Is honey or maple syrup better for yeast to activate?

Neither honey nor maple syrup are preferred sources for yeast activation. While they do contain sugars necessary for the fermentation process, they also hold back fermentation by creating osmotic stress on yeast cells. This inhibits the process and ultimately leads to an inefficient rise and poor results in baking. If you're looking for an effective activator for yeast, consider using pure refined sugar or a small amount of malt extract.