Post #71527 by christiki295 on Wed, Jan 21, 2004 7:21 PM

Oahu has the most Polynesean Pop, the Bishop Museum and the Polynesean Cultural Center (on the far side of the island).

Oahu also has the most nightlife action. However, it is the most crowded of all islands and Wakiki is a crowded beach. There is also Pearl Harbor and related military prescence.

However, for a romantic trip, it may not be the best choice.

Maui is a very good romantic choice. Maui, or atleast Kanapali and Kapalua, is the resort island - so the hotels will have all the ammenitites you or your girl might want, and has wonderful beaches, although not much in tiki - except for the Kanapali Beach Hotel which has a huge tiki statute and is a wonderful (& cost effective) place to stay.

Whaler's village is an excellent museum on the whaling history, although Lahania is a total tourist trap - although offers good whale watching, particularly in this time of year.

Free hula, mai-tais in fresh pineapples and sunset torch lighting at the Sheraton. The Maui Tropical Gardens are worth a visit to the that island alone.

Hawaii, the Big Island, has the Place of Refuge which is a living tiki monument. It also has petroglyphs. Visit the Volcanoes National Park and pay homage to Pele (don't take any of the soil). Visit the Painted Church.

Caution: choose your Big Island hotel carefully - most oceanfront hotels are not on a beach, but a lava coastline. You will also need to be prepared to spend some time behind the wheel touring.

Molokai is the cheapest and least touristy, but does not have much going on except for the hula festival in May.

Kaui has great gardens and numerous tikis, particularly at the Hyatt (pictures of which are located on other posts). However, the sun sets on the West and most hotels are on the East.

Lanai is for the exclusive, well-heeled traveler who wants an island somewhat to themselves - only 2 1/2 hotels and only approx 20 miles of paved road.

Although the Big Island is my recommendation, plan on going back again & again until you visit them all.

If Hawaii doesnt make (dollars &) sense, a good back-up choice would be to go to San Diego & stay at Humphrey's - a hotel where tikis abound (and which does have a bay beach across the street), visit the Bali Hai, stock up at Morts Liquour, visit the very tiki Islands restaurant at the Red Lion in Hotel Circle & the check out the upcoming tiki bar in the old Fio's location in the Gaslamp. (Also - hit the W).

[ Edited by: christiki295 on 2004-01-21 19:41 ]