Opposites attract: Alaska and Hawaii do have common threads.

• Author: Pardes, Joan

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On the surface, Alaska and Hawaii are polar opposites. One state offers fire (volcanoes), tropical weather and beautiful beaches, while the other offers ice (countless glaciers), a range of weather systems (sometime within the same region), and rocky beaches. But if you look closer, it becomes apparent that the 49th and 50th states have a lot in common. First of all, America's two youngest states attract more tourists than any of their older siblings. On the national political front, they have a perennial seat at the kids' table and rarely receive visits from the statesmen (and women) vying for the country's top spots. And since both have the distinction of being non-contiguous (one refers to the landmass known as the contiguous U.S. as the "Lower 48" and the other as the "Mainland,") they seem to band together as many young kids of much older siblings will do.

But most importantly, Alaskans love Hawaii. Sure, Alaskans love long summers and abundant wildlife and even winters, but go ahead, conduct an unscientific poll. Ask 10 people where they will--or where they are going to go during the winter months and Hawaii will come up multiple times.

HEAD TO THE ISLANDS

While there's no hard data on how many Alaskans vacation, have time-shares or second homes in Hawaii, there's still enough residents heading toward the seven islands that comprise the Aloha State, to keep Hawaiian Vacations, an Alaskan-owned and -operated business, and now Alaskan Airlines, in the market to fly from Anchorage to Hawaii.

In its 25th year of operation, Hawaiian Vacations offers flights chartered by Hawaiian Airlines from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to Honolulu on a year-round basis.

"Hawaii is all that we do," said Hawaiian Vacations Marketing Director Blake Arrington. "We focus exclusively on the Hawaiian market for Alaskans by providing Alaskans with air and package options for the Hawaiian Islands. Mostly, our customers are buying airline tickets but 40 percent of our business is comprised of packages-air, hotel and car."

According to Arrington, the most popular island for Alaskans to visit is Oahu (also known as Honolulu, which is a city on the island and Hawaii's capital) with Maui coming in second, and the Big Island and Kauai running in a tie for third place.

Alaskans not only visit Hawaii, they stay longer than most Americans and also become repeat visitors, he added.

STAY OFTEN, STAY LONG

The data states that Alaskans...