louistraveler5

DH & I went to Oahu in August 2005 for our honeymoon. In May 2007, we discovered Kauai which we absolutely LOVE! We were supposed to go back to Kauai in Oct 2009 but DH got laid off and we finally made it back in May 2011. Going back in 09 would have kept up with our two year tradition we wanted to have (05, 07, 09, 11, etc).

I wanted to hear from Kauai addicts or other islands of Hawaii goers just how often do you have to get back?

One other thing I would like some feedback on:
When DH & I went back to Kauai in 2011 after a 4 year absence it hit us hard how much we had missed our island. We came to the conclusion that we cannot let that much time pass between our sojourns to our favorite place on Earth. Here is the trouble...each year we can only take one "big" trip and sometimes we can fit in a smaller trip such as a long weekend in Estes Park Colorado. There are other places I would love to travel but I keep feeling this pull and yearn to only go to Kauai. Other places I would like to go include: Italy, Greece, California, Utah, Pacific Northwest (we have taken one trip to this area and loved it).

DH & I will both turn 31 this year with this being relevant to how much, God willing, travel time we have left in us: What would you do...Hawaii once a year or travel to other places as well as Hawaii? Would you travel to Hawaii as much as you could for the next few years then start seeing other places? Just curious how others feel about it.

Mahalo fellow Hawaii addicts!

sf7307

We are fortunate to live on the West Coast, so Hawaii is not THAT big a trip for us -- we've gone for as few as 5 days including travel days. We went a bunch of times from 1978-1988, and then didn't return for a long time because of family obligations and so many other places to see and too little time to see them. However, since our kids have become adults, and we have a little more time to ourselves, we've been at least 4 times in the last 6 years, and will try to keep it up. Those 4 trips included Oahu (twice), Kauai (twice), Maui (once, along with Kauai).

Placename

I try to go yearly, once, if not more.

One good year, I went 4 times.

Tomsd

Can never get enuff - and would go every 6 months if possible. Before my sister moved to Central America - and when I was an Advisor to the HOA Board at where we bought a timeshare in Princeville - used to get over there 3 or 4 times a year, but that dropped off when we started going visit my sister.

Haven't been for a couple of years, but will have to start weaving that in the annual plan again.

louistraveler5

It is a big trip for us because of the flight. We live in Austin, TX and right now the flight is $1030 a person! I love the US Airways flight: Austin to Phoenix then Phoenix to Lihue. I'm trying to decide if I want to forgo other destinations for the next few years and just go to Kauai once a year. I'm so torn and can't decide.

martym

Our island is the island of Hawaii--the Big Island. Most years we go twice a year -- was just there for almost 4 weeks. However, we do take other trips some years--then we only go to Hawaii once.

carolyn

I, too, love Hawaii. Oahu is my favorite, and I lived there for a year in the mid-50s when my husband was in the Army. I've been back eight times, twice to visit all four major islands and the rest just to Oahu.

However, I dearly love travel and have been to Europe several times as well as to Canada and most of the U.S. I'm getting older, and I want to make more major trips while I feel like it, figuring I can kick back in Hawaii and do my South Pacific and Caribbean cruises when I am really old. I am not one to do the same thing every year, but only you can make your decisions.

DB

Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded. Lots of bugs, chickens, and crowing roosters all time of the night. The traffic is terrible, and the food is is even worse.

Move on , move on, nothing to see here. Ahhh, but Europe, now there's something to look into for a grand vacation.

Samsaf

Our first trip, to Kauai and Maui, was in 1997. We took our 3 kids to Maui and Oahu in 2000. We took the kids with us to Kaui in 2003. My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary by spending 10 nights on the Big Island in 2006. So we were going about every 3 years. We are finally going back in April of this year.

We live near Atlanta, so Hawaii is a big trip for us. But we have loved every trip we've taken there. Can't wait to be there again!

hpeabody

I have managed to travel to Hawaii every year but 1 since 1980. I randomly rotate which island or islands I go to. This is in addition to another trip or usually 2 trips a year to other destinations. Hawaii is my second home

snorklesue

We spent the month of Feb. in Kauai and would never have left except for our families living on the East Coast, where we also live. We did leave before the big rains, bringing floods and landslides. We enjoyed great weather in Feb., but one rainy stretch gave us a glimpse of what could be on "the rainiest place on the earth". We have traveled all over the world and for me, Kauai was my favorite place with the ocean, rivers, mountains, valleys, great hiking and walking paths, flowers everywhere, etc. etc. and whales too! We loved every moment there and would go back in a heartbeat, but it is a long and expensive trip for us, so don't know when it will be.
Re other great places, the world is full of them, one of our favorites in the US is Sedona, AZ.

gigib

20 trips since 1986, plus 1966, 1968, 1977 and 1982, various islands, various hotels or condos, with kid and without. It's fun that the same place, so to speak, can be so different.

