WHY VISIT HAWAII

Smoldering volcanoes, tropical rainforests, idyllic beaches, legendary surf, and blistering sunshine: you need a good excuse not to visit Hawaii.

Oahu, home to the state capital Honolulu, is the most popular island. Big-wave surfing took off here in the 1950s and the pros still pilgrimage to Waimea Bay for its epic swells. You don’t have to be a veteran border to take advantage of the conditions, though: Waikiki Beach offers an easier ride for those still finding their feet.

The second largest of Hawaii’s islands, Maui seems to win every best beach award going. But those looking to sizzle on the sand will struggle to beat Makena Beach, which is a regular Instagram star. If you’re not content lounging by the shore, ascend nearby Haleakalā, the island’s highest peak, to marvel at some exquisite panoramas.

Just across the water, tiny Lanai’s luxury resorts and golf courses may bleed your wallet dry, but go for the day and you can rumble across lunar-like landscapes in a 4-wheel drive, gaze at ghostly shipwrecks, and hike through virgin rainforests. Unspoiled Molokai is also a short ferry hop from Maui and lays claim to the world’s highest sea cliffs.

Visitors can get as close as they dare to an active volcano on Hawaii Island, where hyperactive Kilauea of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been spewing copious amounts of lava every day since 1983.

And then there’s Kauai, Hawaii’s northernmost island. Offering jagged cliffs, primal rainforests, and barrelling waterfalls, it’s a paradise for adventure travelers, who can spot green sea turtles off Poipu Beach, hike through Waimea Canyon, and kayak down the raging Waimea River. The only disappointment is leaving.

WHAT TO SEE IN HAWAII

• Pearl Harbor: resting on the western shoreline of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor is the site of the US Pacific Fleet infamous for the Japanese attack in 1941, which sparked the US’s involvement in WWII. The most haunting landmarks include the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
• Bishop Museum: this is by far the largest and arguably the most important museum within Hawaii. The Bishop Museum is primarily centered on Hawaii’s history, with dozens of artifacts demonstrative of their original colonial and indigenous heritage. Visitors will need a few hours to explore the entire complex as each year more and more science exhibits and collections make their way into the museum. A planetarium and a volcanology display are among the more renowned sections of the museum.
• Honolulu Zoo: Honolulu Zoo is among the oldest and best landmarks on Oahu. Located within Queen Kapi’olani Park, just a short drive from the ever-popular Waikiki Beach, more than 1,200 species of animals are found inside, which entertain more than 600,000 visitors each year. Over the years, the zoo has seen the introduction of camels, elephants, chimpanzees, and deer. Recently, it was renovated and further improved its wildlife collection.
• Waikiki Aquarium: built in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is one of the US’s oldest public aquariums. Constructed close to the reefs of Waikiki, it is home to an amazing range of marine wildlife with close to 3,100 animals and fish. Plenty of sea creatures are local fauna, including the Hawaiian monk seal and several species of reef sharks. One of the most adored attractions on the archipelago, the aquarium has been entertaining thousands of locals and visitors alike annually and is the perfect spot to take the whole family.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is found on the Big Island. Open 24 hours and famous for its fiery volcanic craters, there are plenty of other landmarks inside the area to look out for. The Thurston Lava Tube, the Kilauea Visitors Center, the Volcano Art Gallery, the Crater Rim Drive, and the Jagger Museum are just some of the highlights and attractions worth visiting. Visitors can see live flowing lava in the Kilauea zone, which is still very active.
• NuPali Lookout: officially known as Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, this fantastic scenic point is only six miles from the heart of Waikiki and is accessible via State Route 61 or Pali Highway. The views from the top are astonishing even though there are two soaring peaks located on either side of the site. Be wary of the strong winds that usually crash through Nu Pali Lookout for Oahu’s windward landscape is a blanket of green hills, volcanic plugs, mountains, and pockets of development.
• Waikiki Beach: the most visited site in Hawaii and the center of the state’s commercial and tourist zone, despite the crowds and bustling pace, Waikiki Beach is still remarkably beautiful. Even though swimming is a popular activity, sunbathing, catamaran sailing, and outrigger canoeing are also hot on the agenda. Surfing the inner waves at Waikiki is recommended, with larger tides found further away from the shore. The surf schools here make for excellent learning centers and promise to have travelers up and away in no time.
• Diamond Head: located close to the swarming Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head is a tremendously beautiful landmark. This ancient volcanic crater is a must-see destination providing excellent views of Honolulu and the green landscapes of Oahu. There is a trail leading up to the summit, in addition to an old WWII bunker. Even though the peak is several hundred meters high, Diamond Head is an easy climb and the spectacular views are worth it.

WHEN TO GO TO HAWAII

The best period to visit Hawaii is from xxx to xxxx.

Hawaii is unlike any other state in the US when it comes to weather. The islands of Hawaii do not necessarily experience a four-season calendar, but instead have two distinct seasons; dry and wet. The dry season occurs between the months of April and September, and usually brings warm weather and little rainfall. Average temperatures in this season hover around 80°F, but rarely reach above 90°F. High humidity is characteristic of Hawaii’s dry season.

