Maui vs. Oahu....Which Island to Visit?

When you first think of going to Hawaii...you must decide which Island you are going to visit.  This is a tough decision and one that you may spend much time making....after all it's not a cheap vacation and could be a once in lifetime trip so you want to be sure you are making the right decision!

I have been fortunate enough through the years to have gone to Oahu twice and Maui once.  Here are my thoughts on the differences between these two popular Islands.  Hopefully it can help you with your decision making process!

Oahu

Weather

The weather in Hawaii is pretty darn close to perfect no matter which Island you choose.  It ranges from about mid 70's to mid 80's year round.  Winter may bring a few more clouds and raindrops but the temps are mild.  The first time we went to Oahu it was mid-August.  Weather was great (other than the full day of rain and flooding that we had from a close call with the first hurricane in Hawaii in 50 years!...figures!) The second time we went was the first week of January.  Big waves were on the North Shore and were absolutely amazing. Weather was mid 70's and there were a few clouds and raindrops but mostly it was just perfect!  I actually preferred the winter visit more...you just don't get to see 20 foot waves every day!

Hotels

There are all kinds of hotels and resorts in Oahu.  Most tourists head toward Waikiki Beach and stay there.  You will find high rise resorts, regular hotels, big hotels...small hotels...you name it...it's there.  There are other resort areas that are less highly populated in other parts of the Island but the vast majority of visitors congregate in the Waikiki area.  The beach is long and is very accessible.  The weather is nice and waves are small enough to handle...unlike the North Shore waves.  If you are a Disney fan, Disney has recently added a new Resort the Aulani which is in Kapolei.

Attractions

There are many attractions on Oahu:

1.  Pearl Harbor is perhaps the most well known.  It is definitely a "must see" if you are on this Island.  It is educational, emotional and beautiful at the same time. 

2.  Diamond Head is another favorite area.  You can take a hike up to the top or just look at it from the bottom...either way it is a beautiful sight.  

3.  Polynesian Cultural Center - This is a fun day trip for the entire family.  You can learn about the culture and history of the polynesian people and enjoy a luau and spectacular nighttime entertainment.  It is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so there is no alcohol served. 

4.  Dole Planation - What says Hawaii more than pineapples?  Head to the Dole Plantation if you want to see how they grow and are harvested.  They have a terrific gift shop and you can even buy Dole Whip there!

5.  USS Missouri - visit this real battleship to get an idea of what it's like for our Navy at sea.  It's near Pearl Harbor and another place to stop if you are out and about.

Restaurants

There is no shortage of restaurants in Oahu.  You name it...they have it!  There are local favorites like Duke's on the beach in Waikiki and there are chains like the Hard Rock Cafe.  There are luaus at various places on the Island.  The luau's provide transportation from many hotels so make sure you check that out when book one.  You will not be disappointed with your dining options in Oahu!

Shopping

There is also no shortage of shopping in Oahu!  There are shopping malls like the Ala Moana Shopping Center which is huge and offers high end as well as regular stores.  There are really high end shops on the main street in Waikiki....you can literally spend at least an evening, if not more, just strolling down the street and heading into some of the shops.  There are touristy shops in Waikiki also....here you can buy any touristy souvenir you can imagine....from bamboo wind chimes to t-shirts to ukeleles.  Oahu is definitely a shoppers delight!

Maui

Weather

The weather in Maui is virtually identical to the weather on Oahu.  The islands are not far from each other so they both enjoy the same beautiful weather year round.  We were in Maui at the end of November/beginning of December and temperatures were still in the mid to upper seventies.  There were a few overcast days but no real rainy weather to speak of.  it makes the perfect place to visit no matter what time of year you are planning to go!

