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Maui Vs. Oahu; Which Island is Better?

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Maui Vs. Oahu; Which Island is Better to LIVE on and to VACATION on?

So, the saying is Maui No Ka 'Oi. which means Maui is the Best!

But is Maui better than Oahu? and for what? to live on? to vacation on? To get through traffic on?

Here's what I think about which island is best, and before you go, I want to know what YOU think!

here's a sneak peek at my opinion: In the battle of Oahu vs Maui and Maui vs. Oahu, I think there is no clear winner. If you can't decide which to vacation on - I say go to Oahu. It's got a lot of the major places that people associate with Hawaii and expect to see. (Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore).

If you can't stand crowds though, or you've already been to Oahu, then go to Maui.

People ask me all the time: Oahu or Maui - which is better, which is nicer, which is better to visit? And I say - it all depends on what you want to do on your vacation!!

Maui vs Oahu; Which is Better to VACATION on?

I want to hear what YOU think, or where YOU are going.

Maui Vs. Oahu; Which Island is Better?

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Maui No Ka Oi!

Vince says:

Maui hands down. I lived on Oahu for 2 1/2 years and would not go back unless i got paid to do so. having owned and seen Maui for 12 years I can say it is "the best" With that said I would also add that the beaches in Wailea and Wailea in general, is the best place on Maui. Amazing swimming beaches and great outrigger canoeing. Launching a boat at the Kiehei boat ramp is easy and not crowded. If you want the best lifestyle then hands down this is it.

Posted February 16, 2012

Alejandro says:

I've been to both. People who say things like "I didn't see anything worthwhile on Maui" didn't really see Maui. Both islands have great things to offer, personally I can't stand the crowds of Waikiki/Honolulu. If you like that kind of thing, then Oahu is the place for you. Of course you can get away from that on Oahu too. I like Maui better mainly because of Paia, Ho'okipa Bay, the north shore in general, plus the road to Hana and all the accessible waterfalls along the way, Haleakalá too. Helicopter tours are also more spectacular on Maui than on Oahu, not that you'd do that every day, it's simply a reference to the difference in steep green cliffs and terrain covered in rain forest. I must admit Oahu's north shore is pretty awesome, but again, that's my kind of thing, less crowds, less buildings, more nature. Overall, I'd live on Maui before I would on Oahu. Taking career opportunities into concern though, you'd have to give the edge to Oahu because of Honolulu and its population. If that's not a concern, and you're more into nature and a slower pace aka higher quality of life, Maui is my choice.

Posted February 01, 2012

RenaissanceWoman2010 says:

When I go to Hawaii, I don't want crowds. Here I will say Maui, although I am thinking about more of a nature experience. Perhaps Kauai?

Posted November 21, 2011

Props-n-Frocks-Fancy-Dress says:

I have never been to either, but they look lovely, another addition to my 'must do' list!

Posted September 16, 2011

Michey says:

Maui has everything just right, but Oahu has some history, and "Polynesian Cultural Center" which is again history in a easy and pleasant way to learn history, so it is hard to decide, but I'll say Maui

Posted March 01, 2011

daria369 says:

My first choice is Maui for I enjoy the nature above all. However, I also like to experience everything else so I wouldn't miss on an opportunity to see Oahu and more.

Posted January 24, 2011

SofiaMann says:

I would like to know the two islands, but if I choose, then Maui.

Posted September 16, 2010

ArtByLinda says:

Okay, I need a trip to Hawaii to decide. It is on my Bucket list!

Posted September 10, 2010

ohcaroline says:

I'd say I enjoyed Maui more than Oahu for having more unique places. Oahu was fun though.

Posted June 10, 2010

No way, Oahu is the best

Michey says:

I was only in Oahu so this is why it is the best for me...

Posted February 20, 2012

Melissa says:

Maui was boring and I didn't see any beauty. Oahu is beautiful and you get the best of both worlds.

Posted January 27, 2012

nancycarol says:

If I ever get to go to Hawaii, I'd really like to visit Pearl Harbor. But there is so much, although different, to see in both Oahu and Maui. Heck, I just want to go to Hawaii, but the only way I can go is by ship. My health doesn't allow me to fly any more.

Posted November 17, 2011

paperfacets says:

I am not sure about Maui being the best. I did not get a chance to see the north shore. I have to go back to make a thorough and experienced assesment.

Posted October 10, 2011

CruiseReady says:

I wish I knew the answer to this firsthand! Soon, maybe, as we have a son living on Kawaii... I will say Oahu, because I would dearly love to see Pear harbor.

Posted September 06, 2011

Frederick says:

Been to both islands a few times. Maui is cool to vacation but I would live in Oahu. It's not all about Waikiki. THe rest of the island is beautiful and lush, lots of history and hawaiian culture. Maui is turning to be a mainlander island.

Posted August 22, 2011

Martha says:

Oahu offers so much more to see and do. It also has great beaches and surf. It has great country/small towns if you like to get away from the city. I had the choice to live between the two islands and since living here in Oahu for 5 years now, I've never had to need or desire to go to Maui.

Posted August 22, 2011

ijehhuehthtj says:

OAHU IS THE BEST IT HAS SO MUCH STUFF TO DO

Posted June 14, 2011

elsiehui says:

Oahu has more things to do, but more people. But, overall, I like Oahu -- my husband would like Maui for Hana Highway though! :)

Posted May 05, 2011

RedSportNiac says:

It sounds better.

