Been to Maui and Kauai and gotta say that Kauai is so much prettier and a better place for beaches, restaurants and seemed less expensive. Killer golf courses that have major wind and intense rough!! On Maui there are still has some deep wild tropical areas to camp and get buck naked and lots more dolphin activity. Very mystical, if you find the right guides and locations to visit with the dolphins. That's becoming more tricky to arrange BTW.
Maui was more like Marin County (Ca.) West...gated communities -and rules, rules, rules and so many over-priced places to eat and/or be entertained. People in Maui seemed less willing to be helpful and a lot less native culture was visible. Most islanders on Maui look like LA soccer moms and Xerox dads.
Sorry, it had to be said.
Cruising Hana Highway was scary, but fun and so FAR out there & bumpy - hope your teeth are all in tact
, I can see why George Harrison & his family lived out there for peace and quiet. Lots of famous folk live in or near Hana.