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Hawaii

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It's difficult to properly introduce Hawaii, because the only people in the world who don't already know the basics about Hawaii are the ones who were just born. Regardless of origin, Hawaii is widely renowned as being the very cream of the tropical-island-get-away crop. There's absolutely none of that weird tension feeling from the locals, because they love tourists, and are some of the friendliest, and most welcoming vacation communities. Hawaii has been North America's main tourist artery for over a century. And it's not like overseas tourists never visit Hawaii either; several million foreign tourists arrive in Hawaii every year.

The Hawaiian islands have something in store for everyone; nature lovers will absolutely adore the wildlife, hiking, diving, and food lovers will be able to experience Hawaii's delicious cuisine. Families can spend time on the beaches; there are plenty of family oriented restaurants and activities. All in all, there's much more to Hawaii than just her pretty face.

Areas

Hawaii, part of the United States, in located in the Pacific, and is an archipelago of several islands; the main tourists islands are Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Lanai. The rest are Kahoolaawe, Molokai, and Niihau. These islands are host to wildlife reserves, in which some tours are allowed, though public access is restricted. The other larger islands is where most of the tourist attractions are - including the capital city, Honolulu, located on Hawaii.

Weather

Generally speaking, Hawaii basically has two seasons: summer, and winter. The areas that get the hottest during the summer are usually urban - the further from shore, the less of the breeze that reaches the area. In the winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60F, and the average winter temperature is 65F. Nights can get cold, so if you prefer to travel out of the peak tourist seasons, then bring a light sweater. Despite the proximity to one another, the islands all have varying weather conditions. Basically, the sides of the islands facing the Northeastern Trade Winds usually experience more rainfall.

Average Temperatures

F/C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
F	73	73	74	76	77	79	80	81	81	80	77	74
C	23	23	23	24	25	26	27	27	27	27	25	23

Average Precipitation/Rain

In./CM	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
In.	3.4	2.6	2.8	1.3	1	0.4	0.6	0.6	0.7	2	2.6	4.1
CM	8.6	6.6	7.1	3.3	2.5	1	1.5	1.5	1.8	5.1	6.6	10.4

Getting There

If you are a U.S. citizen, then you will not need a passport to travel to Hawaii, since it is one of the United States. However, if you are from anywhere else in North America, or a citizen of a foreign country, then yes, you will need a passport, and all the necessary paperwork to travel over the country's borders.

By plane

The main airport with International services and daily flights to various countries is the Honolulu Internation Airport, located in the capital city Honolulu. The airport offers shuttle services to hotels in Honolulu, car rental agencies, as well as scooter rentals, and everything a visitor could by possibly need for transport back to their hotel.

By boat

Hawaiian cruises are extremely popular, and can be found for sale in probably every travel agency on the planet. Most of the time, the cruise ships depart from the coast of the western United States, or other countries, and travel to the islands. For the most part, flying is preferred over a very expensive and long journey by ship to the islands.

Getting Around

Getting around in Hawaii isn't particularly difficult; the locals are friendly, and welcome tourists. Visitors should definitely stick with known company names when renting a car, or getting a taxi. Public transportation is particularly popular, because it's cheap, and high ranked among the country's general public transportation services. Walking is popular, but only in beach, shore areas, and downtown, where you can get from place to place easily on foot. If traveling long distances on foot, one should always travel with cab fare or bus money, because it's very hot.

By car

You can easily rent a vehicle from either the airport, the resort you’re planning to stay in, or a number of other places once you reach Hawaii. Most of the rental agencies are major companies, so it's best to rent from the most familiar and better trusted names. Traffic in Hawaii, like any other major tourist destination, is congested especially in peak tourist seasons (or just generally all the time). The worst traffic is in the mornings, and the winding roads along the coast are usually narrow, so the flow of traffic can easily get congested. Hawaii does have federal highways, but they are located on Oahu. There are other major roads on all the other islands, so going from point A to point B is fairly easy.

By taxi

TheCAB is Hawaii's top taxi service, and it operates like "TheBus"; it is the largest taxi service as well. Traffic is the same as it would be in a rental car, naturally. The taxi rates for most companies are standard, about $3.20 per mile, and $3.10 as the base fare.

By train

There are no longer any actual railways that function on Hawaii. However, some of the old lines still operate, but mainly as a tourist attraction. They are general just guided tours along Hawaii's historic railways, located on Oahu.

By public transportation

Public transportation is done by bus or by ferry. The bus, literally called "TheBus", travels all over the more heavily populated islands, and is definitely much cheaper than paying for gas. TheBus has been named the number one public transportation in the United States twice now, by the American Public Transportation Association, so the vehicles are all in great condition. The lines travel to many major destinations, and have over four thousand stops all over the islands.

