I was raised in Missoula, Montana -- beautiful country but tough winters. I spent 25 years in Boise, Idaho, and loved it there. Didn't realize how much, tho, until I left. We've been in Honolulu nearly 15 years.
We love Hawaii and the weather is fabulous (most of the time). The humidity can be tough, but the tradewinds help. Of course, the beaches are close no matter where you are.
The drawbacks are that it is SO expensive. Nearly everything has to be shipped in. Try paying $8 for a gallon of milk! My house in Boise would cost over $1 million here. Home lots are measured by the foot. So houses are very close together. Everybody knows what their neighbors are up to.
We plan to retire in a year to two and return to the mainland, probably Boise. Unless a person is independently wealthy or their mortgage is paid off, it's tough to retire here. And the real reason is that there's only 3 true quilt shops on the entire flippin island!!!