Hi!
I'm on the Sunshine coast (Sechelt)which is a ferry ride away from Vancouver and 2 ferries away from Victoria (but not so far as the crow flies)
I absolutely LOVE it here. The ocean and the mountains and everything is so beautiful...mind you, I came from the Arctic so to me the winters here are fabulous. Coming from Honoloulu you may be cold but coastal BC has some of the best wiinters in Canada, most years we only get a couple days or a week of snow, but a heck of a lot of rain, but, we do live in a rainforest. If you don't mind the rain (I don't) it's great.
I've been to Hawaii and while it's hard to compete with that if you were considering moving Victoria would be nice, especially for your daughter to grow up, there is a lot less crime here.
As for saltwater.... Well, your prices are probably a lot better there but both Vancouver and Victoria have a big saltwater community, I go on "Canreef" (not sure if linking that is ok, it's not a seller but a canadian SW forum) And some pretty fabulous stores to shop in. I got those pink zoos from a swap meet in Vancouver, the reef network hosts them every 6 months or so, pretty neat.
I guess I sound like I'm trying to sell you on BC but I just really love it!