We dream of going back, the flights were long but I would do it again in a heartbeat, if only we could afford to do so. We were on Oahu for 2 nights, stayed at the Outrigger and ate at Dukes and watched amazing sunsets and loved Waikkii. We then went to stay at Waikoloa on BIg Island and fell in love with that too, i too cried when we left and I watched this amazing beautiful place vanish from my sight from the plane window and I now have amazing photos and memories from our holiday and when we can, we will return.
Jane

How exactly it happened I am unsure of. Maybe it was the sunsets, the perfect weather, or possibly the warm water…

There’s something about Hawaii, Maui in particular, that just stays with you after you leave.

My children keep asking why we go back to the same place every year; it’s simple really: I know for certain we will enjoy every minute.

I am addicted and proud. Aloha!

Thanks so much for sharing your Hawaii addiction story!

Have you ever seen the movie “Elf”? There’s a scene in the movie, when Buddy the Elf meets a New York department store employee dressed in an elf-ish costume. After not seeing anyone else in NY that even looks close to an elf, Buddy is amazed. He tells this employee that he’s happy to meet someone else who shares his “affinity for elf culture”. Well, that’s how I felt when I met you and your husband the other night. I was so excited to meet you as you so enthusiastically share my affinity for Hawaii culture (beaches, hotels, etc)

We’ve gotta get you to Kauai to round out your Hawaii island adventures.

Please come back and comment more often. Stay in touch and let’s share Hawaii stories!

Like Sheila, I really didn’t think Hawaii would be that different from the Caribbean. I used to work for American Airlines selling tour packages, and I marvelled at the nuts who would fly so far to a US state that couldn’t possibly be that big a deal. On my first trip, though, I was in tears when we checked out of the Mauna Kea on the Big Island. A few hours later we were on Waikiki Beach finding even more to love. We went to Hawaii three years in a row and continued to fall in love with every spot we visited. I am still nearly in tears every time we have to leave, but I know I will be back. I love to be the first to spot land as we approach, and I watch from the window of the plane until I can’t see land anymore when we fly out. I even love the long flights because they are now part of Hawaii for me. Next on my list is Molokai and Kauai.

Sheila – it was great meeting you at the Jake Shimabukuro concert. I’ve been to this site many times and had no idea this was yours when we talked. You do a great job. I’ll be happy to report on anything you need next time my husband and I go to Hawaii!

Our itinery is now: flying United into LA then a wait then onto Honolulu staying at outrigger for 2 nighs then flying to Hilo, picking up rental car driving over to Kona to where we staying for 8 nights! – so in those days following, we hope to mix relaxation with some planned trips (albeit long drives across the island) to see a couple of sights, or we may take some tours, to save my man being too stressed doing all the driving!

regards jane
london

I will read all the links you have sent me with interest and I will of
course come back upon our return with what I thought about our trip. Good to
know your friends in Berkshire enjoyed their trip.

Thanks again for your reply and your help.
Regards
Jane

I think and hope you’ll find that your trip to Hawaii will be worth the long flights. I have very good friends who live just outside of London (Berkshire) who took a holiday to Hawaii and absolutely loved it.

The Waikoloa beach resort area is quite nice and the Marriott has recently been rennovated. http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/12/01/waikoloa-beach-resort-a-great-place-to-stay-on-hawaiis-big-island/

Here’s some articles to help you be more comfortable on your long flight –
http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/08/01/my-necessities-when-flying-to-and-from-hawaii/
http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09/18/long-haul-flights-5-tips-for-comfort/
http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09/18/how-to-sleep-on-a-plane/

For what to see and do on the Big Island, you’ll find loads of ideas here:
http://www.govisithawaii.com/category/big-island/big-island-activities/

Have a great time and please come back and let us know how you liked it.

I have admit I am concerned about the long flight to Hawaii and we have to stop over at LA but we have decided to just stay and wait for our connection onto Hawaii and not see LA as we will need to add extra nights for that and we wanted our extra nights to see more of Hawaii. In total we should be there for 8 nights.

We are staying on Big Island Waikiola Beach Resort (Marriott) So can anyone re-assure us that our long 12 hours then plus 6 hours from LA is going to be worth all the numb bums on the plane?!! im sure it is and i am grateful so much to be able to go & see these islands.

We land in Honolulu first after LA and then onto Big Island.

We also have one night in our trip to stay at the Volcano House Hotel.

