Your FIRST impression of Hawaii?
 

Aloha Everyone ~
Just thought it could be Fun, if we all shared our first impression's of Hawaii. Witch ever island you we're lucky enough to experience first.
Mine was Maui.Nine years ago. Got off the plane, smelled my first wisp of sweet smells you only smell in the tropics, got the convertible, and headed to west Maui. My Mom then ( 64 ) my sister (40) me (then 25 ) and my niece (10). When we reached the area after Ma'alaea where the tunnel is, we couldn't believe the dry grass. We we're all secretly thinking,,, after this Much Anticipated trip, it looks like Northern California in the summer time...? : ) We got to Ka'anapali, and it started looking more like the Hawaii we'd been dreaming about!
What about you? First impression's?
Lori

I was fourteen years old in 1977 and stepped off the plane on Oahu. The tropical breeze immediately carried the scent of flowers to me. I got tears in my eyes! That night I called my mother and said, "It really IS paradise. It's just like every picture you've ever seen, everything you've ever imagined." I've been to five of the islands several times over a span of 28 years and I still feel the same way. Now that first trip across the barren wasteland of lava between the airport on the Big Island and the Kohala Coast can set you back at first!

Crazy4Hawaii~
We felt the same way, smelling the scents, and that moist tropical breeze. It was like nothing we had ever experienced before. My Mom, (who is gone now), but she brought this tape of Elvis's Blue Hawaii, and I remember listeing to it over, and over through out our day's on Maui. That first trip you'll NEVER forget, I've been every year since, and I'll be leaving again in just 14 DAY'S, I'm as excited as I was that first time! It really is a magical, magical, warm, and special place to me.
Lori

First impression: Paradise
Island: Maui
Significant observations: There were parts of the airport that didn't have solid walls or windows. I thought that said a lot about the climate. And some of the people picking up arriving friends were wearing their bathing suits. That said a lot about the lifestyle. Both just FINE by me!

when i first stepped foot into Maui last summer, I thought, OMG, there are no buildings, the airport is so small, it is SO WINDY. We got our cars and drove off to our hotel/condo in Kahana. Staying in Kahana was a big mistake for two NYC girls, we did not feel like we were in paradise, as a result, we stayed at lahaina most of the time, we felt much like at home with all the shopping and people around us. We were so city-sick, couldnt wait to go home, but we had 8 days in hawaii, so we suck it up and tried to enjoy ourselves. By day 3, we were well accustomed, and started to loosen up, relax more, and soon it was time to go and we didnt want to leave. For the past year, all I've been doing is reminscing those days in Hawaii, all those dreaming, and i'm finally going back again this summer. I can't wait.

Yeah, we brought a friend with us one year, who was VERY stressed out about leaving the husband and kid at home, but by day 3, the only thing she was worried about was what # usv, she should wear that day! You feel totally removed, once there, and that is a GOOD thing...

It was definitely the smell!
1966, 12 years old, got off the plane (United) and we were greeted by women who gave us all leis. The smell I remember was flowers plus pineapple which emanated from the Dole Pineapple factory. And, yes, the warm, tropical weather.
The first time I went to Maui was a year later, in 1967. I remember how rural it was - only two big hotels on Kaanapali (spelling!) beach - just miles and miles of white sand with no people.
It saddens me to see how much it has all changed in the years since - my family had been going there since the 1920s and it is so different now!

How about that! It was the SMELL for me too! My husband and I have been all over the Caribbean, and so we planned to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in Hawaii. I never expected the smell to take me away - the Caribbean is lush and beautiful too, but there is not that incredible flower scent in the air like in Hawaii.

They say odors bring the strongest emotional response - this post is proving that!

LIke everyone else- just getting off the plane in Maui, with that soft, warm, scented air- going ..OMG! This is just incredible!

Yes, the smell! That is my daughter's most powerful impression, we've been taking her there since 6 mos. old. My first trip was in 1963 at age 8, but I have powerful memories of the brilliant sun and the colors. Arriving at the Royal Hawaiian was unbelievable! We were there 3 weeks and went to all 4 "main" islands. Like gualalalisa, I remember Kaanapali with nothing there, we stayed at the Sheraton on either that trip or one 3 years later. We stayed in some ratty old cabins next to the Halekulani - my mother was incensed that we weren't in the main lodge, but my brother and I loved opening coconuts on a fence stake. The Halekulani STILL has that dinky beach! My husband's first trip was in 1977 with my parents - he had to be dragged there, but then fell absolutely in love. I remember him walking around Waikiki, amazed that anywhere could be so beautiful. We are going TWICE this year, trips #17 and #18!

The same for me, the tropical weather, the aroma, the greeting lei etc. First time we arrived at Honolulu. Think it was a 3 week trip. We went to the other 3 island too. Each one so beautiful in their own way. The beaches, the ocean, truly paradise.
I always think the first time to a location is the one that is best remembered. This btw was during the Christmas holidays in 1971.

