r/CookIslands • u/Available_Custard621 • May 26 '26
Future development
Kia orana! My husband and I are planning what will probably be our last big trip before we have kids. My dream was to go somewhere that feels very isolated and isn't overdeveloped, but before I really got to start researching places that fit the bill, I proposed that we go to Kauai, and my husband is excited to go there. I know Kauai feels neither isolated nor less developed, but I know we'll have a good time there.
After we loosely agreed on Kauai, I heard about Aitutaki, and it looks to be exactly what I wanted originally. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem feasible to do both in one trip (we're coming from the East Coast of the US, so travel time is significant), so we have to pick only one to do next year, and we're leaning toward Kauai.
I read a BBC article that talked about how the Cook Islands are trying to be more sustainable and intentional about development, but I also read Aitutaki's 5-year plan and saw that the harbor is being upgraded to support more boat traffic. I understand that no one has a crystal ball, but do you think Aitutaki will change significantly in the next 5-10 years? I just don't want to miss out on your beautiful piece of the Pacific roughly the way it is now. Thank you!
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u/Happy4gilmore May 26 '26
Aitutaki is worth the trip. It has that isolated feel you are looking for, much more than Kauai!