Ten Reasons I Miss Hawaii
March 19, 2010
Every now and then I get misty. Misty for the Aloha state. Actually, it’s every time I pass the mai tai mix at the supermarket.
Years ago when I was A) collecting a real paycheck and B) had no infant car seats and C) hub’s real estate practice was totally booming, we would vacation in Hawaii once a year. There are Ten Big Reasons Why I Miss Hawaii and am secretly plotting to use my miles to somehow return very soon.
#10 You can wear really loud bright colored shirts and no one, and I mean no one, will dare say ‘Boo’ to you. In fact, loud floral themed aloha wear is encouraged. No, let me rephrase. It’s required.
#9 The flora is breathtaking. And smelly – in a good way. Have you ever known the heavenly scent of a plumeria lei ?
#8 The sea creatures are right up in your grill face.
Like this octopus . . .
And this shark . . .
OK, sometimes behind glass, like at the Maui Ocean Center. Thank goodness, because I’m terrified of sharks ever since my two brothers made me watch ‘Jaws’ when I was nine. That’s a real brother for you – inflicting terror and all the while laughing at the sight of my horror and fear.
#7 Mai Tais and other fantabulous tropical concoctions with little umbrellas.
#6 The many wonders, like the ‘mini’ Grand Canyon of Waimea (Kauai). . .
Spouting Horn (Kauai)
the Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools, Hana Maui) . . .
the Napili Coast of Kauai
and Big Island lava flow !
#5 Keikis in swimsuits.
#4 Beautiful old historic churches
#3 The Grand Wailea where I spent my honeymoon.
#2 Waterfalls
#1 Sunsets at the beach, but of course.
Have you ever visited the Aloha state ? True paradise, right ?
Wishing you a fantastic weekend, and a very large mai tai.
Aloha friends :-)
Tags: hawaii
Ahh I love Hawaii :) My husband and I hope to get stationed there one day! I have a friend that has been stationed there for about 4 years now and just found out they’ll be there for another 3. She’s more than ready to leave the island.
I would love to go to Hawaii! I’ve never been, but it always just sounds so fantastic.
Beautiful photos. Big sigh! We went to Hawaii for our Honeymoon and that was a long time ago! Would love to go back and stay at least 2 full weeks. One week was not enough! Thanks for reminding me!
I have never been to Hawaii, but would love to go sometime, it looks spectacular. I am lucky enough to live in a place that has similar temperatures and all those flowers are in my backyard. Maybe one day I will get to visit, in the meantime, I can look at your photos.
Maui is my favorite place on earth. My hubby and I have been there 3 times. I know what you mean about the smell of Hawaii – it is just magical!
I used to live on Haleakala in maui in a shack(lean to) right before me and my husband had kids. He quit lawschool and we needed to have some fun. It was the best experience of our lives. He returned to school and I returned 8 months pregnant with a huge moo moo on and uggs. We moved to chicago in the middle of winter. Maui makes me misty too, it’s balmy and magical and smells like plumeria and pineapples. I love your blog so much by the way.
I’ve never been to hawaii and no I want to go even more!!!
Thanks for linking up and have a GREAT weekend!
gosh I hate when I see typos AFTER I hit submit………that supposed to say NOW I want to go! LOL
I hear ya! We’ve been to the Big Island and to Kauai twice and they are just gorgeous! I know exactly the smell you are talking about with the flowers. It’s my favorite smell ever!
We are going there next summer and taking our son who will be 17 at the time. It will be our 20th anniversary. I can’t wait.
I want to go to there!
I have only been once and the word I used over and over to describe it was “paradise”. I spent my first vacation with my husband in Hawaii and I have wanted to return ever since. Guess I will just have to live vicariously through you when you go on your next trip, hmmmmm…………………
We lived in Hawaii for 2 and half years and got “cabin fever” after a year. I am a 4 season girl who really missed the fall. However, there isn’t anything like the wonderful smell of the plumeria flowers:) A few years ago we went back with some friends who hadn’t been and it was nice to “see” it through their eyes. Since we now live on the east coast it is quite a long plane ride to Hawaii so we head to the Carribean instead. But I do encourage people to go at least once in their life.
