Pick and Price your Best Hawaiian Vacation
Posted on 29. Dec, 2008 by Theresa Ritchie in Travel Information
You’ve finally decided to go to Hawaii!
Excellent choice, but now what? Where to start – Honolulu or Kauai? (…um, where was it that your best friend honeymooned in Hawaii) The “main” island has the volcano, right?
Not to worry, here’s a quick run-down of all the islands worthy of your Hawaiian vacation. If you need help fine-tuning your travel plans and booking a multi-island itinerary – that what real, live travel professionals are for – just ask!
Maui
Home of Kaanapali, Lahaina, Wailea, Makena,and Hana
Maui offers an ideal mix of nature and sophistication. The island is named
after the demigod Maui, who drew the islands up from the ocean and harnessed the
sun from atop the 10,000 foot Haleakala, or House of the Sun. Her magical
beginning has given us miles of pristine beaches, pastoral villages near Hana,
and lush rainforests.
It’s 11,000 feet from the top of Haleakala crater down to Maui’s whale-filled
seas – and you can experience them both in the same day on this compact island.
Whether you’re drawn to shopping, nightlife, art galleries, beaches, golf, or
spas at world-class resorts, Maui will charm you.
Oahu
(Honolulu, Waikiki)
The center of the Hawaiian Islands, O’ahu proudly bears the phrase “the heart
of Hawai’i”. Her diverse island lifestyle is home to Honolulu, the state’s
capital, and the trendiest and most cosmopolitan city in Hawai’i. Waikiki, a
450-acre beach of vacation fun, with beach, surf, hotels, shopping, dining, and
entertainment. Beyond Waikiki, discover O’ahu’s vast natural richness, from the
pristine sanctuary of Hanauma Bay to the towering surf of the famous North
Shore, and the lush tropical rainforest deep within her two mountain ranges.
This island attracts the most visitors to Hawaii for a reason. From Diamond
Head crater to Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace to the Banzai Pipeline, Oahu offers
unique attractions plus fine restaurants, shopping, golf courses, and nightlife.
Hawaii
(Big Island, Kona, Kohala)
The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest island, still growing with spewing
molten lava from the earth’s depths to create new land. Hawaiian legend tells
the story of the goddess Pele and the demigod Kamapua’a battling over the
island. Eventually striking a deal, the two decided to split the island – one
with the drier Kona side and the other with the tropical Hilo side. Diverse is
the word most commonly used to describe Hawaii’s natural beauty.
There’s the Hamakua Coast, where vertical cliffs are adorned by abundant
waterfalls and dotted wit deep valleys. And no trip is complete without a visit
to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hike to the lip of Kilauea’s red-hot caldera
– especially dramatic when viewed after dark.
Kauai
(Poipu, Lihue, Kapaa)
The eldest of her sister islands, Kaua’i has become more beautiful with age.
Blessed with panoramic vistas so magnificent they defy description. It’s no
wonder that over 60 movies have been filmed with her stunning scenery, making
the island known as “Hollywood’s tropical back lot”. Kaua’i is home to two of
the world’s natural wonders: Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Hugging 15 miles of
awe-inspiring northern coastline, the towering sea cliffs of Napali Coast plunge
2,000 feet to the sea. To the west is Waimea Canyon.
Lanai
The smallest of the islands, Lanai offers 140 square miles of uncrowded
serenity. Experience secluded sandy beaches, the cloud-kissed uplands of Ko’ele,
and the mysterious lunar-like landscapes of the Garden of the Gods. Lanai’s
natural beauty is immortalized atop the Munro Trail that leads through a
rainforest to the island’s highest point, where Maui, Molokai, Oahu and the
other Hawaiian Islands come into full spectacular view.
Once the site of the world’s largest pineapple plantation, small and isolated
Lanai has no stoplights, one tiny town, and two five-star resorts. Her serene
allure is countered by active adventures. Lanai is a favorite with snorkelers,
especially Hulopo’e Bay. Golf, sun, swim, hike, and saddle up to ride across
Lanai’s sun-drenched terrain.
Molokai
You won’t find fancy shops, nightclubs, high-rise buildings, or traffic
lights on Molokai. It is a place where a traffic jam is two cars in an
intersection “talking story”. The island of Molokai is nearly four times longer
tan it is wide. Her long and narrow shape is somewhat of a quiet dash between
two boisterous sentences, Oahu and Maui. She allures all seeking seclusion, an
unhurried pace and wild outdoor beauty.
Today travelers can ride a mule down to the white-sand beach, visit a working
cattle ranch, and explore Halawa Valley, dotted with magical waterfalls.
How much for your next Hawaii vacation?
For a quick getaway or single island itinerary, we’ve found a easy-to-use, intuitive online vacation booking engine with a top-notch travel package supplier. Just enter your travel preferences and book your Hawaiian vacation online with this quick and easy tool!
