Hawai'i

To me Hawaii has always been synomous with Paradise. Beautiful tropical beaches, mist-soaked mountains, waterfalls, a world removed from the world.

I went to Hawaii in ‘08 and was not disappointed. It was everything I hoped. Even the commercial areas of Honolulu were nice and clean and in keeping with the culture. I would go back in a heartbeat and would even live there if the opportunity presented itself.

I want to celebrate Christmas there XD

Maybe I’ll do it when I’m out of college.

I don’t know, maybe go with some friends ‘cause I don’t know who else would be going.

I went to Maui and it was so wonderful.

I love Hawai’i. I haven’t visited since January 2001. Would like to visit again and see the whales.

I’ve been dreaming of going to Hawaii since I was a kid…
Moreover, I want to visit my relatives who live there… :)

Wellll that never happenned!!! Too bad, I wish I could have gone. :( Maybe in a few years I hope.

Born and raised in Hawaii (Oahu). Its culture is truly unique, especially when compared to the rest of mainland US.

I’ve moved away roughly 2 years ago and I miss it everyday.

Back in May/April we spent 7 nights on the big island of Hawaii. By far the best vacation I’ve taken for many reasons. First of all, we spent half the time at the Sheraton resort near Kona (great) and the other half at the Four Seasons (spectacular).... After a day or so on the island I wondered into the Music Exchange in Kona and got a great education on ukulele construction, woods, and general sound comparisons. I picked up a Hawaiian handmade koa wood concert ukulele. Strumming it and even smelling it makes me feel like I’m on vacation….. I picked it up instantly. After a few evenings of sitting on the hotel room balcony I felt like I had the thing mastered….

Then I went to the Four Seasons awesome Hawaiian Cultural Center and got a lesson…and humbled. The instructor turned me on to some strumming patterns and various chords that are a bit off the radar for guitar….She recommended some great music like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (what a voice!), Hapa, and the reining Carlos Santana/Steve Vai of the ukulele, Jake Shimabukuro.

I ended up playing a bit of an impromptu concert for my work colleagues…and got a warm reception by all of the locals (I need to make an extra $1M to buy my dream vacation home!).

We ended up seeing most of the Big Island except for the Volcano (we were told it was a bit too far to travel to “maybe” see the lava flow)....but the Northern end of the island was heaven on earth looking at Maui and sipping Kona coffee in Hawi. We also caught part of the Merrie Monarch Hula festival in Hilo (I almost got divorced on the spot)...saw various waterfalls…drank coconut from the shell…stared at the ocean a lot….

I don’t think I’ve ever comeback from anywhere so relaxed and peaceful (including Australia!....no offense, mates). I long to go back and spend a long time there…

We spent 7 days in Kaua’i after we got married. Loved it!

Huge crashing waves, smoking volcanoes and lots of friendly people :)