I was explaining to a friend of mine today about my near obsession with Hawaii. She told me that she and her husband had stayed at the Four Seasons in the Wailea area of Maui a few years ago and just weren't that impressed with the island. She felt the beaches were better in St. John. She also complained about nothing to do and that there are chains like Home Depot there. Then I found out they had no car and stayed at the resort most of the time. After sitting there in a daze for a minute or two, I admitted I could understand her perspective. However, it's not about the beaches! It's the beaches AND the mountains AND the history AND the people. It's just the whole package. Even though I'm just a haole from the mainland, from the time I first visited these islands as a child, I had the strange feeling that a part of me was "home" and I'm always trying to get back for a visit. I guess I'm like Mark Twain in that no other place has captured my imagination like these islands and they keep calling me back!

Aloha!

You have a gifted vision.

It is about the weather. Soft moist wind, gentle showers, clear cloudless skies, moody stormheads...

It is about a sense of place. You described it, I don't have to.

It is about the political stability of being in one of the most protected exotic destinations in the world by the most powerful country.

It is about having a fantastic array of recreational pursuits, be it skiing, diving, surfing, jogging, and the like..

It is about dining in a plethora of styles...

It is about shopping in the world's great venues.

I could go on, but I can't imagine that
St. John could come close to this combination.

And the poverty. Do you really want to put up with all that while on vacation?

I can understand if you were on some tour that rebuilt villages or constructed water projects, but...

Thank you, PPC! You added perfectly to my own thoughts! I have long enjoyed your contributions to this websight. I want to come visit your part of the islands again someday. Were you born there?

I bet you'll know this: I have become addicted to loco moco and fix my version of it almost every weekend. Do you know what the origins of these words are? My husband speaks Spanish, so he laughingly says it means "crazy eggs"!

We were in Kauai and Maui in May (first time HI visitors) and my INITIAL reaction was just like your friends. After being on Kauai, which I thought was gorgeous, Maui seemed too built up. While the Four Seaosns was wonderful, it still didn't capture my "image" of Hawaii.

We went on a business trip and everyone agreed - for the long flight from the east coast mainland, HI wasn't worth it. But no one ventured off the resort! I explored the most, so I got a more balanced picture - I really liked shopping and strolling around Lahaina, Mamas Fish House was great (and that's coming from someone who doesn't like seasfood), and we got a better appreciation for the beauty of the island by taking a helicopter ride over Hana and visiting Makena Beach. And the views from driving to all these different places were great (except the suburban sprawl type development around Kaluhie, or however the city where OGG is is spelled!)

But the beaches in St. John are nicer - hands down. St. John is a LOT easier to get to from the east coast. I'd pick St. John over Maui any day. If you add Kauai into the equation, that makes it a harder choice b/c Kauai is more ruggedly beautiful than St. John.

Just an east coaster's opinion!

Yep, people who visit a place and then plop themselves at a resort often have the same complaints, but your friend astounds me. Uh, yes, they have a Home Depot, people live on these islands! St John is somewhat unique in the Caribbean, as it is fairly unpopulated and more pristine than most islands, but is rapidly getting less so. And, no, you won't find a Home Depot on St John, but St Thomas is just a ferry ride away, rather than a plane ride as with the Hawaiian islands.
I really like your take on Hawaii. It is a magical place.

For some, especially east coasters, Hawaii is just too far away. St. John is pretty and close. (My parents personally favor Bermuda.)
I have been to Hawaii (Oahu and Maui) once. I thought Oahu was very unique. The city on the beach was a neat aspect. There is also so much to do and see. I thought Maui was pretty, but I doubt I will go back.
We are going back with our kids next year and we are going to Oahu and Kaui. We are very excited about this trip, but it is a long flight for us from the east.
If any of you has seen the movie South Pacific, and the woman sings Bali Hai. I think of Hawaii as that. Beautiful, mysterious and enchanting, but far away!!!

Aloha,
I absolutely love the island of Oahu. I can't get enough of it. Hawaii is like paradise. crazy4Hawaii and Pakeporkchop - you described it beautifully! I love Hawaii for the same reasons. As far as I'm concerned the only thing the Caribbean has going for it is the beaches. I love the beaches on Hawaii - they are my favorite anywhere. However the Caribbean water and beaches are like nothing else. Very beautiful. I haven't seen water / beaches like that anywhere. Ofcourse I haven't been everywhere but you know what I mean. I also love the polynesian culture and I think the hula is the most beautiful dance I have ever seen - hands down! I am glad I have seen the Caribbean but once I set foot on Hawaii I have never had a desire to return to the Caribbean. (Bermuda excluded. I love that island too). Hawaii is so far away for us east coasters but I will pick Hawaii over the Caribbean anyday. Just MHO.

That your friends complained about the Home Depot really really cracks me up. about 14 years ago we bareboated the British Virgin Islands. Planned on spending last 2 nights in St. John. After the first night back in American waters and seeing a Wendy's burger joint on the island, we hightailed it out of there and back to JostvanDyke for the night! Imagine a Wendy's in paradise!!!

As rjscott said, if you just want to lay around on the beach all day I think Hawaii is probably a waste of time and money. I used to live on Oahu and I think you really need to be a fairly active, outdoorsy or even adventurous person to truly take advantage of everything Hawaii has to offer. I'm also not a big fan of Maui--you're on a resort isolated from the real Hawaiian culture, and people usually only venture off the resorts to do planned excursions with thousands of other tourists.

