To stop over on way back from LA costs an extra $1300 airfare alone.
Have searched past posts and some dont rate it except to tick it off.
Anyone in the know?
It really depends on what you want... if it is kiting only, maybe not... Depends on the timing too.
but Hawaii is special too many, particularly if you spend a bit of time with the locals / get around the islands (Kuai, Maui, etc)... I have a big soft spot for Hawaii.
PS: $1300 extra!!! must be business class tickets! Try changing the date of your flight... some flights route via Hawaii (LAX HON SYD)
I spent May there in 2007 and 2009.
in 07 wind was 25-30knots everyday....
in 09 there was almost no wind...
the islands are spectacular
stay at the banana bungalow maui....but rent a car.
amazing free day tours
other surfers/kiters/non kiters
I just spent 10 days in Maui playing with 2010 gear.
20 - 30 knots every day, No waves, gusty in shore. gusty sketchy launches except from kite beach.
To kite you had to go out 200 meters in choppy flat water.
Plenty of wind at kite beach, drive 20 mins down the road and there is nothing, no kiting allowed before 11am. Wind dies at 3-4pm, no kiting 60m near shore.
Mate and I agreed its worth going to tick it off your life to do list, but both think Australia is better for kiting, when there is wind.
Maui gets the wind funnel through the 2 volcanoes
My 2 cents, hope it helps.
Been going to Maui since 1988 and have done close to 20 trips now. As both a windsurfer and kiter it's hard to beat. If you only kite then I would recommend Oahu as a better location if Hawaii is your only option.
Maui is a great destination but probably not the best kite surfing one. I've been there a number of times over the years on windsurfing trips and the place goes off. I was in Hawaii last year for a kiteing holiday & spent a couple of weeks on Maui & then Oahu. Kited nearly every day on both Islands mainly on a 9m. Maui is okay but I think Oahu more kite friendly with my pick being Mokuleia on the North shore. I'm heading over next year and will spend a week on Maui as it's still a great place to visit, but then it's back to Oahu and to Mokes for 3 weeks!
Haven't kited in Maui or Oahu but we stoped though there when we moved to Aus to visit friends. There wasn't enough wind for it but the Mokuleia Beach Park is where I gather people rig up it has signage stating the rules or atleast it did when I was there and looked like it could be a good place to kite with flat water in side the reef at high tide and good swell out side.
DEF-IN-8-LEE. 
dont go past without making the effort .
i went there for two weeks .
up there with the best places on earth!
CHEERS
Ive been twice and love the place! both times the wind has been Nuclear!!
I was there only a couple of months ago in June and we had a few day's of solid 35knts with gusts up into the low 40's
survival time!
Its pretty choppy but it you flook it and get some swell there is no better place in the world!
If there is swell you can surf waves and do down winders and get some great ramps to boost off! otherwise if there is no swell its just a Chop bash session.
Last trip we did a down winder from Hookipa to sugarcove and it was Awsome!
There is no better feeling than kiting on Maui in those strong summerwinds, Looking back at the Island and thinking to your self how good is THIS!
The feeling of that STRONG warm Maui wind propelling you allong at a million milles an hour is sooo addictive and MUST be experienced by all.
There is very little protected flat water spots like we get here in OZ.
Kite Beach has a little glassy section in behind a rock groin but it very close to the beach and the side shore winds are super gusty in that close! its amazzing how the good guy's can do all their tricks you see in the movies and pics in that little spot when its so gusty and strong.
Oahu has some better flat water spots but the wind is not as strong or consistant.
People are very nice and they all are willing to chat and lend advise, Every now and then you may see a little localisim but nothing out of the norm. You get worse Agro up at the points at Noosa and down at goldie!
Beer is cheep compared to OZ as well!! Food is great! heaps of cool peolple around, sick wind, can be sick waves,
Ticks all the boxes for me! I wana go back there now!!
Im sad now
Cheers
Luke
Thanks everybody for the feedback.
Looking at going in 2 weeks. Have factored in 3 full days in Hawaii.
Now gotta decide between Oahu vs Maui.
Maui stronger wind but a chop bash is not much fun . Oahu some say better for kiting.
Might have to toss a coin or bail on Hawaii and do a Kitesufari trip Cape Flattery or Lizard Island.
Booked but not paid yet.
Could swing at last minute to the Gorge in Oregon or even Cabarete in DR or other in that region.
Anybody got strong opinions.
Go to Maui! You have a much higher chance of getting wind. Oahu can be hit and miss, there was no ridable days when I was there, flew over to Maui and it was ON BIG TIME!! You get used to the chop dont worry,
Might be too late responding. Maui is awesome but like everyone said the kiting can be good but also can be nothing. My first trip tons of wind second trip nothing for 12 days. Its a great place with plenty of hikes and other things to do if it's not windy
$1300 is way too much for a ticket...my last ticket from was like $400 from Oregon to Maui.
The Gorge is always a good call...plenty of wind and the water is finally warm enough to ride without a wetsuit 
late but for others. haven't missed a day on the water in Maui in July in the last 10 trips (first windsurfing then kiting). usually pretty steady unless wind coming more east. 9 most days (use an F1 so very high max 7 for others), the odd 11 day. try Kihei as well at Maui Sunset...actually not a bad place to stay. Classic if wind turns NW as it moves down through the 2 mountains. if there is a southern swell waves 3-6 feet,....massive jumps as wind side shore and flat water leading to ramps. could get real windy at times...usually 5-7knots windier than north shore.Maui highly recomended as the smaller the kite the more fun it is and you're always using a small kite in July.
Oahu definitely not as consistent or windy.
not much in the way of waves in July in Maui unless you get that southern swell and go to Kihei, though the north shore is "the place" as it is more steady and consistent. There are a few 2-4 foot swells in places on the north shore. Think I read a statistic that there is a 96% chance of daily winds over 20knots in July. Waves huge in January-March but winds not nearly as consistent...lucky to get 3 of 7 days on the water in January whereas you'll get 7 of 7 in July unless you're real unlucky. Very rarely see sizes bigger than 9 and usually 7.
Check out www.kitebeachcam.com. Disregard wind predictions as not accurate. Check out live graphs (and a few ladies on the beach) Time difference in Maui is 4 hours later (and a day earlier) in July
Maui Rocks
June and July ALWAYS windy and opposite season to WA etc
Maui IS A WIND MACHINE and that is why it is soooo good. It will toughen up any kiter, expect mostly 9m weather - some 7m and a few rarer 11m days.
Been Oahu 3 times - won't go back in a hurry unless forecast exceptional, I will always fly on to Maui which I have been to twice and had 10 days in a row of awesome kiting both times - in fact I almost burnt out...
Maui VERY aggro for surfing is some spots but kiters are all chilled out and cool as.
You do realise surfers surf in the spots we kite
.
Just don't tell that local to get outa your way on the way into hookipa... or anywhere for that matter, unless you want your face and your car smashed up... Or worse, end up in the cane/pineapple fields.
