Mahalo

Okay, here's a question that is probably going to bring out some interesting answers or some comments about my sanity but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing. My wife and I returned from 10 days Oahu/Maui about 2 months ago, our first trip to the islands. I can't begin to explain how wonderful we thought it was. Anyway, ever since I have been back, I cannot get my mind off of the place. I daydream about it, I still constantly research it on the web, i download songs that we listened to while there and I truly miss the place. I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this. It has really effected my life and it left this incredible impression on me that I am not able to let go of. All I can think about it how quickly we have to get back there. Which isn't easy since we are not wealthy people, making it harder yet. Okay, just curious if anyone else has experienced these types of feelings. Thanks and sorry if this sounds ridiculous.

Joseph

Mahalo,

Don't fee strange! A lot of us have been afflicted with the Hawaii syndrome. My spouse and I have a huge collection of Hawaiian music, books, cookbooks. A good friend has been to most places on the globe, and his favorite is by far Hawaii (I haven't traveled much so can't compare - always go back to Hawaii instead of somewhere new which some think is crazy but ........)

So join the club - there's a ton of us!

Aloha,

Joe & Kathleen

Paul Rabe

Although my wife and I did not come away a need to get Hawaii memorabilia, we both absolutely agree that Hawaii was BY FAR the most romantic spot we have ever been to -- and we've been to a lot of places in our 20 years together!! After our two weeks in Hawaii we were absolutely enthralled by the place -- and each other!

Apparently the islands' combination of perfect weather, unsurpassed welcoming spirit, natural beauty, unhectic ambiance, and charming crafts has an effect on people other than ourselves.

dana

I have a very dear friend who feels the same way as Mahalo. She lives and
breathes everything "Hawaiian." I too love it, as you can probably tell from my other posts. However, it is not the last frontier. I particularly love the flowers of Hawaii. There's a serenity about the islands that you can't put your finger on.
However, I do find that after 10-14 days or so, I'm always ready to get back
to the mainland. However, if money were no object, I'd buy a condo on Kaanapali
Beach for sure.

can'tbelieveit

Are you people kidding me? We left Hawaii after five days of a two week vacation. It cost us a lot to cancel, but we couldn't take it any more. We were constantly bombarded by condo and time share sales people every time we left the hotel. The entire place was so touristy tacky -- how many t-shirts and coconut art could anyone be interested in? Restaurants were mediocre and terribly overpriced --not expensive, just overpriced for what they were. And we had researched and went to what were supposed to be the best of the islands. The beaches were fine, but unfortunately we are not beach people. Perhaps that was our problem. I'm not sure what we were expecting, but whatever it was -- Hawaii didn't have it for us.

URKidding

To the previous poster:

I don't believe you've been to Hawaii at all. I've never been anywhere in Hawaii that was anything like you are describing, and I've spent several vacations on all the major islands.

Could we be someone who's a bit jealous of others who've been lucky enough to go?

sue

My Parents weren't that impressed with
hawaii, although my fiancee and I love
it.

Rebecca

Ridiculous? No way! And just think, you have yet to visit Kauai and the Big Island. Your love affair is still in the early stages. I've been four times and love it more al the time. Like you, I'm far from rich , and go into debt every trip there...but it's almost a spiritual or emotional necessity. So you two aren't alone.

Sandy

Aloha.
I agree with Rebecca. We first fell in love with Hawaii 8 years ago while celebrating our 25th wedding anniversery. The place keeps calling us back and we have been fortunate enough to have been back every other year since then. After our last trip we almost bought a house on the Big Island. The deal fell through, but maybe some day! Rebecca is right the Islands have a spiritual quality about them that we have found no where else.
By the way, on that first trip, I had to drag my husband there kicking and screaming, he had no interest in going to Hawaii. Now I can't keep him away. I keep thinking that there are lots of other wonderful places in the world we should visit, but we have a limited amount of time and dollars for travel and can't bare to miss a chance to go back to Hawaii.

