Anonymous wrote:How the hell are there wildfires in Maui? Doesn't it rain constantly?

No. There are a ton of microclimates in hawaii.

I have been going to Hawaii annually since I was 18 because i have relatives there and I sleep on their couch or inflatable mattress on the floor. I go for the nature/hiking, the history/museums, the culture, the concerts (famous performers always go to Hawaii). I am not a sit on the beach type and I don't drink. If it's just about a beach and partying, then go somewhere closer.

I fly to LA or SFO to break up the horrible trip, and I never go for less than 2 weeks, from experience, due to my awful jet-lag.

Anonymous wrote:We are in Maui right now and I hope it recovers by the time you get here. It’s heartbreaking.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/index.html

We were on Maui exactly 10 years ago - one of my favorite vacations. Hope you're OK, PP. It is heartbreaking.

How the hell are there wildfires in Maui? Doesn't it rain constantly?

Anonymous wrote:We are in Maui right now and I hope it recovers by the time you get here. It’s heartbreaking.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/index.html

We were just there 2 weeks ago! It is awful. Such a special place!

I’ve been all over the Caribbean. The water is prettier in the Caribbean but Hawaii is very unique and better in other ways. The turtles, the hiking, the dolphins and whales, the volcanoes, the food, the waterfalls, the drive to Mauna Kea, the night sky and stars at the top of Mauna Kea, the sunsets, the surfing, scuba diving and hearing whales calling to each other, the luau, the black sand beaches, the culture, etc. I had a whale breech the water next to me on a SUP in Hawaii. Hawaii is far but it is truly unique and special. It is a very different experience than the Caribbean.

It was worth it. For routine vacations sure, I'll do the Carribean. But Hawaii was once in a lifetime worth it. (Big Island)

It is burning right now if you have not heard.

We went in May 2022 and did not like it. Homeless was a major issue. Tours were depressing because there were not enough people to lead tours.

Hawaii is beautiful and special. I would try to go at least once.

There's a lot of beautiful places in the world to see. It's really about your time, money and feelings about flying that long to see a place.

I've been to Maui and Kawaii and yes - gorgeous. Would I take my MS kids there now? I don't know. Because I can fly shorter distance, spend less and an easier trip going to Costa Rica or even though a different experience, Grand Canyon or even Greece. I mean they are all beautiful places. It's not like one us better than the other right? So it comes down to the choice of logistics for me.

Esp if it's about doing stuff let me tell you there's a lot to do in Costa Rica, St Lucia, PR. And the beach is great too. The water in Pacific is not warm. I will say that Hawaii is spectacular in its own right but compare it to other places that have their own beauty.

I got engaged at Grace Bay, honeymooned in Tahiti, stayed at Sugar Beach, been to Milos Greece, loved Flamenco Beach PT? walked Normandy Beach and been through Amalfi and Sicily. Of all these places you would be shocked for me to tell you that Costa Rica - MA - is my favorite place. So my point is you never know unless you go

No

We are in Maui right now and I hope it recovers by the time you get here. It’s heartbreaking.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/maui-wildfires-08-09-23/index.html

I’m the OP from back in April. We did book for next summer. We decided on Kauai and Maui and are very excited!

My teens talk about how it was their favorite trip. When we talk about places to visit, they always say they’d rather go back to Hawaii than visit someplace new.