Your FIRST impression of Hawaii?
May 2nd, 2005, 09:48 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your FIRST impression of Hawaii?
Aloha Everyone ~
Just thought it could be Fun, if we all shared our first impression's of Hawaii. Witch ever island you we're lucky enough to experience first.
Mine was Maui.Nine years ago. Got off the plane, smelled my first wisp of sweet smells you only smell in the tropics, got the convertible, and headed to west Maui. My Mom then ( 64 ) my sister (40) me (then 25 ) and my niece (10). When we reached the area after Ma'alaea where the tunnel is, we couldn't believe the dry grass. We we're all secretly thinking,,, after this Much Anticipated trip, it looks like Northern California in the summer time...? : ) We got to Ka'anapali, and it started looking more like the Hawaii we'd been dreaming about!
What about you? First impression's?
Lori
Just thought it could be Fun, if we all shared our first impression's of Hawaii. Witch ever island you we're lucky enough to experience first.
Mine was Maui.Nine years ago. Got off the plane, smelled my first wisp of sweet smells you only smell in the tropics, got the convertible, and headed to west Maui. My Mom then ( 64 ) my sister (40) me (then 25 ) and my niece (10). When we reached the area after Ma'alaea where the tunnel is, we couldn't believe the dry grass. We we're all secretly thinking,,, after this Much Anticipated trip, it looks like Northern California in the summer time...? : ) We got to Ka'anapali, and it started looking more like the Hawaii we'd been dreaming about!
What about you? First impression's?
Lori
May 2nd, 2005, 09:55 AM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was fourteen years old in 1977 and stepped off the plane on Oahu. The tropical breeze immediately carried the scent of flowers to me. I got tears in my eyes! That night I called my mother and said, "It really IS paradise. It's just like every picture you've ever seen, everything you've ever imagined." I've been to five of the islands several times over a span of 28 years and I still feel the same way. Now that first trip across the barren wasteland of lava between the airport on the Big Island and the Kohala Coast can set you back at first!
May 2nd, 2005, 10:03 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crazy4Hawaii~
We felt the same way, smelling the scents, and that moist tropical breeze. It was like nothing we had ever experienced before. My Mom, (who is gone now), but she brought this tape of Elvis's Blue Hawaii, and I remember listeing to it over, and over through out our day's on Maui. That first trip you'll NEVER forget, I've been every year since, and I'll be leaving again in just 14 DAY'S, I'm as excited as I was that first time! It really is a magical, magical, warm, and special place to me.
Lori
We felt the same way, smelling the scents, and that moist tropical breeze. It was like nothing we had ever experienced before. My Mom, (who is gone now), but she brought this tape of Elvis's Blue Hawaii, and I remember listeing to it over, and over through out our day's on Maui. That first trip you'll NEVER forget, I've been every year since, and I'll be leaving again in just 14 DAY'S, I'm as excited as I was that first time! It really is a magical, magical, warm, and special place to me.
Lori
May 2nd, 2005, 10:06 AM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
when i first stepped foot into Maui last summer, I thought, OMG, there are no buildings, the airport is so small, it is SO WINDY. We got our cars and drove off to our hotel/condo in Kahana. Staying in Kahana was a big mistake for two NYC girls, we did not feel like we were in paradise, as a result, we stayed at lahaina most of the time, we felt much like at home with all the shopping and people around us. We were so city-sick, couldnt wait to go home, but we had 8 days in hawaii, so we suck it up and tried to enjoy ourselves. By day 3, we were well accustomed, and started to loosen up, relax more, and soon it was time to go and we didnt want to leave. For the past year, all I've been doing is reminscing those days in Hawaii, all those dreaming, and i'm finally going back again this summer. I can't wait.
May 2nd, 2005, 10:06 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First impression: Paradise
Island: Maui
Significant observations: There were parts of the airport that didn't have solid walls or windows. I thought that said a lot about the climate. And some of the people picking up arriving friends were wearing their bathing suits. That said a lot about the lifestyle. Both just FINE by me!
Island: Maui
Significant observations: There were parts of the airport that didn't have solid walls or windows. I thought that said a lot about the climate. And some of the people picking up arriving friends were wearing their bathing suits. That said a lot about the lifestyle. Both just FINE by me!
May 2nd, 2005, 10:19 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, we brought a friend with us one year, who was VERY stressed out about leaving the husband and kid at home, but by day 3, the only thing she was worried about was what # usv, she should wear that day! You feel totally removed, once there, and that is a GOOD thing...
May 2nd, 2005, 10:23 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It was definitely the smell!
1966, 12 years old, got off the plane (United) and we were greeted by women who gave us all leis. The smell I remember was flowers plus pineapple which emanated from the Dole Pineapple factory. And, yes, the warm, tropical weather.
The first time I went to Maui was a year later, in 1967. I remember how rural it was - only two big hotels on Kaanapali (spelling!) beach - just miles and miles of white sand with no people.
It saddens me to see how much it has all changed in the years since - my family had been going there since the 1920s and it is so different now!
