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Is Honolulu or Maui better?

Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.



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But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.

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Kauai is the winner It has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do. Kauai tends to not be as popular as islands like Maui and Oahu so you can fully enjoy what the island offers.

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The 25 Most Beautiful Places in Hawaii to Visit
  • Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
  • Waimea Canyon State Park (Kauai)
  • Haleakala National Park (Maui)
  • Road to Hana (Maui)
  • Hanauma Bay (Oahu)
  • Lanikai Beach (Oahu)
  • Mauna Kea (Big Island)
  • Hanalei Bay (Kauai)


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Usually Honolulu is more humid and warmer--if you are in town--than Lahaina. Lahaina is hot and dry. Septemeber is normally one of our hottest times, and unless there's a storm, very dry. Try going to NOAA and check the National Weather Service.

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The average visitor to Maui spends 8.1 days on the island. How long you should stay depends on what you want to do, but you should plan to spend a minimum of five days on Maui.

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Maui is located about 100 miles away from Honolulu. Traveling from Honolulu to other Hawaiian islands is easy and can be quite reasonable once you've arrived on the Hawaiian soil. Honolulu, located on Oahu, is typically the main transfer hub before flying to the other islands.

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Best places to go in Hawaii Island
  • Hilo. Hilo is a charming town framed by amazing natural sights. ...
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. ...
  • Farm at upland rainforest of Puna. ...
  • Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. ...
  • Akaka Falls State Park. ...
  • Haleakala National Park. ...
  • Hamoa Beach. ...
  • Kaihalulu Beach.


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In the resort areas on the west side of the island the evenings are typically in the mid 70s to low 80s. It is very rare for the temperature to ever drop below 70 on the coast. The most popular area to stay is the Kohala Coast. This area is home to the nicest resorts, the most beautiful weather and the best beaches.

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Maui, known also as “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest Hawaiian island. The island beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ?Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales (during winter months), farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala.

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Ferries depart from Honolulu and take approximately 2.5 hours to reach Kahului. The cost of a one-way ferry ticket is usually around $60. Booking a flight is typically the fastest way to get to Maui, with flights usually taking between 45 minutes to an hour.

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Molokai. Molokai is the best island for solitude, meaning few tourists and small town Hawai?i life. Additionally, Molokai is all about making your own adventure, easy but scenic hiking, and most of all, relaxing! If you like a slow vacation, then Molokai may be for you!

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It will absolutely make you want to go to Maui again. But it's also a LOT less pricey than a full week! Maui is a fairly expensive destination, and it may end up being more doable to spend a few 3-day weekends in Maui over the course of a few years rather than a full week.

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The best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. The spring and fall shoulder seasons provide the pleasant weather Hawaii vacationers seek without the high rates and heavy crowds that accompany the summer and winter.

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If it's your first time in Hawaii, your ideal island will depend on your travel style and to-do list. For most travelers visiting Hawaii for the first time, the Big Island of Hawaii should be the winner because it offers the most diverse experiences.

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While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

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April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.

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Generally, the best time to visit Hawaii for the most ideal overall weather, lowest statewide rates, and the fewest visitors on-island is April and May during the spring and September and October during the fall. Some refer to these times as Hawaii's 'off-season period' or 'shoulder months.

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A 4 day Oahu itinerary is perfect for your first visit if you are also Hawaiian island hopping to Maui or Kauai. If you have enough time, 5 days on Oahu or even on a week on Oahu will give you more time to slow down for hiking or relaxing at the beach.

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Take a flight from Honolulu to Maui for a one-day Maui excursion and explore the Road to Hana, one of the top things to do in Maui! Pass the old plantation town Paia to stop at waterfalls & a black sand beach along the 52-mile Hana Highway.

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Some Lahaina residents will be allowed into their neighborhood on Monday to see what is left of their homes, for the first time since wildfires swept across parts of Maui on Aug. 8 and killed at least 97 people, making it one of the nation's deadliest disasters.

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