The wet season runs between October and March, but climate doesn’t differ much from that of the dry season. The mercury hits an average of 77°F during the wettest months. Hawaii’s hurricane season occurs between June and November, but due to the remoteness, the islands don’t get hit often. Rainfall is more constant during the wet season and like the air temperature, Hawaii’s ocean temperature only changes a little throughout the year.

Rainfall in Hawaii is influenced greatly by location. The windward sides of the islands (north and east) tend to experience higher rainfall than the leeward sides. This is mostly a result of the orographic effect.

WHAT TO DO IN HAWAII

Drive the Road to Hana

The 64-mile Road to Hana meanders along the northern and eastern shores of Maui, running through dozens of tropical waterfalls, a roadside market, and a moon-like desert. You can walk through a lava tube, stop at the beach in Koki or Hamoa Beach and jump in the water at Haleakaā National Park. Though the drive isn’t long, plan a whole day to do it, as this adventure is truly about the journey, not the destination.

Following is a list of typical festivals and celebrations of Hawaii.

• Merrie Monarch Festival: Hula is an art form in Hawaii. To celebrate its importance, the Merrie Monarch Festival is held each year in April. Visitors from all over the world come to showcase their dance skills in various competitions. The Ho’olaulea Music Festival and Merrie Monarch Royal Parade are two other events during this time.
• Aloha Festivals: throughout the months of August, September, and October, the Hawaiian Islands play host to the Aloha Festivals. Held each year since 1947, this long and fruitful event incorporates a range of important cultural activities including musical performances, dancing, costume displays, art exhibitions, and local cuisine. Almost one million people attend annually, which is celebrated across the state.
• Molokai Hoe Canoe Race: the Molokai Hoe race is among Hawaii’s longest traditional events and attracts more than 100 teams to compete in an open-sea canoe race that spans the water between Molokai and Waikiki. Every October, canoes cross the Kaiwi Channel with teams facing challenging natural obstacles along the way.
• Coconut Festival: celebrate the importance of coconuts with locals at the Coconut Festival every October. Held at Kapaa Beach Park, this surprisingly popular and interesting event includes games, handicrafts, food, and contests. There is even a marketplace that sells coconuts in all their glorious forms.
• Hawaiian Ironman World Championship: in October, sports lovers and fitness fanatics from across the globe flock to the Hawaii Ironman World Championship. Known as the most grueling event in the world, the ironman course is one of the only places on Earth that allows amateur and average athletes to compete with the best in the business. The race attracts thousands of spectators in addition to 1,800 athletes.
• Vans Triple Crown of Surfing: held every November, the Vans Triple Crown is the pinnacle event on the world surfing tour’s calendar and brings only the best in the world. Other famous competitions like the Billabong Pipe Masters and Reef Hawaiian Pro are also held during this time on the famous North Shore of Oahu.
• Hawaii New Year: while the Hawaii holiday celebration of New Year’s Eve is held throughout the islands, the Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu is where many locals and tourists find themselves on New Year’s Eve. A spectacular fireworks display is held over the harbor, while performances, giveaways, and carnivals lead up to the midnight extravaganza.

HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH HAWAII

Taxis are ubiquitous in the largest city of Hawaii, Honolulu. They tend to offer friendly and safe service, although the costs can be expensive.

Car rental is available from most of the airports around Hawaii, especially those in Honolulu and Kahului. Hawaii law recognizes licenses from the other states of the mainland US so US citizens will not need to exchange their state licenses here. Navigation of Hawaii’s main cities and winding roads can be tricky, and traffic in places like Waikiki and Honolulu downtown is a constant problem. During the rainy season, drive with caution along rural routes.

Car rental is available from most of the airports around Hawaii, especially those in Honolulu and Kahului. Hawaii law recognizes licenses from the other states of the mainland US so US citizens will not need to exchange their state licenses here. Navigation of Hawaii’s main cities and winding roads can be tricky, and traffic in places like Waikiki and Honolulu downtown is a constant problem. During the rainy season, drive with caution along rural routes.

Hawaii doesn’t have a commuter rail network on any of its islands, which makes locals and visitors heavily reliant upon bus transportation and road travel. Inner-city buses are mainly found on the island of Oahu, with other islands lacking in public transportation. The main bus network operating in Honolulu’s and Oahu’s rural regions is aptly named TheBus. Tickets for even the longest route are much cheaper than any other option in Hawaii and the Circle Island route takes passengers around the entire island of Oahu.

Some of the islands including Oahu have chartered bus services for tourists. This makes it possible to rent a bus and driver for the duration of your trip. This is a great option for visitors who want to comfortably explore the islands in a group.

The main airport is Honolulu International Airport

GENERAL INFORMATION ON HAWAII

health tips & vaccination: none

local currency: US Dollar

local time zone: GMT-10

electricity: [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/A_plug.png”]type A[/su_lightbox] and [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/B_plug.png”]type B[/su_lightbox] (120V – 60 Hz)

WHAT TO DO IN HAWAII

Typical food in Hawaii

• moi (mullet)
• ulua
• opakapaka (pink snapper)
• lobster
• yellowfin tuna
• mahi-mahi
• macadamia nuts
• banana and coconut pancakes with coconut syrup.

Souvenirs from Hawaii

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Source

https://www.worldtravelguide.ne
http://www.roughguides.com/
https://www.iexplore.com/