No matter which island you choose to visit in Hawaii, you will be able to find stunning beaches, an abundance of hiking trails, delicious food, and opportunities to learn about the local culture and history. If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, read on.

However each island does have its own unique character, and choosing just one might be a difficult task because of this. Beyond the obvious sand, surf, and sun (and yes, plenty of mai tais) you'll find throughout the state, we've put together a guide to help you determine which island is best suited to you and your travel style. If you're trying to decide between Maui and Kauai, this guide will help you determine which island is best suited to you and your travel style.

Instructions for Getting to Maui and Kauai

The only method to visit Hawaii's isolated archipelago from the mainland United States is via aeroplane, unless you are a really accomplished sailor or are going to take a cruise that crosses the Pacific Ocean. There are currently more than 120 direct flights each week to Lihue, Kauai, from a number of cities in the continental United States, such as Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Additionally, there are four direct flights each week from Vancouver, Canada, to Lihue, Kauai. This information was derived from an analysis of Diio Mi air data by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. There are 316 direct flights that travel each week from the continental United States to Kahului, Maui, and there are another 35 direct flights that depart each week from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada. If you are planning a trip to Maui, you will have even more options available to you.

Experiences on Maui and Kauai

A vacation to any of the Hawaiian islands is sure to be memorable, but you'll find that some of the most incredible experiences and views — the kind that will make you pinch yourself and wonder if you're dreaming — are specific to each location on the islands. These are the kinds of things that you won't find anywhere else.

Haleakal is a sacred site and dormant volcano that covers more than 75 percent of the island of Maui. It is home to more than 100 endangered species, including the nene, which is the state bird of Hawaii. On Maui, you can watch the sunrise while sitting above the clouds at an elevation of 10,000 feet atop Haleakal. It will be early in the morning before you begin the ascent of the steep and winding route, but getting up for the trip will be well worth the effort. You may also schedule a small group tour with a local operator like Skyline Hawaii if you'd prefer not drive yourself (the Haleakala Highway does, after all, hold the world record for the steepest elevation ascent in the shortest distance). You might even go to this holy summit just before dusk and stay for some stargazing thereafter.

A trip to Kauai is something you should consider doing if you enjoy going on hikes. Waimea Canyon State Park is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and it features a network of hiking trails that you can explore. Along these paths, you'll come across picturesque vistas and geological formations that are unlike anything else in the state.

On the wild and mountainous N Pali Coast of Kauai, known for its sea cliffs that are 4,000 feet high, there is a trail known as the Kalalau Trail that experienced hikers can attempt. Due to the fact that this trail is both one of the most beautiful and one of the most dangerous in the United States, a certain level of physical fitness and mental preparedness is required. You don't have to face it on your own, and in fact, you probably shouldn't if you don't have much experience in the field. Employ a knowledgeable guide from a local operator like Kauai Hiking Tours, or join one of their small group walks where you will not only experience some of the best views, but you will also learn about the nature and the history of the area.

Conditions in the islands of Maui and Kauai

Summer, which lasts from May to October, and winter make up Hawaii's two primary seasons (November to April). The summer months see daytime temperatures that average around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winter months see daytime temperatures that average around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter months bring the islands an increase in precipitation, which can result in flooding, road closures, and low visibility (which may have an effect on views at Waimea Canyon on Kauai and Haleakala on Maui, for example), and the temperature may drop, particularly at higher elevations and in the windier areas of the islands. You'll notice that the weather can be rather different even on the same island due to the various microclimates that exist here.

@hipEchik http://twitpic.com/jcy8y - What's your favorite island? For me it's a toss up: Kauai or Maui

— CalNatveSD (@CalNatveSD) September 17, 2010

It is often said that Kauai is one of the wettest areas on the entire earth. Of course, this is also one of the reasons why it has such a luscious appearance. The southern side of the island sees more sunshine than the northern side, however this is not always the case, especially during the winter.

Maui receives less rainfall than Kauai. On the windward side, where Iao Valley and Hana are situated, it is more likely to rain, whereas on the leeward side, where Ka'anapali, Lahaina, Kihei, Kapalua, and Wailea can be found, the weather is normally drier.

Having said that, one cannot always anticipate what the weather will be like. During my most recent trip to Kauai and Maui, I had the sunniest day at Wai'ale'ale, which is known for being one of the wettest spots in the world. On Maui, however, I had heavy winds and multiple days of rain.

Be adaptable and have a backup plan; a spa treatment that makes use of local ingredients and Hawaiian techniques is a wonderful way to perk up a day that seems like it might turn out to be rainy. At The Hi'ilani Spa on Kauai, you may get a lomilomi massage in an open-air room. At the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, you can get a massage in an oceanside hale (a thatched hut or home).

Water-Related Activities Available on Both Maui and Kauai

It is arguable that Maui's beaches are easier to get to than Kauai's, and the water at Maui's beaches is typically less turbulent. But the fact that both islands are surrounded by water means that there are plenty of opportunities for ocean activities such as surfing, snorkelling, diving, and paddling outrigger canoes (if you want to take your paddling to the next level, book a three-day intensive training at Kukui'ula on Kauai).

