Doesn't the greeting 'Aloha~' instantly bring to mind the emerald waters of Hawaii?

Especially Honolulu, which is a dream destination and the number one item on the bucket list for travelers worldwide.

But I suddenly wondered, "Since it's part of the U.S., have all Americans at least visited Hawaii once?"

To get straight to the point, only about 15-20% of the entire U.S. population has been to Hawaii at least once.

You might think, "That's surprisingly low for U.S. territory," but considering the vastness of the country and a population of over 300 million, it makes sense.

It might feel like going to Jeju Island in Korea, but the reality is quite different.

How close or far Hawaii feels to Americans really depends on where they live.

For those on the West Coast (like LA or San Francisco), it takes about 5-6 hours by plane.

It's similar to traveling to Da Nang or Bangkok from Korea, so for them, Hawaii is a fairly familiar vacation spot.

The East Coast is a different story. Even with a direct flight, it takes over 11 hours!

In terms of flight time, it's much quicker to get from New York to London.

So for East Coast residents, Hawaii becomes a 'once-in-a-lifetime trip' they plan for.

Can you imagine a domestic trip that's farther than Europe, like London or Paris?

We also can't ignore the realistic cost issues. Hawaii is notoriously expensive, even among U.S. destinations.

When you combine hotel costs, food, and inter-island travel, the budget can be quite overwhelming.

As a result, many American families turn to more cost-effective options like Florida beaches or all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, Mexico.

Interestingly, there's a pattern among Americans visiting Hawaii.

Statistics show that more than half of Hawaii's visitors are 'repeat visitors.'

This means that while many haven't been, those who have fallen in love with it keep coming back!

Hawaii is not just a vacation spot; it's a dream location for retirement and a unique space where Polynesian culture and American systems blend intriguingly.

Four out of five Americans have yet to set foot in Hawaii.

For some, it's as close as the next neighborhood, while for others, it's a once-in-a-lifetime journey they've been waiting for.

But what does the number matter? The real important point is that all 20% of those who have experienced it consider Hawaii the 'best place in their lives,' right?