Places to vacation in hawaii
Hawaii is a state of the United States. It’s located in the central Pacific Ocean, southeast of California and northwest of Australia. Hawaii is the most isolated archipelago in the world, with over 1,000 small islands and atolls.
The Hawaiian islands are home to over 1.4 million people and more than 100,000 plants and animals. The first Polynesians arrived in Hawaii around 400 AD; they were followed by other migrations from Asia and Western Polynesia until 1778, when Captain Cook arrived on the island of O’ahu at Kealakekua Bay during his third voyage around the world. The first Christian missionaries arrived in 1820, bringing Christianity to this remote land with its tropical climate and friendly natives who had never seen foreigners before.
Hawaii is the ultimate destination for beach lovers. With hundreds of miles of coastline and nearly 2,000 islands, Hawaii has something for everyone. The state’s tropical climate allows you to enjoy the outdoors year-round—you can take a hike in the mountains in the morning and spend the afternoon snorkeling.
The beaches are beautiful, with soft sand and clear water. You’ll find excellent snorkeling spots all along the coast, from Hanauma Bay on Oahu to Shark’s Cove on Kauai to Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. If you’re looking for more than just sand and water, there are plenty of other activities available as well. You can watch dolphins play in Kealakekua Bay or go hiking through Waipi’o Valley on Maui or check out the museums at Pearl Harbor or Honolulu on Oahu.
Reasons to Visit Hawaii
The Culture
Hawaii is the only state in the USA where everyone is a minority. In addition to the original Hawaiians who sailed to Hawaii from the islands of Polynesia, the islands have attracted groups of people from around the world including Caucasians, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Hispanic/Latinos and more.
Many were brought to the islands to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations that once were prevalent on every major island. Each of these various immigrant groups brought with them their own unique cultures. Today, Hawaii is truly a melting pot of all of these cultures. Almost 25 percent of island residents claim ancestry of two or more races.
The History
A thousand or more years before Columbus arrived in the New World, Polynesian settlers arrived in Hawaii from the Marquesas Islands. In 1778 Captain James Cook “discovered” Hawaii. In 1795 King Kamehameha I united all of the Hawaiian Islands.
The 1820s saw the arrival of missionaries from New England. Less than 100 years after the islands were unified by Kamehameha I, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown by government white ministers, planters and businessmen, establishing the Republic of Hawaii.
The Republic lasted only until 1898 when the United States annexed Hawaii. On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II.
In 1959 Hawaii became 50th U.S. state.
History buffs can explore the last 1600-1700 years of Hawaiian history on each of major islands through cultural centers, museums, and tours.
The Beaches
With over 750 miles of shoreline and over 400 named beaches, all of which are public beaches, you’re sure to find a beach in Hawaii that’s perfect for you and your family. In Hawaii, you can also choose the color of your beach. There are white sand beaches, yellow sand beaches, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, and even one green sand beach. Since the ocean conditions can be unpredictable, my best advice, if you plan to go into the water, is to select a lifeguard protected beach.
The Volcanoes
Each of the Hawaiian Islands was formed by a single hotspot on the floor of the ocean. The islands stretch over 1500 miles from Kure Atol in the northwest near Midway, to Lo’ihi Seamount, the newest island being formed off of the southeast coast of Hawaii Island, the Big Island. As the islands move off the hotspot over time, each has reminders of their volcanic past.
On Kauai, visitors can take a helicopter tour into the crater of Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on earth. On Oahu, almost all first-time visitors make the hike to the top of Diamond Head. On Maui, a drive to the summit of Haleakala for dawn is a must. Of course, however, the most popular volcano of all is Kilauea on Hawaii Island, which has been in a state of constant eruption since January 3, 1983.
The Ocean
Where there are islands, there is water, and Hawaii has a wide assortment of ocean activities of which you can partake.
For those who want to ride the waves, Hawaii has some of the best surfing, boogie boarding and windsurfing spots in the world. If you enjoy getting under the water, there is great scuba diving, snorkeling and the latest craze, snuba.
If you want to stay mostly dry, there is are great catamaran and other sailing tours, whale watches, zodiac raft tours, sunset and dinner tours, and some of the best deep sea fishing the world. You can even soar high above the waves by parasailing.
The waters of Hawaii have beautiful reef fish, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, and yes, even a few sharks. Whatever way you choose to enjoy the waters of Hawaii, be safe. Find out more about Water Safety in Hawaii.
