The Hawaiian Islands bid you Aloha!

Aloha comes from "alo," meaning presence or face, and "ha," meaning breath so together they mean “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life”.  To the Hawaiian people this is more than a greeting; it is a way of living and treating each other with love, kindness and respect.  Maybe this is why Hawaiians have the longest life expectancy among US citizens. 

The Hawaiian Island archipelago consists of hundreds of islands and atolls but most tourist go to the 4 most populated islands:  the Island of Hawai’I, O’ahu, Maui and Kaua’i.  Depending on your interests you can choose to stay on one island, island hop or take a cruise which stops at all 4 islands.  Each island has its own vibe or personality which should be considered when deciding where to visit.

The Island of Hawai’I is the largest and offers some of the most varying landscape in its 12 separate climate zones.  From large 5-star beach resorts to small bayside towns, the” Big Island” has accommodations to suit any taste.  One of most popular attractions is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which is home to 2 of the world’s most active volcanoes (Kilauea and Mauna Loa).

O’ahu is known as “The Gathering Place” and boasts the best nightlife in Hawaii.  O’ahu’s North Shore is the site of big waves and international surfing contests.  History buffs will want to visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the Iolani Palace, one of the royal residences of the former rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii.  The Dole Plantation and the Polynesian Cultural Center are other top attactions on O’ahu.

The island of Maui is nicknamed “The Valley Isle” because of the great valley that lies between its two major volcanoes.  The natural beauty and luxury resorts make this a popular honeymoon destination.  Translated as “The House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, Haleakala National Park is a popular place to watch the sun rise or set from the top of the volcano.  The Road to Hana is a scenic but often harrowing drive along the coast.  While you can rent a car and drive it, you will be so focused on the road that you will miss the scenery you took the trip to see, so let the pros do the driving while you sit back and marvel at the natural beauty.

For those seeking a relaxing escape, Kaua’I or “The Garden Isle” is an excellent choice.  The Napali Coast can be experienced by foot, car or boat.  For avid hikers there are several options of varying distances and degrees of difficulty.  The less adventurous can drive to some breathtaking overlooks or take a boat trip and enjoy some snorkeling along the way. Much of the island is relatively undeveloped but lavish resorts and shopping can be found in Princeville and Poipu. 

Common to all the islands are beautiful beaches where you can snorkel, surf, swim or just relax.

If you have not yet been to Hawaii and can’t make up your mind where to go, maybe you should consider a cruise around the islands With a cruise you visit all four islands, without having to pack four times, and your meals are included.  Islands have to import a lot of their food so it is quite expensive to eat out or even cook your own meals. 

And remember, Hawaii is part of the US so there is no need for passports or worries about foreign currency or international calling.