Grand Wailea Resort and Spa

Hotels

There are two main areas of hotel concentration in Maui.  The Wailea area and the Lahaina area.  From what we were able to see, these areas are quite different,  If you are looking for high rise hotels....book your room in Lahaina.  If you are looking for a sprawling resort with beautiful gardens....book in Wailea.  The rest of the Island offers a few hotels but certainly not the variety or quantity that Oahu offers.   (See my previous blog on the Grand Wailea  http://travelswithmel.blogspot.com/2013/02/maui-day-2-grande-wailea-little-slice.html

Hotels on Maui are quite a bit more expensive than those on Oahu so be prepared for the price difference.  The supply is lower on Maui so you will pay!

Attractions

There are more limited "attractions" on Maui.  The attractions that do exist are more of a nature variety. They also involve some travel time.

1.  The Road to Hana:  Plan a whole day to head to Hana from any of the more populated areas of the Island.  It is a long and winding road that leads to the small city of Hana.  It's not about the destination....it's about the journey.  As long as you keep that  in mind you will enjoy your day.  This trip is not for everyone...it's full of one lane bridges and big bends and it requires you to give up an entire day at the beach.  However...the payoff is big for those of you who enjoy nature.  If you would like to read more about the Road to Hana please visit my previous blog http://travelswithmel.blogspot.com/2013/03/maui-day-4-road-to-hana-its-about.html

2.  Haleakala Crater:  This is a "must see" when you visit Maui.  If you do no other day trip....make sure that you take time to visit the crater at sunrise.  It is unreal and possibly the most beautiful sunrise that I have ever witnessed.  Please visit my previous blog for more information http://travelswithmel.blogspot.com/2013/02/maui-day-3-part-1-sunrise-at-haleakala.html

3.  The beach in Paia:  This is a great spot to stop and watch the surfers.  It's beautiful and entertaining at the same time.  Definitely a worthwhile stop to put on you list!

Restaurants

The restaurants on Maui are not nearly as diverse or in as great of quantity as on Oahu.  There are restaurants...there are chains and local restaurants...there just aren't as many of them as you will find on Oahu.  Lahaina offers the most variety so if you are looking for a nice restaurant or some nightlife you will probably want to check out that area.

Shopping

Again, shopping is an area that Oahu wins hands down.  Maui has shopping but not nearly the amount that Oahu offers.  There are some high end shops in the Shops at Wailea and also in the Lahaina area.  There is a shopping mall near the airport but it's not nearly as nice as anything in Oahu.  You can shop....so don't worry about not being able to get your shopping fix....it's just a different experience.

Oahu vs. Maui.......My Thoughts

I have been to Oahu twice. Both times that I was there I enjoyed my time but was ready to head back to the mainland.  I have been to Maui once and I didn't want to leave.....in fact the valet had to console me as I was leaving the resort LOL!  

If you are looking for action, nightlife, hustle and bustle, and the draw of the big city.  Oahu is the place for you.  If you are looking for relaxing, beautiful, tropical and what most people think of when they think Hawaii....Maui is your spot.  That being said, I think everyone should visit Oahu at least once.  It's a great Island and has so much to offer.  Once you have done that....head to Maui for a real Hawaiian adventure!

Coming up Next:  Colorado Springs on a Budget

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Maui Day 8: Our Last Day in Paradise

As the saying goes...."time flies when you are having fun" and this week was no exception.  Much sooner than I was ready for it...our last day in Maui had arrived and I found that I was more than a little saddened by this fact!

As our last day dawned I found myself reliving the past week in my mind.  It was absolutely wonderful in every way!  It was so wonderful in fact that I found it difficult to leave the view from our lanai!  It was like I wanted to burn the memory of the view into my head to keep with me during the long winter months in Ohio!

One Last Walk Around the Grand Wailea Resort

We had asked for and received a late check out for the day.  Our flight didn't depart till 9:30 PM (which is very common for flights to the Mainland from Hawaii) so we had the entire day to enjoy the Island.  Once I was finally able to drag myself away from the lanai...I wanted to take one more walk around the beautiful grounds of the Grand Wailea Resort just to enjoy the place that we had called home for a little more than a week.  Here are some of the parting shots that I was able to take.....

