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Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?

Hawaiian Island | The Early Airway

Lovely Hawaii. Travelers have been flocking to her fair shores for thousands of years, many choosing to settle in paradise permanently. Hawaii is like no other place. Home to an extremely vocal volcano, it may surprise visitors to know it also claims the worlds tallest sea mountain. What is a sea mountain you ask? A sea mountain is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor which does not reach the waters surface and thus does not form an island.

Modern day surfing had it’s start here, as did the hula dance, and the invention of a grilled Spam sandwich. A short flight from the West coast of the United States, why not go all out and charter a private jet to make for an extra special holiday to a Hawaiian island?

Many are drawn to the nearly perfect weather and exotic floral and fauna that covers each Hawaiian island, while they all retain their own special charm. The big question remains of which Hawaiian island to visit? Luckily, with short distances between islands you don’t have to choose just one.

Although there are many islands in the chain, there are six main islands that attract visitors. Here is a look at the best things about each Hawaiian island.

 

Oahu

Most travelers first land at Honolulu. Oahu is by far the most cosmopolitan of the islands and Honolulu is a bustling city, while still mostly operating on leisurely island time. The North Shore is a surfers paradise, and makes for a scenic drive, but the majority of visitors stay in town, attracted to the gorgeous beach lined city. The third largest island of the chain, it is not short on things to do.

Oahu is about sightseeing. Visit the historical monument at Pearl Harbor, shop to your hearts content, and visit urban art galleries highlighting local artists. History abounds and tours of the Iolani Palace, State buildings, and Chinatown are highlights. For a true taste of the melting pot that is Hawaii, on the last Friday of the month try to catch Eat The Street where over 40 food carts show up in rotating locations for a sampling of all things delicious.

 

Maui

Bring on the beaches! Maui offers up over 30 miles of some of the worlds most beautiful beaches. Certainly there are other activities ranging from the Ocean Center, golf, the Old Lahaina Luau, and the Haleakala National Park, home to the world’s largest dormant volcano, but in the end it’s all about the sand.

Kaanapali Beach is perhaps the most famous. Three miles of idyllic sand glisten in the sun, highlighted against the turquoise waters. However, don’t rule out Napili, Wailea, Hookipa, or the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park. Knowing how to pronounce them is not required to enjoy them to the fullest.

 

Hawaii (Kona)

The big island is a jewel, encompassing 11 of the world’s 13 climatic zones. Loaded with history, Kailua-Kona, the principle city, is the former home of the many Hawaiian kings who cherished it for it’s stunning waters and near perfect weather. On the island there are excellent hiking opportunities and water sports abound and Kona coffee speaks for itself.

But the big island is really about the volcanoes. Start with a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home of the Kilauea volcano, the most active on earth. Be mesmerized by the on-going activity and lava flows from past eruptions. Next head to the summit of Mauna Kea. Measured from it’s base in the sea floor to it’s peak it is the tallest summit in the world. The star-gazing is mind blowing and you can learn more than you thought you needed to know at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy visitors center.

 

Kauai

Kauai is most often referred to as the Garden Isle, a lush fantasy of vegetation and one of the most beautiful places in the world. The reason for all this green is because it also boasts the wettest place in the world, Mt. Waialeale. This does not deter ardent fans and the visuals are unparalleled as you hike and explore this stunning place.

As gorgeous as the island is, the best of Kauai is seen from the air. Many of her most attractive vistas are inaccessible by land or sea and helicopter and scenic air tours are a must. Although some parts of Waimea Canyon, the largest canyon in the Pacific, are accessible on land, to truly experience this breathtaking wonder a flight over the scenery that made the movie Jurassic Park famous is the way to go.

 

Lanai

Lanai has a reputation for remote luxury. The place to go for those seeking isolation. The place where Bill Gates spent some of his honeymoon. Those facts remain, however the true charm of Lanai is the ability to get away from it all while in close proximity to the comforts you expect.

Lanai is about contrasts. Hiking on the island is wonderful, ranging from the hot, tropical beach eco-system to the often chilly high peaks. Delicious cuisine can be found at the world-famous Nobu at the Four Seasons, or equally as good at the hole in the wall Poke shacks at the market. The scenery ranges from the kaleidoscope colors at Polihua Beach to the stark rock formations at the Garden of the Gods. In spite of it’s size, you may never get bored with Lanai.

 

Molokai

The slow food movement has evolved into the slow travel movement as well. Molokai may very well have her day in the sun as travelers of today look for more experiences than simply lounging on a beautiful beach all day. Kalaupapa National Historic Park is a former leper colony set below towering cliffs. The highlight, checking out the park on the 1700foot descent down the world’s tallest sea cliffs on a mule.

The usual water sports should be on the agenda but truly, the best thing to do on Molokai is very little. Visit Coffees of Hawaii and grab a brew and a seat with the locals, rent a car knowing the island is far too small to get lost, and simply relish in taking the time to stop and smell the flowers, or perhaps coffee roasting in this case.

 

Perhaps this is the year to find your own best Hawaiian island. Choose an island from the list above that seems most appealing to you and hop on a jet plane today!

 

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Destinations

Top 5 Reasons to Plan a Hawaiian Vacation

The title of this article may be misleading because really, do you need FIVE reasons to visit Hawaii? There might just be one ~ because it’s Hawaii! However, to further entice visitors to her extraordinary shores and verdant rain forests, let us give you even more fuel to plan a Hawaiian vacation. This chain of islands set six hours from the West Coast has been a travel favorite for decades. The islands are diverse enough to add interest and with short hop flights between them, it is simple to visit several over the course of one holiday.