Irma

Hey, don't worry!..It happened to me when I went the first time to Cancun, Mx., and sorry but I can't tell you that this feeling will disappear soon, since this year was the fifth time I went there and I am not even close to get bored of the place, it's just like a dream being there, beaches are amazing and everything looks different when you are in this place!!!...Maybe in a few months you'll tell us that you are looking for a job there so you can both move to the "fantasy island"!!!...WHY NOT?...GO AHEAD!!!
Irms

lisa

This is interesting to me. I have had these exact feelings about other places -- St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Paris, the Greek Island of Poros -- but do not feel this way about Hawaii even though I recently returned from there and enjoyed it immensely. While Maui and Kauai were great, for some reason they did not take over my imagination after the trip the way some of my other vacation destinations have in the past. While I ate, slept, and breathed Hawaii during the trip planning phase, it seems to have released its hold on my thoughts now that I've actually been there. Funny how different places affect different people in different ways!

By the way, for those of you who can't get Hawaii out of your system (or don't want to), Mom (who went to Hawaii with me) and I found some really lovely Hawaiian music we enjoyed listening to -- the CD is called Mauna Lua.

Rebecca

Husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii 2 years ago, and we are smitten as well. It's a magical place, and for some people it's an almost spiritual experience. For me, the helicopter ride on Kauai was overwhelming, and stays with me to this day. We are now planning our first trip to Europe, and we are fighting the urge to just go back to Hawaii and forget the rest of the world! Cheers!

Noach

I haven't yet been to Hawai`i but based on what I have learned about it and the pictures I have seen , it appeals to me more than any other place. I wish I could live there.

What I find most appealing about HI is that it offers the best of both worlds in the sense of being a far-away, exotic tropical paradise while still having all of the benefits of being part of the U.S.: Good roads, medical facilties, hygiene, etc.

Karen

Mahalo -

You are obviously not alone in your feelings and attitude. We have been traveling to HI each winter for the past 13 years and would not contemplate missing it. We are never bored, have met wonderful people and made special friendships. It's like going home to us. We absolutely love Kauai; it is our very favorite of the Sandwich Isles. I'm sure people think we are crazy to keep returning, but as long as it is still enjoyable, and there are trails to hike and beaches to discover and new restaurants opening and changing hands, the beauty of the island and the people lure us there. Feel fortunate you have this feeling and thank goodness not everyone feels this way for it would change Hawaii incredibly. It is not for everyone, but each island has an appeal all its own and can offer you whatever you're looking for in a special vacation. I cannot imagine where the individual was staying who curtailed his trip and headed home. If you disliked the island you were on, why not simply choose another. I, too, find it difficult to believe they were actually there. Follow that dream, embrace that spirit. Maybe the islands are truly "calling to you."

Don

Dear cantbelieveit -

Where in the world did you stay? We have vacationed in Hawaii 11 out of the last 12 years and have never seen coconut art. What the h___ is it? Are you sure you were in Hawaii? "He doth protest a little too loudly."

Oscar

So take a bartending class and move there. Meanwhile, shut up.

Maui

Yeah, it's had an effect on me. After surfing around here I know I will never ever go there, there's too much commercial promotion and too many people trying to make a buck off of you.

Mahalo

I had a feeling that this question would bring out several types of answers. But it is so nice to see that there are others who feel the same way that I do. I honestly don't have any desire (at this time) to take an extended trip anywhere else. I feel like Hawaii is just calling me, almost like a spiritual experience, and may considering moving there some day. I just can't describe fully how it made me feel. The air, the smell, the people...I truly feel like it was a paradise. Keep the opinions coming. It's great to see them.

linda from NJ

I got married in the big island of Hawaii 2 1/2 years ago and we visited Hawaii, Maui and Kawaii. Big Island of Hawaii and Kawai were are favorites. It is two and onr half years latter and we stil can't get over it. We loved it so much we went back on our first anniversary. We are not wealthy either but we gave up new furniture because we were obsessed with going back. We love it there and can't wait for our return. It casts a spell on you. It is the most beautiful place we have ever been to.

jordan

Hey Oscar and Maui -

If you've been to Hawaii and don't like it fine, but to ridicule others'opinions and feelings is petty and unjustified. I doubt either of you have ever experienced Hawaii and just enjoy demeaning others.