Introducing Hawaii
So many states claim uniqueness, and Hawaii does too. It now even boasts that it’s the birthplace of the USA’s 44th president, Barack Obama. But this string of emerald islands in the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, over 2000 miles from any continent, takes a little work to get to. So you may wonder: will that be time and money well spent?
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We’re so glad you asked: cue the galloping Hawaii Five-0 theme music and watch surfers carve a thunderous ocean, Elvis croon and lei-draped beauties dance hula ’neath windrustled palms.
Hawaii, as tourist bureaus and Hollywood constantly remind us, is ‘paradise.’ Push past the hype and what do you find? Darned if they’re not right. Hawaii is hiking sculpted cliffs or diving coral-reef cities in the morning and drinking mai tais to slack-key guitar at sunset. It’s slurping juicy papayas with hibiscus flowers in your hair; it’s Pacific Rim cuisine, fiery volcanoes and cavorting whales. By serendipity and design, Hawaii is an almost flawless destination. It’s an enchanting multicultural society with roots in Polynesia, Asia, North America and Europe, and it’s an expression of nature at its most luscious and divine.
About seven million visitors come to experience paradise annually, but the islands are not as crushed with sun-baked tourists and cooing honeymooners as that sounds. If you want a cushy resort vacation, head for Oahu’s Waikiki or West Maui. For something cheaper or more adventurous, aim for the Big Island or Kauaʻi. If time is short, stick to one island and make the most of it. Honolulu is a teeming cultural and economic powerhouse, but in under an hour you can be alone in the rainforest or snoozing on white sand.
Locals know that Hawaii isn’t really paradise, but on any given day it can sure feel like it.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Book ahead for the sell-out Lava Legends and Legacies Big Island Luau show
- Skip the lines for a memorable Pearl Harbour tour
- Enjoy breathtaking views of the Maui Streams and Waterfalls
Last updated: Feb 8, 2012
Tips & articles
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Hiking O‘ahu: a walk through Hawaii’s history and culture
8 May 2012
Lonely Planet has produced this article for O’ahu Visitors Bureau. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and...
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Romantic retreats in the US
10 April 2012
Romance is a highly personal concept, and no single travel destination will fit everyone’s tastes. For some it’s a luxurious...
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Maui for foodies
12 March 2012
From the steep slopes of volcanic Haleakala to the wealth of surf spots, Maui beckons lovers of sun, sand and...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Pride of America - island excursions
by annaharry 16 May 2012
We are going on Pride of America in September to Hawaii and we are so looking forward to this trip. We've just started researching the…
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RE: 2 weeks in Hawaii in September
by Marocfan 16 May 2012
I also doubt you can find much for $100 a night. Definitely include Kauai in your plans.
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RE: new again old stuff
by Watsoff 14 May 2012
Same as #2. Until I went to my son's wedding in Hawaii a couple of years ago, that is. I hadn't completely emptied my carry-on day pack…
Hawaii
Things to do
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- Activities (223)
- Entertainment (83)
- Restaurants (353)
- Shopping (103)
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Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Hawaii
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1 Hanalei Bay
Perfect crescent of sand and sea, winter surf mecca
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2 Mauna Kea
Sacred Hawaiian summit, mecca for astronomy, epic sunsets and stargazing
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3 Waimea Canyon
Mammoth gorge displaying layers of ancient lava flows
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4 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Hot lava, snowy summits, moody rainforests and stellar hiking
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5 Waikiki
Umbrella drinks, ukulele music and tropical kitsch at Oahu’s primary resort strip
Fast Facts about Hawaii
- Population 1,288,198
- Hawaiian proverb The rain follows after the forest
- Median household income $63,750 (5th in the US)
- Miles of coastline 750
- Size 6450 sq miles; the USA’s fourth smallest state
- Percentage of marriages that are interethnic about 50%
- Percentage of residents who want mandatory recycling over 80%
- State fish of Hawaii humuhumunukunukuapua'a (reef triggerfish)
- Number of tourists in Hawaii each day, on average 180,000
- Cans of Spam consumed in Hawaii annually 7 million
Our favourite Hawaii Blogs (beta)
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5 of the Tastiest Hawaiian Fusion Foods
Blog: GoBackpacking - 14 May 2012
Mark shares his top 5 picks for the tastiest Hawaiian fusion foods, including spam sushi.--------- Join Travel Blog Success today and learn to build a better travel blog. Membership includes 27 tutorials, 12 expert audio interviews, private support forum, and much more.
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Freebie Alert! National Parks Week Is Now
Blog: The Indie Traveler - 24 April 2012
From April 21 through April 29, US national parks are waiving entry fees. That's right: every single national park will be free.
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Hawaii: Go Green, Live Local & Save Money, Too
Blog: The Indie Traveler - 4 April 2012
Ever dream of vacationing in Hawaii, only to have your surf-driven fantasies come crashing down on dry land once you find out how much a hotel or condominium and a rental car are going to cost?