The Food
For most of the last century, the food in Hawaii consisted primarily of the traditional foods of the numerous cultures in the island—Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian. Restaurants featuring those and other ethnic foods remain some of the best “hole in the wall” and affordable places to eat in Hawaii.
Most visitors continue to enjoy at least one commercial luau during their stay, where the food can range from quite good to really disappointing.
Everything changed in 1991 when, as explained by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, “twelve Hawaii chefs established Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a culinary movement that inventively blends Hawaii’s diverse, ethnic flavors with the cuisines of the world.”
The Shopping
There’s a lot more to shopping in Hawaii than those cheap souvenirs you find at stores on every corner in Waikiki.
Hawaii’s Japanese visitors love to shop at the high-end stores in Waikiki – Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Yves Saint Laurent to name just a few.
Even better are some of the numerous craft shows, farmers’ markets and flea markets that you’ll find on all of the islands. I’ve found some beautiful, locally crafted woodwork and other art. Whatever your price range may be, you’ll surely find some great memories of your Hawaii vacation to take home – so be sure to leave some empty room in your suitcase.
Places to vacation in hawaii
Haleakala National Park, Maui
Located on Maui, Haleakala National park offers access to the inactive Haleakala Volcano, which stands at over 10,000 feet. Views from the summit stretch across the entire island and are particularly beautiful at sunrise.
The dormant crater is exposed, showing a lunar-like landscape, while other areas of the park are covered in subtropical rain forests, which are home to endangered species. Visitors can explore the many hiking trails freely or sign up for guided ranger-led tours, and the more adventurous can spend the night in the park, surrounded by one of Hawaii’s most impressive landscapes.
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu
Waikiki, with its beautiful stretch of oceanfront beach, is Hawaii’s biggest tourist attraction. A suburb of Honolulu, Waikiki is popular for its big resorts, dining, entertainment, and shopping.
The Waikiki Historic Trail includes historic markers made of surfboards, inspired by Waikiki’s own Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer and avid surfer.
The boardwalk, known as the Waikiki Beach Walk, is lined with cafes and entertainment venues, while Kuhio and KalaKaua Avenues are where the bulk of the area’s restaurants and boutiques can be found.
Diamond Head State Monument sits at the end of the crescent-shaped beach, creating a distinctive profile on the coastline. It was once an important vantage point for the island’s coastal defense, and a steep hike to the top brings you to the old bunkers and artillery control station and rewards your efforts with panoramic views.
Halawa Valley, Molokai
The island of Molokai’s Halawa Valley is widely considered the oldest settlement in Hawaii, with a small population still inhabiting the area despite widespread damage to the village from a tsunami in the 1940s. The valley is full of lush tropical rainforests punctuated by a dramatic landscape and cascading waterfalls, virtually untouched by humans.
The best way to see the valley is on a tour led by father-and-son team Philip and Greg Solatorio, one of the few families that still call the Halawa Valley home. In addition to a guided hike to Mo’oula Falls, visitors will learn about the region’s unique history and traditional Hawaiian culture.
Waipio Valley Lookout, Hawaii
One of the most scenic spots on the Big Island of Hawaii is the lookout over Waipio Valley. Surrounded by lush cliff walls, the fertile valley opens out to the ocean, where the black-sand beach is met with white waves and blue water.
Hiking in Waipio Valley is considered some of the best in the state, and many of the trails are suitable for beginners. For an extra special experience, local guides provide horseback riding tours of the valley, allowing you to enjoy the sights from a different perspective.
Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu
Located on Oahu, less than an hour’s drive from Honolulu, is the Polynesian Cultural Center. Through music, dance, craft demonstrations, and games, the center portrays the culture and daily life of the Polynesian islanders in Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, as well as that of the Maoris in New Zealand.
The center is divided into sections representing each of these locations. Many of the performers come from the islands that they represent, providing a high degree of authenticity. Visitors can tour the facility during the day or see a show in the evening.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
The highest mountain in Hawaii, Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a world away from the tropical paradise below. The summit, which can only be reached in a 4WD vehicle, is often very cold, with snow in the winter months.
The Mauna Kea Observatory is an active research facility, which welcomes tourists during daylight hours. Only expert hikers should attempt a climb to the summit on the six-mile trail, which rises to an altitude of 13,800 feet from the Visitor Information Station.
Evening stargazing programs, held at the visitor center, which sits at around 9,200 feet, are popular with tourists and locals alike.
