Dave, Hawaii is great, but right now I am on predeployment leave for two weeks, and flew back to Florida to visit family and friends. I head back next Sunday, and off to "war" so to speak. We shall see. But Hawaii has been awesome the last three months, can't believe how much it has changed since I was there last in '95. Been spending a lot of time at the beach, when I haven't been busy qualifying, knocking out PQS, getting ready for deployment, and handling my ground job (legal officer).
As for the jets vs. P3 decision, I hear you, I faced the same thing. But I am personally VERY happy with my decision, the P3 is a great plane to fly, a good community to be in, and now that I am finally at the "end" of my training, I can also say I enjoy the mission. Nothing like flying around at 200-300' feet over the water in a big old airplane. Every time we go out I have seen pods of whales and dolphins around Hawaii, pretty kewl. Oh well, that is about it. Later.