Image of Hanauma Bay. Do not reproduce without permission.

Hawaii is a chain of eight major islands including: Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Oahu, and The Big Island. Hawaii is an amazing place to visit, but there are distinctions to each island that make each its own unique travel destination.  I had the privileged of traveling to the islands of Oahu and Maui in early November of 2009. This article will compare the two Islands.

Image of Oahu. Do not reproduce without permission. Image taken by Roxanne Ducusin.

I have been to the islands many times, but the last time I was in Waikiki, Oahu was in 1992. Boy has it changed! I was expecting to go shop at the old International Market place. However, on my short walk down Kalakaua Street, I saw the Hawaiian version of Rodeo Drive.  Their streets now boasted Louis Vitton, Hermes, Sevens for all mankind, Fendi and many other high-end stores.  It is a true shopper’s Shangri-La. So, it was shop till you drop, for this mama, even if it was just window shopping. Oahu is a true commercial tourist destination, and there are many things to do and see. There are many of the traditional places to visit like the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau, Aloha Stadium, and The Sea Life Park. There is a new Wet and Wild Water Park that will keep the family busy for the whole day. There are also naturally beautiful destinations on Oahu like tropical rainforests and of course the Waikiki beaches, the north shore, Diamond Head, and Hanauma bay. This is a very busy Island with so many things to do. So much to do, in fact, you will have to choose destinations and budget your time.

Image of Oahu. Do not reproduce without permission. Image taken by Roxanne Ducusin.

Then there is Maui. On the island of Maui, it is much more of an outdoor adventure. We enjoyed scuba diving, zip lines, wine tasting, quad riding, horseback riding, a catamaran cruise, snorkeling, and volcano crater hikes. There are many beaches to visit on Maui, with sands of red, white or black to choose from. There are gorgeous golf courses, in which you will have to deal with the trade winds, which makes your game like no other. There are beautiful sunset Luau’s, the Maui Ocean Center (an aquarium), and an all day adventure drive on the road to Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools.   

Image of Maui, Hawaii. Taken by Roxanne Ducusin. Do not reproduce without permission.

Either island you pick will keep you going for your entire vacation, or just relaxing on the beaches. Either Island allows you to experience it all. Needless to say, there was no way my teenager could say “I’m bored.” My ten year old and six year old had a blast as well.  This trip is worth every penny, there is a lot of art, culture, and adventure, in Hawaii, no matter which Island you go to.  Aloha.

	Image of Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Do not reproduce without permission.
	Image of floral and greenery in Oahu, Hawaii. Do not reproduce without permission.
	Image from Oahu, Hawaii. Do not reproduce without permission.