we're planning our trip !!

which is better and why? Molokai or Kauai?

we're planning our trip !!

While people here will argue both sides, I vote for Kaua`i. I%26#39;ve been to all the islands, and I feel very strongly that Kaua`i is the friendliest of all. Beyond that, it depends on whether you want pure rural (Moloka`i) or mostly rural (Kaua`i).

we're planning our trip !!

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Moloka%26#39;i is a wonderful, small island -- probably the least developed and most ';Hawaiian'; of any of the islands (other than Ni%26#39;ihau of course) -- you have the dramatic cliffs going down Kalaupapa to the leper colony and ancient fishponds hugging the coast. You also have very dry, cattle country where the only green thing you%26#39;ll see is the odd golf course here and there.

Kaunakakai is the only town on the island -- the only bank, grocery store, bakery, etc.

It is very rural and peaceful -- it would certainly be the place to ';get away from it all'; and just chill.

If you want shopping, night life, restaurants, you%26#39;ll be out of luck however.

I went there a couple of years ago and loved it!

Kaua%26#39;i is still pretty rural (but being developed fast!) -- it is the oldest island and has some of the most dramatic landscape in the islands -- the Na Pali coastline is accessible by boat, helicopter or hiking. Waimea Canyon is known as the ';Little Grand Canyon of the Pacific';. There are two major towns, Lihu%26#39;e and Kapa%26#39;a -- the main resort areas are Princeville and Po%26#39;ipu. There isn%26#39;t a lot of shopping, but much, much more than Moloka%26#39;i. Kaua%26#39;i relies more on its%26#39; natural beauty as a visitor attraction rather than anything else -- there are tons of beaches, some very deserted -- lots of hiking, snorkeling, and other outdoor activities. We don%26#39;t have much nightlife and we do have restaurants, but not as many as say Maui or O%26#39;ahu. It is still a very laid-back place to come to.

I know this is just ';off the cuff'; info to throw out -- but just my initial thoughts on your question.

Malama Pono,

Janet

It really depends on what you are looking for. Molokai has the least nightlife, organized activities and choices of places to stay. It is restful, peaceful, not crowded and beautiful.

Kauia has some nightlife, shopping, a ton of choices as to where to stay and is beautiful...it also has many organized tourist type activites.

Went to Molokai on my last trip to Maui and I can say, it is very very quiet. There is only one stop sign on the whole island and there wasn%26#39;t much to do other than drive around look at the sights. I am in my mid 20s and I throught it was too quiet (and I am not the hardcore partier either) but my parents, in their 50s, loved the peace and quietness. So, it really depends on what you are looking for. Although I dont like crowds, I need a little ';life'; on my vacay. Just my 2 cents.

Molokai...if you are on the lam or want to see more red dirt, purple sweet potatoes, a stop sign, three restaurants spread about and eat purple sweet potatoes (ube), unloading of the weekly barge to fill the store shelves, the darkest of all nights you have ever seen. You could visit Fr. Damian%26#39;s leper colony on a donkey, the old ';company town'; or camp on the cliffs. If you are just curious and have the time, two nights max should do it. THEN, head over to Kauai for the long stay.