Scooter-friendly Hawaiian vacation recommendations?

March 14, 2009 1:53 PM

Hawaiin Vacation advice. Where should we stay, Maui or Kauai? Needs to be cheap, and need to be able to get around by scooter.

Mr. Rabbit and I are planning our 11th anniversary Hawaiian vacation. We've never been to Hawaii before. Mr. Rabbit wants to rent scooters (like, Vespas) rather than a car, so wherever we stay needs to be accessible by scooter, and there need to be scooter-friendly roads between wherever we stay and the places we go each day.

Things we're interested in: hikes, waterfalls, beaches, other natural beauty things, vegetarian and/or seafood restaurants.

We're hoping to go at the end of May.

Where should we stay? Maui or Kauai, and also specific hotel/B&B/cottage recommendations. Mr. Rabbit is very anti-touristy, so the less "commercial"-feeling the better. Ideal is some kind of cottage/cabin type accomodation.

posted by rabbitrabbit to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Kauai! Kauai is what you imagine when you think "Hawaii." Its quaint and beautiful, excellent beaches, mountains, hiking, and you can definitely rent a moped to safely get around the island.
Its not going to be cheap, but Maui is more expensive because its so touristy and the tourists who go there are rich mainlanders, so prices are crazy and the people are not as friendly. Its therefore lost its charm for me, not so idyllic anymore.
To me Kauai feels healthy. There are lots of vegetarian places, less fast food crap. Fresh local produce markets abound.
If you are looking to save money, you should check out the Kauai Beach House, its a hostel but they have private rooms and apartments for like $70 a night, in a great location.
It may be a bit touristy, but you should definitely take a sunset Na Pali cruise with one of the companies that operates catamarans, etc. Ive done it a couple times with my family, and its always our favorite part. No need to have dinner, its worth it for the views alone, and a good way to see dolphins.
posted by osloheart at 3:25 PM on March 14

Renting scooters sounds fun.. but I'd suggest considering getting them for a day or two and getting a car for the other days. Kauai is a small island, but it's much bigger than the average beach town, more than 500 square miles. The roads are mostly good, but to get to some of the outrageously good hiking will require a long scooter ride up some steep hills.

Beaches are nicer in Maui, in my opinion. Kauai is a lot less touristy and rugged, almost rural in parts.
posted by bluejayk at 6:56 PM on March 14

I love Kauai! There are so many awesome hikes to be had, including some overnighters if you're interested. The surf can be pretty rough if you are not a strong swimmer, but it has never bothered me.

Here are some restaurant recommendations.

One thing about renting scooters- it rains on Kauai. A lot. If you are not used to driving scooters, wet pavement is probably not the best time to cut your teeth on them.

Have a great time!
posted by kamikazegopher at 8:52 AM on March 15

We get around primarily by scooter and live in Portland, OR so we're used to riding in the cold rain. Warm rain would be an improvement! Ruggedness is more of a concern, though. How much stuff would be inaccessible if go get scooters rather than a car?
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:11 PM on March 15