I’ve been to Hawaii 2x now and it is paradise in all aspects; but most people seem to think it too far, too expensive, not enough clear blue/tourqoiurse water/white sands and think Virgin Islands are just as great or better. I love the few islands I have been to in the Virgin Islands, each with difrnt vibe depending upon heritage/culture/nationality….but they are not the same as Hawaii…most of my friends including my wife just don’t get “what” it is about Hawaii—“but the white sands of Turks or Anguilla…the clear water…”, well my response is if you base a great island vacay on the color of the sand (which IS beautiful I agree), you’re missing my point; I agree, I love a nice vacay to be a beach bumb or scuba in Bahamas or VIs…but we aren’t comparing apples to apples. Hawaii has a certain spirituality—a vibe, a culture, a feeling
I’ve been told my a couple of natives who live mainland now as well as several white caucasions who have lived there previously that certain people get bitten by the bug—that they “get it”—they feel the Aloha, the “ha”
The breathe—and once you feel it, you constantly think about being in Hawaii in a daily basis—and I do; not a day goes by that I don’t dream of being there. And it’s not just sitting in the beach with a mai tai—it’s sailing around Kapalua; it’s visiting small towns, road side places, intermingling with natives and locals; hiking, snorkeling, ziplining; it’s getting away from the resort vacay life. I guess not everyone feels the spirit of Hawaii when they go or they do too much touristy stuff or perhaps they simply have never been.
If you want an island get away to sit on a beach and drink Kalik, then head south of Florida—if you want all sorts of beautiful beaches, spectacular water sports and deep pacific blue water, and a true experience, then hawaii