All you Hawaii lovers should really look into moving--I was only there for a year but what a year it was!

We've been to Hawaii numerous times (mostly the BI) and have yet to stay at a resort. We tend to favour B&B's up in the mountains, where the elevation means you don't need air conditioning and the views are incredible. I completely agree with PakePorkChop's comments. It's an astonishing place.

My husband and I had our honeymoon in Hawaii two years ago this week. We stayed for 15 days and spent time on Lanai, the Big Island and most time on Maui. I was surprised but how not blown away I was at first but Hawaii is not about just the outward first impression, it is about the nature, the calm it inspires. You really need to spend some time there to let it soak in. I did not stay in a resort but rather rented a condo on the water in a very small development just north of Lahaina. After a day of surfing, snorkeling and hiking we would stop by the fishmarket down the street. As fisherman would bring in their catch, we would pick which fresh catch we wanted and take some home. We would then grill the fantastic feast on the BBQ by the waters edge then enjoy a romantic dinner on our lanai overlooking the sunset over Molokai.
I can't imagine much that could compare to that.

On the BI we stayed at a friend's family place. In a gated condo community outside Kona. Ick. We hated it. I'll leave the man made glamour and fancy condos for someone else- from now on when we go away we will always choose the low key accomodations and sites with local flavor. To each his own I guess.

What is it about Hawaii? The air is different there and it has an inexplicable effect on me. Amazing.

I don't "get" people who don't "get" Hawaii. I hope I never get that jaded.

We're going to St. John next summer on a research mission so I can broaden my understanding of "paradise".

-Bill

I've been to both Maui and St John and while I had a great time at both, St John was BY FAR my favorite. Not to knock Maui which I loved as well, but it is much more commercialized and developed like mainland US whereas St John is like a whole other world. It depends on what you want - I'm sure a lot of people would be bored on St John; but if you like peace, quiet, hiking, beautiful beaches, mountains, and good food as well I personally don't think it can be beat.

I have to say I do find it a bit bizarre that someone who enjoys St John would say there is nothing to do on Maui!

We just returned from the BI -- our first trip to Hawaii.

We expected to love laying on the beach and just relaxing. We realized after about 40 minutes of the beach that we aren't really relax on the beach people. And can you imagine a better place than the BI to be if you want more than just beaches?

We were able to hike, watch lava flow and explode in the ocean, explore the desert, explore a rainforest, see waterfalls, snorkel, boogie board, eat delicious food all on one island!

The BI was visually amazing in terms of its diversity of scenery. Our favorite part of the island was probably Waimea, but there was still so much that we didn't have time to see.

We can't wait to go back for more adventures!

Yes, it's the air, the wonderful soft air smelling somehow sweet and rich and almost smoky, but always fresh. It's how the relaxation seeps into you and makes you gentler. I got back a week ago from my first trip to Maui (trip report available to anyone interested), and it took a few days for the effect to sink in fully, but now that it has I know I will return.

I have not traveled a whole lot yet but the places that I have been are Kauai,Aruba and St John.

Of the three Kauai is by far my favorite.The Aloha spirit and hang loose was great.I plan on going back sometime and will include the Big Island also.There is just no place as beautiful IMO as Kauai.St John did have some beautiful beaches and great snorkeling but for the whole package..Kauai beats it.
As for Aruba..I really did not care for it at all.Too flat and Americanized even more so than Kauai which IS part of the US.Just my opinion.

There most certainly IS something about Hawaii that just puts it in a category all its own. I agree with the previous poster - I don't "get" those who don't "get" Hawaii. There is nowhere else I'd rather be. Once I set foot in the airport and take that first amazing breath of paradise, I just revel in being there. I always cry when I leave and am planning a return trip before the plane touches down at home.

I know I am obsessed with it - the people, the beach, the mountains, just with the place in general, but don't know how to change that - and wouldn't want to. I've been to the BI, Maui (several times) and Oahu is still my favorite. I just love the excitement, the people, the choices available there. My lifetime goal is to live there someday - until then I have to settle for the ocassional trips whenever I can take them.

I'm with you all the way, bashfulLV! I start planning my next visit as soon as I land. Even if I haven't figured out how to pay for it yet...
And Bill, you have definitely hit upon my new favorite catchphrase: "I just don't get people who don't get Hawaii!"

Put me in the not that crazy about Hawaii group. I've been three times, Oahu, Maui and Kauai. We had wonderful vacations all three times, but it doesn't draw me back.

For my husband and I the 'magic' lies in Central America. When I travel I don't want it to be like home. I want different cultures and different languages. The cloud forests in Costa Rica are breathtaking, as are the rain forests in Panama and southern Costa Rica. The beaches in the San Blas islands are beautiful and, even more fascinating because of the way they are managed by the Kuna Indians.

I'm not bashing people who love Hawaii, because I do understand. But for me, it's just somewhere else. And aren't we all glad that we don't all love the same place? Just think how crowded that place would be.

I love Hawaii- I lived there for 4 years and for me what was so special was the local people- I worked with many who really had the "aloha spirit"
Many of them had very little themselves but would give you the shirt off their back- or they would bring you a bag of
litchees to work- just little things.

I worked at Queens hospital and I loved it when patients would bring their ukeleles to the hospital and play them while we were doing our work in the am - and of course the smell of plumeria .
Living there for 4 years was a wonderful experience!!