It was fun reading everyone's memories.
Great thread luvmaui71.

The 1st time I went to Maui I was about 16 @ 1982/83 - was with my parents & my brother. We had spent a few days in Oahu but I remember getting to Maui (my mom's purse was weighed before we got on the small plane) and checking into the Hyatt Regency - looking in awe up at the sky in the lobby - the birds etc & commenting "this is where I'm coming on my honeymoon" ... Sure enough 16 yrs later ... been back for our 5 yr anniv. too.

My first (and unfortunately only trip) to Maui was in 1996. Some friends made us an offer we could not refuse so we agreed to go. I was not looking forward to it at all because I was thinking major touristy (kind of like Wisconsin Dells if any of you know that area). Boy was I wrong. It is one of the most beautiful areas, laid back and just overall wonderful. I have been trying to get back but the opportunity has not presented itself. If I could afford it I would move there!

Thank You, LoveItaly.
I love hearing about peoples happy memories of such a beautiful place, too.
Thank You, or Mahalo!
Lori

I was 18, my dad had just passed away, and a good friend of the family arranged the trip for my mom, myself, and my two brothers. I was so excited when I saw the island (Oahu) from the plane. It was so green and lush, and the mountains, and I could see the Royal Hawaiian far below, which is where we stayed for six weeks. At that point in my life, the beach was the place I wanted to be, and the day my mom rented a car and MADE me go with her to drive around the island and see the sites, was the worst day of the trip. How COULD she make me leave the beach?!!!!! It was all warm, and lush, and tropical, and was all I ever imagined it to be. I have since been to all the main islands and of course my perceptions and interests have changed over the years but that first trip was just the best.

The same. The soft breeze and the smell of flowers. I took photos of the flowers as we walked along the bridges/exterior hallways - still in the Honolulu airport.

Kona and Kauai airports didn't have the same effect for me.

My first was Kauai. I looked out the plane window as we were about to land and it was that cute little airport right there by the ocean with palm trees blowing in the wind, and I almost cried. It was so pretty, and it just got better.

first impression: wow, it's humid here....

first impression of Hawaii: paradise found

We arrived in the dark and got to our rental home in Princeville, Kauai at 11pm. After our celebratory tropical drink on the deck we fell into bed, exhausted from a 20 hour trip. All night long, I was conscious of the balmy air from the doorwall caressing my skin and as has been mentioned, that fabulous scent. We awoke at daybreak and took our coffee outside to a pink and purple sunrise. I must have said "OMG" 100 times that day. Thanks luvmaui for the encouragement to relive that magical time!

My first visit was in 1980, and I was young - just into the double digits! I may be remembering this wrong, but what I remember is that we got off the air-conditioned plane (and we were all dressed up, as people still dressed up to get on planes back in the day), and we were hit with this wave of muggy, hot, humid air. Yoinks! But after that: I remember learning to hula; playing in waters that extended out yards and yards before the ocean dropped down; learning some sort of rhythm-thing where we clicked and tapped and tossed sticks; burying ourselves in the sand; freezing at the top of ... dang, brain freeze, what's it called? Haleakala? - who knew it would be so cold?!; so much more. I loved it! And I'm going back for the fourth time - this time to Kauai - next year!

First impressions--1997 in HNL--from INSIDE airplane:
1. Color of water as we landed
2. Large number of planes from Asian countries, reminding me of one of the things I love still best about Honolulu--it 's a great international city with influences quite different from the mainland's.

The first lasting impression was TASTE! We arrived late evening and by the time we checked into our Kannapali hotel it was 8 pm. We wandered up the "boardwalk" until we came to the Hula Grill where we ordered grilled shrimp and lobster appetizers and their famous Mai Tai. Everything was so fresh - the drinks were from fresh squeezed guava and passion fruit - we ended up ordering 4 more... EACH!

1975, I was 16 and when I saw Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach from the plane for the first time and I almost died. I couldn't believe that I was actually there! I was very impressed with the Honolulu airport with it's lack of windows. Eating at the old Halekulani was the high point of that trip. It was so cool sitting and watching the Hula show at House Without a Key. I was really into collecting t-shirts then and it seemed like Waikiki was t-shirt heaven.
-Bill

WoW, what great memories everyone has. Makes me feel like I'm right there with you. Thank You so much.
Lori

I remember walking through the Honolulu airport, awestruck that I was actually in Hawaii. And then we got on a small plane to Kauai, and the wonderful smells in the Lihue airport, along with the fantastic breeze, were unbelievable. I can still close my eyes and remember feeling the wind and smelling the flowers. We've been to Hawaii since then, but not to Kauai. BUT we're going back to Kauai in 32 days!!!

mine was in kauai in nov 1999. it was 9:30pm when i arrived. i stayed at a b&b inland and had to look for all the landmarks the host told me about. boy it was DARK, and as i was coming up on a hill, I got spooked by the creepy outline of a banyan tree. i did manage to find the b&b and settled in for the night.

when i awoke the next morning (but no thanks to the dogs & roosters), i threw open the shutters of the big picture windows and was rewarded with the most beautiful sight i had seen - a panoramic view the lush, green hillsides; birds chirping, roosters still crowing (LOL). still one of my favorite travel memories.

