I used to transit Honolulu on my way to where I was working as an army contractor at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands - Hawaii was halfway there, and Continental Airlines was the only ride in or out (no Space-A flights for civilians.) I worked there about a year and a half... While I was out there, my girlfriend (now wife) met me there for vacation, and we had a blast on Oahu. Only thing we wanted to do, but didn't, was the Arizona; they had closed the ferry rides due to high winds.
That said - most everybody I worked with at Kwaj very much did not like Hono - air temp was cooler (felt like I was freezing in comparison), and water temp was significantly cooler (you think the diving/snorkeling in Hawaii is great, closer to the Equator where the warmer water is, it is absolutely incredible! The warmer the water = the more vibrant and vivid the colors.) There were places at Kwaj, getting in and out of the lagoon (couldn't go oceanside - way, way, way too dangerous) it literally felt like a hot tub - I think the average water temp was 86-88 degrees. And the diving/snorkeling is just unparalleled, because it's a restricted army installation, so no tourists or crowds, no trash or ecological damage, and tons and tons of WW2 shipwrecks and airplanes to dive and explore. Completely pristine.
Plus the crowds and people. Kwaj is an island 3 miles long and 1/4 mile wide, no cars, only bicycles, and when I was there, about 1500 people, 2500 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart... compare that to Waikiki. Hated it, only by comparison though
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We took our kids to the Big Island about 10 years ago and had the time of our lives. Surfing, bodyboarding, volcanoes, driving, food... we did it all. (Waipio Valley was a different story, and experience... never, and I mean never, have I felt as 'unwelcome' in a place through vibes as there. Like 'Go away, do not disturb, you are not welcome in this sacred place' vibes just emanating from the ground at haoles.
We are thinking about going back, to a different island... We've been trying to get my wife to Scotland the last two years (I attended the University of Stirling), and really want her to see it), but we may have to just give up on that for now and head back the other direction.
Good stuff, thanks for bringing back those memories.