Travel Hawaii

Hawaii was the 50th state to enter into union in 1959. Travel Hawaii and you will have to travel the eight islands that create the state of Hawaii and consist of 6,423 square miles. The capital city is Honolulu which is located on the Island of Oahu, population 905,266. Hawaii is known best for it’s all year around perfect weather conditions, (79-83 F) and volcanic origin, exotic beaches, surfing, water sports, romantic get-aways and whale watching. The state flower is the Yellow Hibiscus, the state bird is the Nene(Hawaiian Goose), and the state tree is the Kukui (Candlenut). Overall, Hawaii and it’s beach resorts welcome more than seven million visitors per year.

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All of the eight Islands of Hawaii offer their own individual points of interest. The Island of Oahu welcomes more than two million tourists per year. Pearl Harbor ranks number one for tourism followed by the world famous Diamond Head volcanic crater, Waikiki Beach and whale watching during the winter months (Jan-Mar).
Oahu offers a wide variety of extended stay options such as the “Hale Makai” which is considered a private home vacation rental with two bedrooms, 2 baths and a full kitchen. The beach is just across the street, and a lovely mountain view is in the back. The price range is only $291.00-$340.00 per night. One of the most luxurious extended stay accommodations on Oahu is the “Luxury Oahu Villas”. At the “Kumi Wai” location, you will enjoy beachfront villas with 6 bedrooms and 6 baths that will accommodate your entire family (max 10 guests). The price range is $1,430-$1,800 per night. The “Oahu Lani” location welcomes you and your party with ten beds and twelve baths, beachfront villas (max 20 guests). The price range is $5,800-$8,750 per night. There are several types of lodging on Oahu such as hotels, motels, vacation rentals and camping, but please remember to book your reservations in advance and ask about security deposits. Dining on Oahu can also be a unique experience. The Polynesian Cultural Center and the Paradise Cove Luau, both offer Luau show packages that include a buffet style meal. To grab a quick bite on the go, there are also several outside food stands as well as fast food restaurants.

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Maui is not only known for it’s 81 white sand beaches and beautiful golf courses, it’s also home to the humpback whale. November-May is their breeding season, so when driving Oceanside be careful because traffic can be chaotic.

Maui’s most famous beach is Ka’anapali, where the crystal clear water is perfect for snorkeling, wind surfing, jet skiing as well as parasailing and kayaking. The Ka’anapali Resort area is very popular for Maui tourists. One of Maui’s fine dinning open air restaurants is called the “Hala Grill” and is located on Ka’anapoli beach sidewalk. On the less expensive list of places to eat is the “Honokowai Okazuya & Deli” which is known for the best take out food on Maui.

If you are on a budget for lodging and are looking for cheap hotels, the Honua Kai Resort and Spa is a great beachfront studio located in Lahainer, West Side, Maui. For a 1 bed and 1 bath hotel room, the rate is $277.00 per night. (Remember, Hawaii is expensive) If you and your family are on an extended vacation, you may want to consider the Sugar Cove Townhouses which are located in Paia Maui and offer Beachfront condos, a community hot tub and a pool. The rates are $545.00 per night, it has 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6) and 4 baths. Book your vacation in Maui at least one year in advance, and always remember to ask about security deposits. If you are looking for a laid back and less crowded family vacation destination, the Island of Lanai is for you. Once known as the "Islands Of Pineapples", Lanai was home to the original Dole pineapple plantation. And if you’re a scuba diver, you will be happy to know Lanai is best known for it’s "under the sea" lava formations such as tunnels, archways and ridges. You will also see plenty of unique marine life and incredible light effects. A few of the most popular dive spots are Cathedral I & II and the Pyramids. Horseback riding is another favorite activity on Lanai. The “Stables at Koele” offer a variety of riding packages for the whole family to enjoy. The beaches on Lanai are less crowded but also more interesting. Hulopoe Beach is considered the best family beach park. The park has all the amenities for camping, as well as barbeque grills, showers, restrooms, picnic tables and plenty of parking. The beach also has some unique features such as lava rock tide pools and black lava fingers to protect swimmers from the tide currents. Shipwreck beach is also a secluded favorite, the road is paved most of the way but it is recommended that you use a four-wheeler to get there safely. Polihua beach used to attract Sea turtles and historically, they would lay eggs on the beach until they found a new home. Some locals say they are starting to come around again. This beach is intended for nature, because of the strong current, it’s not safe for swimming.

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The Four Season’s Resort on Lanai is comparable to a luxury hotel. The rate starts at $425.00 per night but all of the activities that are included are worth every penny. At the Four Seasons Resort the suites are very spacious, and all rooms come with a private balcony or terrace, work area, entertainment area, and the rooms also include a mini bar. When booking reservations do not forget to inquire about the teen center, kids activities and jeep adventures. They also offer garden spa massages, water sports, hiking, biking, and two golf courses. There are also several restaurants to choose from, one is an "open air bar & grill" that serves cocktails and tropical drinks. They offer a bar style menu and feature a game room with all the favorites such as pool tables, darts, foosball and shuffle board. Also at the Four Seasons resort, they have two of Lanai’s favorite fine dining restaurants, one of them features authentic Hawaiian cuisine and the other serves Italian cuisine.

View Hotels and Motels in the Island of Molokai

Another romantic Hawaiian destination is the Island of Molokai, population 6,000 – 8,000 depending upon the time of the year. It is relatively under developed compared to the larger Islands of Hawaii. One very popular attraction is located in East Molokai. They are the largest sea cliffs in the world and featured in the movie “Jurassic Park”. One of Hawaii’s most popular beaches is Papohaku Beach, where you can snorkel around the reefs and go fishing. Another favorite activity on Molokai is hiking through Halaway Valley. Historically speaking, Molokai was home for Father Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest who served a colony of lepers in the nineteenth century while under quarantine.

One extended stay vacation rental I found is called "Ke Nani Kai 126" & is located in Maunaloa Molokai. The rates are $125.00-$175.00 per night. The Townhouse Suite has a partial ocean view, 2 bedrooms (sleeps 6) and 2 baths. They also have a pool and a hot tub, the locals are very accommodating and friendly and the beach is located within 5 minutes of walking distance. The Aqua Hotel Molokai offers oceanfront bungalows for $173.75 per night, it has 1 bed (sleeps 2) and 1 bath, a mini fridge and a coffee maker. It is located in Kaunakakai Molokai and the hotel features the Hula Shores Restaurant which is known for it’s authentic Hawaiian vegetables, and several seafood dishes & steaks.
The Island of Molokai also features a variety of restaurants such as The Molokai Pizza Café, the Kaulapuu cookhouse which features authentic Hawaiian cuisine, Big Daddy’s which features Filipino cuisine and the Maunaloa room that features seafood and steak.

Part 2 Travel Hawaii – Kauai – Poipu – Lihue – Niihau