| Why
Travel to Hawaii
A tropically warm and usually sunny paradise of spectacular
beaches, mountains, rainforests and waterfalls.
Watersports are excellent, especially surfing, but hiking and horse
riding are also popular, and there are no deadly land animals.
Humpback whales seem to like the islands too, especially round Maui.
Culturally it's an East meets West scenario, so cuisine can be superb,
though America dominates and Big Macs still get everywhere.
Climate:
Best/Worst: it's wettest and busiest
Nov-March, but the rain usually comes only in short bursts, so it's
basically good all year round.
Downsides:
- It's 2,500 miles from anywhere, so be ready for a long flight.
- Local beach boys can be brutal about what they consider to be
their 'spot' on the beach or their 'line' in the surf. Stay away
from them.
- You may have trouble escaping from other travellers, particularly
invading hordes of Japanese busy shooting each other, digitally.
Main Attractions:
Hawai'i
- aka Big Island - is the name of the largest of the 6 main Hawaii
islands. The other biggies are Oahu [incl. Honolulu, the capital],
Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, though the last two get few visitors.
Oahu***
With
the state capital Honolulu and the touristy Wakiki it's the most
populated of the islands, but it it also has the best surf beaches
in the world, an infamous, historic harbour, and plenty of inland
greenery. Pictures
Honolulu
[Sheltered Harbour] **
with an international airport, you'll probably start here.
Architectural interest can be found downtown at Iolani
Palace, which is the only royal palace in US territory, and
has the Kawaiahao Church made out of coral slabs.
Waikiki Beach
is OK for watersports but over-populated by tourists.
Pearl
Harbour**
a place of remembrance for the Americans who died here in the 1941
attack by the Japanese. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, or step
onboard the USS Missouri at Bowfin Park, and visit the Pacific Submarine
Museum. Pictures
Diamond Head Volcano Crater** the observation point here gives excellent views over Honolulu [Picture
above left] and the south east part of the island, reached
by a moderate hiking trail.
North
Shore for surfing*** the most famous surfing beaches
in the world are to be found here; Waimea is number one winter surf
playground, breaks being pushed up to 30ft plus by a steep coral
shelf which has killed more than its fair share of surfers; summer
waters may be calm; Ekuhai Beach Park has the wicked Banzai Pipeline
tube; Sunset Beach Park is the other top area of great breaks.
Hanauma
Bay for snorkelling*** a calm, clear, pretty bay packed
with coral and fish.
Driving*** rent a car and drive around
the island, stopping off at the many viewpoints en route.
Maui**
Popular with tourists because it's quiet,
scenic and the best island to see whales from. Also excellent hiking
and windsurfing. Pictures
Hookipa
Beach for windsurfing*** a brilliant windsurfing spot, but not for the ineperienced, with
coral and currents aplenty.
Coastal towns and beaches** there are
several towns along the touristy west coast which offer good swimming
and whale watching.
Hana** a scenic but rocky part of
the island with fewer tourists than the west.
Haleakala National Park for volcano walks** the crater here is well defined and huge, and the hikes around it
excellent.
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area for
walks**
Driving*** rent a car and drive around the stunning coast road, the Hana Highway.
Kauai**
For
excellent rainforest hiking and beaches.
Na
Pali for hiking*** one of the best hikes on the islands is the Kalalau Trail along
magnificent green cliffs.
Pihea Trail** hard work in an out of volcanic craters and through a highland swamp
before reaching the staggering views at Kilohana Overlook.
Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon for hiking** - a
magnificent river canyon that makes great hiking territory.
Lumahai Beach*** a superb, wild beach
that featured in the 'South Pacific' movie.
Kee Beach*** a classic, azure lagoon
washing onto cream sand and backed by molten green mountains. Superb.
Hawai'i
[Big Island]***
A
natural wonder with active volcanoes, jungles and deserts and even
snow, the 'Big Island' offers the best hiking opportunities. There're
even the remnants of an ancient Hawaiin culture here. Pictures
Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park for hiking*** the south of the island
holds [or tries to] two active volcanoes, with hot headed Kilauea
Caldera constantly threatening to wreck the peace, while Mauna Loa
is of somewhat cooler. A gorgeous and wildly varied terrain. Pictures
Hamakua** the
most attractive part of the island is in the Waipio Valley - tropical
heaven.
Kona for deep-sea fishing** the western side is the island's main resort area with good beaches,
snorkelling and terrific deep-sea fishing.
Kailua is the main town with a church built from lava and the old
19th C Hulihee Palace is now a museum.
The town is home to the Ironman competition.
Kohala* the Kohala Mountains on the northern peninsula, offer scenic hiking
interest but also a temple, the Mookini Heiau plus the Lapakahi
State Historical Park, an old fishing village.
Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park contains temples and toys from Hawai'i's distant and royal past.
Molokai*
To get away from tourist traps try this, with beaches less populated
and hikes more wild.
Head for Kamakou Preserve for highland rainforest, or visit the Halawa
Valley or Pallaau State Park for good views.
The Kalaupapa Peninsula* is the most
spectacular walking area but not easily accessible.
Lanai*
Transport
is difficult, while accommodation is exclusive and therefore expensive.
Hulopoe Beach** is a splendid swim/snorkel
zone.
Take a daytrip by boat [1 hour] if you have time but not money.
Niihau
This is the least developed of Hawaii's main islands and the best
preserved, mainly because tourism has always been discouraged. Almost
impossible to reach.
Activities:
Surfing: the
best place in the world to surf for variety and consistency, monster
to tube, with year round rideable waves in warm to mild conditions.
Oahu's Waimea Bay has the biggest waves you can just about keep
up with. 20' - 30' plus, but wipe out and the reef could tear you
apart. Surf here during winter, and you've got big kahunas for sure.
Also in Oahu smooth breaking tubes are found at Banzai Pipeline
and regular excellent surf at Sunset Beach. See Hawaii Beaches
Windsurfing: no shortage of
wind and waves just about everywhere, but Maui's Hookipa is for
the pro's, while Oahu's Lanikai, Kauai's Hanalei Bay Beach, Big
Island's Anaehoomalu Beach and other beaches in Maui are usually
great for amateurs.
Snorkelling: summer is best to avoid
the surf conditions on many beaches. Hanauma Bay in Oahu and the
Kona coastline of Big Island are very good. See Hawaii Beaches
Deep Sea Fishing: many good
sites but Big Island's Kona resort area is world famous.
Scuba: all sorts of weird subsurface
formations, coral and sunken ships. Try especially Kauai's north
coast, around Oahu and Lanai.
Hiking: humid
forests, Na Pali and Waimea Canyon, Kaui; Waipo Valley, Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park and Kohala Mountains, Hawaii; Haleakala National Park,
Maui. Pictures
Whale
Watching: songful
Humpback whales, around Maui in particular.
Safety:
Surf Turf:serious
surfers play here, respect their safety and yours by avoiding their
patch of water and particularly their 'line'. Pictures
Drowning: people drown here
regularly. Better to surf another day or on a quieter beach than
get in too deep and take on waves you can't handle.
Learn to recognise the surface signs of rip currents; ask locals
about undertow and where coral reefs are waiting to cut you up.
Festivals:
April,
Merrie Monarch Festival [hula
competition]
October,
Iron Man Triathlon, Cilia, Big Island
September, Aloha Week, parades, races,
music etc.
December, Triple Crown Surfing, North Shore, Oahu
Oahu island map, Hawaii, USA
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