Hawaii:
Which Island is right for you?
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If you have a travel bucket list, chances are Hawaii is on it. It’s beauty, culture and history make you feel so far away, yet, you don’t need a passport to get there. Hawaii is made up of 6 beautiful islands and each one is so very different. There are many ways to visit Hawaii. Some travelers want to get to know one specific island, other want island hop, and some enjoy cruising the islands.
Although there is never a bad time to visit Hawaii, there are two distinct high seasons. One is July and August, and the other is December through March. If these are your travel dates, be sure to book early.
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The Island of Hawai'i
is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands designed for the outdoor adventurer. Visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to stand on one of the world’s most active volcanoes, walk through Thurston Lava Tubes, hike trails to seek out the 442 feet waterfalls, zipline through the rainforest, stargaze at the planetarium, night swim with manta rays. If you start to get tired, visit a coffee plantation for a pick-me-up.
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Maui
is a romantic island with small towns and serene beaches, yet it provides luxury resorts and five-star dining. Take the Road to Hana where you will see the black sand beaches created by the sea quickly cooling of lava. A trip to Molokini will satisfy your need for snorkeling or diving in a crater of an extinct volcano. Go to Lahaina
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once a whaling village but now travelers come to watch whales off its shores. Golfing surrounded by crashing waves and hillsides is like nowhere else. Many couples come to Maui to propose,
have their destination wedding
, or honeymoon.
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Lana’i
is very secluded with its absence of traffic lights and crowds, yet the luxury of tropical paradise. Lana’i has two acclaimed golf courses, including Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Adventure is easy to find among stunning forestry and trails, the rock formations at the Garden of the Gods, snorkeling at Hulopo’e Bay, and Shipwreck Beach where the rough waters capsized numerous ships, giving the beach its name.
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Moloka’i
is the island shaped like a shoe. Moloka’i’s largest beach, Papohaku, is described as “empty,” “secluded,” “massive,” and “perfect.” Moloka’i is not for the traveler who needs a lot to do but rather for the nature lovers who cherish sunsets and quiet time. This island provides you an relaxing experience that is not touristy or overdeveloped. Some things to do in Moloka’i is to ride a mule to Kalaupap, hike the Halawa Valley to the Moa’ula Waterfalls, visit the 30-mile barrier reef, kayak, sit back and relax.
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O’ahu
is the “Heart of Hawaii” or “The Gathering Place.” People flock to see it’s hot spots like Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii with the culture and sophistication unique to the state. Waikiki is a lively metropolitan area swarming with nightlife, shopping and food! Meanwhile, it is also the birthplace for surfing. If you are looking for more history, 2016 marked the 75
th
Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial a surreal way to commemorate those soldiers. Follow that with the Battleship Missouri Memorial to tour a decommissioned battleship. Hanauma Bay is one of the most visited beaches in the state. The Marine Life Conservation District prohibited fishing and now is beautifully populated with colorful fish to snorkel with. Let’s not forget our favorite mouse at Disney’s Aulani and the Polynesian Center!
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Kaua’i
or “The Garden Isle” is full of stunning waterfalls, rivers, and shades of green as it earns it’s claim as one of the wettest spots on Earth. Kaua’i is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain and provided Hawai’i with its first cashflow industry: sugar. Don’t let its rainfall make you think twice about visiting
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Kaua’i still offers ziplining, boating, snorkeling, the largest coffee plantation in Hawai’i, and its newest attraction: riding on an inner tube through what was once Lihu’e Plantation’s irrigation system. This hand-dug ditch system was used to reroute fresh water from the highest mountain to the plantation’s lower cane fields. The plantation is no longer growing sugar and has now opened the doors to the public. If hiking and camping are your thing, hike the 11-mile Kalalau Trail on the Napali Coast.
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