1966, 12 years old, got off the plane (United) and we were greeted by women who gave us all leis. The smell I remember was flowers plus pineapple which emanated from the Dole Pineapple factory. And, yes, the warm, tropical weather.
The first time I went to Maui was a year later, in 1967. I remember how rural it was - only two big hotels on Kaanapali (spelling!) beach - just miles and miles of white sand with no people.
It saddens me to see how much it has all changed in the years since - my family had been going there since the 1920s and it is so different now!
May 2nd, 2005, 10:34 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about that! It was the SMELL for me too! My husband and I have been all over the Caribbean, and so we planned to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in Hawaii. I never expected the smell to take me away - the Caribbean is lush and beautiful too, but there is not that incredible flower scent in the air like in Hawaii.
They say odors bring the strongest emotional response - this post is proving that!
They say odors bring the strongest emotional response - this post is proving that!
May 2nd, 2005, 11:12 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the smell! That is my daughter's most powerful impression, we've been taking her there since 6 mos. old. My first trip was in 1963 at age 8, but I have powerful memories of the brilliant sun and the colors. Arriving at the Royal Hawaiian was unbelievable! We were there 3 weeks and went to all 4 "main" islands. Like gualalalisa, I remember Kaanapali with nothing there, we stayed at the Sheraton on either that trip or one 3 years later. We stayed in some ratty old cabins next to the Halekulani - my mother was incensed that we weren't in the main lodge, but my brother and I loved opening coconuts on a fence stake. The Halekulani STILL has that dinky beach! My husband's first trip was in 1977 with my parents - he had to be dragged there, but then fell absolutely in love. I remember him walking around Waikiki, amazed that anywhere could be so beautiful. We are going TWICE this year, trips #17 and #18!
May 2nd, 2005, 11:20 AM
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The same for me, the tropical weather, the aroma, the greeting lei etc. First time we arrived at Honolulu. Think it was a 3 week trip. We went to the other 3 island too. Each one so beautiful in their own way. The beaches, the ocean, truly paradise.
I always think the first time to a location is the one that is best remembered. This btw was during the Christmas holidays in 1971.
It was fun reading everyone's memories.
Great thread luvmaui71.
I always think the first time to a location is the one that is best remembered. This btw was during the Christmas holidays in 1971.
It was fun reading everyone's memories.
Great thread luvmaui71.
May 2nd, 2005, 11:34 AM
#12
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 1st time I went to Maui I was about 16 @ 1982/83 - was with my parents & my brother. We had spent a few days in Oahu but I remember getting to Maui (my mom's purse was weighed before we got on the small plane) and checking into the Hyatt Regency - looking in awe up at the sky in the lobby - the birds etc & commenting "this is where I'm coming on my honeymoon" ... Sure enough 16 yrs later ... been back for our 5 yr anniv. too.
May 2nd, 2005, 12:16 PM
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first (and unfortunately only trip) to Maui was in 1996. Some friends made us an offer we could not refuse so we agreed to go. I was not looking forward to it at all because I was thinking major touristy (kind of like Wisconsin Dells if any of you know that area). Boy was I wrong. It is one of the most beautiful areas, laid back and just overall wonderful. I have been trying to get back but the opportunity has not presented itself. If I could afford it I would move there!
May 2nd, 2005, 01:25 PM
#15
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was 18, my dad had just passed away, and a good friend of the family arranged the trip for my mom, myself, and my two brothers. I was so excited when I saw the island (Oahu) from the plane. It was so green and lush, and the mountains, and I could see the Royal Hawaiian far below, which is where we stayed for six weeks. At that point in my life, the beach was the place I wanted to be, and the day my mom rented a car and MADE me go with her to drive around the island and see the sites, was the worst day of the trip. How COULD she make me leave the beach?!!!!! It was all warm, and lush, and tropical, and was all I ever imagined it to be. I have since been to all the main islands and of course my perceptions and interests have changed over the years but that first trip was just the best.
May 2nd, 2005, 01:48 PM
#16
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The same. The soft breeze and the smell of flowers. I took photos of the flowers as we walked along the bridges/exterior hallways - still in the Honolulu airport.
Kona and Kauai airports didn't have the same effect for me.
Kona and Kauai airports didn't have the same effect for me.
May 2nd, 2005, 01:52 PM
#17
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first was Kauai. I looked out the plane window as we were about to land and it was that cute little airport right there by the ocean with palm trees blowing in the wind, and I almost cried. It was so pretty, and it just got better.
May 2nd, 2005, 02:18 PM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We arrived in the dark and got to our rental home in Princeville, Kauai at 11pm. After our celebratory tropical drink on the deck we fell into bed, exhausted from a 20 hour trip. All night long, I was conscious of the balmy air from the doorwall caressing my skin and as has been mentioned, that fabulous scent. We awoke at daybreak and took our coffee outside to a pink and purple sunrise. I must have said "OMG" 100 times that day. Thanks luvmaui for the encouragement to relive that magical time!
