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Hawaii Travel Stories – Yours, Mine and Ours

Culture and Events / / 32 Comments

Following 700 heated comments, we are ready for a little relief here. Maybe you are too. Our Hawaii travel stories.

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32 thoughts on “Hawaii Travel Stories – Yours, Mine and Ours”

  1. Cindy L

    First trip was with my Grandma, Grandpa and brother in 1971, I was 11. They were born on the islands and we went to visit their son and family. I am Hapa, it was such a great and memorable time to learn more about my culture and where we came from. I love Hawaii and look forward to returning soon I hope!!

  2. Sheri S

    I first traveled to Hawaii as a teen in 1975. Our high school basketball team and many families made the journey to play/watch a few games against some local high schools in the Honolulu area. We stayed on Waikiki and I fell in love with Hawaii. I returned to Oahu 4 more times over the next 10 years. Work and children kept me away for a few years and then a trip to Maui in 1991 was all it took to have the whole family hooked. What started with 1 week vacations every year (then 2 weeks, then 3 weeks) is now a place of our own to stay in 12 weeks of the year. (We can’t leave the grandkids longer than that). I know that we will always be considered by the locals as “tourists”, but after 40+ years we don’t feel that way. We love the islands and treat them like the treasure they are. We are from Oregon and understand that the beauty around us is a gift not to be taken advantage of.
    We have visited Lanai several times, Big Island and Molokai. Some day we’ll venture up to Kauai

  3. Colleen

    Thanks for changing the subject Jeff and Rob! We needed that.🤣

    Our first visit to the islands was in 2004. We spent five days on Maui. We stayed at the Renaissance – now the Andaz. It was a short, but sweet, vacation. We were hooked! From then on it was 2 weeks at a time. One time 3 weeks. My sister practically gave us her timeshare and we have enjoyed it for years.

    Hawaii is our favorite place to vacation – Big Island is our favorite island. 2021 will be our 10th trip. We have visited Kauai twice, Maui twice, and the Big Island six times. The math doesn’t add up because on one trip we visited two islands on the same trip.

    Our 2021 trip has a big “?” behind it. We are fearful that the Hawaiian experience is forever changed. We won’t go into the reasons why. Everyone is aware of the current issues and challenges and I certainly don’t want to bring that into this discussion. ENOUGH ALREADY. 😉

    We just love the whole Hawaiian experience. We appreciate the history/culture, the people, the location, the pace and the weather. What’s not to love?

    We are definitely more budget Travelers – although we do splurge on nice meals. We come to escape the cold winters of the Midwest. We have a few friends who live there. It’s always nice to reconnect.

  4. Holliann G

    Aloha! We first visited on our honeymoon over 20 years ago and have been coming back almost yearly with our 4 kids. Last summer finding blue bananas was on our kid’s bucket list. The elusive blue banana remained elusive. We did however run to the top of those crazy stairs on Oahu, paddle and climb china man’s hat, visit black and green sand beaches, swim with sharks, and night dive with the manta rays on Kona. Will hopefully be back in a few years, once things calm down…in search of the blue banana! The last item on our kid’s bucket list.

  5. Mary O.

    I miss the beautiful rainbows after quick rain showers, walking to the beach, eating papaya every day for breakfast, mangoes galore, lychee in the summer, gigantic avocados, dragon fruit, li hing everything, plate lunches, shave ice, poke anytime you want, the freshest sashimi, Friday nite fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, crack seed, portuguese sausage, big waves crashing, gorgeous sunsets, I think I have an addiction to Hawaii and now having withdraws!!

    1. John H

      I’ve been watching this blog on the outskirts for the better part of a year, and have appreciated the forum for dialogue. Mahalo for offering this up. I came to Oahu for our honeymoon in 2015, and was turned off by the commercial vibe. When Southern added Hilo to their destinations, I had to try it out, and in January we spent a week on the Big Island. I fell in love almost instantly, and now daydream of returning. Looking forward to seeing the new opportunities to redefine what tourism can look like on the islands.

  6. Debbie S

    Aloha! My husband and I have been coming to Hawaii since 1968. I have seen many changes through the years. I was sad when I came back after a few years and the majestic lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel had become another shopping mall. And don’t get me started talking about Haleiwa on the north shore. That said we love Hawaii and give up other things so we are able to come back each year. Our experiences with the people who live in Hawaii have been very wonderful. I like to think we are the perfect tourist-we come and stay for a month, spend our money we have saved, behave ourselves and then go home and hopefully come back the next year! This will pass and the aloha spirit will live on.
    Stay safe!

  7. Donna C

    The first time I visited Hawaii was in 1983 with my husband. It was our honeymoon. We spent a week in Kauai at the Coco Palms loved every second of it.Then a week on Maui.

    We didn’t return until 1998 and with our three son’s. We fell in love again with Maui and actually bought a two week time share at the Sands of Kahana that trip! We have stayed on the Big Island once and Kauai once. I love the three that I’ve been to. They all have their own charm, but I love Maui the most.
    Friend’s ask why we don’t trade our timeshare and go somewhere else, I tell them.” Because I love going”

    I have gone there for 22 years and Have met some amazing people over the years and some have become friends. It feels like my home away from home. I’m at peace there, and it’s the only place my ever busy husband would truly relax.

    My husband passed away about five years ago but I continue to go every year. I never get tired of going there.

    I wouldn’t say I’m a budget traveler when on Maui especially when our three boys were with us $$$ lol. Lots and lots of excursions. But now I pick a few old favorites and always seem to find another new favorite. I still manage to spend a fair amount of money there though. lol

    I had to cancel my trip in May and rebooked for mid August. But sadly that doesn’t look like it will happen this year either. To many unknowns and restrictions.( Which I understand). But I’m looking forward to next year.❤️

    Aloha

  9. Frieda G

    I came to Oahu to visit my sister who was a flight attendant for United in the late 70’s and never went back. Lived with her at first. I knew I was home right away. Then when I went to Kauai, and from the time I was in the airport I knew this place was magic and I was home.
    I love Kauai with all my heart. I’m awestruck every day. And I’ve been on Kauai about 30 years.

    If we come off as protective, it’s because we are, this place is special and needs to be honored with respect and compassion. Aloha is in our hearts. It’s a privilege to be here… and especially to live here. Much Love Jeff and Rob for all you do and for caring so much about our islands!

  10. Kevin H.

    My first trip is schedule for July 2020. Here’s hoping they don’t extend the quar antine so that we can go as planned.

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