The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of hundreds of islands, though the eight main ones are: Ni’ihau, Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Maui and the largest, Hawai’i, which as to not confuse it with the rest of the state, is traditionally known as Big Island.

A combination of natural resources and geological landmarks, are what make up the attractions of the Big Island. This land mass shelters within its length one of the most active volcanoes in the world (the great Kilauea volcano); the highest marine mountain on earth (Maunakea mountain, with more than 10 thousand meters of elevation – 32,800 feet approximately); as well as the widest mountain range in the world (the great Maunaloa).

Big Island garners a lot of attention because it possesses such a great diversity of climates. On the same island we can find snowy peaks, very hot beaches, and very rainy areas, which make for multiple and varied tourists activities to choose from and experience the island with. On this island you’d also be able to find beautiful and unique resorts, excellent golf courses, picturesque villages and historical landmarks like the place of birth of the famous Hawaiian king Kamehameha the First, or the first missionary church of all the archipelago in the ancient villa of Kailua.

Some other important and exciting attractions of the great island are the flowing spectacles of lava and magma at Hawaii’s Volcano National Park, or the rainforests by the coast of Hamakua and the black sands of the Punaluu beach. These destinations, along with the already mentioned snowy peaks of Maunakea, make Big Island a place not to be missed, and an especially relevant destination for ecotoursim and the appreciation of the abundant natural marvels that are on display.

Images: BigIsland.com, Igougo.

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Oahu belongs to the county of Honolulu. This is the most populated island in the entire archipelago of Hawaii. Geologically, it was formed from two volcanoes known as Waiʻanae and Koʻolau; and the valley that extends between these two. Oahu is a lovely combination between natural beauty, beautiful beaches, tourism for all tastes and a great respect and appreciation for the place’s originating culture.

The island has great importance since it is the first one from the entire archipelago to be discovered by James Cook in the 18th century while he was traversing the Pacific Ocean. In the times before western discovery, Oahu was the center of Hawaiian civilization since King Kamehameha III settled there from the island of Maui. .

As a tourist destination, Oahu has more than 5 million visitors annually since its territory claims a good portion of the hotels in Hawaii. (just Waikiki possesses 90% of the hotels in all the archipelago). In Oahu, you may also visit the city of Honolulu, which has a huge tourism be it cultural, recreational or relaxation, for example, the Bishop Museum (where one finds the most important collection of Polynesian cultural history), Lyon Arboretum (a nursery and botanical garden where the lovely flowers of Hawaii are conserved)

Other celebrated places on the island of Oahu are Pearl Harbor (where the tragic Japanese attack took place that initiated the United States’ participation in the Second World War), Waikiki (epicenter of Hawaiian tourism) and the islet of Diamond Head.

Images: Hawaii Wallpapers, Insurance Mavericks.

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The Hawaiian Islands are a natural paradise and, also, man-made in the fact that many recreational activities can be performed with the best results. However, the activities related to ocean and beach are, without a doubt, the ones that you will have the best chance to practice.

In Hawaii, they know this perfectly well and the tourist packages offer multiple options for all tastes, be you passionate about adventure or simply seeking relaxation while interacting with the sea.

The first option, because of its importance and fame, is surfing. Partially the national sport (if that term may be used) of the islands, surfing has been synonymous with Hawaii for decades.

The most ideal places to practice this sport are found on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Big Island, Molokai and Lanai. Surfing on the Hawaiian Islands is so extensive that talking about them can fill up an entire post.

Another enjoyable and interesting practice is kayaking. The epicenter of this activity is in Oahu, more specifically in Kailua. There exists in this place a reef where one can navigate peacefully and take advantage of the opportunity to observe the marine fauna with great detail. Another interesting kayaking option in Oahu is the tranquil brook of the Waimea River as it descends to the ocean.

Snorkeling is an excellent option if you enjoy appreciating sub-aquatic flora and fauna. The best places to practice this beautiful discipline is in Maui, where there is even a Marine Life Conservation District specifically in Molokini. Here you can appreciate a great variety of animal and vegetable species like tortoises, dolphins, sharks, tropical fish and coral reefs.

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The meaning of the name Waikiki in the local Hawaiian language means “Water Spurts”.  This particular name is due to the fact that during past times, before the tourism explosion in Hawaii, the Waikiki zone was separated from the rest of the island of Oahu by streams and brooks.  Currently Waikiki is one of the most popular places in all of Hawaii.

Located in Honolulu county, on the island of Oahu, Waikiki was the protagonist of the development of tourist activity.  This neighborhood possesses an infinity of hotels ( 90% of Hawaii’s hotel infrastructure), beaches and attractive commercial areas. The sporting activity that lives in the practice of surfing is present all year round taking advantage of the boons of the climate and the spectacular tides with waves up to 9 meters high.  The place is also an important center for nightlife, with many popular bars, discotheques and clubs.

In Waikiki, one can also find and visit the important  Kapi’olani Park, which is a public park (the first in Hawaii) which has among its many attractions and recreations a zoo, an aquarium, an amphitheatre, places to practice different sports and many cultural festivals.  Families tend to visit Kapi’olani Park in order to enjoy pleasant picnics and even attractive cinematic festivals on the beach.

Many activities, beaches, excellent surfing conditions, intense nightlife, excellent hotels and resorts and all of the boons that Hawaii offers to its visitors may be found in the beautiful neighborhood of Waikiki.  You will spend a wonderful time if your objective is to relax and rest, although the one negative factor may be the large concentration of tourists that you will find all year round.  However, the place’s beauty compensates everything and you will not feel any discomfort.

