put me in the not that crazy about Hawaii camp. It's too American for me.
The way you feel about Hawaii I feel about Mexico.

To answer Crazy4Hawaii on the loco moco origin. I grew up in Hilo where the loco moco is said to have orginated. My dad was a member of the Licoln Wreckers mentioned in the article.
Here's the link:http://www.tropi-ties.com/ezine/oct0...sten/text.html

mauijon...I have to agree with you.Why would someone travel thousands of miles to sit at a hotel.I am the kind who likes to find the secret places and explore alot.If I wanted to sit at a hotel...I could do that at the nearby beach at home.

Why I love the Hawaiian Islands....the incredible warmth of the people, the Aloha spirit, the smell of plumeria and orchids wafting through the air, the overwhelming natural beauty of the island, the fact that the islands are the most remote in the entire world. I would never spend the time and money it takes to get to Hawaii and waste my days at a resort. Resorts offer man-made beauty; nothing real or natural. If you want to spend a vacation by the pool at a resort there are many other destinations that may interest you. Hawaii has much more to offer.

I need to add my 2 cents here but I'm not sure how to articulate my feelings. People ask me all the time why I go back to Hawaii year after year.

I think it's in your soul. It might not start that way, but once you've visited a few times as someone else said you either "get it" or you don't.

There's a Home Depot in Hawaii???? Never noticed. I've seen the ocean, beaches, flowers, waterfalls, rainbows, lava flowing at night, all sorts of happy people, turtles sunning on the beach.....and now you tell me that have Home Depot there. Well that just ruins the whole thing. <vbg>

As for the person who begins planning the next trip on the way back home, I used to do that. But I came up with a better approach this year...plan TWO trips at a time. The next trip, and then the one after that.

Wish I were there right now....

Two trips at a time.... drool... drool
Boy, I love this thread! I really needed to hear from some kindred spirits right now.

crazy4Hawaii...I hear ya! I get a fix and then I can't wait to figure out how to get back again...I think it may be turning into a problem We just booked on a last-minute air sale to Maui ($250rt). I have only been there once b4, for 4 days after a week in Oahu. We stayed at a condotel 2 nights and 1 night in Hana. We fit a snorkel trip, Road to Hana, the red sand beach, the Oheo pools, 400ft waterfalls, Haleakala, the winery and more all in those 4 days! I have to admit, though we really enjoyed Maui, it wasn't our favorite...but we're going back in 2weeks because it was on sale and HECK...IT'S HAWAII!!!! Oh how I love living on the west coast and so close to Paradise!

There is a feeling in Hawaii that makes me completely relax and smile the moment I get off the plane. I love all four of the islands that I have been blessed to visit.

I always think that what makes a location wonderful has a lot to do with the residents. Although I know there are very few native Hawaiians anymore (that is so sad) I have always found the residents such a joy. PakePorkChop described my feelings about Hawaii so there is no point to repeat. I know that the Hawaiian Island like everywhere has become more comercialized but what hasn't? That is just a fact of life.

I think that the State of Hawaii is the jewel of the United State of America. I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to at least visit Hawaii once in their lifetime.

I've only been to Honolulu and the Big Island and enjoyed them both.

Definately agree that its a waste of time staying in a resort the whole time, thats why we chose the 'Big Island as there seemed plenty to do and we weren't disappointed

Overall I thought Hawaii was nice, my wife wants to go to Kauai next, but I thought the activities are way overpriced for what you get. The price for golf, unless your prepared to go to the Timeshare route detracts from the normal enjoyment of the game.

The beaches were so so, having spent a large part of my life in Australia, I guess I'm spoilt, but overall we'll be back especially to explore the other islands

Geordie

Everyone should avoid Hawaii and frequent the Caribbean more. Especially over New Year's.

"Other than an ocean, there's nothing in Hawaii that Wisconsin doesn't have." :-"

PakePorkChop,,,I love you..so eloquent and feeling.

When our flight from Honolulu to Lihue touched down I was grinning and clapping my hands and kissing my husband. The guy on the other side of me was certain it was my first trip..

Oh the excitement....and I'm with Bill..I don't "get" people who don't "get" Hawaii.

i'2,
Diff strokes/diff folks...and so it goes.

Jean, I'm with you. Hawaii is nice but give me Costa Rica any day!! I am really into animals more than plants and the jungles have the islands beat hands down.

What is it about Hawaii? I think it's the geckos with a c not a k.......and the rain, the glorious rain...it never stops......yup geckos and rain, rain and geckos!!!

Animals in Costa Rica????

That does it....I'm going to Belize instead.

DH has been to Costa Rica.....without me...and he prefers that rainy, buggy, chickeny(is that a word?) island of Kauai WITH me.......

but, you are right, Kal...different strokes for different folks..we just like the stroking in Kauai...as sang by that wonderful musician Clarence Carter..whew, Clarence Carter, don't stroke so fast!!!!!!!!!!

I took my daughter on a four-island tour for her high school graduation present, because the tour group could do it cheaper than I could and I didn't have a lot to spend. We had a blast on all the islands, but there was one woman in the group who kept saying, "It looks just like Florida to me" at every gorgeous sight. It became a byword between the two of us, and we still send each other postcards from places like Switzerland and Paris saying "It looks just like Florida to me."

funny, carolyn!

Aloha: It is so difficult to explain Hawaii to someone who has not been there. It is, and I agree with all who love Hawaii that it IS A SENSE OF Place there. You either "get it" or you don't. For me, it is the "spirit" of everything in the islands. Truly it is the whole thing, the beaches, mountains, people, gentleness. The beauty of the place, as I am sure everyone would agree is absolutely stunning. And, so are the people.

I have been to the Caribbean many times (love the islands) but certainly should not be (and cannot be compared) equated with Hawaii. St. John - has nice beaches - but that is all.

Again, you cannot convince someone who doesn't "get Hawaii" to get it. You either feel it or not.

I don't think it's about "getting it." You can totally enjoy and appreciate Hawaii and still prefer some place else. I prefer the tranquility of St John over the more developed Maui. St John is 75% national park so there is definitely more than just beaches. If I went back to Hawaii I would try Kauai since I found Maui more commercial than I care for in a tropical vacation. I didn't "not get" Hawaii, in fact I loved it, I just personally prefer St John.