[Velvet]

Yes, 10 years every winter and part of spring in Honolulu. It is very expensive: a studio within walking distance to the beach, without parking, costs more than a designer house in TV. Many homeless, drugs and mentally ill. Areas to stay away from: Kahili, Chinatown, Waikiki not by the beach. Parts of Kuhio Ave in Waikiki are so dangerous the military will not let the soldiers go on leave there. Read The Star Advertiser to get an idea.
I loved the Ala Moana area. There are homeless but not so many, you need to walk on the right side of the Ala Wai canal.
I would love to live in Kailua, even in the smallest apartment. The life style is indescribable. WholeFoods has a lounge area in front of the store, a wine bar in the store, a poke bar etc etc Kailua beach just won the number one beach in the US. Much fewer homeless, many more billionaires in the double gated communities. You wouldn’t know. Their places are not garish, in your face, trying to “impress” you desperately as in some cities.
People try to live aloha. There is an amazing beauty that encompasses all living things....
There is a reason why Zukerman and Oprah live in Hawaii.
But then, they can afford it.

If you were considering buying, this is a good year. The house prices have stalled in some area, and condos are still expensive but there are many for sale. Last year was difficult for Hawaii, the rains in Kauai washed out entire roads, and houses, Kilauea volcano destroyed a large area on the Big Island including the Mayor’s vacation home, there were hurricane forecasted all summer for Oahu. The ocean is supposed to rise 3 m within 40 -60 years and that would put all of the Waikiki area under water....

You said visit. My first choice would be Kailua through Airbnb or VR** My second choice would be Ala Moana Area in Honolulu. And check out the North Shore.

Just read the above posts, I agree with all of them. The resorts are very expensive and tourist traps. My husband when he could come to Hawaii would take me to Prince Makena and Turtle Bay; 4 and 5 Star resorts. But on my own I lived as a student artist very happily and had to live quite humbly if I wanted to stay for 5 months at a time.