What is it about Hawaii ?? (Hilo: rental car, fit in, rental)

[Beaches84]

I just can't figure it out...what is it about hawaii that makes people fall in love with the place (including myself). I've been to plenty of other places with nice beaches, weather, scenery, but I have never felt more "at home" during a vacation than when visiting hawaii (Oahu and Kauai in particular). I guess part of it may be that I'm a happa, maybe subconsciously feel like I fit in more But I've never felt that my mixed race was an issue on the mainland. I'm probably over-analyzing this, but it's been puzzling me for a while. My last stay in hawaii was for 2.5 weeks, and I was hoping that would be enough Hawaii to last me a while...but I seem to want more of it. Can't wait until my next trip, whenever that may be.

I'm not sure I want to make hawaii my home permanently, but definately have plans to live there for an extended period of time sometime in the next 3 years. I want to do these daring, adventurous things while I'm still young...but school, career, and life makes these 'side excursions' hard to fit in. Oh well, I guess such is life

[leaana]

um, the aloha spirit??? haven't you noticed hawaiians are more friendly and hospitable and laid back?

i'm in s. florida and i can go to indian rocks beach etc and all i see is pink stucco high rises and a sterile environment. i feel absolutely NOTHING. That SAID, hawaii is becoming more commercial every day. the food is starting to taste like grocery-store bought sushi

a place isn't just physical, it's atmosphere honey.

[Beaches84]

I suppose that may be part of it...but I've met plenty of very nice people in other places as well. I'm not a very religious or spiritual person, but I think there is something special about Hawaii besides nice people and weather...can't quite explain it in words (or maybe I'm just not eloquent enough).

Part of the reason I've been thinking about this so much is my friends keep asking me what it is about hawaii that I'm so attracted to (they've also visited, but didn't feel the connection I felt...they felt it was just a nice vacation no different than any other beach vacation).

[leaana]

nice people in other places? ha!

no place is as nice in majority for the united states as hawaii. you rarely if ever get rudeness from anyone there which is a daily occurrence on the mainland.

it's the atmosphere you are referring to and the tropical ambiance, what's left of it anyways.

[bamasandman]

Where else can you find the Aloha Spirit that is on the Islands? I am from Alabama, the South is a friendly region but it does not compare to the Islands. I have to visit the islands every few years and would love to make it a longer stay someday. Recent experience on the Big Island last fall while visiting in Hilo, I had a late flight from Kona, the manager of the small motel we were at was kind enough to offer us to lock up luggage in closet and come back by later that afternoon well after checkout time to take a shower and freshen up before our flight. One more, I left my cellphone in rental car when turned in at airport. Before I could return on the shuttle back to the rental unit the driver of the shuttle already had my phone and met me at the gate to return it to me. If that had happened in the States imagine the hassle I would have to go through. That is just the type of Spirit that is alive in the Islands. Aloha.

[HawaiiLover]

It's the ALOHA spirit and that's what makes me keep going back! The scenery and the whole atmosphere is so different.
I have been there 4 times within the last 6 years, and I will be going back to Oahu for two weeks in September. DH and I absolutely love it! We do stay in Waikiki, because we like the things there are to do in the evening, but as for Waikiki beaches, they are just too crowded. We rent a car and hit beaches heading to the North Shore. We like the town of Kailau, and of course, the beach there.
We have traveled throughout the Caribbean and we doubt we will ever go back. Well, maybe we would to one place we liked, Virgin Gorda, BVI. Otherwise, Hawaii has my heart.

[Beaches84]

I suppose I have to give credit to the "aloha" I feel from the islands...I'm still going to have a hard time explaining to family/friends when I do go for my 3-6 month "sabatical" on the islands. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it

[Jungjohann]

You'ld best be careful, Hawaii can be highly addictive to those with little resistance!!!!! I've been contemplating "kicking" the Hawaii habit for about 33 years now,,,, finally just caved in back in 98!!!!! Haven't even been out of the state since!!!!!! I know, it's pathetic, I'm a total wreck!!!!!! But I'm trying to cope,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, gotta hele,, time to go paddling and chase some whales,,,,,, I know,,,, how do I put up with it???????????????

Aloha and okolemaluna

[stan4]

The people are nice, the weather is awesome, and the scenery...it's just a hard combo to find in most places.

[KoaHawaii]

Originally Posted by Beaches84

I suppose that may be part of it...but I've met plenty of very nice people in other places as well. I'm not a very religious or spiritual person, but I think there is something special about Hawaii besides nice people and weather...can't quite explain it in words (or maybe I'm just not eloquent enough).

Part of the reason I've been thinking about this so much is my friends keep asking me what it is about hawaii that I'm so attracted to (they've also visited, but didn't feel the connection I felt...they felt it was just a nice vacation no different than any other beach vacation).

i totally know what you mean. im hapa too =)
for me Hawaii is a different part of my life has my entire family is here but i've traveled to other parts of the world and experienced the sights sounds and people. i went to new zealand and australia a couple years ago and i just fell in love. new zealand is very much like hawaii with the polynesian culture and laid back lifestyle, only difference are the climates. nz has mountains of snow to deep jungles of ferns etc. people are so warm and welcoming and its so nice to have all these outdoor activities just waiting for you. i actually want to go back someday maybe live there for a little while again.
australia like nz has very welcoming and friendly people, lifestyle (outside the busy sydney) is laid back as well. though even in the cities it isnt has crazy as new york or la. the beaches are even better than hawaii. i know i said it but if you ever go up to cairns or the whitsundays you'll see what i mean. white sand and the most amazing blue water ever. google it so nice. oh and i've been to fiji, very welcoming people and they are a smaller island nation like hawaii but yet it has certain things that hawaii doesnt and visaversa.

hawaii is just appealing for a variety of reasons, we all know, well if you've been there. the people, culture, food, lifestyle are so distant from that found on the mainland that many people are excited to get away even if just for a moment from their hectic lifestyle and experience things the way we do it in hawaii that's just my thoughts. its difficult to explain but you can find other places around the world, especially tropical islands that have the same things hawaii has as far has beaches, warm weather adn great people but yet you'll see that they are also different because of outside influence. ie if you go to the caribbean you'll find most of the islands have a european influence and so theyve developed a different 'flavor' when compared to hawaii which until somewhat recently was it's own kingdom. then you have us influence. though i think the biggest thing is the influence from the asian immigrants who settled here after being brought over to work the sugar plantations. we have a whole melting pot of cultures that give hawaii its unique style