Visit
the active Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island
Kilauea is
located on the southeastern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii
and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world! Hike
through lush rainforest to experience vents spewing steam,
brand new land being created, ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs,
walk-through lavas tubes, and unrivaled vistas.
Its current
eruption started in January 1983 and has been continuously
flowing ever since. As of January 2000, it had produced 2.5
million cubic yards of lava, covered 39.9 square miles, and
added 506 acres (205 hectares) of land to Kilauea's southern
shore. Lava erupting from the Pu'u 'O'o cone flows through
a tube system down the Pulama pali about 7 miles to the sea.
Take
a helicopter tour over the island of Kauai
If you do one
thing while you're on Kauai, take a helicopter ride! Upon
takeoff, you'll be overwhelmed by the stunning scenery set
before you like a feast for your eyes. Majestic mountains
adorned with a thousand shades of green touch the sky. As
you gaze awestruck at these wonders of nature, your pilot
points out names and history of the locations below. Trying
to absorb the pilot's words and take in the breathtaking beauty
all around you is nearly impossible. With about 80% of the
island inaccessible by foot, the only way to truly see Kauai
in all its splendor is by air.
Book
a Tour...
Relax
on Hawaii's world famous beaches
Hawaii boasts
some of the loveliest beaches in the world. In view of majestic
emerald mountains, the sapphire waters and turquoise waves
of Hawaii's best beaches await you.
There is something
for every taste and the vast stretches of white sandy beaches
are especially appealing to those looking for sun, sand and
water.
Take
a whale-watching catamaran cruise
Each winter,
the humpback whales leave their rich Alaskan feeding grounds
to frolic, mate, birth and nurse in the warm and shallow waters
surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
Breaching is
probably the most spectacular behavior of the humpback whales.
They are able to launch themselves into the air sometimes
completely out of the water!
Snorkel
off the island of Molokini
Molokini is
the most popular snorkeling site in all of Hawaii. The reason
is simple. Molokini consistently has the clearest water in
Hawaii, teaming with beautiful fish. On most days visibility
is between 80 and 200 feet.
This marine
preserve is located several miles off of the south shore of
Maui directly across from the Wailea/Makena area. The only
way to get to Molokini is by boat and Maui has plenty of boats
in all sizes, shapes and price ranges. This is a must-do if
you can float. You do not even have to know how to swim. All
boats have flotation devices and some have glass bottoms so
you can stay dry and still see all the pretty fishes.
Book
a Snorkeling Trip...
Bike
down Maui's Haleakala Mountain at sunrise
Haleakala,
one of the largest mountains in the world, is a dormant volcano
full of volcanic rock, both inside its crater and on its slopes.
Haleakala stands more than 3,000 feet above the sea level
and lies some 20,000 more feet under water. The mountain is
dense, and the park that surrounds the volcano takes up more
than 27,000 acres of land. You can go right up and see into
the crater. Many people say it's one of the most powerful
experiences of their lives. The mountain is visible for miles
as you approach it, first on the road and then on foot. Seeing
that it's hollow inside and that the crater is some 3,000
feet deep, seven miles long, and two miles wide, you are amazed
that such a place could exist. Haleakala is a National Park,
preserved to maintain all the living creatures that surround
the historic volcano. You'll want to experience Haleakala
during sunrise or sunset. Its legendary beauty inspires powerful
and personal emotions.
Take
the Ride Yourself...
See
Waimea Canyon on Kauai, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
The inland
area of the western part of Kauai is dominated by the Waimea
Canyon and Koke'e State Park. Dubbed as the "Grand Canyon
of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, Waimea Canyon reigns supreme.
The coloring of its inner walls and the roadside lookout views
into the canyon are spectacular.
The canyon
is one mile wide, 10 miles long, and over 3,600 feet in depth.
The deep canyon gashes in the landscape look like the claw
marks of some immense prehistoric creature. The play of light
and shadow throughout the day on the colorful striated layers
of rock is extraordinary. A fun pastime is to stand at one
of the Waimea Canyon overlooks and watch the reaction of visitor
after visitor, as their jaws drop, and they become first speechless
and then breathless as they witness this spectacle of nature
for the first time, realizing that words fail them and that
there must be a God.
Play
golf at any of Hawaii's world class courses
There are few
places on earth as perfect for golf as Hawaii, with its dramatic
topography, ideal growing conditions for lush green fairways
and flowering vegetation, and year-round balmy weather. There
are more than 80 courses on six idyllic islands, with locations
ranging from upcountry rainforests to coral sea cliffs and
sandy beaches.
Most of the
island courses would be in the running for best view because
the Pacific Ocean is a constant backdrop almost anytime you
climb above sea level. Naming other bests is much harder,
because the world's greatest golf architects have long been
at work here, creating course after course--all demanding
superlatives.
Attend
an authentic Polynesian Luau
Today the luau
is as synonymous with Hawaii as the grass skirt. Luaus are
an incomparable visitor attraction and an excellent introduction
to the food and culture of the Hawaiian Islands.
The Polynesian
Luau is an exotic, South Pacific-style celebration of color,
style, history, music, and dance. Women in grass skirts, men
in face paint, authentic fire dancers, and traditional music
showcase the cultures and traditions of Polynesia.
Luaus are enchanting
experiences that tickle the nose with savory scents, entice
the palate with delicious tastes, please the eyes with colorful
entertainment, and bathe the ear in exotic music, leaving
exciting memories and a full tummy.
Shop
and Dine in Waikiki
From quaint
shops and artists' studios to elegant art galleries and large
shopping centers, you'll enjoy island-style shopping. Find
many unique items, including T-shirts dyed with Hawaiian red
dirt, macadamia nut cookies, music CDs by local musicians,
coffee, books, designer clothing, custom jewelry, furniture,
surfboards, tropical flowers, and fine art and gifts handcrafted
of wood, ceramics, fabric, or glass.
Oahu
Shopping Venues...
In Hawaii,
there's a word for food that's delicious -- ‘ono. We
know you'll be saying it over and over again as you eat your
way around the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii's mix of many cultures
has led to a unique variety of cuisine, including Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, European, and American. Innovative chefs
trained in continental and Asian culinary traditions have
created Pacific Rim delights. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, seafood,
and even chocolate grown in Hawaii are fresh and flavorful.
Bon appetit!
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