No matter what your vision of Hawaii -
palm trees, hula dancers, and mai tais at sunset, or rain
forests, hiking, lava rock, and exploding volcanoes - there's
a Hawaiian island just for you.
What comes to mind when you think of Hawaii? Some envision the
bustle of Waikiki, sunbathers posed with Diamond Head crater as a
backdrop, constant sunshine, lots of activity both day and night, a
Wednesday night luau, and plenty of eye candy. Others see Active
Hawaii: rain forest seclusion and hikes into the
Grand Canyon of
the Pacific. Others want Cultural Hawaii: natives beating drums and
chanting,
local food, immersion in the island's rich history -
something completely different from their mainland roots. You can
find each of these Hawaiis
if you have the inside scoop.
Read on for a personality test of the Hawaiian Islands.
MAUI: The Valley Isle
Who should go: Anyone looking for lots of variety and
activity.
The minimum time you should stay: Give yourself a week and
you'll feel like a local.
Pack: Sundresses, bathing suits, golf attire, casual
eveningwear, play clothes.
What you should know: Maui ranks third behind Oahu and the
Big Island in terms of population, but it's not all sleepy hamlets
and deserted beaches. You'll find white sands, gourmet restaurants,
hiking, biking, windsurfing, snorkeling, and a lot more. You can go
first-class or budget (okay, that's a relative term in Hawaii), and
if you situate yourself on the island carefully, you'll experience
Maui your way.