Hawaii is the 50th state inducted into the union, as recently as 1959 and is the only state not located in the Americas, but rather Oceania. There are actually hundreds of islands in this Hawaiian archipelago, but for a visitor’s perspective, there are eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii (Kona). Fast fact~ Hawaii State is the 8th smallest and 11th least populated of the fifty US states.

Here is our take on the top 6 reasons to plan a Hawaiian vacation and check out the many wonders of this tropical paradise for yourself.

 

1. Beautiful Beaches

Enough said. The beaches of Hawaii are world-renowned and, for newbies, stunning in their diversity. Colors ranging from pink to gold to pale white to black abound with each island offering up its unique choices. Three mile beach on Molokai can keep you occupied for days, the famous surf breaks of the North Shore of Oahu draw crowds on a daily basis, while the black sand beaches of Kona create fascinating contrast to the turquoise water.

For a bit of movie magic, head to the following locations:

  • Halona Beach Cove on Oahu where From Here to Eternity famous beach scene was filmed
  • Shipwrecks Beach on Kauai where Harrison Ford and Anne Heche jumped off the cliff into the ocean in Six Days Seven Nights
  • The Na Pali Coast on Kauai where scenes from both Jurassic Park and King Kong were filmed

Watching sunset at the beautiful beaches of Hawaii is something you won’t want to miss.  Photographers will love the array of colors the shy creates above this tropical paradise.

 

2. Hawaiian Cuisine

Your Hawaiian vacation wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the local food. The food of the islands is loved by locals and guests alike. There is, of course, the traditional luau centering on pit roasted Kahlua pig, but there are many other local favorites to check out while there, including:

  • Poi
  • Loco moco
  • Poke
  • Manapua – a delicious sweet Hawaiian bun filled with pork
  • Spam musubi, a rice ball covered with a slab of grilled Spam, glazed with some soy sauce and sugar, and wrapped in seaweed before being lightly caramelized
  • Maui Style potato chips

And don’t forget about dessert! Depending on which island you’re on, try Kauai Kookie or Honolulu Cookie Company. If you’re a beer drinker, you’ll want to try out some of Hawaii’s breweries, including Maui Brewing Co and Kauai Beer Company.

 

3. Waimea Canyon

The remote beauty of Waimea Canyon, located on the west side of picturesque Kauai, is a geographical marvel. Nearly 13 miles long, 1 ½ miles wide and 2750 feet deep, the walls of the canyon delight with an amazing array of colors ranging from red to green to brown to orange. Hiking the canyon is a must do for visitors to the islands, and for the true adventurer hike the challenging Kukui Trail that drops steeply into the canyon to bring you to Wilwili campground, scenically placed next to the Waimea River. Camping perfection attained. For those who can’t or don’t wish to hike, you can still see this Kauai beauty by parking at the scenic outlook.

 

4. Volcanoes

The big island of Hawaii, generally referred to as Kona, features one of Hawaii’s most distinct attractions in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Covering over 333,000 acres, this amazing national park cover seven distinct ecosystems. The absolutely stunning 11-mile Crater Rim Drive circles the summit of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Much of the time it is possible to see active lava flows, and a trip here should be on everyone’s bucket list. On any given day it is possible to spend countless hours wandering the “hills” of cooled lava and a true highlight is to walk through the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube, a natural tunnel that once had red-hot lava cursing through it.

 

5. ABC Stores

You may be questioning this. Really, a visit to a store is enough of a reason for a Hawaiian vacation? What first timers may not realize is what an iconic image of Hawaii the ABC Stores represent. At first glance they seem like merely a larger version of a 7-Eleven or similar offering, and yet as soon as you step inside you will understand the vast array of items for sale! Did you forget an important toiletry? ABC stores have you covered. If you need a new t-shirt, swim trunks, or souvenirs to bring home you are all set. One very popular section is the food section loaded with local specialties like Macadamia nuts and Kona coffee and Da Dips mixes, some of the most delicious dip mixes around. Hula skirts, Ukulele’s or Puka shells can all be yours. ABC stores are also a great stop to pick up some souvenirs for your loved ones back home.

 

6. Outdoor Activities

If you work indoors all day, a vacation to Hawaii is just the thing you need. The outdoor activities on the Hawaiian islands are endless. Here is a short list of some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy on your Hawaiian vacation:

  • Kayaking down a river
  • Zip-lining through some of the greenest places
  • Stand-up Paddle Boarding
  • Helicopter tours
  • Hiking
  • Snorkeling
  • Horseback riding
  • Catamaran tours
  • Tubing adventures
  • Surfing

 

Plan Your Hawaiian Vacation Today

Hawaii is a true paradise. The opportunity for adventure is nearly unlimited with options to hike the remote Na Pali coastline and explore lush rainforests on the wettest island of Kauai. Maui is most often hailed for the beaches and watersports featuring amazing snorkeling just off shore along with more advanced diving and sailing tours. Kona offers the least vegetation but a true highlight of any trip to Hawaii with her active volcano and stunning black sand beaches. Molokai is quiet and not for a party crowd, but those in the know will flock to her shores to search for “old Hawaii”. Lanai offers a true getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life with not a single stop light on the entire island, but make sure to enjoy Hulopoe Bay, one of America’s best beaches. Oahu is for everyone with a choice of cityscapes and nightlife or the romance of simply watching the day pass by.

Niihau and Kahoolawe will most likely not be on your radar, as Niihau is privately owned and Kahoolawe uninhabited, but amazing things happen in paradise and you may just meet someone who will offer to take you for a short visit.

Whichever island of Hawaii you choose, know that you will experience the pineapple hospitality that this state has become known for. To further enhance your Hawaiian vacation, consider chartering a private jet to whisk you away to one, or several, different islands for the trip of a lifetime.

 

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