The state of Hawaii consists of a chain of islands located in the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is made up of hundreds of small volcanic islands; some of the most familiar are Kauai, Ohau, Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii Island, the largest in the state. Hawaii is renowned worldwide as a tropical paradise with picturesque beaches offering relaxing vacations and excellent surfing, swimming, and boating. The state is also known for its unique Polynesian culture, and traditional luau and hula celebrations are a common sight throughout the island. Other famous attractions in Hawaii include Waikiki Beach, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Kapaa is town of about ten thousand on the island of Kauai. The landmark Nounou Mountain, also known as the Sleeping Giant, overlooks the town. Kapaa is a quaint beachside resort town which caters to tourists, and is full of hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Lihue is a seaport village on Kauai Island. Lihue has a rich history due to its location in the ancient district of Puna. Learn about the history of the area at the local Kauai Museum. The historic Kilohana sugar plantation offers tours by railroad or horse drawn carriage. Fantastic beaches, excellent golf courses, and scenic countryside are the landscape of Lihue.
Koloa is a tiny town of only two thousand on the island of Kauai. Beachfront hotels and resorts are the main attraction in Koloa. The town is also known for the Old Sugar Mill plantation, the first of its kind in Hawaii, which has been around since 1835.
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii, as well as its largest urban area, consisting of over nine hundred thousand throughout the city and county of Honolulu. Honolulu lies on the shores of the island Oahu, with the name Honolulu coming from the Hawaiian word for "place of shelter". Hawaii is a popular location for tourists from around the world, drawing millions of visitors each year. Waikiki is its most popular tourist district, famous worldwide for its beautiful beaches with pristine sunsets and views of the Pacific Ocean and the Diamond Head volcano. Other than the beaches, tourist must- sees include the the Aloha Tower landmark, Bishop Museum, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki Aquarium, and USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Honolulu consists of many other neighborhoods such as the Downtown commercial district, an Arts District, the Capitol District, Chinatown Historic District, and the neighborhood of Manoa which is home to the University of Hawaii. Honolulu International Airport is considered the gateway to the Hawaiian Islands.
Lahaina , the largest town is West Maui, has been called "The Jewel of Maui" and draws over two million tourists each year. Sailing is a popular Lahaina pastime because of its location on the Auau Channel, as is golfing on PGA-rated golf courses such as the Plantation Course. The Sugar Cane Train is a neat way to travel from Lahaina to Puukolii.
Kahukui is a community of twenty thousand on the island of Maui. Its airport, Kahalui Airport, is the main travel facility for Maui. Kahalui features miles of Maui beaches that are less crowded than those in the Honolulu area. Other attractions include the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Kanaha Beach County Park, and Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wailea is a resort area located in Maui County. It is known for the large Wailea Resort located on the southern shore of Maui Island, and there are many other resorts throughout the area. These resorts feature luxurious amenities including upscale shopping and dining, golf courses and tennis courts, and private beaches.
Kihei is located on the south side of Maui Island. Along with its beaches, Kihei is known for scenic hiking areas such as the Maunawili Trail and the Volcanoes National Park. Explore marine life at the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary or by snorkeling along the shore. Shopping at Azeka Place is another popular pastime.
Hilo overlooks beautiful Hilo Bay and the Mauna Kea Mountains on the island of Hawaii. With a population of forty thousand, Hilo is the second-largest city in the state. The lifestyle in Hilo is based around tourism, with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and movie theatres. Cultural attractions in Hilo include the East Hawaii Cultural Center, Hilo Art Museum, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Other fun tourist sites such as the scenic thirty-acre Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, and Wailoa State Park are located throughout the city of Hilo. Beaches, golfing, and scuba diving are other popular pastimes.
Kailua Kona is a city of ten thousand on Hawaii Island. From what was once just a small fishing village, Kailua Kona has undergone major recent expansion into a major center for commerce and tourism on the Big Island. Kailua Kona is also famous as the site of the annual Ironman Triathlon World Athletic Championship. Spectacular beaches such as Magic Sands Beach, Kamakahonu Beach, and Kahaluu Beach are the main attraction in Kailua Kona. Also take part in tours of historic Kailua Village or fishing from the Kailua Pier.
Hawaii offers a rare vacation opportunity that cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Hawaii is a unique blend of traditional Hawaiian customs and culture along with a laid-back lifestyle in an island paradise. Hawaii caters to tourists from around the world, who can find their perfect vacation whether their preference is a quaint seaside village or a large resort town.