Hawaii for 1st time or Maui for 5th ? 2023

Question

Hey all,

Looking at  a no kids June 2023 trip.  I turn 50, wife turns 45, and we hit our 15th Anniversary.  Same day!

We've done Maui 4 times now. We stay in a condo in South Kihei, and have enjoyed  developing a list of things we check off doing over the week ( lol... a lot of it food cravings!) We eat middle of the road, but cook at the condo about 60%, spend time on a beach daily ( so I can float and watch for Honu), and shop here and there. Did Haleakala sunrise twice. Wife did full RTH, I did about 7 miles the first time, before daughter turned green. I honestly have no desire to drive that chaos again...

Really want to change it up, so debating  staying in Napili this trip and really getting to focus on Lahaina and above all week, or spending the week on the Big Island, likely base being  a Waikaloa condo and possibly double booking a night or two up in VNP.   Because we will be only 2 not 4, we will probably dine out more this trip but still like idea of condo and some easy dining in over hotel.

Im sure many  contributors have done both islands, so I would love any opinions on which way you would go if you had this decision.  Obv, I have time and will read older posts as well.

horseloverManitoba · Accepted Answer

Our first trip we went to Oahu and Maui

Our second trip we went to Big Island

Our third trip we went to Big Island

Our fourth trip we were booked for Big Island and it was cancelled due to Covid.

We have now rebooked for Big Island in spring.

I guess you can tell our fav island.

We love the less crowded and more affordable island with even more superior snorkelling.

There is more car time on the Big Island but we always stay 2 weeks so we are less rushed. It also gives us a break from the sun.

My fav thing about Big Island is the variety. Everyday can be different. Any of the Islands are wonderful though. You can’t go wrong.

Edited: 2 years ago

TheodoreJay · Answer

See if you can swing 11 nights for a full sample of the Big Island. Maybe 7 nights west side & 4 nights east side. Remember the Big Island is bigger than all of the other main islands put together. There's unique places there you won't get anywhere else and loads of Hawaiian history & lots to explore. Maui will be there when you're ready to go back.

pegnbuck · Answer

Definitely try Hawaii Island. We are regular visitors and enjoy all the islands for varying reasons. (Haven't been to Lanai.) Each island has different things to offer, they are all worth visiting.

Chicogirl2015 · Answer

I have visited Maui about 15 times, Oahu twice, Kaui twice and "Big Island" once and going again in January. As much as I love getting to Maui and hitting all our favorites I would vote for the Big Island or Kauai for your next trip. If you do return to Maui, esp in June, do consider the west side. We really like the Honokowai area north of Kaanapali and if you like Kihei I think it would suit you well (Mahina Surf is nice). On Kauai in June I would recommend Hanalei Bay Resort for amazing views and convenience. This next trip to the Big Island we are staying 3 nights in Hilo to easily explore that side of the island and VNP and then 5 nights Kohola coast, though Waikoloa is perfectly fine too.

coalminer · Answer

I love both Kauai and the Big island just don’t expect either to have the dining choices that Maui has. :)

Killian415 · Answer

Hanalei Bay Resort on the North Shore of Kauai in June for two would be wonderful.

J0an123 · Answer

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g29217-i268-Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html

Have you looked at the Island of Hawaii forum? Gone through the top questions at all? That may help you decide. I would even ask your question on the specific forum, and you may get even more responses. And your post won't get buried to the second page quite so fast either!

A week won't give you much time to see the Island of Hawaii. It's a big place! But at least it will give you a good feel for it. Double booking a night is a good idea too. We actually did that once, when driving the Road to Hana.

Izsit · Answer

Is Kauai an option? Kauai is spectacular in June.

klr6773 · Answer

Thank you all for your insights! As I knew I'd be doing, I'll spend the next week or so on the full forum, weighing pros and cons of Hawaii and even looking at Kauai. We'll definitely do something other than Maui, though for this " special" trip.

Thanks again!

mini · Answer

are you open to another island like the big island? If not, I would do Maui and a couple of days at turtle bay resort on Oahu.

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Hawaii for 1st time or Maui for 5th ? 2023

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