I notice that so many travel to Hawaii and I admit that I have wanted to for years. However, my husband says that since we live in one of the most beautiful cities (Naples) in Florida, it would just be another visit to a "beachy" place and he would rather spend our vacation time visiting places that are not beach, heat, and palm tree related. Is he right? I'd love to hear from those that have been.
Thanks!

I lived in Hawaii for three years and then moved to Central Florida. So I definitely understand your question!

Beach wise, I guess I'd have to agree your husband is pretty much right. The water in Hawaii is several degrees colder than Florida's in the summer (maybe 75 versus 82 or so), but (aside from volcanic rock, etc.) you could just about duplicate every beach in Hawaii somewhere in Florida.

Of course, there are a few things you can only do in Hawaii. I particularly like going to House Without a Key "bar" (at the Halekulani Hotel) on the water in Waikiki at sunset to drink Mai Tais and eat "pupus" while watching a hula dancer against the backdrop of Diamond Head and the surfers flying by.

Only in Hawaii can you see the incredible USS Arizona memorial, and now also the USS Missouri.

And, sad to say, nowhere SMELLS like Hawaii - how I used to love to ride my motorcycle in the mountains and smell all the different flowers!

And then there's that other word - mountains - that certainly makes Hawaii different from Florida.

Hawaii will always be special to me (and I keep visiting) because I gave birth to both of my kids there. It's still special to them, too.

If you still want to go and your husband won't, give me a shout. I'll always be willing to go!

Tannya,
I, too, used to think what was the big deal about Hawaii? We have beaches in California and I lived in San Diego.

WAS I WRONG!!!!

I've been to Fla. and as soon as Fla. gets 2,000 ft. cliffs colored with the most radiant emerald green that sink deep into the bluest ocean under a sky full of dancing triple rainbows in their valleys, I may go back.

Any volcanoes develop yet in Fla? ;^)

74 mo' days!
Mahalo,
Kal

Tannya,

I grew up in Florida (Gulf coast & Atlantic coast) and had thoughts exactly like your husband. I got a work assignment in Hawaii and actually tried to trade assignments with a colleague who was going to Alaska. I thought...I don't need more beaches, I want excitement.

Well, I fell in love with Hawaii and took my husband there the next year for vacation and look forward to returning.

I grew up in Michigan, moved to south FL when I was 25 to go to grad school. Hawaii is what I thought Fl would be like (having never been to either place). I lived in FL for 5 years and now have lived in HI for 2 1/2 years. HI has mountains, its an islands, and it is in the middle of the pacific, all of which actually make it pretty different from Florida (even the prettier west coast/gulf coast of FL). Really, there is nothing like HI, and I think a visit is well worth it, even if you live in Florida. To some degree beaches are beaches, but the waves are different. And maybe your husband could explore the active volcano on the big island, see a sunrise on Haleakala on Maui, or visit a rain forest - all while successfully not visiting a beach. Hawaii is also cooler than south Florida most of the year and the sun feels a little less scorchingly intense. And Celeste is right - Hawaii smells great. Right after you step off the airplane you can smell the orchids and other flowers.

Tannya, while Gulf Shore Drive in Naples is certainly a beautiful street, all of the above posters make very valid points! Hawaii is VASTLY superior to Hawaii, in MY opinion!! Believe me, one stay at the Four Seasons on Maui and you won't even think about Florida!!

Thank you all! I'm convinced and I know after reading these posts, my husband will be too. I can't wait to plan a trip to Hawaii.
Tannya

The previous posters are correct when they compare (and contrast) the physical beauty of Hawai'i.

Don't forget however, that up until 100 years ago, Hawai'i was a separate country with its own history and culture. That culture remains and is nothing like anywhere else in the United States.

To say that Florida is like Hawaii because they both have warm weather and beaches is to say that a peanut-butter sandwich is like a gourmet restaurant meal, because they both are food. There's just no comparison, Hawaii is a very special plaece.

Just got back from Kauai and all the posters are right. There is no place on the mainland like Hawaii. The smell in the air is the first thing to hit you and after that it's all bliss. The description posted here are torture to someone whose vacation is already in the past. I certainly don't need Kal continuously posting his countdown! ARRGGHHHHHHH.......
BTW if you are like me and must wait until $$ is saved to go again you can drown your sorrows in an Ultimate Rum Runner at TGI Fridays. It's almost like a Mai Tai. We'll soon mortgage our house to pay our bar bill!

