming more crowded as tourism has expanded there exponentially. I actually prefer to go to Kona on the island of Hawaii, or possibly Kauai. But if give the choice between Honolulu or Maui, I would still choose Maui at this time, as the island is not as much of a city feel. Though the north shore of Oahu is better, than Honolulu.
2007-09-25 20:06:29 · answer #1 · answered by US_DR_JD 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Honolulu is a full cosmopolitan city that ranks up there with the best in the world for its size. Maui was traditionally a farming area that has now switched exclusively to tourism. Honolulu is far more diversified than that. Hence, on Maui the major attraction areas are all centralized around tourist related facilities. That's not nearly the case as it is on Oahu where most people have lived their whole life and work outside of tourism. Oahu people have done it smart by keeping tourists largely relegated to the Waikiki area while we residents enjoy the rest of the island to ourselves. This is why there are a lot of sour grapes from Mauians who look at Oahu and wonder why they didn't do the same thing by disallowing resort properties to dominate the island.
2007-09-27 23:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by iSpeakTheTruth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's really going to be a matter of personal preference. There are really spectacular places to visit on both islands, and I really enjoy them both. I live on Molokai, between both islands. I lived on Oahu before, but I now travel to Maui a couple of times a week for business.
Maui is larger than Oahu, area wise. and has only a fraction of its population. Oahu has more local people, so it has more local culture. It has much better public transportation, but it also much worse traffic.
Maui is more geared towards tourists, since tourists make up a larger fraction of all the people on the island on any given day. The cuisine available on Oahu is much more diverse, though you do have to go to Maui to visit IHOP or Krispy Kreme! Still, for the limited time of a vacation, you will probably not be able to sample a wider variety of cuisine than you can on Maui anyway.
I don't know if this will be a deciding factor for you, but the humpback whales seem to prefer the waters of Maui County (Maui, Kahoolawe, Molokai, and Lanai) when they visit in the winter.
2007-09-26 03:26:28 · answer #3 · answered by Beckee 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Maui has much nicer beaches and people are more native than on Oahu. Many transplants choose Oahu because of Honolulu's city feel. There is much more to do on Oahu but way more serenity on Maui. Driving is not too bad on Maui either unlike Oahu. There are not too many street lights on the roads so be careful when driving at night on maui.
2007-09-26 13:15:08 · answer #4 · answered by Your #1 fan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Maui is more expensive because it's considered "the" spot in Hawaii. Big tourist trap. Not that parts of Ohau aren't but it is a bit more reasonable there.
I'd go with Ohau.
2007-09-26 01:35:44 · answer #5 · answered by Rick 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Honolulu is a bee hive.
Maui is more laid back.
But you need a car in Maui.
In Honolulu you don't need one, (in Waikiki anyway).
Go to the Big Island, in my opinion its much better.
2007-09-29 21:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by USMC Rando 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maui!!! Beautiful, and fun, but not too touristy. Best beaches!
2007-09-28 14:19:56 · answer #7 · answered by tianac23@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