Hawaii

United States of America > Hawaii

Overview

Any 'Best Of' travel guide inevitably includes the Hawaiian Islands as the best place for sun, sand and natural attractions.

Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the United States, each unique in its dimensions, shapes and hues. These sandy stretches are fronted by crystal waters teeming with tropical fish darting through forests of coral. Some of the world's best surfing and watersport opportunities are offered here and, for those intent on premium sightseeing, it is hard to beat the thrill of watching lava flow from the world's longest erupting volcano.

Visitors who relish exploring different cultures and ancient civilisations will find the best of Polynesian relics in which to indulge their passions, as they soak up some of the (spiritual power) with which the islands were imbued by the legendary gods and goddesses.

The state of Hawaii includes approximately 130 islands in the Pacific Ocean, many of which are uninhabited. The islands lie about 1,600 miles (2,600km) off the coast of mainland USA. The largest island, Hawaii, is known unimaginatively as the Big Island, but the state capital, Honolulu, and most of the population is located on the smaller island of Oahu, which is also the main tourist destination. The other main islands are Maui, Molokai and Kauai. Between them the islands boast an amazingly diverse geography that provides endless recreation opportunities, from snowboarding on mountain summits to hiking through rainforests. It's no wonder that Hawaii is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States. The possibilities offered by a Hawaiian holiday are limited only by the boundaries of the imagination.

Hawaii Travel Guide

Hawaii truly is a dream destination, capturing the imagination of all its visitors. With its breathtaking natural beauty and rich history, the six islands of Hawaii keep travellers constantly intrigued. With so much to see and do in this magical coastal getaway, Hawaii will ensure a memorable adventure.

A large part of Hawaii's appeal springs from its unique culture, and it is certainly an American state like no other. With elaborate resorts, pristine beaches and wonderful golf facilities enticing glamorous travellers, and quaint local towns and historical sites to occupy the culturally inclined, it really is a space offering the best of relaxation, history and culture. Unlike many tropical resort retreats it has a distinct character beyond the beauty, which gives it a profound sense of place.

For many, visiting Hawaii is all about the island beach experience and, if this is what travellers are after, then the beaches of Oahu are probably the place to start. Synonymous with surf, sand and sun, Oahu is a place any tourist should explore. Home to almost three-quarters of the state's residents as well as the state capital Honolulu, Oahu promises many attractions. The cosmopolitan city of Honolulu is a bustling, fun destination with many lively restaurants to choose from, exciting nightlife and an interesting art community.

The other popular regions are Maui, Molokai and Kauai. The islands all boast incredible geography offering visitors many diverse recreational activities to choose from, including swimming, snowboarding, hiking the rainforests and also history and learning at the many historical sites and museums.

Best time to visit Hawaii

Hawaii's climate tends to be fairly consistent with little temperature variation, making it a destination that can, for the most part, be enjoyed any time of year. There are two seasons, neither of which is particularly extreme. Summer (May to October) has comfortable warm temperatures and winter (November to April) has temperatures that are never below a cool 65F (18C). Leeward, the western and southern sides of all the islands are usually warmer and less humid while the windward, or northern and eastern sides of the islands are cooler and wetter, but generally any time of year is a good time to venture to any one of Hawaii's islands.

What to see in Hawaii

-See more than 3,500 plants and animals at one of the US' oldest aquariums, the Waikiki Aquarium.

-Admire the beauty of Hilo, which has been dubbed 'Hawaii's forgotten city.'

-Witness first-hand oral testimonies of tsunami survivors at the Pacific Tsunami Museum.

What to do in Hawaii

-Pick up a board and give surfing at Oahu's North Shore a go!

-Gain holistic insight into the culture of the different Polynesian communities at the Polynesian Cultural Centre.

-Experience a colourful and eclectic blend of Southeast Asian cultures at Honolulu's Chinatown.

-Peer down into the crater of the world's largest dormant volcano at the Haleakala National Park.

Getting to Hawaii

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu is Hawaii's major airport which acts as the main point of entry for the majority of Hawaii's visitors. There are direct flights from the US mainland to Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island but travellers may need to connect through Oahu to get to neighbouring islands including Lanai and Molokai. A flight from London takes anywhere from 34 to 43 hours depending on layover times.

Read

Hawaii by James Michener, Leaves From A Glass House by Don Blanding, and Lord of the Deep by Graham Salisbury.

Watch

Hawaii (1966), The Descendants (2011), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Princess Kaiulani (2009).

Drink

Lava Lava cocktail, a Hawaiian Margarita and a Haupia are all sought after drinks when in Hawaii.

Eat

Kalua pork, chicken long rice, squid luau, poi, laulau, and lomi lomi salmon are all authentic Hawaiian dishes.

What to buy

World renowned Kona Coffee, a Hawaiian lei and shirt and a piece of Hawaiian heirloom jewellery inspired by Hawaii's tropical flora.

