Going to Kona next week, I used to fly there once a month for a gig that lasted 1.5 years. As a diver, I don't think there is a better Island than the Big Island, plenty of shore dives, boat dives, nice beaches and exploration. The Big Island, really is much larger than Maui and has a lot of options. Hapuna Beach, for example is constantly rated one of the best beaches in the World, soft white sand. As others have mentioned there are also black sand, and green sand beaches on the Big Island, lava tubes, an active volcano and Kona Coffee Tours. Maui is where my ex liked to go, it was very much like Orange County, CA, where we lived, but on a small Island. Very expensive, but nice restaurants, pretty built up and some diving. Maui lacks the huge beaches, many are pretty small. Go off shore in Maui and you see these little green trees and about nothing else off many of the beaches. The exception is near Grand Wailea, Kihei area. There is a member here that was doing Scooter dives, which were quite incredible right off the shore in Maui, I think I did that at least 3 times. If you want fine dining, some nice shops and hotels, then I would say Maui. If you are ok with renting a condo, renting a car, driving a lot, want to see what slowwwwww is really like, then try the Big Island. I would not do both Islands unless it was for 2 or more weeks.
