Originally Posted by Eastbay1K

As someone with little Hawaii experience (I've likely not been to Oahu much more than 100 times over the past 30 years), here are my limited observations.

Hawaii is an "aspirational" trip for so many, and for most all but the West Coast of the US, involves lengthy and tiring travel. So, these couples / families arrive exhausted and expecting "paradise." Well, we all know that the only paradise in Waikiki is the one in your pocket, that you'd roll when playing craps. I've seen overtired families argue, clearly not have fun, and so on. My earliest visions of a Honolulu arrival involved TV or movies where the kiss and the lei as you walk down the jet stairs was how one would arrive. My earliest actual arrival did not reflect this, nor did the subsequent arrivals.

Since you've last been (and subject to whatever may reopen or hasn't permanently closed by May), you'll find that parts of Waikiki have been substantially cleaned up (i.e., the first block of Lewers St., some of Kuhio) and there's a lot of upscale shopping. You will also find that there is an excellent dining scene in the city (once you leave Waikiki).

This has been my long weekend easy getaway for nearly 30 years. The weather has only been really foul on a couple of the trips, it is easy to hang out and just walk around, or get a car and leave the big city, have food and accommodation as luxe or non-luxe as I choose on the particular trip, My experiences with locals, including the service industry folks, has generally been positive.

Meanwhile, I'd rather get some of the grit back and be able to once again enjoy a cheap late night katsu curry rice plate after imbibing than having 25 places to buy a $3000 purse within a 15 minute walk of the hotel.