It was the wind -- the never-ceasing wind, always blowing, never stopping, just about to drive me crazy wind. The sloppiness of the people, dressed in all kinds of clothes, just what was nearest when they woke up. The high prices for everything -- food, lodging, everything. The glazed look in people's eyes as they got off planes, as if they were in a dream.

From the plane we had terrific views of Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. I was actually able to spot my hotel before we landed. The color of the water . . . .I had wanted to go to Hawaii- especially Oahu, since I was four years old and I couldn't believe I was finally there!

My first trip was to Oahu in 1988, I remember going to the beach with my parents and my brother to swim and looking at diamond head from the water thinking that this was the most amazing place. I can remember exploring the Royal Hawaiian with my Dad one day. I loved it and have always wanted to stay there. 2002 was my first trip to Maui and the smell still stays with me. The sugar cane fields in the wind as we drove to Wailea, I could go on and on, 27 days and I will be there to create new memories!

1st impression - What? They can't afford air-conditioning at the airport?

2nd impression - Got scared by the ladies giving me the lei.

Okay, I was only 12, so what do you expect? ;)

((r)) Aloha, and thanks for a great thread! My first impression of Hawaii actually comes under the heading of "the silly things you remember": our honeymoon in July, 1978 was a trip to Oahu and Maui with a tour group, and strangely enough, what my husband and I both remember vividly from that initial experience was the bus trip from Honolulu airport to the Sharaton Waikiki, particularly the bus driver pointing out to us, in the midst of a construction area, the state bird - the CRAIN (construction, that is!). That corny little joke has stayed with us now for 27 years!/:)

However, in the now even dozen trips we've taken to Kauai, the current lasting impressions are the sounds of the birds (mourning doves and roosters) and the intoxicating feeling I get when I'm lying on the beach at Hanalei Bay or looking out at the Na Pali from Ke'e Beach - the vivid greens and blues are just etched into my soul now. Even just the Hawaiian music, whether piped in at the airport, at a hula show, or wherever, always puts a smile on my face!

So...even though the "state bird/crain" thing won't go away, it's actually just an amusing side note to the deeper experiences described above!

Mahalo again for this post!

margot55 ~
Your Welcome. I'm glad everybody seem's to be enjoying this topic. I know I'am. That was very funny about the Crane!
Lori

April of 96..........I just remember the need to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't a dream.

The smells.........the wonderful tropical smell, and the sheer beauty of it all.

Stayed on Oahu for a few days and than went to Hawaii...........I just LOVED the Kona airport.....sounds silly, but thought it was the cutest little thing.

Now, reading some of the other impressions on this thread, could I assume that the Kauai airport is little and quaint also?? We will "do" Kauai for the first time in July.

Can't wait to get back!
janie

Honeymoon in 1988. I saw Waikiki and the beaches west it with swaying palm tree from the plane. The most awesome was the smell of the flowers, especially plumeria. Last time we went to Cafe Hanalei at the parking lot of the Princeville, I kept on sniffing the plumeria smell before I left the island for home. I can't get enough of plumeria. Then there are bougainvillea in different colors everywhere and the fruit trees from mango to jackfruit.... and all the tropical fruit that satisfied my taste buds.

Last Memorial Day. Driving to our condo in Princeville while listening to IZ, and thinking this is paradise.

Just topping, in case some missed it..

2003 - LAX to HNL for a trip to Oahu & Maui. My first impression: as I looked out the plane to the turquoise ocean & Waikiki Beach, I knew Hawaii was going to live up to all of my expectations. As we deplaned, I noticed all the people, dressed in their Hawaiian shirts carrying bags of souvenirs and waiting to catch their return flights back to the mainland. I was and still am in awe that these islands are so magical, so desirable, that most of the thousands (or maybe even hundreds of thousands) of people milling around each day are on vacation.

Great Thread! Fun!

I don't have a first impression, since my family on my father's side is from there.

Outstanding memories of Hawaii for me are: food - sitting around the kitchen table, or here there anywhere ("No more poi, thank you" with a sick grin - can't stand the stuff!) and nonstop yakkety-yak.

Oh, yeah, first time seeing a cousin walking in the door, I wondered how he would be able to get through the door - he's half Hawaiian! Built like - umm - a door.

What flowers? What smells? What beaches? (Just kidding!)

Mahalo for a great thread! :)

Yeah, when your looking out of that plane window, staring at the waves, and the white foam crashing against the shore, it seems so surreal. Everytime I see it, I have to pinch myself, I can't believe I'm so blessed, to be back!

Lori