There is no comparison -- at all. Hawaii wins hands down on this one. Having visited FL and Hawaii (many times to the islands) I can positively say there is no place like Hawaii (and I think it surpasses the Caribbean too).
Just having mountains makes it 100% times more pleasant to visit then FL I think. Go and enjoy it ... smell the plumeria blossoms when you exit the plane and you won't want to leave!!

Tannya, thank you for asking this question. You see, I am planning my first trip to Hawaii for next year, our 25th wedding anniv. And we visit the Caribbean once a year and absolutely love it. This question has always been in the back of my mind....especially since it will cost alot more to go to HI than the Caribbean. Now I am really excited!

Joan

P.S. Kal, your postings have helped especially to convince me. Where do you stay on Kauai and BI? I think those will be the 2 islands we'll visit on our first time.

Tanya -

I think the many respondents have answered your question and Kal could not have described NaPali more graphically and with the emotion than he did. IMO, there is no where quite like the island of Kauai. Joan, Kal has a plethora of info he can pass on to you. He has a love of the Hawaiian islands and much knowledge that he is always willing to share. Hey, Kal - only 124 days and counting.

Note to "Another Floridian": If money is no object, I recommend either the Hyatt Regency or Princeville Resort on Kauai, and the Four Seasons or Mauna Lani Bay Resort on the BI. By the way, in all fairness, beaches are nicer in the Caribbean, but still, there really is NO COMPARISON otherwise!!

Alooohaaaa,
Karen: I remember 124 days!

Suzie: Sorry, but 72! Which TGIFridays? That concoction sounds no ka oi!
We have a few fish bowls that we save spare change in throughout the year for "Sand Bar" money.

Another Floridian:
Joan,
As Al mentions, if you got some dough, you really can't go wrong with staying at Poipu's Hyatt, Sheraton, Embassy or go north to Princeville.

Mrs Kal and I are the odd ducks who admit that they stay at and enjoy staying in the Coconut Coast-Kapaa area.
We first stayed there in '89 for our 10th anniv. because we had to, meaning $$$ was tight back then. Now we still stay at the same place because we want to.

We've established some everlasting friendships with the people who work there and it's new owner. Great location, too. Walking distance to a lot of good restaurants.
Plus, in Dec/Jan, the room we always get looks right out upon the most beautiful sunrise thru the trees you'll ever see.
In fact, I took a picture of it while still in bed and have it taped on my computer terminal. Only thing that keeps me going sometimes!

Nothin' better than seeing a sleeping Mrs Kal glowing in the orangey, fresh morning Kauaian sunshine! But we won't talk about those pics!
Never been to the BI. I was just asking if Fla has volcanoes like HI does.

The BI is on our list but it's hard for us to leave Kauai. We used to split our vacation days amongst K, Oahu and Molokai. Then it was K and Molokai. Now it's just Kauai.

I'd post the name of the place but I took some heat awhile back and got flamed as being a trolling travel agt. so feel free to drop me a line.

Mahalo,
Kal
72 !!!! Wow!

Kal,
Your posts are so graphic that I feel like I'm still there. Then I look around at the piles of laundry and that wasn't in Kauai!! AAARRRRRGGGGHHHH.... I'm really home!
TGIF in its new location with all the rest of the new eateries. It was packed but we snuck in the back and slid into the open seats in the bar past all the unsuspecting teenie bops out front waiting for their Homecoming dinners. They serve the drinks in HUGE goblets. Kinda fishbowlie.
Guess by the time you read this it's be 71 days or less. Alright already!

Suzie,
Yes...71!

Speaking of fishbowls, we went to a bar in Pittsburgh called Mario's South Side Saloon years ago and they served IC (Iron City) in fish bowls!

Mrs Kal and I, being the collectors of fine art such as this, had to drink 4-5 fishbowls of IC, so now they sit on the top of my dresser collecting pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and larger coins throughout the year, all to be used for the Hawaii trip and the bar bill.

Hey...good thread "What are the little ways to save money for vacations"?
Mahalo.....wow....70.5 days now! ;^D
Kal