Picture yourself in a sunshine paradise. Picture yourself surrounded by turquoise waters. Picture yourself relaxed on a beach or hiking a mountain. Picture yourself- in Hawaii!!

Visit the most diverse climate in the world! From warm beaches to snow-covered mountains; from lava deserts, to lush rainforests, it’s all here in Hawaii! With so much to see and do, it’s like taking a vacation around the world!

The best part is, you can visit anytime of the year and still enjoy an average annual temperature of 75 degrees with temperatures only slightly varying between summer and winter. Its tropical latitude gives Hawaii almost the same hours of daylight every day of the year!

Believe it or not, but Hawaii is made up of a chain of 137 islands, islets, and shoals. Only seven of these islands are inhabited year round and four are the main attractions- The Big Island of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.

The largest island, referred to as The Big Island or the “Orchid Isle”, is also the youngest and still growing. Four volcanoes formed the island, of which two are still active. Kilauea Caldera has been erupting lava since 1983 making it the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world. Mona Loa last erupted in 1984, sending lava within a few miles of the town of Hilo. Make sure you take the tours of Chain of Craters Drive and Thurston Lava Tube. These are must-sees in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Another “gotta do” is to take a drive on Highway 11 which winds through the Ka’u Desert between Volcanoes National Park and the town of Na’alehu. And don’t forget about Lava Tree State Park where a few hundred years ago, swift moving lava encased an area of O'hia trees leaving behind vertical, hollow, lava tubes where each tree stood.

On the other end of The Big Island, is the Hamakua Coast- a lush and tropical area of beautiful waterfalls and botanical gardens. Visit Honomu Village with its main street of shops, and the town of Hilo, considered to be the “wettest city in the USA”. And don’t forget about the tallest mountain on the planet - Mauna Kea that towers from the seafloor to 33,476 feet.

The world famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific are all top spots to visit on Oahu. Honolulu, the state capital of Hawaii and largest city, is the center of business, government, and industry. Honolulu Harbor is the lifeline through which most of Hawaii’s food and manufactured goods are imported. Honolulu is also the home of many cultural attractions such as The Honolulu Academy of Arts and The Contemporary Museum along with many other small galleries showcasing local artistic talent. Enjoy a luau- a great way to get a taste of Polynesian culture. Also, see historic Chinatown and the Honolulu Symphony.

There are historical sites all over Oahu, including the remains of Pu’uomahuka he’iau- an ancient place of worship- not far from Waimea Bay on the North Shore. The 1400 acre Moli’i fish pond- a marvel of ancient engineering featuring a 4,000 foot stone enclosure built without the use of mortar- is a just a quick ride from downtown.

A little known town and beach to visit is Kailua Beach. This small town is off the beaten path but offers some of the best fishing, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and kite surfing to be found. Prevailing trade winds that blow toward shore make Kailua Beach a safe spot to learn windsurfing and kite surfing. For divers, snorkelers, and kayakers, Kailua Beach offers clear calm waters, several reefs, and three islands just offshore where a multitude of wildlife and gorgeous scenery can be enjoyed. Don’t worry; there are plenty of equipment sales/rental vendors to supply your needs.

Maui is the only Polynesian island to be named after a god. In legend, Maui had a special place in his heart for mortals- giving fire to humans and fishing the islands of the Pacific out of their watery depths.

Six different volcanoes once formed a landmass known as Maui Nui or “Great Maui”. Over time, rising sea levels separated it into four different islands- Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe. This varied landscape had created an equally varied society. West Maui is a major resort area with its sprawling beaches, upscale hotels, and the historic whaling town of Lahaina. Central Maui is home to the town of Kahulai/Wailuku – the islands business center. South Maui is another resort area, and the north shore has no hotels but does have a collection of fine bed and breakfasts.

Kauai is Hawaii’s Garden Island. Renowned for its captivating beauty and emerald mountains, Kauai is considered to be the most pristine and untouched of the major Hawaiian Islands. Mount Wai’ale’ale averages 485 inches of rain per year, designating Kauai the “wettest spot on earth”. Many feel this is where the old Hawaii still lives. It is believed that the Olokele Volcano began erupting over 10 million years ago and rose 10,000 feet above sea level. Over time, the mountain eroded to form two peaks and the Alaka’i Swamp in the crater. Alaka’i Swamp is the largest high-elevation swamp in the world. Don’t miss the 3000 foot-deep Waimea Canyon- also known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” which was formed by the Waimea River, the longest river in the islands. As the oldest of the islands, the forces of nature have had their way, giving Kauai the island with the most sand beaches in all the chain.

There is so much to see and do in Hawaii. Come see what makes it one of the most popular destinations in the world. Let us at My Hawaiian Holiday make all your travel arrangements with our personalized service. My Hawaiian Holiday has a wide selection of Hawaii vacation rentals for all budgets.

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