Any Tampa Bay people ever been to Hawaii? (appointed, rent)

[saltzman143]

I am thinking about planning a trip, but it's very expensive, and I don't wanna go if it's just gonna be beaches and plam trees just like here. What do you all think?

[algia]

hawaii - Google Search

GO! its just like here except with gorgeous mountains.

[Sunscape]

I have, wouldn't go back. There's so many other places to go that would be different from here.

[Native2UT]

Well, I'm not living in Tampa yet (next month), but Hawaii is probably my favorite place on the planet. I can see how some would say it's like Florida, but the temps are more moderate year round. Plus, they have a whale season (Dec-Mar)... my favorite time of year to visit.

[Badbird2000]

I grew up in Tampa, moved to Knoxville and went to Hawaii. If you go, check out Maui and/or Kauia. Beautiful islands, both of them. Don't bother with Oahu.. too crowded. Kauia has a rain forest on it, beautiful beaches, the Grand Canyon of The Pacific.. really incredible.

[nativesonofstpete]

There are a few places worth checking out in Oahu like Pearl Harbor, Wameia Bay (the North Shore area), and Hannama Bay for snorkeling, but was disappointed in some of the beaches away from the tourist locations, really trashy with broken glass and literally a junkyard of old cars on the beach (by Kaena Point). Like Baidbird said, Kauia is really beautiful and worth it.

[BucFan]

Lived there in the 1970s then the 1990s and wanted always to return for good some day but the prices/cost of living to live there is too much for me. As a caucasian, you feel like you're in a foreign country at times (lots of Asian/Japanese/Filipino folks). Climate is perfect. Maui and the Big Island along with Kauai would be places that I'd visit if I went back.

I wouldn't spend too much time at Waikiki/Honolulu - very congested, imo.

I would visit the islands once in my life for a week or two, but wouldn't go there for good as much as I'd love to.

If you visit, you've got to see the Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl Cemetery, Diamond Head, The Polynesian Culture Center on the North Shore, and Wiamea Beach (my favorite). Waikiki has several Hawaiian experiences (Luau, Hula Dancing, Hawaiian music), International Market Place. If you make it to the other islands, visit some of the ancient Hawaiian sites along w/ the Black Sand Beaches and volcano sites.

I've looked into flights and hotels and know that it's an expensive trip, that's for sure.

One reason I live in the Tampa Bay area is that I have access to a lot of the beach life (and golfing) and climate that I remember having in HI.

[gulfer]

I've been there 10 times, some for work - most for relaxation.

The only thing I find the same is the temperature in the Summer. The feel to me is so much different in Hawaii. Maybe because most I meet are enjoying a vacation.

Waikiki is beautiful, but I actually like the North Shore better. Enough coves and such to get in the water, but the rolling swell waves coming in are AWESOME.

I still have a few friends that live and work out there, if you can get someone that knows the area to get you off the tourist locations, that makes it even better.

I did a Polynesian Luau a few times and enjoy the entertainment and the food each time.

GO!! Rent a bike and peddle through the Pineapple Fields and get up by the North Shore. SO NICE THERE!!

[Dallas Kitty]

Originally Posted by algia

hawaii - Google Search

GO! its just like here except with gorgeous mountains.

^^^ Ditto. On Maui I drove to the top of the Haleakala Crater to get pics of the sunrise. It's freezing up there so took socks, long pants and all the long sleeves I had which wasn't much. Drive carefully on the mountains. People who live up there aren't fond of tourists and will nearly run you off the narrow mountain roads.

[sinatras]

I can't imagine that anywhere with several ACTIVE volcanoes/lava flows would be "just like Florida"!!!! Plus the water in Hawaii (beaches) looks clearer than the water on the Gulf beaches. Am I wrong?