I have never been to Hawaii, but I would love to go sometime. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. Love & blessings from NC!
LOVE Hawaii. Was married there 7 years ago. Nothing like a romantic beach wedding in Paradise.
Love love love Hawaii. We’re going back for our 10 year anniversary, in like 5 YEARS. Ugh! The water was pristine. The air fresh, the people were nice.
Ah, it’s all sooooo beautiful!! I’ve never been, but these pics sure make me wanna~!
My husband was stationed there and we loved it. Your post makes me miss it sooo much! AHH.. I hope to get back there asap! :) Everything there is so easy going and everyone is so laid back… it’s like a different world. lol
~Jennifer
My husband and I went to Maui last month. We first went to Kaui on our homeymoon 6 years ago, and we finally got back. So beautiful! I posted some pictures on my blog (of course many sunsets included).
I have never been there….but these pics are really making me want to start planning! It looks so beautiful!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yes………….the unforgettable state. My Hubbs was born in Honolulu and lived in HI for 45 years……and now in the Pacific NW! What a weather shock. :-) His family is still there so we go often. Love Maui and Kauai, but Oahu is still my fav.
Hope you’ll make the trip soon……
Warm blessings,
Spencer
How perfect the timing of this post is for me! I have been to Hawaii several times and share the same love for the islands that you do. In fact, we leave to go for a two week visit this Tuesday morning. First to Lanai, then to Maui and finally a few days in Honolulu to visit with my sister-in-law who is lucky enough to live there. It is a long trip for my 4 and 8-year-old boys but I cannot wait to smell the plumerias and ginger! I know they will love it, too.
Ahhhhhhh, color me crazy jealous! Beautiful photos!
I got a little tear in my eye looking at your photos! I actually spent my entire childhood growing up on Maui, and am part Hawaiian. My heart often yearns for that salty air that makes my hair curl just right, the smell of fern during a late night rain fall, and the mud slides in Hana that we use to boogie board down. It’s a truely magical place. I miss the Aloha Spirit and my family there and only wish my husband could understand my need to go back (we have only been once in 8 years).
pretty pretty pictures! I miss Hawaii!
I miss Hawaii too! I was lucky enough to live their for 2 years after college and met my husband there! There is nothing like the island life! We’ve been back to visit a couple of times since, but not enough as far as I’m concerned. I, too, am saving some miles to get back some day!
Never been, but now I really want to go!
Mai Tais would be my first – great post and pics.
omg i no what you mean. we visited for a week in early march and i haven’t stopped missing or thinking about o’ahu yet. it’s just great there
We had to move to the mainland a few years back, I cried like a baby during the entire flight. Leaving Hawai’i felt like I was being torn away from my mother’s arms. I miss it every single day. Rainbows aren’t as abundant out here.
I LOVE the pictures! I was born and raised in Hawaii :) I moved to Atlanta 5 years ago but I visit often. I am actually going back in April! Let me know if you want anything and I will be sure to send it to you!
I’ve taken pictures of the beautiful green church too! On the road to Hanalei, so wonderful is the island of Kauai. We are planning a trip back to Poipu next summer. I think once you’ve visited Hawaii it is always on your mind. We had a Plumeria tree right outside our rental house. Heaven!
What’s the second “beautiful old historic church” in your post? I think we went to it back in 2009 and I’ve been dying to figure out the name of it for my scrapbook page!! Thanks for sharing, you made me remember the smell of Hawaii!
Ahhhhh, the Aloha state. Yep, I know the feeling. I get that way every time I see my MaiKai card from Foodland. My husband and I are in a moral delimia right now….go to HI this year {yeah} OR go see family in OH and PA {blah}. You may know this wonderful line of body products…Malie? Its made on Kauai and let me say….”it is AMAZING stuff”. It will take you right to the islands! Check it out http://www.malie.com