Congrads: Both islands have a lot to offer - including natural beauty. Think you should read some of the posts in here under Hawaii - and also some travel books to get a little more info and then perhaps ask more specific Q's.

Oahu. Stay in Waikiki and rent a car. If you're staying more than a week, consider splitting the stay between the two islands.

Maui, Oahu is too busy for me, enjoy and congrats!

Oahu's north shore, windward beaches and drives, and the drive through the middle of the island meet your "beauty" criteria. The south part of the island, from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor, not really.

On the other hand, we were recently on Maui and remarked that it just isn't as physically beautiful as, say, Kauai. The only parts of Maui that we find naturally beautiful (excluding the areas within the resorts, which are, of course, beautifully designed) are in upcountry, but of course, when we go to Maui, we like to stay at the beach.

The "problem" on Oahu, is that there just aren't that many choices of places to stay other than Waikiki, which is fun, and has a good beach, but is definitely not "tropical beautiful".

To someone who has never been it is hard to convey what Hawaii is.

Even though Waikiki is really busy, built up , lots of high rise resorts right along the beach - it's still fun and Oahu still has tremendous beauty.

Maui is fabulous as well - been there 5 times. I never tire of Maui - so much to see and do. I would pick Maui.

I like the beaches in Wailea and Makena on Maui more than I like the beaches on Oahu, even though Kailua and Lanikai are fantastic.

If you want beauty - both islands offer beauty just presented differently.

Maui has Haleakala crater, the winding drive to Hana, great restaurants, fantastic beaches, dairy and lavender farms, ...if you want romance and beach, then I would pick Maui. Are all your expenses like food/rental car covered too? I would say Maui is generally pricier than all other islands so just something to keep in mind.

On the otherhand, Oahu offers the excitement and plethora of foodie haunts which I enjoy, and historical/educational adventures as well (Pearl Harbour, Bishop Museum, Punchbowl Cemetary). But beauty can be found on the landscapes of the North Shore, vistas of Diamond Head, and Kailua and Lanikai beaches. Even a drive on the H-3 freeway is stunning IMO.

I always find it more expensive to go to Maui in terms of flight and lodging and so if I won a trip to Maui or Oahu, I would choose Maui. (But I never win anything!)

Do you know yet what the travel arrangements will be? for example, if you choose to go to Maui, would you fly into Honolulu and change planes to get to Maui? that could eat up a couple of hours that would be better spent at the beach. If you have only a few days for the whole trip, that could make a difference.

Also, do you have a list of lodgings to choose from?

Can you stay longer than a week? Can you fly into one island and home from the other? (You'd pay for the interisland flight; about $75 pp one way.) Are there restrictions on when you fly? Is the prize only airfare, or does it include some 'free' nights; where?

You can get along in Honolulu without a rental car. You need one everywhere else. Some hotels have only valet parking or just plain 'paid parking'.

The "Dummies" series has a book on Hawaii. Read up on what's on each island.