Ohau Or Kauai

Oahu or Kauai Ð'- You Decide

When it comes to travel destinations, Hawaii would have to be my absolute favorite. I have memories of vacationing in Hawaii with my family as a child and enjoying the beaches, the food, and the relaxing atmosphere. My wife, a huge fan of Hawaii herself, spent many summers on the islands as a child as well. We honeymooned there, and dream of our future vacations to the islands with our own children in tow. One of the biggest dilemmas for us is which island to visit! Having been to all of them atleast once, we have narrowed it down to two favorites: Oahu and Kauai. The question is, which island do we go to, when visiting both is not an option? I have compared and contrasted both the island of Oahu and the island of Kauai, beginning with the similarities of each of the islands and ending in the differences Ð'- all hoping to make our decision that much easier.

To begin, one of the greatest similarity's between both Oahu and Kauai is the climate. Both islands have only two seasons. Summer, which occurs between May and October; and winter, which occurs between October and April. The average temperatures range between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Both islands also boast significant rainfall. Oahu averages 20 to 158 inches and Kauai averages 35 to 444 inches.

The beaches of Oahu and Kauai are also very much alike. Each of the islands has dozens of miles of coastline. White sand, crystal blue ocean, and a variety of activities can be found on each island. Most tourists can be found on the beaches taking in the sun, snorkeling, or attempting to catch a wave.

Whether you are on the island of Oahu or the island of Kauai, another thing that remains the same is the prices. With tourists arriving by the millions, both islands can get away with pricing items skyhigh. Whether you're trying to buy some toothpaste, a bottle of water, or a maitai, most tourists can expect to pay top dollar for their consumption. In fact, visitor expenditures topped 11.8 billion in 2005 Ð'- an all time high!

Both islands are famous for their incredible cuisine. With a broad range of ethnic groups calling the Hawaiian island's their home, you are sure to find a vast variety of restaurants. Both Oahu and Kauai are known for their fresh seafood, sun kissed fruits, and delectable desserts. Any visitor to either island can expect to experience tastes that are sure to delight their senses Ð'- especially the taste buds!

Although many similarities can be found in Oahu and Kauai, there are many differences as well. This is what makes the decision a difficult one for tourists trying to decide which one to vacation on!

The terrain of both islands is considerable different. Kauai is the more scenic of the two islands. It offers much more lush landscape than the industrialized Oahu. The cliffs of Napali coast and the abyss of Waimea Canyon are two of many natural wonders found on Kauai. When exploring the island, tourists can expect to come across cascading waterfalls, monumental cliffs, canyons, beaches, and bays. Every inch of this island begs to be discovered. In fact, over 60