Believe me it was not a pretty site when my hubby finally dragged me out of the room and loaded me in car to head out for the rest of our day!  Even the valet kept telling me it was ok...I could come back...LOL.  I really just wanted to stay!

Heading back to Paia

Once we got on our way from the resort we decided to head back up to Paia to catch some more of the big waves and watch the surfers.  When we got there we were greeted with lots of vehicles in the parking area by the beach.  Turns out we were there just in time to watch a Kite Surfing Championship!  Now that's not something you see in Ohio!  

The sadness of leaving the resort quickly was replaced by the excitement of watching World Class Kite Surfers handle some big waves!

The sights and sounds were like nothing I had ever experienced.  The bright colors of the kites....the warm breezes...the deep blue of the water...the sound of waves crashing.  There is nothing like it!  Here are some of the photos that I took....it doesn't do it justice but perhaps will give you an idea of the beauty of Paia!

Of Pineapples and Bringing them Home

We had time to head out to dinner after watching the kite surfing and then before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport for our flight.  Just a couple things to remember when you head to the airport in Hawaii...get there ahead of time.  Your baggage must go through a US agricultural inspection which is an extra step in the process.  You cannot pack produce in your bags.  However...there are ways to bring a bit of Hawaii home with you.  If your friends are like mine....they will appreciate the fresh pineapple you can bring home!  There are a couple of ways that you can do this.  You can purchase your pineapples ahead of time and pick them up to take as a carryon on your flight home or you can have them shipped home.  There are pros and cons to each method.  We were bringing a dozen Maui Gold pineapples home with us so carrying on was really not an option for us.  We read other travelers advice and headed to Mr. Pineapple.

Mr. Pineapple

Oahu has the Dole Plantation so it's really easy to find a way to ship some pineapples home.  Maui is a bit of a different story.  They sell the Maui Gold Pineapples but it isn't real convenient to find someone who sells and ships.  We found a brochure for Mr. Pineapple.  It was near the airport....you could buy and ship home...sounded perfect.  We actually went a day or two before we left and placed our order.  First of all Mr. Pineapple isn't exactly easy to find.  It is true that it is near the airport.  You will see a van parked in the parking lot.  The actual store is above a gas station in a small room.  Once we located it...we headed up and spoke with Mike who was running the store.  He was the only one there and was frantic with phone calls and other customers.  We waited our turn...tried the samples that were out and finally were able to place our order.  Now...the price of the pineapples isn't too bad....the cost to ship them home is slightly on the outrageous side...like about $100.00 or more so be prepared.  We wanted pineapples so we paid for the shipping.  We paid and headed off.  

Once we got home the pineapples arrived as scheduled.  There were two 6-packs taped together.  I opened the top pack and started passing them out to friends and family.  They were great...beautiful...fresh.  When I opened the bottom box...which was leaking (my first clue that something was out of whack)....four of the six pineapples were rotten.  I was able to save a little from each pineapple but certainly wasn't able to give them out as gifts.  I made a couple of attempts to contact Mr. Pineapple since their brochure indicated "satisfaction guaranteed" but alas...no one ever returned a call or email.  Left me feeling a bit rotten about Mr. Pineapple I must say!  So buyer beware...maybe it was a fluke...maybe not.  Just be careful if you are using Mr. Pineapple to 

There are also stores to purchase pineapples (same Maui Gold) in the airport.  I do not know if they ship them or not but certainly if you wanted to purchase a small box to carry on the plane it is possible to do that at the airport.

The Long Flight Home

So once you get to the airport it's time to prepare for the long trip home and it is long....even if you live on the west coast you still have a 5 hour flight back to the mainland.  Luckily our flight home was uneventful and our flights were on time unlike the trip there so about 15 hours after we left Maui we arrived in Cleveland.  This included our 5 hour layover at LAX.  Once again we were very happy that we has used the miles to  upgrade to First Class so that we could at least have more room to stretch out and get some rest on the way back.  It's a long trip to Maui (or anywhere in Hawaii for that matter) but it's a trip that will always be remembered!

Next up:  Maui vs. Oahu

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