I am researching everything I can at present so we can see as much as we can but also have some relaxing beach days too.

thanks everyone, so nice to hear you are all addicted to Hawaii. I hope I come back and can join the group and be AS addicted!

regards
Jane London

On Oahu, we like the walk/hike out to Makapuu point on the East. We also like Pu’u Pia hike to a cliff in Manoa valley. I’d love to hike the Manoa Cliffs trail from Tantalus Drive.

I’m afraid that the link recommended by your newspaper is no longer active. We have used BackyardOahu.com as well as HawaiiTrails.org

I think my all time favorite hike in Hawaii would be on Kauai into Waimea Canyon. Second to that might be Kilauea Iki on the Big Island. I could probably spend a month in Hawaii just hiking.

We have only scratched the surface of hiking trials, my favorite so far has been Manoa Falls, we went well past the falls and to the top of the ridge last year. It was quite muddy past the falls, but the view at the top was wonderful, and hardly anyone hikes there, not too well marked i must add. We tried to go hiking in the Audobon Center on the North Shore, but it was closed for renovations last year (boo!).I saw an article in my newspaper, and it mentioned http://www.oahuhikingtrails.com, I haven’t looked it up yet.

Do you have any favorites you recommend?

[On a side note, on the Big Island, the hike out to the lava flow was one of the most unique I have ever done. It was fascinating. ]

Speaking of hotels, we stay at the Waikikki Sand villa. It is a terrific deal. While it is definitely not as nice as the 2 you described, the rooms are modern and clean, it’s 3 blocks form the beach, is bordered by the Ala wai Canal and golf course on one side with a beautiful view of the mountains, has a HUGE pool and outdoor jacuzzi (always kept at the perfect temp), and an open air bar/lite restaurant open til 4 am if you’re into that. Rates start at $90 and go up to $120/night, with a 10% discount for 7 nights or more. I think it is one of the best-kept secrets in Waikikki. They offer a breakfast, but it’s just pastries, etc. We usually go to Duke’s breakfast buffet (a 5 minute walk), I love the location on the beach–it’s probably my favorite restaurant in the world.

I totally agree on the great hiking on Oahu. We have only scratched the surface there on the many hiking trails. What’s been your favorite hikes so far?

Do you have your accommodations planned for your anniversary trip in March? If not, we literally just got back from staying at the newly renovated Outrigger Reef. It was a fantastic resort. Twice a week they offer a free vow renewal on the beach, It’s free for guests staying at either the Outrigger Reef or Outrigger Waikiki Beach properties. Andy and I took part in the renewal and it was just a lovely ceremony.

My story is so similar to Andy’s! I had never visited Hawaii, nor had much desire to, nor was even into tropical destinations until a work trip opportunity came up in June 2003. Believe it or not, no one else in the office wanted to go because of the long flight from Maryland, but i love flying and travel and volunteered. It was such a hardship!

Long story short, I fell in love with Hawaii, and in 2005 my wife and I came back to Oahu (part business trip/mostly vacation) then to Maui and the Big Island. In 2007 we went back again to Oahu for a short 6 nights, now we are going back in March to Waikkiki for 11 nights to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary! There is so much to do there, great hiking, surfing, snorkeling, history of WWII, great food, and it’s safe and friendly to boot! You can walk everywhere in Waikikki (vacation for me is getting out of the car), but a short drive and you are in a completely different world. Unbeatable.

Now did I see that you’ve written a guide book? What’s the name of it? Do you have a link for it? I’d love to check it out!

The first time I tasted sweet sweet Hawaii, we flew thousands of miles, from our expat home in Austria to land in Kona. When we stepped off the plane into the open air, I smelled the plumeria and I knew I was in big, big trouble.

Things have only gotten worse. Never mind the closet full of Hawaiian shirts. Never mind the ukulele collection. Never mind the guide books, the slide show that I play over and over and over again, especially on days like today’s gray cold October morning. Never mind our beach wedding on Maui. Never mind all that.

Not a day goes by that we don’t wake up and think, “WHY ARE WE NOT IN HAWAII?!? WHY?!”

A-hem. Hello, my name is Pam and I am a Hawaii addict.

I just counted up my trips and I’ve only been to Hawaii 8 times roundtrip. Since we travel from North Carolina, we try to go for more than a week and sometimes two each time. We also try to go to two islands each trip. On one trip, we were went to 3 different islands. The funny thing is every time I go to Hawaii, I think my to do list for my next visit gets even longer. There’s so much to do and see and experience!

Do check out the fares! I think there’s a good chance you may find some pleasant surprises. I’ll cross my fingers for you!

@ Angela – Haha! If I could send you I would. I hope you get back to Hawaii without an agenda soon! There are some great hotel deals this fall!