It's the ocean. There is some kind of magnetic and hypnotic pull about the water there. I was in Kauai last year, first trip to Hawaii, and that's all I can think about when I reminicse. It was so strong, deep and powerful and the color was mesmerizing. I've been to oceans all over the world (well, maybe not ALL) and have never been affected like that. It gets you on a cellular level.

i just returned today from a two week vacation in Hawaii. We spent 4 days on Oahu, just two on Kauai and the rest of the time on Maui.It was our third trip in 9 years. I am a teacher, not a person of great means, but I too am addicted to the natural beauty. In Maui we stay on Kaanapolli at the "most Hawaiian hotel" The Kaanapolli Beach Hotel. Our first evening there we were walking in the surf. From our vantage point we could see a rainbow over the mountains, another island in a distance, cliff divers up ahead and the wahleing village the other direction, below the mountains we could see our hotel gardens and all of the exotic folliage. The water is crystal clear and the sky above the bluest blue , followed by a sunset that made me cry. Driving up to hana was a uniique experience with more beautiful sites then I could immagine. Continuing on the road less traveled ( the dirt portion of the road past Hana, I understood why Oprah purchased so many acres on this crooked winding road, why the Beatles wrote the song, The Long and Winding Road and that God only could have created such beauty.
I love the tourist attractions that Oahu offers,It is so much fun and very beautiful. I love the quiet of Kaui,too. But Maui is my new favorite place to be. If you go back venture out and see all the beauty that Maui offers.
I have never been to St. john's but if you think its better that maui, I owuld like to go sometime just to see. it will take a lot to convince me, but I will keep an open mind, until then I will savor all of my beautiful hawaiin memories and start saving for my next trip back.

The Beatles' song "The Long and Winding Road" is about the road to Hana?? You learn something new every day !!!

Didn't George Harrison have his own digs in Hana?

And, I didn't know that about the song either Rusty..interesting.

'The Long and Winding Road' was written by McCartney about his relationship with Lennon, nothing to do with a place in Hawaii

Geordie

Ok, I'll go for your explanation Geordie, but again, didn't George Harrison have a place in Hana?

I think he did live on Maui during the late 70's & 80's, he wrote a song called 'soft Hearted Hana'

Geordie

Having the Beatles and Hawaii mentioned in the same thread? I think I've died and gone to Heaven! Yes, George had a place near Hana and was no stranger to the general store there. He was heavily into ukuleles and had quite a collection. Tom Petty said that his wife would hide theirs before George came over or he would stay up all night playing - so he took to bringing Tom Petty a new one every time he came over. Ha! I can't help but think the song referred to above crossed his mind a time or two on that road!

I wouldn't say St John is "better" than Maui - every person has their own perspective. It is just much more primitive and had a lot of the same great things to offer as Maui (snorkeling, hiking, beautiful beaches, good food).

I would like to jump in--forgive me if someone else has posted the same.

For my first visit, Hawaii is that strange sounding name I heard in the fourth grade (giving some age here)...along with Alaska as being the 49th and 50th states. During our classroom conversations, our teacher led us in discussion, and the various patterns our American Flag was about to undergo a change. To a group of fourth graders, these were distant, faraway places, and not those that were even considered as vacation destinations. Not to forget, but I always remember December 7 (no I was not here THEN), but my mother would always quote that "day that will live in infamy". Now married to a Viet Nam Veteran, I am eagerly anticipating our visit in 92 days.

Thank you Hawaii, for offering so much...

I completely understand Hawaii obsession. I lived there a couple of years as a small child (airforce brat)
and have been back twice. June 1 year ago I stayed 3 wks, it was still not enough. The last two times as an adult I spent a few moments alone on the beach to once again say goodbye to the islands. I agree with crazy4Hawaii, every time I go when I get off the plane I have this strong feeling of coming home and every time I leave I feel like my heart is being torn out. So many of the best things about Hawaii are free. I've climbed trails with mud up to my knees to swim below a waterfall, hung from vines to repel down to a river that just needed to be explored only to find another waterfall. I've hiked over new land while wondering if my feet were going to catch on fire to see the beauty of Pele's work. I've frozen my 'Okole off on top of Mauna Kea to watch to most incredible sunset I've ever seen in my life. I've stood in silence at Pearl Harbor and in awe of the North Shore, the Napli Coast and the majestic mountains of Oahu and Kauai, And what can I say to do justice to the people, Aloha is a spirit, a frame of mind, not just a word.