Go to Hawaii or not: I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and...

woodworkerman Loc: PA to FL

I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and have plenty of sand and surf available. Are there any compelling reasons or suggestions that I should know that might convince me to go to Hawaii. I have to travel alone now, so I would be unaccompanied. Any ideas to share? Thanks.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

woodworkerman wrote:

I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and have plenty of sand and surf available. Are there any compelling reasons or suggestions that I should know that might convince me to go to Hawaii. I have to travel alone now, so I would be unaccompanied. Any ideas to share? Thanks.

Flora , Fauna, and topography in Hawaii are quite different than any other US destination....

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Review this to get an idea of what's there... Top 15 Photo Locations in Oahu, Hawaii (Voted by local photographers!)

You can also find photo's online and figure out if you want to go there...

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I've only been once, over 40 years ago, if I could afford to go again, I would in a heartbeat. I live in So. California and only have to drive an hour or so to get to the ocean or the mountains.

alx Loc: NJ

Roughly 25 trips under my belt since 1980, I'm somewhat prejudiced.

Hawaii is a lot more than sand and surf. A helicopter ride over Kauai... a stay at the Volcano House overlooking Kilauea Caldera with days exploring the park... I could go on and on.

DON'T shortchange yourself trying to cram everything into a 7 day trip - I made that mistake the first time. Plan for plenty of time to relax, enjoy, explore and take it all in. Rent a car and get off the beaten paths.

I never expected I'd be going back when I booked that first trip. That was 25ish trips ago. It can be addicting.

Visit http://www.Hawaii.com for some ideas.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Kauai anytime to see the Na Pali coast
Oahu in Winter to witness the surfers
Hawaii if the Volcanos are active
Mauai - Road to Hana if you like waterfalls, Sunrise at the peak.
...all the above are unique!!!

(surf you can see in California at Mavericks when the swells are rolling but they are 2 miles out..... you can see it close to shore in Oahu (Pipeline/Sunset etc)

We did all 4 islands on a cruise and went back 2 years later and just stayed on Kauai.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I go at least once a year as my daughter moved there. I love Oahu but avoid Honolulu and Waikiki Beach like the plague.

North Shore is wonderful. If your able to walk well, take the hike to Kaena Point from the North Shore. It is amazing. In early December, you can see albatross nesting up close. Even if you don't go all the way out there, the scenery is amazing on the way. Lots of other things to see on this island too.

SonyBug

woodworkerman wrote:

I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and have plenty of sand and surf available. Are there any compelling reasons or suggestions that I should know that might convince me to go to Hawaii. I have to travel alone now, so I would be unaccompanied. Any ideas to share? Thanks.

i have been to Hawaii and did not think all that much of it. It is different, sure, but not so much that I am willing to sit in a cramped airplane for 11 hours to get there from here. And 11 more to get back.

BlackRipleyDog

[quote=Katydid]I go at least once a year as my daughter moved there. I love Oahu but avoid Honolulu and Waikiki Beach like the plague.

I was there in 2015 and could not agree more with your assessment of Honolulu. Traffic and overcrowded to the max. The rate of high-rise construction is absolutely insane. I spent every minute I could getting out of the city.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

I live in SW FL also and have been to Hawaii many times. Go to Hawaii if you can. Go to Alaska also!!! Do your homework first and you will be so glad you made the trip.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

woodworkerman wrote:

I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and have plenty of sand and surf available. Are there any compelling reasons or suggestions that I should know that might convince me to go to Hawaii. I have to travel alone now, so I would be unaccompanied. Any ideas to share? Thanks.

By all means, go! I visited Hawaii and Oahu last November. There is a gorgeous botanical garden and waterfalls on “the big island”. There are Nature photo ops pretty much everywhere. I thought Oahu was even better for Sea Turtle and Whale photographs. I also recommend the “Road to Hanna” tour (do not drive it yourself).

Rent a car. You will not see much otherwise. Don’t leave valuables in car when you’re not in it. Also, even though distances are not great the traffic moves slowly because of twisty roads, nonexistent shoulders and gawkers.

It’s not as bad as I make it sound; I’d go back. Even the 10 hour flight is memorable, but for unpleasant reasons. Go!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

woodworkerman wrote:

I have been to and photographed in all the lower 48 states and 75% of the National Parks and associated mountain ranges. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and have plenty of sand and surf available. Are there any compelling reasons or suggestions that I should know that might convince me to go to Hawaii. I have to travel alone now, so I would be unaccompanied. Any ideas to share? Thanks.

Not sure I understand the purpose of your post -

ken patton Loc: Portland, OR

Only been once, to Oahu, but it was well worth the trip. I’ve lived in several countries in Europe, been to every state except Alaska (retired Air Force). Planning on traveling back to Hawaii this fall. Elvis said it all...Blue Hawaii!! Never seen water that blue before!

ELNikkor

Don't know if you are comprehensive, like me, but if you have verifiably been to 48 states, Hawaii would leave you lacking one, and how could you have peace if you left out Alaska? I might look into doing the major triangle of Florida-Hawaii-Anchorage-Florida. From Honolulu, spend at least 4 days on Oahu, then 2 other islands. I took in Maui and the Big Island, many will choose Maui and Kauai. In Alaska, at least the Kenai Peninsula & Denali. Enjoy!

Tommy 86 Loc: East TN

We have been twice. Kauai is our favorite, but Maui and the Big Island are pretty terrific too. Waimea Canyon on Kauai is spectacular. The north coast on both Kauai and Oahu are great drives, as is the drive to Hana on Maui. The volcanoes are also well worth a visit. Pearl Harbor was a place I wish we had been able to spend more time, like a full day. I'd try to avoid muck of Honolulu, especially Waikiki. Not much there that you can't see in lots of other places. Try to go for at least 2 weeks. We flew from Florida our first time and when it takes that long to get there, you don't want to feel like you're turning right around and having to fly back that far. And definitely make that trip to Alaska! Another spectacular state to visit! Happy travels!