I more often go to the Caribbean because I more often take one week off work for vacation.

That said I honeymooned in Hawaii (Maui and Kauai) and loved it - and we are going on a multi-generational family trip to the Big Island this year. It will be the first I am returning to HI since our honeymoon - and the first time with our kids - who will be 14, 11, and 8 at the time of the trip. The 8 year old will turn 9 a few days after we get home and the 11 will turn 12 a few weeks later too fwiw.

I am not a beach person so the attraction for me is the volcano, hiking, unique landscape. If you just want a beach vacation, Hawaii is too far.

If you go, fly to CA or WA and spend a couple nights before going on, do the same on return. It will help the jet lag and break up the long flight. Doing it nonstop is too much.

Try St. John first. Much shorter flight and similar activities to be had.

I've never been to Hawaii but would love to go. However, it would only be worth it to me if I could fly first class, stop over in LA or San Diego for about two days on the way to break up the traveling, and stay in nice hotels and not have to worry about money. None of that will ever happen for me, but that would definitely make it worth it.

Depends how much time you can spend there and what you like to do.
I go for friends who live there but if it were just my immediate family traveling and I only had a week or less I might pick somewhere closer to minimize travel time and maximize fun time.

I think it’s worth it to do it once, especially if you can afford to visit several islands.
If not, my aspiration is to see at least Maui (I have been to Oahu).
And maybe the one with volcanoes but I am on the fence still.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do. Nothing closer really compares.

Maybe some parts of the Caribbean could compare certain times of the year. But then those places aren’t any cheaper.

We feel the same way. We love Hawaii and think it’s worth the long trip. We enjoy places in the Caribbean too but haven’t found any we like better than Hawaii.

Do you typically take the nonstop on United? And then island hop? What is the best way?

We go to Hawaii fairly frequently and typically go to Maui since it’s our favorite. We fly American from DCA to DFW and then from DFW directly to Maui. We have flown to CA then to Hawaii as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We do. Nothing closer really compares.

Maybe some parts of the Caribbean could compare certain times of the year. But then those places aren’t any cheaper.

We feel the same way. We love Hawaii and think it’s worth the long trip. We enjoy places in the Caribbean too but haven’t found any we like better than Hawaii.

Do you typically take the nonstop on United? And then island hop? What is the best way?

It depends on what it is you want out of a vacation. I know foodies who had an absolutely miserable time. Hikers will have the time of their lives, in contrast.

Not worth it with little kids. Ask me how I know.

Won’t go back until our youngest is at least 8 years old.

Anonymous wrote:We do. Nothing closer really compares.

Maybe some parts of the Caribbean could compare certain times of the year. But then those places aren’t any cheaper.

We feel the same way. We love Hawaii and think it’s worth the long trip. We enjoy places in the Caribbean too but haven’t found any we like better than Hawaii.

No, the flight is endless.

We do. Nothing closer really compares.

Maybe some parts of the Caribbean could compare certain times of the year. But then those places aren’t any cheaper.

I went once and have never been inclined to go again because I'd rather fly four hours and be at some nice caribbean beach instead.

We've never been. We keep thinking about going with our two teens because it seems like something people aspire to do, but it seems expensive and really far. Is it worth it? Did anyone go and feel like their time and money would have been better spent elsewhere?