In addition to this, every island gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an unexpected experience. Since Kauai is the only island in Hawaii with rivers that can be navigated, this is the best island to go river kayaking on. Paddle down the Hanalei River and enjoy the scenery as you travel through taro farms on your way to a waterfall swimming hole in Wailua River State Park, or enjoy bird-watching as you paddle along the Hanalei River.

Molokini is a partially submerged volcano crater that serves as Hawaii's sole island marine sanctuary. It is located approximately three miles off the coast of Maui. The form of the islet, which is in the shape of a crescent, provides protection from the wind and surf here, so the waters are normally quiet. The visibility ranges from around 100 feet to up to 150 feet, making it an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving. In addition, there are many different species of fish, many of which can only be found in Hawaii. You might even get the chance to see a whale shark if you're really lucky.

Cultural Encounters on Maui and Kauai

Learning about Hawaiian culture can be accomplished in a number of different ways on both Kauai and Maui, but each island has something special to impart to visitors.

Malama aina, which translates to "caring for the land," is best understood via practise: Participate in a Saturday volunteer activity hosted by Maui Cultural Lands, where you will assist locals in the elimination of invasive species and the introduction of native ones.

See what goes on behind the scenes of hula at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This is the only venue in Hawaii where you can observe a hula hlau (school or group) practising for the highly competitive Merrie Monarch Festival. This is not a performance in the sense that you could see it at a luau; rather, it is a practice session taught by kuku hula (a hula instructor) Kamala Kuoni. Visitors are welcome to stay for as little as a few minutes or as long as the entire two hours.

Sign up for Native Hawaiian-led cultural programmed while you're staying at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel on the island of Maui. Some of the workshops include 'lelo Hawaii (the Hawaiian language), lessons on the ukulele, and stories told in Hawaiian.

From Spouting Horn Park to Koloa Missionary Church, located on the southwestern shore of Kauai, the Koloa Heritage Trail is a tour of cultural, geological, and historical monuments that spans ten miles and makes fourteen stops along the way.

During their stay at Timbers Kauai, guests have the opportunity to participate in farm tours where they may learn about the cultural significance of various Hawaiian plants, fruits, and vegetables while also sampling some of these local delicacies. Guests at Timers who are up bright and early have the opportunity to go on a wildlife tour led by naturalist guide Alan Silva. On this tour, guests will have the chance to see a variety of species, some of which were once threatened with extinction but whose numbers have rebounded as a result of conservation efforts.

Maui and Kauai each have exciting nightlife.

It's a running joke that everything in Kauai closes down at nine o'clock at night. Because of this, Kauai is an excellent destination for families with young children, visitors seeking rest and relaxation, couples interested in a romantic retreat, and lone travellers looking for a calm haven for solitude and meditation because many places close early.

You can base yourself at a hotel in one of the more populous places such as the Ko'a Kea Resort in Poipu if you're looking for a little bit more social interaction or a night out while you're on the island of Kauai. Red Salt, the on-site restaurant, is the ideal spot for commemorating a momentous milestone because it serves food prepared with ingredients sourced from the surrounding community, as well as sushi of the highest possible quality and sparkling sake.

In addition, the island is home to a variety of bars and restaurants that feature live music, such as Duke's in Lihue and Tahiti Nui in Hanalei. At Stevenson's Library in Koloa, you can get cocktails late into the night (well, late for Kauai, where the last order of sushi is at 10:00 p.m. and the bar closes at 11:00 p.m.). You can participate in trivia on Thursday nights at Rob's Good Times Restaurant in Lihue or sip locally made beers at the Kauai Island Brewing Company in Port Allen, which is the oldest bar on the island. Both of these establishments are located on Kauai.

On Maui, there is a wider variety of options available to people who are interested in socializing, and businesses stay open longer. Karaoke at Haui's Life's a Beach (also considered one of the best sunset cocktail spots) in Kihei or Sansei in Kihei and Kapalua, late-night dancing and craft cocktails at Vibe Bar Maui in Kihei, and more are some of the possibilities. Happy hour can be found at the no-frills Sly Mongoose in Lahaina.

Day Tours From Maui and Kauai

Even if you decide to spend your entire vacation on a single island, you may still build a mini-holiday that encompasses more than one island without having to take an additional flight.

Take the ferry from Maui to Lanai to witness how life moves at a more relaxed pace in Lanai. If you are coming during the winter, the ferry ride may double as a whale-watching expedition for you. Humpback whales pass through Hawaii from November to March, so it is possible that you will see some while you are on the water. You can take a day trip to Lanai, but it is highly recommended that you stay on the island for at least one night in order to have enough time to explore the old town, go on a hike, and participate in some of the cultural activities that are led by Love Lanai Native Hawaiians, such as oli (chants), traditional fishing, and hula.

Holo Holo Charters will take you on an adventure close to Niihau if you join them from Kauai. You won't be able to set foot on the "forbidden island," but you may go snorkelling in the Lehua Crater, which is located close to Niihau. This tour also takes you around the Na Pali Coast, providing you with the opportunity to view the spectacular coastal cliffs, waterfalls, and sea caves that Kauai is famous for (and possibly some wildlife such as turtles, dolphins, and monk seals).