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The main city within the county is Wailuku. In terms of overall population density in this area, Maui has a population of over 140 thousand inhabitants- a number that is continuously growing.

For over 12 years now, readers of the specialized travel magazine, Conde Nast, have considered Maui to be the best island centered tourist destination. This is definitely owing to the amazing paradise-like beaches and the spectacular lush, green natural beauty that surrounds you; a great backdrop to the charming city centers and the friendly hospitality you’ll encounter.

A visit to Maui can’t be complete if you haven’t yet been to the piers at Lahaina- a historical town that today is actually a key spot for tourist activity.

Lahaina (which in the native language means “Relentless Sun”) is one of the places inscribed in the United States National Registry of Historical Sites. Here in this city it’s possible to visit some important sites like the already mentioned Front Street pier, the U.S. Seamen Hospital, the historical prison of Hale Paaho, the Pioneer Inn and all the other spots located on the Historical Trail of Lahaina.

Another important destination in Maui is the Haleakala National Park, a beautiful elevated stretch of volcanic terrain which presides over the main portion of the central area of the island.  It has spectacular views of the gorgeous and colorful Hawaiian sunrises and sunsets, as well as some excellent paths for hiking- these being the main attractions of the park.

In terms of the beaches, Maui offers great variety with white sandy beaches and the perfect turquoise colored waters that are ideal for practicing all kinds of water sports, especially surfing. The most well known beaches are: Waihe’e Beach Park, Waiehu Beach Park, Paukukalo Beach and Kahului Harbor.

Images: Bazetta Pupazzo.

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Kauai is the fourth island in size of the 8 main islands of the archipelago of Hawaii.  It is found to the northwest of Oahu and has an extension of 1.456 km².  By the great variety and showiness of its fauna, Kauai usually known as the “Garden Island”. Besides this, Kauai is the oldest formed island of all the chain of Hawaiian islands. The population of the island is reckoned in approximately 60 thousand inhabitants.

Geologically, the beautiful island has a great variety of landscapes. With the wealth of its fertile valleys, eventful mounts, steep ravines, tropical forests, ramified rivers and imposing waterfalls, the ecotourismo is an activity that can be taken advantage of.

The climate in Kauai is almost always warm and pleasant, with an average of 21 degrees celsius all year. Aside from that, the island enjoys 7 different microclimates due to the presence of important elevations as that of the mount Waialeale and very rainy zones.  The typical humidity of Hawaii usually disappears due to the presence of winds, which makes any season perfect to visit Kauai.

Among the outdoor activities that can be carried out in the island of Kauai, we can enjoy the practice of Kayaking in the Wailua river, snorkeling and appreciate the flora and underwater fauna in the beautiful beach of Poipu, trekking in the roads of the State Park Kokee and the exciting activity of ziplining (sliding through a cord on an abyss with beautiful landscapes) on the valleys.

If your objective is adventure, a moment of relaxation or a romantic trip, Kauai, the garden island is a destiny that you cannot pass up and all the immense offering of the hawaiian islands.

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In the mouth of the river, you will be able to explore an area full of HEIAUS, ruins of sacred places that are centuries old. The queens would give birth here as well, on what is still known as The Birth Stone, the rock where labor was induced and which continues to be visible and open to the public.

There are different ways in which you can explore this beautiful river. Renting a kayak and taking a tour, or doing it by yourself. Alternatively, you can take one of the boats that transports visitors and leaves every half an hour from Smith’s Family Restaurant. This option is pretty economical and could be an experience that you will remember from the Fantasy Island. There are hula dancers and musicians playing the most famous Hawaiian melodies. In addition, the views from on board are totally spectacular. The river is serene and perfect for water-skiing, and the climate of Wailua is, definitively, one of the best on the island.

If you take the boat, you will be able to visit the famous Fern Grotto. A cave of volcanic origin, covered with tropical ferns and springs that contribute to its unparalleled ambiance. Hundreds of couples get married in this place, since it is irresistably romantic.

If, however, you decide to go by kayak, which I prefer to do by myself, you can rent onf by day and take all the time you like. Along the route to the river there are supermarkets where you can buy something to have a picnic. Don’t forget to take water, protect yourself from the sun, and have fun!
Only for those who go by kayak, an optional route are the Secret Waterfalls. Once you take this route, you can go hiking until you find the waterfalls which are definitely a refreshing experience and absolutely welcomed after your trek. 

Also in the region of Wailua, when you finish your kayak or boating adventure, you will be able to visit another waterfall, Opaekaa, which can be seen from the river and where you can get to by car. These are the waterfalls seen at the beginning of the famous television series, Fantasy Island. In this area, you can visit an ancient Hawaiian villa that has been restored so that you can learn about the people who arrived from Polynesia and who have since then captivated the imagination of so many generations. It is worth it to follow the route until the end of this road, at which point you will reach what is known as the Arboretum. A bucolic countryside, where you will be able to relax, surrounded by trees, with a breeze from across the valley coming from Mount Waiaelele.

In the region of Wailua, you will also be able to climb the mountain known as the Sleeping Giant. The legend goes that in the time of the Menehunes (archtypal inhabitants of diminuitive stature to whom the ancient Hawaiians attribute the construction of some of the most extraordinary examples of aqueducts on the islands) a giant came to this region and devoured great amounts of food, a Luau, in such an exaggerated way that he fell asleep never to awaken.

Images: TourHotSpot

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