Posted September 10, 2010

 

Maui vs. Oahu; Which Island is Better to VACATION on?

oahu kayakingSo, Maui and Oahu are very different islands, but each is awesome in their own way.

I like to say "You Can't Go Wrong in Hawaii" :)

.. But still, you want to figure out before you go which island will best fit what YOU want to do and what YOUR preferences are, so you can wring the most amount of joy and fun out of every moment of THIS trip. Right? right.

So let's talk about it -

I'm going to give you my opinion, and then we'll talk about what's unique about and fun on each island, and hopefully when we're done, you'll have an idea and know "oh, ok, THAT's the island I want to visit".

So, with all that being said, if you are visiting hawaii for the first time and are pretty concerned about which island is going to give you the most bang for your buck, you should know this:

When people ask me which island they should visit, I say "tell me what you want to DO" and if there is nothing SPECIAL they want to do that can only be done on one island, well then I say ...

""You should go to Oahu or Maui"

I even say that I say that on my Kauai vs the Big Island page.

Some people even ask me which is better - Maui vs Waikiki - in which case, Waikiki is on Oahu, so the choice is still the same.
Important!

Oahu vs Maui VACATION Overview

If you don't mind people and traffic and are totally interested in HISTORY and CULTURE and GETTING THE BEST DEAL with THE MOST OPTIONS, then pick OAHU.

If you don't want the traffic and really want BEAUTY and ADVENTURE and CLASSIC HAWAII with mile after mile of AWESOME BEACHES, then steer towards MAUI.

What's Different About Oahu Vs Maui?

waikiki long shotThe biggest difference I need to point out immediately is

PEOPLE AND TRAFFIC AND SKYSCRAPERS AND COMMERCIALISM

Oahu, in Waikiki, Honolulu and some of the other cities is full of skyscrapers and people. Literally thousands of people go to Waikiki Beach every day. Luckily it's big and you aren't *too* crowded most of the time.

Oahu is full of traffic. Oh my gosh. There's a million people on Oahu and there seem to be a million cars or more on the road. Oahu has regular rush hour traffic jams just like other non-paradise big cities. It's pretty crazy, cuz none of the other islands are like that.

So, Maui has some traffic issues, because the roads are a bit smaller, but it's nothing like Oahu.

So, other than that ...

Oahu is the most-populated (by far) busiest, easiest to get to island with the most hotels and the most people competing for your dollar. You can save a LOT of money on Oahu. Two easy ways are this Hawaii coupon book and the Go Oahu Card. Oahu IS beautiful and IS amazing and you can get away from all the people by heading up to the North Shore.

Maui seems to be the first choice for many people - some people swear by Maui and won't go anywehere else. It is amazing and versatile and has many different areas with many different things to do. Lots of adventure tours have started cropping up like zip lines. The beaches are truly awesome and the road to Hana offers many crazy waterfall hikes through sugar cane and tropical rain forests.

photo credit

What's the Best, Most Fun, and Most Interesting about Maui?

kihei beachIncredibly awesome Maui beaches
great luaus
maui zipline
great waterfalls
lava tubes
Maui boat tours
golf

What's Unique to Maui - what you can only do on Maui

Haleakala National Park
Downhill Bike Rides
Road to Hana
Paia
maui ocean center
Iao Valley
Best whale watching in hawaii
red sand beach

So if any of this calls to you strongly, then maybe Maui is your island!

What's the Most Fun, Most Interesting about Oahu?

diamond headOahu Waterfall Hikes
awesome beaches
golf
surf lessons - super easy, just walk onto waikiki beach and go
suset cruises
botanical gardens

bishop museum
waikiki aquarium
waikiki beach
pearl harbor with bowfin sub museum and mighty mo
dole plantation
north shore big waves and surfing tournaments
polynesian cultural center
hanauma bay
largest selection of hotels and activities anywhere in hawaii

Which Island is Best to Live on?

Maui or Oahu

waikikiWell, here's the thing. Oahu has a big city, but a safe and clean and fun and beautiful big city. So there are lots of jobs and lots of small apartments and great public transportation.

Maui, doesn't. But It sure is a great place to live too. So here's the thing. This will be hugely personal preference. What do YOU want? What is most important or appeals to you most?

Personally, I think I'd pick Oahu if I could afford it. I really like Oahu. I would NOT want to have to commute, and I would work hard to make sure I didn't have to, but other than that I think Oahu would be cool.

Maui vs Oahu; Which island is the best to LIVE on?

What do YOU think? Is Oahu better or Maui better to live on?

Is Maui or Oahu better to Live on?

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Maui is the best place to Live!

RenaissanceWoman2010 says:

Maui sounds more like me.

Posted November 21, 2011

Props-n-Frocks-Fancy-Dress says:

I like it more quiet, so Maui I think would be for me!

Posted September 16, 2011

CruiseReady says:

From your description, I think I would like Maui best

Posted September 06, 2011

No Way! Oahu is where I want to be!

 

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So what do YOU think about Oahu and Maui?

I'd love to hear from you!

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lisakleinweber

Hi, I'm Lisa. I lived in Hawaii for 14 years on the Big Island. I loved, loved, loved visiting Oahu, and Maui was fun too :)

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