Hawai’i is one of the most spectacular of the United States. The climate is almost perfect, 80 to 85 degrees every day with pleasantly warm water temperatures year-round and dramatic volcanic scenery. The only drawback is getting to islands and the fact that, once there, to truly experience the state, a visitor must fly to several islands.
Oahu is the main island and home of the capital, Honolulu. It has a variety of world-class attractions and never disappoints. Waikiki is one of the most famous beaches in the world, and its position, in the shadow of Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, is positively spectacular.
Waikiki and Diamond Head
One of the most moving memorials in the world can be seen at Pearl Harbor, the US Naval Base on the island. Here visitors can board a boat to the USS Arizona Memorial, directly above the wreck of the famous battleship where it was sunk by Japanese planes on December 7, 1941. Oil still seeps from the ship and the bodies of the ship’s sailors have never been recovered.
USS Arizona Memorial
The island of Maui showcases Haleakala National Park, a dormant volcano with an eerie and otherworldly landscape.
Haleakala National Park
Visitors to Hawaii are strongly encouraged to attend a Luau, the native feast of pig, roasted in a pit with accompanying local specialties. The oldest and most famous luau in the islands is the Lahaina Luau, on the island of Maui.
Old Lahaina Luau
The island of Kauai has one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Lumahai Beach. It was used in the filming of the movie, “South Pacific.”
Lumahai Beach
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kilauea. Visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which includes Kilauea,
Kilauea Crater
provides an opportunity to see fresh lava and to walk on hardened lava which is only hours old — quite an experience!
Molten Lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
