Comments on: Hawaii versus the Caribbean – Why Hawaii Wins

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:27:24 +0000

Been to both and Hawaii wins hands down!

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:19:15 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Diego. I’d like to hear the Venezuelan Cuatro.

By: Diego

Diego — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:50:50 +0000

I’m from the Caribbean, actually. I’m from the Paraguana Peninsula in Venezuela. I find very similar things that they have in Hawaii here in the Caribbean. The Venezuelan Cuatro is very similar to the Hawaiian Ukelele. The Hawaiian music has some similarities to the Trinidadian Calypso. In fact, there is a lot of reggae Hawaii. I don’t know if it’s home preferences, but I like Caribbean vacations much better. Also, it’s very safe in the Caribbean if your not stupid. It’s as safe in the Caribbean as it is in the United States when you do everything commercially.

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:35:18 +0000

Good points, IslandBoy. Thanks for your comment.

By: IslandBoy

IslandBoy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:25:23 +0000

I’ve been to both Hawaii and the Caribbean (family in the Virgin Islands and Barbados) and it is MUCH more affordable by comparison. I can say I feel more at home in the Carribean, but honestly it’s incomparable. I hear you guys, but the Carribean and the Hawaiian islands are just too different on so many levels. Granted the landscape is much the same, but as far as culture and experience it’s very different. You can really enjoy it if you explore ALL or MOST of the Carribean Islands. Visiting just one country won’t cut it, the Carribean encompasses many islands.

By: sheila

sheila — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:46:42 +0000

@ Maki – thanks for sharing your experience and opinion. I agree with you that Hawaii has a great variety of activities.

By: Maki

Maki — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:20:03 +0000

I have been to the Bahamas and Hawaii is much better. There are a lot of activities and tours to besides visiting the beach. I went there for 7 days and wish I could of stayed longer to visit other islands. There is a lot more options in Hawaii where you can take a 20 min. flight to visit other islands. The ocean waves are beautiful and if you are lucky you can see the green sea turtles swimming in the ocean.

By: sheila

sheila — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:20:09 +0000

American – I’ve been to both and I much prefer Hawaii.

By: American

American — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:48:32 +0000

If you want to feel home, why do you spend thousands of $$. stay at home. Experience caribbean islands, venture out.those islands are fascinating…better than hawaii…just because you are from US, u should not be supporting hawaii…
Need to have a fair judgement guys !!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:54:41 +0000

HVG – for the most part I agree. I was surprised that some Caribbean islands accept the US dollar along with their own currency.

Now about the street and town names in Hawaii….those are definitely foreign for mainlanders. I shudder to think of the number of times I’ve completely mispronounced a street name.

By: HawaiiVacationGifts

HawaiiVacationGifts — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:09:59 +0000

I think Hawaii feels like home to many mainlanders because as the 50th state, American culture, laws, money, etc. make up the fabric of our society. Woven in are lots of other cultures that create a vibrant tapestry so it feels like home with an exotic flair.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:39:57 +0000

@ Jim – that’s right! The BI has 2 active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa, I believe. The BI is actually made up of 5 volcanoes – Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Kohala, and Hualalai. That just blows my mind! Thanks for your quote!

@ Chris – Oh Tahiti is so beautiful! You are so lucky that you have lived in Tahiti and now in Hawaii! Don’t make me jealous. I agree with you that Tahiti seems to have too much of a European, particularly French, influence. Which is a shame. I’ll have to put some thoughts around an article comparing French Polynesia to Hawaii.

@ Rick – I hope your boss didn’t bust you. Yes – the air….there is something in the air! It really is almost magical. I remember when I arrived in the Maui airport for my first Hawaii vacation. I remember that the scent of the air was unusual,earthy and exotic, but very pleasant. I’m not even sure what the scent was, but I loved it. When I think of being in Hawaii, the first thought that pops into my mind is the sound of the air – specifically the tradewinds blowing gently through the palm fronds. Ahhhhh…paradise on earth! Thanks for your first time comment and please do come back and comment more!

@ Bob K – Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You’ve certainly traveled both extensively, so you would know. I know what you mean about the poverty in the Caribbean. It’s shocking and sad to see it. It puts a bit of a somber damper on your vacation when you see it. Mahalo for your first time comment. Please do visit and comment again!

By: Bob K

Bob K — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:42:07 +0000

I travel extensively and been to many Caribbean islands and to Hawaii about 30 times. Hands down Hawaii, no comparison. The Carib islands are small, very little to do in comparison and dare I say say the poverty is a bit exposed for my tastes when I am spending thousands on a vacation. And don’t get me started on Mexico, except LaPaz.

By: Rick Emmerich

Rick Emmerich — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:31:31 +0000

It is the air. Whether it’s the just after a sprinkle or mist, look at the rainbow moment or the wonderful trade winds.

Plus for a guy that grew up in the midwest, full of too cold winters and snow and ice, and too hot summers, this is just right.

Honolulu has its issues as does all of Oahu. But we will attempt to hide them from you when you visit. And of coure the neighbor islands are glorious as well. In a different way.

I’d go on, but my boss could be looking over my shoulder at any time……aloha

By: chris

chris — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:16:08 +0000

Wow, what a great article! You know both destinations very well so your personal insight was very interesting to read. You may want to compare Tahiti and Hawaii next.

I love Tahiti, lived there 2 years vs. 28 years in Hawaii, but I also love Hawaii.

Both the Tahitians and Hawaiians are Polynesians so they are basically the same culture. Tahiti has been run by the French and Hawaii by the US for the past 100+ years.

The only thing keeping from living in Tahiti is an inexpensive internet connection, cheap gas, and missing friends in Hawaii.

Tahiti is not overdeveloped like Waikiki is. Tahiti is a little more isolated from the modern world than Hawaii is but that can be a good thing.

I am worried about Tahiti losing its cultural identity. Not many children are learning the Tahitian language anymore. Hawaiian children almost completely stopped speaking the Hawaiian language 15 years ago, but it is making a come back.

The natural beauty of Hawaii and Tahiti (French Polynesia) is stunning. The cultures and history of Polynesia are fascinating.

By: jim

jim — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:55:47 +0000

BTW, as I type this I’m drinking Kona coffee.

By: jim

jim — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:54:03 +0000

Thanks for including me!

I have to second #3, I was amazed at how quickly climate changed on the Big Island. On the Hilo side it was lush, verdant, rainforesty; on the Kona side it was dry, volcanic, and almost prehistoric in some places. It made for a very interesting trip, plus it has #2 volcanoes!