Travel to Hawaii
When you travel to Hawaii, you'll find a land of cool breezes, swaying palm trees, pristine white beaches, volcanoes and tropical valleys. Hawaii is made up of 132 islands, reefs and shoals that measure more than 1500 miles from one end of the island chain to the other. When we think of Hawaii, we think primarily of the several islands that are large enough to support habitation. There are eight of these, including Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.
Visitors who travel to Hawaii can enjoy many fun and unique activities. In the ocean, there is snorkeling, scuba, swimming, boating and surfing. On land, there are beautiful remote tropical areas for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. In these remote areas, you can find beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking vistas. And, for those who love the city life, there is golfing, shopping, exquisite dining, five star resorts and many historical and exciting attractions to visit.
When you travel to Hawaii, the dress code is strictly casual. With the warm temperatures and often high humidity, you'll want to dress in a way that will keep you cool and comfortable. Local clothing styles boast tropical prints, natural fibers, shorts, polo shirts, sun dresses, shorter skirts, sleeveless tops, and other warm weather wear.
The weather in Hawaii stays within a very small range on a year-round basis. The warm temperature of the surrounding Pacific Ocean keeps the Hawaiian land temperatures between 65 degrees F and 95 degrees F year-round. The main seasonal change experienced in Hawaii is the shift from the dry season (May to October) to the wet season (November to April).
The Hawaiian people are warm, open and friendly. Tourism is a major component of Hawaii's economy, so visitors who travel to Hawaii are valued and pampered. In the Hawaii culture, the most valued characteristics are generosity, hospitality and the warm sharing between friends, family, neighbors, and even with strangers. This is best exhibited in the principle of reciprocity -- when a Hawaiian receives something, whether a smile, a gift or a favor, the Hawaiian will give back in equal or greater measure.
One of the most unusual aspects of travel to Hawaii is the ability to visit active volcanos and observe volcanic activity up close. On Maui, you can find Haleakala, which translates to "The House of the Sun." Haleakala is 10,000 feet high, with a crater 1000 feet deep. You can drive to the summit of Haleakala and look directly down into the volcano's crater to see a wonder of spectacular colors and beauty. On the island of Hawaii, you'll find Mauna Loa, the world's greatest and largest active volcanoe. When touring Mauna Loa, the way up leads through forests that give way to brilliantly-colored lava fields. The island of Hawaii is also home to Kilauea, a volcano known for its "lake of fire."
The island of Oahu, including the city of Honolulu, are often a main destination for those who travel to Hawaii. On Oahu, you can visit Pearl Harbor and see the national memorial that honors those killed during the World War II Pearl Harbor attacks. Oahu also offers the world-famous Waikiki Beach, perhaps the most well known resort beach in the world. Running along Waikiki Beach are numerous five-star, world-class resorts. Honolulu is a major metropolitan city and the urban hub of the Hawaiian Islands. The popular dormant volcanic crater known as Diamond Head is also found on Oahu, on the southeast coast of the island.
Maui is another favorite island for visiting when you travel to Hawaii. In addition to the Haleakala volcano, Maui has a second volcano known as Puu KuKui. In between these volcanic peaks, there is a green and fertile valley where local residents live and farm sugar cane and pineapples. Maui's largest town is Lahaina, an historic and quaint town known for its surfers and tourist attractions. In Maui, you can take fun and scenic driving trip to the widerness side of the island, where the road ends at the quiet little haven of Hana. The warm ocean waters off Maui's shores are also a prime place for Humpback Whales and whale-watching tours are easily found to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime activity.
The opportunity to visit several islands during your travel to Hawaii is a benefit many people take advantage of. For example, Kauai is a great island to visit and can offer a fabulous day trip for those who are staying on one of the other islands. For a day trip to Kauai, you can easily plan to fly in early in the day and leave plenty of time for local activities. These include helicopter tours to experience a breathtaking view of the island, driving trips up to beautiful Hanalei, and Na Pali rafting tours. Kauai also offers the traditional tourist activities of great dining and wonderful shopping.