Indeed, when you mention the Hawaiian Islands to people around the world, they sigh and get a dreamy look in their eyes. Mesmerizing visions of paradise spring to mind: the strumming of an ukulele, the tropical sun dancing across an iridescent blue sea, undulating hula dancers on the white sands of Waikiki, coconut palms and perfumed plumeria trees swaying in the gentle trade winds, incredible rainbows and the warm, welcoming smiles of aloha.

Living in paradise is all of these things and more. But what about Honolulu's rush hour traffic and the high cost of everything from milk to gasoline? Well, if you want to be here as badly as most of us do, it's all worth it. Just look around you ...

A Melting Pot

Unlike any other state in the country, there is no ethnic group in Hawai'i that can count itself in the majority. And, unlike any other state, we're Polynesian- and Asian-influenced.

We're a poi mix of people. This is part of the uniqueness of Hawai'i that makes it feel like a foreign country and gives our wonderful state such charm. We're Hawaiians, Caucasians, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Portuguese, Koreans and other Asians, Samoans and other South Pacific Islanders living together in harmony. According to Michael Oliver, author of the "Hawai'i Fact and Reference Book," interracial marriages have turned our ethnic blends into a sort of "salad bowl," but this mixing of races is "the glory of the islands."

Honolulu Big City, Small Town Feeling

Honolulu, one of the world's most exciting and exotic metropolitan areas, is just a little island town at heart. Sure, we have the Honolulu Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theatre, art museums, polo and other big-city fare, but we're just as enthusiastic about hibachi-cooking on Magic Island, slack-key guitar festivals, backyard luau and flying kites in Kapi'olani Park.

Granted, we have our share of traffic problems and life can go at a pretty frantic pace during the week. But when it comes to going holoholo (having fun), we slow down with a ride on a sugar cane train, grab an ono (delicious) shave ice from Matsumoto's, go kayaking at Lanikai Beach, or, if we just want to mellow out, there's an island full of palm, ironwood and other tropical trees to relax under.

The Spirit of Aloha

There is a feeling of being welcome in Hawai'i that is straight from the hearts of the Hawaiian people. Their acceptance of strangers as friends is part of their generous culture, and their warmth is genuine and contagious.