It helps living 45 minutes from LAX. I feel deprived if we don't get there once a year, but we are fortunate that this is a "little" trip and we are able to take a "big" trip in addition. I obsessively watch for bargains so we can go as cheaply as possible.

New favorite is the Big Island because of the incredible snorkeling. Just found good price on Pleasant Holidays, air, car and the Sheraton, $1967 for 6 nights.

You get so hooked on the place, I caught it in 1966 as a 9 year old, my husband caught it in 1977, and our 26 year old daughter has always had the bug, it's ingrained in her.

breckgal

Can't get enough of Hawaii! We have visited all the islands over the years (except Molokai). Now that we are mostly retired, we go to Maui twice a year. In May we are taking the family - kids, sons- in-law, grandkids -- for the 2nd time. We also have life-long friends who now live in Honolulu, so we see them frequently too.

It all started years ago when my dad worked for United Airlines, and they started flying to Hawaii. He was responsible for promoting travel to the islands, and our family became friends with many Hawaiians.

eamc

We have the same dilema,Louistraveler5-Hawaii is our 1st love. Have been there 6 times starting in 1994 for a 25th anniversary trip. It has been about 5 years since our last trip & every year when we plan our vacations I feel the pull towards Hawaii but there are so many other places to visit & vacations with the grandkids are important to us (cant afford to take everyone but as they get older...) Living in Ohio makes the trip so long; I envy you "west coasters". Maui & Kauai are our favorites but we have a timeshare on the Big Island. It has been long enough so next year we will go to Kauai. Fell in love with Hanalei when we were there so would like to stay on the northshore. Didnt know there were so many others with Hawaii in their hearts! Good to know!

fmpden

For the same amount of time and money we prefer Europe. At 31 you are worried about how much travel time you have left? Give me a break. That is silly. If you have only been to Hawaii how do you know that it is your favorite place on earth? You need to broaden you travel experience.

fmpden

PS - Meant to add -- Have you considered places like Costa Rica? Cheaper and easier to get to.

louistraveler5

fmpden: I am not worried about how much travel time I have left. I said that in my original post as to show that I could be traveling for the next 30-40 years. I wanted opinions of other Fodorites and Hawaii addicts as to whether I should/or if they would spend the next few years just going back to Hawaii then begin to see other places. Partially meaning, should I spend my early 30's going to Hawaii as much as I could.
Also, I never said that I've only been to Hawaii. I've been to New York City, Colorado (several times), Las Vegas, Paris and Seattle. Seems to me that you were busy being rude to consider the fact that you don't know where I've been or haven't been.
Kauai is my favorite place on Earth especially the north shore. I know this because of how it makes me feel being there. Songdoc understands.
As for the Costa Rica suggestion...Kauai cannot be duplicated for me & my DH. It's not some beach trip for us. It's everything about Kauai that adds up to magic for us. It's the red dirt, Hanalei, the North Shore, Lumahai Beach, Tunnels Beach, body surfing at Brennecke's Beach, riding beach cruiser bikes along the Kauai bike path. IT IS our favorite place on Earth!

Songdoc

Yes ... Songdoc understands ;-). Some people "get" Kauai -- and others don't.

Are you sure you can't find a way to return to Kauai regularly--AND visit other places, as well?

connecticut_lady

We try to go every year. Usually it's to the Big Island but sometimes there's a stopover on Oahu or Kauai first before settling in. I've been thinking that it's time to revisit Maui, I wouldn't want an island to feel left out.

As my user name says, I live in Connecticut and it is a long tiring trip. But it is entirely worth it. Sometimes there's a small trip elsewhere but Hawaii comes first when the travel budget is determined.

louistraveler5

Thanks Songdoc...I can always count on you to know how I feel about Kauai! We also have the Sealodge in common, that's the only place DH & I stay on our trips to Kauai. We have stayed in the D7, D8 and B10. We love the Sealodge! I usually have much more time to plan but I am trying to put a trip together for August. Only four months away...I usually plan about eight months out. We went last May after 4 years which was too long and we are wanting to get back out there.
I am currently enrolled in a paralegal certificate program which ends the last week in May and our wedding anniversary is in August so we are wanting to go to celebrate all of that at our favorite place on Earth! When I get a new job as a paralegal I will be making more so it is possible that we could get out to Hawaii and visit a new place all in one year. We shall see and that's what I'm hoping for over the next few years! Your next trip, Songdoc, is July?