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My wife and I just returned from our dream trip to Hawaii. We visited the five major islands. The big island is as you might expect - very commercialized and crowded. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters took us on a 2 hour tour with included the active volcano - we were lucky and flew over as it was erupting. We would definitely recommend visiting the lesser known islands if you're going to spend the money to get there.
We took the ride up to 9,740' to see Haleakala(House of the sun) - what an unbelievable beautiful site. Got some great pics and enjoyed talking to the Park Rangers.
What amazes you as you walk each of the islands is that they were all formed from volcanoes. Your front yard is lava - which oddly enough turns out to be quite fertile. There were several spots where the coconuts from the palms laid on the ground long enough to sprout roots and grow another tree. Also, I am sure you have seen many pics of the lush vegetation - all growing in lava.
It turns out that Kukui, Maui has had the most rainfall of anyplace on the planet - get this- 739 inches in 1 year. The rain is controlled by the trade winds - most of the rain falls on the windward side and maybe 5-15 inches on the lee side. The price of land is highly correlated to rainfall. As you approach the lee side you can get a small lot for about $350K - and it quickly jumps to over $500K as you get to the lee side. This as you can imagine has concentrated land ownership with the very wealthy - most of them the families of the early missionaries. The "ordinary middle class" usually rent. The big island, Hawaii, is just beginning to try a thing called a subdivision. Small house about $350K. Another factor that drives land into the hands of the wealthy is that if you build a dwelling on your lot - you can't buy hazard insurance - like none. Remember they are volcanic islands and some are still active. So you literally "pays your money and takes your chances". We saw many houses with only foundations left on our helicopter ride and according to the pilot that was about all the people were left with - a lot and a mortgage to pay. So the only people building dwellings are those that can afford to self insure.
If you haven't been there - it is well worth seeing. I just can't afford to live there. I couldn't even afford the rent.
