For most of my life, I was under the impression that Hawaii was just a tourist trap. How could any place be so wonderful? Look at all those ads on TV, in newspapers and magazines -- they are trying reallyhard to get someone to go there.

My first trip there was to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1985, specifically at what was then the Muauna Lani hotel. We stayed in a condo overlooking the fish ponds and truly felt we were in paradise.

Day tips to Kona, Hilo, Wimea -- the island never failed to impress my wife and me.

I have since been to Ouahu and Kauai and back to the big island. Maui is (hopefully) in my near future.

The only tourist trap (IMHO) is the Honolulu beach area. That is NOT the "real" Hawaii. But everyone MUST do Pearl Harbour!

RAD

75% of all Hawaiians live in the Honolulu area. Are you saying that these aren't "real" Hawaiians because they don't take tourists on waterfall daytrips. Or are the high rise hotels in Kaanapali more "real" than Waikiki?

Yikes!

I'm sorry, no offense was intended! I have done business in Honolulu and LOVE the people and Hawaiian hospitality in that wonderful city!

Allow me to claify what I meant.

Honolulu is becoming like almost any big city in the US in terms of buildings, architecture, retail outlets, fastfood joints, etc. Also, the crush of hotels and T-shirt shops strike me as a tourist trap.

When I say the "real" Hawaii, I mean lush jungle, natural valleys and waterfalls and stark lava fields. If all you see of Hawaii is the Honolulu beach area, you are not seeing the wonderful variety "natural" hawaii has to offer.

BTW, I have never done a waterfall day trip. I did, however, do a helicopter tour of Kauai followed by a boat tour That allowed us to do hikes into places we wouldn't have discovered otherwise.

RAD

I agree with RAD's assessment of Hawii. Our first trip to the Big Island was also in the mid-80's. Since then we've done the other major islands, but we've also done Tahiti, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Cook Islands, Cuba and 3 cruises. But for the past 2 years we've been back to the Big Island and have booked a condo for 4 weeks this January. We like the climate, the variety, the safe food and environment, and the fact that nothing bites. It's expensive as h*** when you're using the 65-cent C$ but, as one Hawaiian summed it up: "We all pay a price to live in paradise".

Had to go to Hawaii on business last year, stayed in Waikiki. Thought it would be horrible. Boy was I wrong! Sure, there are plenty of tourists in Waikiki, and plenty of places that cater to them. I just stayed away from that, and asked the hotel workers where they go and eat/drink/etc.

Drove all over Oahu, spent a day on a deserted beach (would rather have had my wife with me), in general, had a blast! The owner of my company just purchased a condo on Maui and is letting all the employees one-time free usage. Can't wait to go.

One place in Hawaii that I personally think is a tourist trap is the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. I was really hoping to see something of interest, but the exhibits are meager, the meal is poor, and the price is exhorbitant. It's too bad, because the concept is great and one could potentially really enjoy learning about the many cultures that have come together to make Hawaii.

Profits from Polynesian Cultural Center support polynesian students in near by BYU branch compus. Hence many students work at the center. Since I had two-for-one coupon, it wasn't too bad (for the price). It had some entertaining value, IMHO.

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I agree that Honolulu is getting too commercialized. The one thing you will never see in Hawaii are those massive billboards which are so prevalent in all major cities. Many years ago, a quaint little group of ladies formed a club called the Outdoor Circle and helped to enact laws which severely restrict commercial advertising. Next time you visit Honolulu, look around, no billboards along highways and freeways.

Kauai, Molokai and Lanai are also reminiscent of the way Hawaii was many years ago and are not as built up or touristy as Honolulu.

The best guide to the Big Island is probably "Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed". It was recommended to us by a resident and we found it to be a readable and mostly accurate description and assessment of facilities and services. It was particularly useful in discovering and sorting through the many beaches. It led us to Hapuna, which Conde Nast has rated the best beach in the nation.

You've got to be careful. Things can get romantic when you've got your wife along.