On foot

Naturally, you cannot walk from island to island, but while you're on one or the other, there are often a lot of things to see and do. Shopping, whether for groceries in an outdoor market, or on the busy streets of Honolulu is definitely best experienced by traveling on foot. But be sure to bring bus or cab fare in case you get tired!

Food & Dining

Hawaii is definitely a place of warmth and relaxation but it is also a place where you can come to tantalize your taste buds. Hawaii has it all and it is all very, very fresh! The beef for most of the islands comes from Maui, where there are many ranches with very fine cattle. Seafood is of course, in abundance and can always be found extremely fresh and just about anywhere. Coffee is also grown right on the Big Island and so even your first taste of the day promises to be delicious! Many tropical fruits can of course be found on the island and they include papaya, mango, bananas, pineapples, guava, and fresh sugar cane. While in Hawaii you must try a plate lunch. These lunches are sold by vendors from carts outside malls and in other areas where there is high traffic. For just a few dollars, you will get meat, rice and macaroni salad. It's delicious and cheap, and truly Hawaiian!

Beaches

Lanikai Beach (Sand beach) Location: Oahu Locals flock to this beach because they consider it one of the best in all of the state. This is also a beach known for destination weddings because the crystal blue waters lined with palm trees dripping with coconuts not only makes for a very romantic setting but also makes for great wedding pictures! The name means 'heavenly sea' and it's not hard to see why as one can dip in the cool, clear water while gazing out at the reef, which protects the beach from ocean winds.

Hanalei Bay Beach (Sand beach) Location: On Kauai's north shore It's not hard to see why this beach is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth. Whether you want to gaze out at the semi-circle of sand and surf that surrounds you or explore the waterfalls that are hidden around the two miles of beach, visitors come to walk along the pier and enjoy watching the many water activities taking place including surfing and kayaking and to enjoy the views of the two rivers it is situated between: the Hanalei River and the Waipa River.

Black Rock Beach (Sand beach) Location: Maui This beach gets its name not from the type of shore it has but rather the beautiful huge black rock formations that surround the breathtaking water. And although the beach is fine, white sand, this is not what people come here for. Visitors come to this area to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, and any other activity that allows you to become one with the water! Sunbathing is of course, allowed and encouraged but the temptation to grab some gear and head on out yourself may prove to be too great!

Hanauma Bay (Sand beach) Location: Oahu The beauty and rarity of what you will find in the Hanauma Bay make it well worth the extra time and planning it takes to get here. This bay is world-known for having some of the rarest and most exotic sea life in the world and the landscape itself is absolutely breathtaking as it was formed due to a volcanic crater that flooded thousands of years ago. There have been great lengths taken to protect and preserve this area and now, it's only accessible to those who phone ahead and plan a scheduled visit.

Ke'e Beach Park (Sand beach) Location: Kauai Similar to the rest of Hawaii's beaches, this is truly one of the prettiest places on earth but serious snorkelers and divers know that the true beauty lies under the water's surface. It is here that one can get up close and personal with different coral reef and an endless amount of different marine life. When one thinks of a tropical island they are thinking of Ke'e Beach with its swaying palm trees, coconuts in the sand, and beautiful ironwood trees.

Hapuna Beach State Park (Sand beach) Location: Big Island The type of beach you visit when coming to Hapuna Beach State Park will depend on the time of year that you come. While in the summer the lack of tide provides for a two-hundred foot depth of sand, the winter sees crashing waves against the shore that will thrill both surfers and those who simply love to look out at the water. Swimming conditions are ideal here as the sandbar stretches twenty-five yards out into the ocean, keeping the water level and not too deep. Those who are looking for a natural paradise will find it here!

Sights & Activities

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala is actually the name of the volcanic mountain that takes up around half of Maui; the national park surrounding the inactive volcano is one of the top attractions in Hawaii. Getting there can be a little difficult in the afternoon when bicyclers are coming down the mountain.

Honolulu

The large city found on Oahu has over a dozen popular tourist attractions, plenty of shopping, resorts, and dining opportunities. The city is also relaxed and easy-going, despite there being some traffic (usually at rush hour times - morning and evening). Some the top places to visit there are:

- Aloha Tower
- Bishop Museum
- Hanauma Bay
- Honolulu Academy of Arts
- Iolani Palace
- Lyon Arboretum
- Waikiki Aquarium
- Waikiki Beach

Iao Valley State Park & Iao Needle

The state park is home to Hawaii's proclaimed rainforest, with a wildlife reserve. The Iao Valley is also home to the Iao Needle, a massive natural rock formation with mythological Hawaiian significance.

Parker Ranch in Kamuela

The Parker Ranch, located in Kamuela, Hawaii, is the largest cattle ranch in the United States. It covers just about 9% of Hawaii's total area, and around just over 350 square miles.