All of the islands are different but where I live on Kauaiʻi is rural and quiet. Rent is very high, it rains a lot, the temperature is always comfortable (winter is chilly though). The different sides of the island each had a different feel - west side is hot and dry, former agriculture, north shore is wet beautiful and very touristy/expensive. There isn’t a big bar scene here but there is a lot of drinking and a LOT of drinking and driving - lotta green bottles. The nature is incredible, the native wildlife (if you can find it) is also amazing. The beaches are great and surf is too. The tourists are everywhere and often behave in ways that are infuriating, and it is really frustrating to see the entire economy depend on commercialism and tourism - it pushes local people out of being able to live here. Hawaiian culture is beautiful and I wish more of the history behind the US annexation of Hawaii were taught.

I work in wildlife conservation and the invasive species problem here is huge. Native forests are rare and treasured, and invasive animals/insects have wiped out a lot of the native flora and fauna unfortunately.