We can travel to Hawaii by plane,by car or by boat.Tourists who want to get a taste of Hawaiian culture can sign up for classes in hula, surfing and lei-making at most tourist destinations.Contemporary food in Hawaii, like the language and popular culture, is a medley of traditional Hawaiian, Portugese, American, and Asian Pacific flavors. Pacific "fusion" cuisine was largely invented in Hawaii. Well-known local chefs include Sam Choy, Alan Wong, Russell Siu, Roy Yamaguchi, and George "Chef Mavro" Mavrothalassitis. Seafood is, of course, fresh and tasty. Local beef comes from ranches on Maui and coffee is grown on the Big Island. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, bananas, guavas, and papaya - as well as fresh sugar cane, can be bought in most corner stores (although you may be surprised to learn that many of those fruits are now imported from distant locales such as The Philippines & Brazil). One of the most common ways that local food is served is in the form of plate lunch, usually meat or fish with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad. It's always a good deal at any lunch wagon, mall, or outside food court.
On our last visit to the Big Island, we stood at twilight and watched glowing red lava flow into the ocean just a short distance away. It was a close-up look at the way these islands were formed -- and the way they are still forming.With volcanoes like Mount Kilauea squirting out new land like toothpaste out of the tube, Hawaii, quite literally, is growing. In fact, there's an expanding volcano near the Big Island that's still a few thousand feet below the surface of the ocean. One day, in a few hundred or a few thousand years, it will become the newest Hawaiian island. In fact, it already has a name: Loihi.
Meanwhile, there's already enough beauty and activity in Hawaii to fill more vacations than we could ever take. With so much to choose from, first-time visitors need to be selective. Our recommendation is to settle first on the Hawaii you want to see. It might be beaches, luaus and nightlife; it might be rare orchids and hikes in the rain forest; it might be quiet countryside, small towns and scenic drives. Whatever the combination, there will likely be an island or islands best suited to your desires...
Cities in Big Island of Hawaii
1. Captain Cook
2. Hawaii Volcanoes Natl Pk
3. Hilo
4. Holualoa
5. Honaunau
6. Honokaa
7. Kailua Kona
8. Kamuela
9. Kohala Coast
10. Naalehu
11. Paauilo
12. Pahala
13. Volcano
14. Waimea
Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States of America.
Situated nearly at the center of the north Pacific Ocean, Hawaii marks the northeast corner of Polynesia. While it was once a major hub for the whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, it is now economically dependent on tourism and the U.S. military. The natural beauty of the islands continues to be one of Hawaii's greatest assets.
Hawaii is an archipelago of over nineteen distinct volcanic islands located over a geological "hot spot" in the Pacific. The Pacific plate on which the islands ride moves to the northwest, so in general the islands are older and smaller (due to erosion) as you move from southeast to northwest. There are eight major islands, six of which are open to tourism.
- The island of Hawaii, also known as "the Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state, is the largest island, and lends its name to the whole island chain. Larger than all the other islands combined and still expanding in land area thanks to the active volcanoes on its southeastern coast, it is home to the major resort area of Kona, two of the world's largest mountains, and the world's most active volcano.
- Oahu, nicknamed "the Gathering Place," is the most populous and developed island. Its southern shore is home to the city of Honolulu; four out of every five Hawaii residents call it home. It is the governmental and commercial center of the state, and Waikiki Beach is arguably the best known tourist destination in Hawaii. Outside the city are pineapple fields, and the North Shore of Oahu, which is known each winter as the home of some of the largest waves in the world. The USS Arizona National Memorial at Pearl Harbor is also very popular visitor destination.
- Maui is the second largest island in the chain and is home to 10,023 foot (3,055 m) tall volcanic mountain crater of Haleakala. It is nicknamed "the Valley Isle" for the narrow plain between Haleakala and the West Maui mountains. On the west side of the island are the resort areas of Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kihei, and Wailea. On the east side is the tiny village of Hana, reached by one of the most winding and beautiful roads in the world.
- Kauai, the "Garden Isle," is home to several natural wonders, such as the Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast. Mount Waialeale is known as one of the rainiest spots in the world.
- Molokai, the "Friendly Isle," is one of the least developed islands in the chain. It is home to Kalaupapa, the leper colony on Molokai's north shore that was the home of Father Damien.
- Lanai was at one time completely owned by Dole Foods and was the largest pineapple plantation in the world; it is now home to several exclusive resorts.
- Niihau is a privately owned island with an entirely Native Hawaiian population. Until very recently, the island was off limits to all but family members and invited guests of the owners. Tourism to the island is limited to Helicopter, ATV, and hunting excursions originating on Kauai.
- Kahoolawe, which was once a former US Navy bombing range, remains uninhabited. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate the island, but cleanup efforts continue.
Weather
Depending on where you're located in Hawaii, the weather can be very different over even short distances. On the same day, on Oahu you might find sun over the beaches in Waikiki and rain only a few miles away in Manoa Valley.
Although the islands receive abundant amounts of both sunshine and rain, rain is more likely on the north and east sides of the islands, which face the prevailing northeasterly tradewinds (the "windward" side of the island), as well as the mountain peaks and valleys. The moist tropical air carried by the tradewinds is forced upward by the mountains, resulting in clouds and rain. Rain is less likely on the coastal areas of the "leeward" sides (the south and west sides) of the islands.
Although there are no "seasons" in the islands in the same sense as the rest of the U.S., the climate does go through annual cycles based on rainfall. The "wet" season in Hawaii (cooler temperatures and more rainfall) runs roughly from October to March, and the "dry" season (warmer temperatures and less rainfall) from April to September. There is therefore a higher probability of rain if you visit during the peak of tourist season in late December or January.
Hurricane season in the islands runs from June to November. Although Hawaii's relative isolation means that it is affected only rarely by tropical cyclones, a destructive storm will occasionally hit the Islands, such as Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki hitting Kauai in 1982 and 1992.
Overall, Hawaii is warm and temperate - when you step out of the plane you'll immediately notice that the air is soft and humid - and during the summer months the tradewinds provide a pleasant breeze. Daytime temperatures generally range from the mid-70s in "winter" to lower 90s in "summer". During this time the beaches are at their busiest.
- Popular Hawaii Hotels
Honolulu, HI
* Hale Koa Hotel (Military Only)
* Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort Waikiki Beach
* Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
* Royal Hawaiian Honolulu
* Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
Kaanapali, HI
* Kaanapali Royal-Whalers Realty Management
Wailea, HI
* Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa
* Fairmont Kea Lani Resort
* Four Seasons Maui
* Maui Prince Hotel Makena Resort
* Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort
Lahaina, HI
* Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
* Marriott Vacation Club Maui Ocean Club II
* Kaanapali Alii
* Napili Kai Beach Resort
* The Westin Maui Resort and Spa
Kailua Kona, HI
* Four Seasons Hualalai
* Casa de Emdeko
* Kona Coast Resort
* Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
* Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
Kailua, HI
* Kanela Kai Bed and Breakfast
* Alii Bed & Breakfast
* Sharon's Serenity
* Sea Village Resort
* Papaya Paradise Bed & Breakfast
Hilo, HI
* Dolphin Bay Hotel
* Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
* At the Beach with Friends Bed and Breakfast
* Country Club Hawaii Condo Hotel
* Wild Ginger Inn
Kihei, HI
* ResortQuest Maui Hill
* Maui Sunset
* Sugar Beach Resort Resortquest Maui
* Menehune Shores
* Royal Mauian Resort.
