Well that Hawaiian islands certainly have snorkeling and beautiful isolated beaches. I don't really know how you can compare them to the french-Caribbean. They couldn't be more different places (except for all being islands, that's about where the similarity ends).

Depending where you are coming from likely the flights are longer and more expensive between the two (i.e., Hawaii's cheap and easy from Seattle, but more of a trip from New York).

When are you traveling?
That could make a difference.
The food in the FWI can be very good (see St. Barths) whereas I've never found food to be a draw in Hawaii.
On the other hand Kauai is one of the most beautiful places you'll ever visit. Do a search for Songdoc's pictures.
Kauai can be cool and rainy in the winter and spring.
The ocean is too cool for me to swim in at that time but, admittedly, I'm a wimp!
It is high season in the Caribbean it the winter so the cost can be comparatively higher.
I'm not really certain what you'd refer to as "historical" stops in either place (with the exception of Pearl Harbor or Molokai, of course).
My feelings are that they're more about the beauty of the land and ocean.
No doubt someone will disagree!

If it is winter water temperatures in Hawaii will only be mid-70s. Summer water in Hawaii is like winter water in most of the Caribbean.
You can get outstanding wade-in as well as from-boat snorkeling on St.John. If you stay at Caneel Bay you will have only 171 rooms spread about 170 acres and 7 tree-shaded white sand beaches, all with wade-in snorkeling. One of the most intimate romantic places on earth.

I completely agree about the water temperatures.
But the food at Caneel isn't outstanding and it certainly isn't French! The restort is lovely, if a little long in the tooth, but it's a very different kind of island and culture.

Because you've never been to Hawaii, this would be a great time for you to try it. We got married there and one of the breakfast foods they offered were some great pancakes with coconut syrup. I ate them every morning as they were so good! I've never eaten only one food in the Caribbean. On other trips, we've had incredible hula pie and the best Mexican food (and margarita's) I've ever had. We brought back tons of chocolate covered macadamia chocolates as gifts and people just carried on and on about them.
The island of Kauai is our favorite and is more beautiful than any island I've seen in the Caribbean, possibly with the exception of the Grenadines. Plus, Kauai is so romantic!

We've been to 20+ Caribbean islands and Hawaii once---enough said except Hawaii to us was like being in California. Big resorts,hundreds of people at the pool on cell phones & laptops. Terrible traffic (on Maui anyway). Just far too commercial for us.

World class snorkeling----St. John(Caneel Bay) or the British Virgins
World class food----Anguilla or Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

Both not French of course. For that it's St. Barth's, hands down. Moderate snorkeling, but oh the food and French ambiance.

I have to agree with xkenx though---Caneel Bay is fantastic, if pricy, and there are many good restaurants on the island. Another thought would be to rent a house on St. John. There are so many options in all price ranges and we enjoyed having a jeep and driving around to all of the little coves and beaches to snorkel sometimes all by ourselves.

Try googling St. John, USVI rental properties for a good choice of agencies or better yet, look on www.VRBO.com
We've rented through them all over the world with good success, and again, all price ranges.

It's unfair to stereotype ALL of Hawaii as big resorts, hundreds of people at the pool, bad traffic, too commercial, etc. from one limited experience. While that may be true in a few limited areas like Waikiki or the mega resorts of Maui but it's certainly not all there is to Hawaii (check out Kauai, the Big Island, Oahu outside Honolulu, Maui away from the resorts, Lanai, or Molokai).

What a shame that TPAYT saw such an unfortunate side of Hawaii. I've heard the same said of the Caribbean and Mexico from those who have been to some of the less appealing areas.
Of course the things that don't appeal to some are the draw to others (big resorts).
To each his own.

For me, I am looking for less of big resort feel, but I wouldn't mind activities such as hiking, parks, cultural or historical stops. I'm all about adventure less about massages. The less crowded, the better. I keep hearing about how Hawaii is more 'mainstream / commercialized' the the Caribbean and I must say it has sort of scared me off. Another concern I have is, will staying at one hotel / villa the whole trip leave me with enough snorkeling adventures/variety of adventures!? One thing I enjoyed on the Arabella cruise was all the new underwater scenery to explore each day and new vistas. I plan to travel this May or possibly early summer. We are coming out of Indiana so I could see how Hawaii flights might cost more then ones to the Caribbean. I think it would be neat to use my french, for real for once since I took up to two years in college. Signs seem to be pointing to the Caribbean- unless I could be convinced Hawaii has secluded villas with spectacular snorkeling... and if surfing beats out speaking french... decisions decisions. Thanks for the replies!

<I keep hearing about how Hawaii is more 'mainstream / commercialized' the the Caribbean>

You're just talking to the wrong people (lol)!! It depends WHERE in Hawaii and which Caribbean island/town/area you are talking about. There's places the Caribbean MORE commercialized than Hawaii. Places in Hawaii that are remote and untouched.

Many people GO to Hawaii for that mainstream experience, then come home complaining that's what they got. Of course there are secluded places to stay, with snorkeling and surfing in Hawaii.

But it really sounds like you'd prefer the French West Indies (from your own posts).

Well, you may not want to look at Oahu as it is more commercialized. Maui has some commercialized areas, but they also have some gorgeous beaches. Kauai(our favorite, as I've stated before)- is very nice - but much quieter - and not a lot of nightlife. It has amazing hiking opportunities. Thus, I would look at Kauai. There are plenty of really nice places to stay, regardless of whatever your price range is. If you decide on Kauai, get back to me and I'll be happy to make some recommendations.

OK, Kauai is not cool. It is tropical, as is the rest of the state. It might not be as overwhelmingly hot as the Caribbean, but it is still warm. As for the beach. I like the Hawaii beaches better. They have waves and are not too salty, unlike Caribbean water. But I would recommend for a Caribbean trip either the Dominican Republic or Turks & Caicos. Both are beautiful, though Turks & Caicos is in the Atlantic, not even the Caribbean Sea. The Bahamas is very commercialised. Have you though of southern California (like Catalina) or South Florida for a vacation? Also, Cabo San Lucas is very beautiful.

I say dump the french talk, grab a private villa in St John, and rent a jeep. The private villa will give you the privacy you want. The island has 40 beaches to explore with the jeep, so you have the variety you are looking for. And plenty of hiking to be had there as well. It's not as commercialized as other islands, and has many great dining options in town. Beside speaking french, it seems to offer what you are looking for.

To the last two posters - you do realize you are responding to a thread that originated in October 2012 - OP has probably come and gone in that time and moved on to other destinations.