What to pack

Plenty of sunscreen, a swimming costume and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

What's on in Hawaii?

Canoe racing is embedded in the culture of Hawaii and visitors will find it at the Moloka'i Hoe Canoe Race held in October. Also not to be missed are the Aloha Festivals, celebrated on six islands in Hawaii in September.

Did you know?

-Hawaii is the only US state with a tropical rainforest.

-From east to west, Hawaii is the second widest state in the United States (behind Alaska) measuring 1,523 miles (2,451km)

-The word Hawaii is from the Proto-Polynesian hawaiki meaning 'place of the gods' or 'homeland'.

A final word

From the beautiful sandy beaches of the incredible Hawaiian islands to the awe-inspiring volcanoes and rainforests, Hawaii will certainly leave no visitor disappointed. It truly is a captivating tropical getaway.

Attractions

Hawaii is not only rich in natural beauty but is also steeped in spectacular history, making it a superb destination to explore.

Most visitors tend to be drawn to the beaches on their arrival and Hawaii will certainly not disappoint. Waikiki is a beautiful stretch of the oceanfront and is considered to be Hawaii's most popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a vibrant experience with loads of exciting nightlife and entertainment too. The shoreline of Oahu is certainly a main attraction in its own right, drawing not only beach-goers but surfers to the north shores for some sun, sand and surf. With many resorts on any one of the spectacular islands to choose from and the lively nightlife and good cuisine found in most regions, relaxation is not hard to find on the Big Island.

Other renowned attractions of Hawaii include the Diamond Head Crater; Hilo, which has been dubbed 'Hawaii's forgotten city'; the award-winning Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu; The Polynesian Cultural Centre; the USS Arizona Memorial; and The Haleakala National Park. With so much to choose from and an array of tastes catered to, Hawaii will leave any visitor more than satisfied and with the plan of a possible return visit in the works!

Climate

The climate of Hawaii is more subtropical than tropical, due to the fact that the sea surrounding the islands has a moderating effect. Weather conditions tend to be fairly consistent, with little temperature variation. There are two seasons, neither of which is particularly extreme. Summer (May to October) has pleasant temperatures and humidity is low, with the average highs of 82ºF (28ºC). Winter (November to April) has temperatures that rarely fall below 65ºF (18ºC). The climate of each Hawaiian island can differ according to whether they fall on the windward side or not, as those areas on the windward side experience more rain and cloud cover caused by prevailing north easterly trade winds. So, Hawaiian resorts tend to cluster on the leeward sides so that tourists can enjoy the benefits of more sunshine.

Honolulu International Airport

The airport is located on Oahu Island about six miles (10km) west of downtown Honolulu and nine miles (15km) west of Waikiki Beach.

Airport information desk: +1 808 836 6413.
www.hawaii.gov/hnl

Facilities

The airport is well supplied with restaurants, bars and shops, including duty free. There are ATMs and bureaux de change throughout the airport terminals, a massage centre, a hairdresser and a nearby hotel, which offers shower facilities and rooms charged by the hour. The business centre in the main lobby offers fax, internet and photocopy services. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special requirements should contact their airline in advance.

Car Parking

The airport is well supplied with restaurants, bars and shops, including duty free. There are ATMs and bureaux de change throughout the airport terminals, a massage centre, a hairdresser and a nearby hotel, which offers shower facilities and rooms charged by the hour. The business centre in the main lobby offers fax, internet and photocopy services. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special requirements should contact their airline in advance.

Car Rental

Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National. Some other car rental companies are located off-site and provide buses to ferry passengers to their offices; it's worth checking the rental companies' location before booking.

Taxis

Taxis are available, with the ride to Waikiki taking around 20 minutes. Fares may be slightly more if it's rush hour or peak travel time.

Transfer terminals

The three terminals are connected by shuttle buses and outdoor walkways.

Transfer City

There are several city bus services that follow different routes and schedules connecting to central Waikiki. Many hotels offer pick-up services and the The Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle offers affordable, on-demand, island-wide transfer services from honolulu international airport.

Kahului Airport

The airport is located three miles (5km) northeast of Kahului Town in Maui.

Tel: +1 808 872 3830.
www.hawaii.gov/ogg

Facilities

Kahului Airport features shops, restaurants, customer service, an information desk and ATMs.

Car Parking

Kahului Airport features shops, restaurants, customer service, an information desk and ATMs.

Car Rental

Car rental agencies include Thrifty, Avis, Hertz, National, Enterprise, Dollar, Budget and Alamo.

Taxis

Airport taxis are located fronting the baggage claim area and are metered.

Transfer City

Maui County operates a public transit system from the airport which operates daily. The Maui Bus stops at marked locations fronting the terminal; Route 40 (Upcountry Islander) operates every 90 minutes between 6am and 10.11pm, while Route 35 (Haiku Islander) operates every 90 minutes between 5.30am and 9.40pm.