White sands, pristine beaches, lush green tropical rain forests, aquamarine waters thriving with underwater creatures of all shapes, colors and sizes and a serene land that is Hawaii along with its companion islands. At first glance vacationers would think that the Hawaii islands are simply just like all other islands and beach destinations, but on the contrary, Hawaii is an island like no other. The group of islands are located in the middle of the Pacific ocean, part of Polynesia, some say in the middle of no where, but the truth is, that is what makes it unique. Having risen from the waters due to volcanic eruptions and over flow of lava, the lush greenery and underwater excursions were created due to this natural phenomenon. The natural beauty of the islands are Hawaii’s best asset.

Hawaii is an archipelago with eight main islands, Hawaii (the big island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe. The best way to travel to Hawaii would be by air, it’s usually difficult to reach the islands due to their remote location. It wouldn’t be ideal to find flights and stop at multiple transit stops to reach your destination. It is possible now to get there with only one or two (a maximum of three and we’re pushing it) transit stops from anywhere in the world, whether it be heading from West to East or vise versa, many airlines have no open long flight routes to Hawaii. The best airlines of choice would have to be Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France. Unless one would want to stay in the continental USA for a few days before heading to Hawaii, then it could be easier, it all depends on a traveler’s preference and comfort.

The state’s capital Honolulu, the largest city, is located on the island of Oahu, where a mixture of the hustle and bustle of a city can be mixed with the serenity of beaches and rain forests. One of the world’s most famous beaches as well as the most visited by tourists, Waikiki Beach, is located in Honolulu with hiking trails into the rainforest can be merely minutes away from the beach. Oahu holds some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Visitors of Waikiki beach can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, swimming or simply lying under the palm trees enjoying the weather. Waikiki beach walk is also full of shops, cultural center and restaurants to indulge. There is also Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium for the whole family to enjoy.

Just off the Waikiki strip lies Diamond Head, also known as Leahi in Hawaii, a tuff crater overlooking the beach. Tour buses are able to reach the top of the crater and it is possible to hike up the 760 foot slope as well. It was once used as a military post in the early 1900’s, upon reaching the top, hikers and visitors can observe a wonderful view of Waikiki and the south shores of Oahu island.

Other beaches on the island are less crowded and touristy. Hanauma Bay offers crystal clear waters and is known to be the best snorkeling location on the whole island with fragile yet beautiful coral reefs striving and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the natural marine sanctuary and hundreds of schools of colorful fish. Hanauma Bay was once a volcanic crater overflowed with wave erosion and then preserved to become into the delicate ecosystem that it is today. Other beaches are located on the North Shore, also a surfer’s paradise. Oahu’s North Shore hosts major surfing contests with waves reaching up to 25 feet during the winter months. Home to Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay Beach Park and the infamous Eehukai Beach, most famous for the Banzai Pipeline (a surf reef break, when waves are broken by reefs and form pipe-like waves).

On the Hawaii Big Island, one of the top visited sites is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where many go with the intention of viewing one of the Earth’s most active volcanoes, Kilaua volcano. The park has many hiking trails, scalded craters, rain forests, walk in lava tubes and one of the most known attraction is watching Kilaua’s blistering lava flow meeting the sea waters. Other attractions that are worth visiting such as Puu Oo Vent, lava activity flows from this East Rift Zone into underground tubes that empty dramatically into the sea, Crater Rim drive, circling Kilaua caldera in a looped drive and Chain of Craters Road, where drivers are literally stopped short due to lava overtaking the road, a view well worth the drive. It is said that Kilaua is “the world’s only drive-in volcano.”

Also on Big Island, lies the highest sea mountain on Earth, Mt. Mauna Kea. The top of the summit has one of the most spectacular views of the night sky, for astronomy and star gazers, the night sky is one of the clearest on the planet. The Mauna Kea Observatories is home to over 10 telescopes well above cloud level with telescopes from international and national universities capturing the most amazing photographs available to the public. They are able to study the cosmos in depth and take advantage of the summit due to its height and free of light pollution. Don’t forget to layer up, it’s very cold up above.

On the island of Maui, beaches and scenic drives are what make this island special. Visitors can find white, red and black sand beaches with small coves and tide pools ideal for young children and toddlers to enjoy. The waters are also varied according to location, some calm and some with high surf and waves great for wind surfing. Maui is also a hot spot for humpback whale watching, best viewed between the months of December and May when they migrate to the island and enjoy the shallow waters off the East and South coast. Jungle tours are best experienced on this island, with numerous waterfalls tide pools, and even bamboo forests.

Hawaii’s economy depends on tourism and importing their goods, so there are no shortages of places to stay while on vacation. Hotels, resorts and spa hotels, apartments and villas are available all year round. Some of the highest recommended hotels are located mostly on the island of O’ahu. Some are very family friendly where others are great for a couple’s retreat. Disney’s Aulani is great with lots of kid friendly activities accompanied by some of Disney’s famous characters. The JW Marriot Ihilani Ko Olina Resort with their own lagoon and secluded beach, and a prominent property which is The Royal Hawaiian, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific.

There is a great deal to do on Hawaii, all outdoors activities are available here, and some daring activities not for the faint hearted. There are helicopter tours that give an over view of the vast flora and fauna of the island, going up view crater tops, dip down into valleys and scenic beaches and lagoons. For sea lovers, catamaran rides are available for hours at end, with chosen spots for snorkeling and diving where there are also deep sea fishing excursions, there is always something for everyone. If you’re not in the mood to get wet, the Atlantis Submarine rides are great for exploring the majestic corals and fish under the waves, with the submarines going down to depths of 100 feet, it’s an experience best tested under the protection of a sub. There are also cultural tours, telling of Hawaiian/Polynesian history and how the people are still true followers to their culture. Hotels and resorts offer shows telling stories of ethnic tribes, doing the hula dance or a story of a warrior all in Hawaiian and for the pleasure of audiences. Hawaii is known for surf and sand and there is no shortage clearly, but there is also a Hawaiian trade that one might overthink, pineapples, and lots of them! Each pineapple plant produces three pineapples, two good and a bad, farmers simply joke that they send the bad and keep the good, of course it is merely an insider’s joke.

The cuisine on the islands are diverse, from Polynesian influence to Japanese and American of course. There are many nationalities who have migrated long before it became a US state, but the most significant asset Hawaiian cuisine has is its use of all things natural. Their dishes are hints of different migrations such as plants from Polynesia, Japanese bento for example, New England cuisine from English and American missionaries and settlers introducing yams, beans and cranberries, whalers introduced dried salted fish which later turned into a salmon side dish. It’s a mix of old and new and interesting all at once sure to please the taste buds.

Hawaii is an exceptional location to enjoy, half way across the world for many, yet a destination that is a must visit once in a lifetime.

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