If you’re having trouble deciding which island to visit in Hawai`i, here are some things to consider with the islands that have direct flights to the mainland. They are O`ahu, Kaua`i, Maui, and Hawai`i (aka the Big Island). You can also read my post about the culture in Hawai`i to learn a little about the islands in general.
- Most populated island. Highest population density.
- State capital of Hawai`i, Honolulu, is located on this island.
- Great nightlife and shopping.
- Contains many of the amenities you would expect from a major metropolitan city.
- Traffic can be bad due to population density.
- Lots of historical sights like Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace.
- Lots of white sand beaches and some of the world’s best surfing spots.
Kaua`i
- Smallest and oldest island of the ones listed here.
- You can take the first flight in and the last flight and still be able to see most of the island.
- Mt. Waialeale is the wettest spot on Earth and located on Kaua`i.
- The “Grand Canyon the the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon, is on Kaua`i.
- The Na Pali Coast is beautiful with weathered cliffs and crystal blue water.
- Great island to go to if you want to relax on the beach as things are pretty laid back.
Maui
- Second most populous next to O`ahu.
- Contains all of the amenities of a big city like Honolulu.
- Traffic and drought are concerns.
- Hana Highway is a beautiful drive with waterfalls and black sand beaches on the route but traffic can be bad since most of it is a winding two lane highway.
- Haleakala National Park is a beautiful place to watch a sunrise.
- Most of the resorts are located on the south and west shore of the island. Traffic can get bad driving to either part of the island.
Hawai`i (aka the Big Island)
- Larger than all of the other islands put together.
- It is the youngest of all of the Hawaiian islands and therefore covered with acres of barren lava fields.
- Due to its young age, it does not have as many white sand beaches as the other islands.
- This island has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones so you can experience all kinds of weather including snow atop Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the winter.
- The tallest mountain in the world (when measured from the sea floor) is Mauna Kea.
- Volcanoes National Park is the place to see active volcanoes. Even if there are no active lava flows, you can see steam vents and sulfur beds. Hiking through old lava tubes will take you through tropical Hawaiian rainforests filled with endangered native birds.
- The southern most point in the United States is on this island.
- This island has green and black sand beaches.
- Most of the resorts are located along the north western coast.