Hawaiian Islands Vacations
Honolulu
The Hawaiian capital of Honolulu is the cultural center of the island of Oahu - the most populous and popular of the Hawaiian Islands, dubbed "The Gathering Place." So what is it that draws so many people to these sunny tropical shores? Great resorts and all the attractions of a major city are found in this thoroughly modern, exotic, and familiar place, yet over 90% of the land is still unpopulated! This means an unmatched diversity of experiences from luaus under the stars and natural adventures, to historical sightseeing, and the best shopping in the Pacific.
Scuba dive the lion's share of Hawaii's wrecks, visit Iolani Palace - the only royal palace on US soil - see infamous Pearl Harbor, boisterous Chinatown, the world-famous ocean playground of Waikiki, and hike the Diamond Head crater. Beyond the city, the Koolau Mountains harbor lush forests and waterfalls before sloping downto meet the pristine beaches on Oahu's windward coast. And, of course, surfers know that Oahu has some of the world's best spots to hang ten, including Sunset Beach and the north shore Pipeline. Join the gathering in Honolulu and get the Aloha Spirit!
Kauai
Kauai - Hawaii's oldest and westernmost island - is the embodiment of paradise. From breathtaking golden beaches and magnificent cliffs, to constant rainbows and thriving rainforests, this "Garden Isle" is unadulterated bliss. The island's pervasive beauty has been celebrated by everyone from Mark Twain, who dubbed Waimea Canyon "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," to the filmmakers who have set their movies against the scalloped cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali Coast for South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, and Jurassic Park, among many, many others.
A drive across the island only takes 2 hours, so you can see everyone with ease from behind the wheel, or leave the car behind and take a boat trip down the Wailua, Hawaii's only navigable river, to the natural amphitheater at Fern Grotto. The endless famous beaches and fabulous resorts combine golfing, horseback riding, fishing, and hiking galore to make a trip to Kauai the vacation of a lifetime!
Lanai
Peaceful, tropical, lavish - this is Hawaii's "Private Island," the place that the richest man in the world, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, chose for his wedding, and the ideal place for a bit of tranquility. Born from Palawai's volcanic explosion, this is the sixth largest of Hawaii's eight islands, and it remains as a small, untarnished agricultural community with nary a traffic light to disturb your carefree wanderings. Lanai epitomizes the American melting pot of ethnic diversity, including residents of Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, European, and Portuguese ancestry, as well as native Hawaiian families, to create a vivacious culture with a Polynesian flavor.
In the 1930s, Lanai was a pineapple plantation exclusively owned by the Dole Company. Since 1993, however, Lanai's economy has branched out to include other agriculture and ranching, and its main source of income is from tourists visiting 2 of the world's poshest resorts, where many of the island's 2,800 residents are employed. World-class golf courses, stunning white beaches, fascinating lava formations, archaeological mysteries, and the spectacular Pacific surf: this is Lanai!
Maui
Legend has it that the demi-god Maui climbed to the top of Haleakala Crater, where he lassoed the sun and held it captive until it promised to slow down its passage over the Hawaiian Islands. Today, trekking to Haleakala's summit is not an act of divine dominance over cosmic bodies, but a mere mortal's desire to witness its soul-stirring wonders - viewing a sunset or a sunrise from atop this dormant volcano is one of life's truly majestic experiences.
There are also, of course, many down-to-earth activities on this enchanting island, like visiting the historic areas of old Hawaii's kingdom, enjoying fine dining & shopping, snorkeling, whale-watching, and surfing. "The Valley Isle," with its fantastic lunar-landscaped volcano, a lush valley, marine life, rainbows that burst across the sky every day, and serene palm-fringed coves, is the most beautiful of the most remote chain of islands in the world. It's no wonder that people who can travel wherever they want continue to return here again and again. No one can resist Maui's spell...Maui no ka oi!
