Hawaii
Island names that stand out, unforgettable adventures
The Hawaiian Islands have so many things to see, do, and feel that it would be impossible to list them all in one lifetime. From the busy city of Oahu to the romantic island of Maui and the off-the-beaten-path activities on Lanai and Molokai, there is something for everyone. So where do you start? Hawaii’s beautiful beaches and lush valleys make it possible to do a lot of fun outdoor activities, like hikes, skydiving, helicopter tours, paddle sports, watching whales, and zip lining. At Garden of the Gods, you can walk on the moon, swim with manta rays at night, and float down tunnels on old sugar fields. Pick your adventure, and the fun can begin.
Parks and monuments you have to see
Maui’s Haleakala National Park, also known as the “House of the Sun,” is a huge shield volcano with stunning views of the sunrise. It is one of Hawaii’s many amazing natural and historic places. A sad mood hangs around the USS Arizona Memorial at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. It is a tribute to the people who died in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. At Kauai’s Waimea Canyon State Park, you can see how powerful erosion can be. The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” was made when the volcano that formed the island collapsed. Hawaiians used to go to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park to find safety and comfort. It is famous for the strange mask images that are found there.
More on Craters
The island of Hawaii is home to five active volcanoes. Kīlauea, Maunaloa, Hualālai, and Maunakea are the four on Hawaii Island. Haleakalā, the fifth, is on the island of Maui. A lot of people go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see volcanoes. It has two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Maunaloa. People must stay on the trails that have been marked and should not get close to the lava or steam. Before you go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, check the weather and see how the volcano is doing.
Outdoor Heaven
Along the 35.5-kilometer Napali Coast, you can hike and see beautiful mountains, valleys, and waterfalls. In the Molokini Crater off the coast of Maui, the turquoise water is so clear that swimming is a great idea. You can learn how to surf at Waikiki Beach, or you can hike to the less-visited island of Lanai to see the Kaunolu town Site, which is the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing town. You can rappel down a waterfall, tube through old sugar farm chutes, or kayak down the calm Wailua River in Kauai’s mountains and rainforests. On the Kohala Coast of Hawaii, from December to April, you can go on a tour at sunset to see whales and listen to their songs on an underwater microphone.
Only in Hawaii
Learn how to make leis and dance the hula with the Hawaii Hula Company for a taste of old-school Hawaii. The Merrie Monarch Festival brings together the best hula groups in the spring for a competition that is both beautiful to look at and full of traditional Hawaiian activities. Slack-key musicians, or ki hoalu, play at the Outrigger resorts in Waikiki. Every September, there is also a Slack Key Festival in Kona. The Bishop Museum in Honolulu has the biggest collection of Polynesian artifacts in the world. On the northeast coast of Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center serves a real luau dinner and puts on a show for guests. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park is on the island of Molokai. It protects the leprosy villages that were there until 1969, close to the world’s tallest sea cliffs.