How many times to Hawaii?
 

Just curious with so many posts regarding Hawaii, Are there any fodorites that travel to Hawaii on a yearly basis? If yes or no, how many times have you been to Hawaii. I honestly could go on a yearly basis if I could afford it :-)

my parents went yearly for about 30 yrs. Would play golf - moostly on the big island. Another couple went with them for about 16 of those years, a second couple for 2-3 years, and a third couple for the last 10 or so.

After my father died, my mother has been about 3 times to see places she hadn't visited during the other trips.

I've been there 9 times, starting about 25 years ago. I'd love to go every year.

Aloha Janny,

I've been to HI 4 times in the past 6 years... anxiously anticipating our next trip in March.

It's especially wonderful experiencing each island...one at a time... getting the full flavor. They're all so unique!

Once the aloha spirit gets in your blood, you can't resist planning the next trip & returning....

Much Aloha!

I don't go every year, but I've been 6 times over the past 20 years or so, and will make my 7th trip next spring. My better half prefers more exotic places, so half my trips were not with him and we never plan trips to Hawaii.

Nevertheless, they just seem to happen, happily for me because I love the place!
We're celebrating a good friend's big birthday on Maui in March.

I'd definitely go every year if there was any way I could afford it. I've been 4 times - the first time was in 1962, not long after Hawaii became a state. Next time was 30 years later! My sweetie has never been there; we plan to go in a couple of years. It will be easier and cheaper once we move to British Columbia from our current home in Ontario. The Big Island is my own destination of choice - and never at any of the big resorts or hotels. There are wonderful B&Bs in the mountains, on coffee plantations, etc. Can't wait to go back.

We go biannually and try to intersperse the caribbean/mexico/florida on the off years. However, what we have found over the last few years is that we always seem to say "that place was nice, but it wasn't Hawaii!" We eventually would like to retire there and make the trip back to Canada an annual event! Aloha

My husband and I have been six times in eight years. We mainly go to the north shore of Kauai, however, this summer we went to Maui and are planning trip No. 7 next August...back to Maui!
Aloha!

We have been to Maui twice since 2000... We will be there again December 6th-13th. (We won this airfare just 2 weeks ago.) We are also going again March 2004. Our goal is to go every 2 years.... it takes us about two years to save enough for a week for 2 adults and 2 children. Our first trip for 5 days with condo/car/air cost 1,500.00 per person. We learn more ways to save money with every trip. For our trip March 2004... we are staying for 7 days, with condo/car.air.. it will cost us $1,040.00 per person. Our boys are 10 and 12 and we figure we only have 3 more bi-annual trip with them before they will be too busy with there own lifes to go with mom and dad. We think we are making wonderful memories for our family.

We've been 10 times in as many years. Our favorite place is Kona, on the Big Island, although it's begun to lose it's charm for me - it's gotten too big.

Kauai is a close second, and we've also been to Maui, Oahu and Molokai. Would like to someday visit Lanai as we've yet to go there.

Aloha Janny - I've just booked my 14th trip in 10 years - yes, I've been lucky enough some years to visit twice. I have not been to Kuaui or Molokai. Maui is my favorite. In fact, I love it so much, that this next trip in Jan 2004, I'm going by myself. Every year, I think maybe I'll go somewhere else, but then I think of what I'd miss in Hawaii and back I go! When I'm on the road from Kahului to wherever I'm staying, I feel like I'm on the way home. The only negative for me is the long plane ride from Minneapolis.

This past May was my first trip...my husband and I spent 10 wonderful days on Maui and Kauai. I wanted to go back the minute we got home!

I'm planning my next trip to Hawaii (Oahu) in February with some friends. I certainly understand why people return year after year...;-)

1-2 times per year for the past 10 yrs. But it's easy for us because we live on the West Coast! And hubby's best friend lives in HNL.

First time last year for 9 blissful days on Maui. Going back April 2004 for 14 days split between Maui and Kauai. First time I've been on a vacation for over a week and didn't want to go home. Can't think of another place I would rather go.

For those who have gone to Kauai several times, please advice on which side of the island you would recommend for a first timer. I think that the north looks awesome. My friend is leaning toward the west.

JandaO - not sure your friend would want to stay on the westcoast, maybe east but certainly not west. I prefer the n. shore - the most gorgeous scenery you will find!

We;ve been to HI 5 times since 1998 (our honeymoon). We took the kids 3 times (2 times using Frequent flyer mileage) and they loved it. They kept on asking to go back. I wish we can go every year, but living in TX makes it less affordable than West Coast. We've been to Oahu, Kauai, Maui, BI and Molokai. However, there are places that we would like to see but did not have enough time. I love North Shore Kauai the best. Molokai is nice too, very laid back.

Riggsie, how do you book for just over $1000/person? Are you from West Coast?

Hanalei

My first trip to paradise was when I was 17 years old in 1973. I went with my mom and my 14 year old sister. We stayed one week in Honolulu and one week in Hilo - we went to Hilo to follow some guys we liked - imagine that! All three of us fell in love - with the islands, not just the guys! We cried when it was time to go home to So. Calif.

I fully intended to move over the next year after graduating from high school. A close friend had gotten a scholarship to the Univ of Hi and we planned to share an apartment. I don't remember now why but the plans fell through and I didn't go.

My next trip was in 1986 when I took my two small children (and the babysitter!) over to Honolulu. We had a great time. They were 2 & 4 and loved the beach.

After their dad & I split up he moved back to Maui so the kids and I went over there several times over the next few years. He had to fly me over too since he didn't know what to do with two kids all by himself! The last trip to Maui was in 1990. During that trip I made a pitstop in Honolulu - by myself - for a few days and it was wonderful.

This past summer - 13 years later - I once again journeyed to Honolulu. This time I was on my own and that is the best way to travel by far. I have a bunch of friends and a boyfriend there so I had a great time.

I hated leaving and the only thing consoling me now is planning and hoping to go back the end of March. Now I'm just praying for money .....

Some folks think I'm boring because I never want to go anywhere else, but I truly don't. I have no desire to go to all the other "fun" destinations - just ship me off to Hawaii - preferably Oahu - and I'm happy.

Hanalei

I book condo thru VRBO.com.. then fly and drive thru Pleasant.. do early with Pleasant for best prices...approx.
1100.00 for condo, 2,800.00 air for 4 people (700.00 each) and 250.00 for mid size car for the week. $4,150.00 for the week...anything close to 1,000.00 per person for 7 days I think is a pretty good. Nice thing about Pleasant is you pay deposit and then balance 30days before you go..same with the Condo..

I've been to Hawaii 4 times in the last 7 years (Kauai and the Big Island). I never thought I would like Hawaii. We went the first time on a whim (a short, 6-day package trip to Kauai). Now it's hard for me to go anywhere else. I love to travel, and have been many other places, but I honestly believe Kauai is the most beautiful place I've ever been.
We are skipping it this year though - couldn't pass up those cheap fares to London ($303 RT from Seattle in March). If I had more vacation time, I'd go to Hawaii every year, in addition to traveling someplace new each year.