Celebrated for its great weather, surfing, and numerous accommodations, the Hawaiian Islands define paradise – palm trees swaying in the breeze, intoxicating fragrances from the flowers, breath-taking scenery, beautiful crystal-clear waters, and beautiful sunsets. Hawaii offers vacationers six very different islands to choose from. In addition, it has lots of sunshine, adventurous activities, natural beauty, and a culture which makes it very appealing to the tourists.
Hawaii is a great place to visit any time of the year. There is a bit more rain in the winter months from mid-December through to March and the summer is a bit warmer from June through August. However, there are no extremes in temperature and the cooling trade winds keep the islands at a moderate temperature throughout the year.
Maui: Maui is a very popular destination island. Maui is the island of romance and many couples go here for their destination wedding or their honeymoon. The beaches are magnificent and stretch for miles.
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View from Fairmont Kea Lani Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae |
The island has spectacular sights to see including the Iao Needle and Valley, Haleakala National Park, and the Road to Hana. Don’t miss taking some time to explore the old whaling town of Lahina.
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Ioa Needle Photo courtesy of gohawaii.about.com Kauai: We suggest that you visit Kauai as it is the “dream” destination with the most diverse landscape. One of the greenest and most lush islands with some incredible places to visit. |
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Opeka Falls Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae |
Take a catamaran to view the legendary, desolate Na Pali Coast with its high rugged mountains or hike the spectacular Kalalau Trail. Visit the south side of the island at sunny Poipu Beach or kayak the Wailua River passing the Fern Grotto where Blue Hawaii was filmed. Be sure to travel to the North Shore stopping a many of the beautiful beaches along the way and don’t miss the picturesque lighthouse and seabird sanctuary at Kilauea Point. Take a look at the planned community of Princeville before you stop to see the beautiful Hanalei Valley.
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Hanalei Valley Lookout Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae |
Two of my favourite photography spots are the Wai’oli Hui’ia Chuch and Mission House which is a pretty green wooden church located in the little town of Hanalei, and Hanalei Bay, one of Hawaii’s most scenic bays. A must see is the Waimea Canyon, also nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, with its incredible colourful river-cut gorge.
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Hanalei Pier Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae |
Oahu: Oahu is the most developed island and has the largest population. Honolulu and Waikiki Beach contain high-rise buildings and downtown traffic jams. Enjoy the wide variety of shops at the Ala Moan Shopping center or just enjoy Waikiki Beach with its famous landmark, Diamond Head.
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Waikik Beach Photo courtesy of bestofhawaiirealestate.com |
Take a drive north to some of the famous surfing beaches or travel back to days of old by vising the Polynesian Culture Center.
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View from Nuuanu Pali Lookout Photo courtesy of travelmuse.com |
The Big Island: Hawaii, the big island, has the most diverse climate and geography. The landscape changes from a lifeless lava desert, to rolling pastures, to rainforests, to volcanoes, to snow-covered mountains. Hilo and Kailua-Kona are where most of the people live on the island. Don’t miss seeing Pu’uhonua Honaunan , or Place of Refuge, where ancient lawbreakers had one chance to escape the inevitable death penalty. Probably one of the most fascinating places to visit is the Kilauea Volcano, an active volcano.
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Place of Refuge Photo courtesy of HubPages.com |
Lanai: Lanai, in years gone by, was covered with huge pineapple fields and is now a private luxury resort destination. Bill Gates set the trend by renting out the two luxury hotels located here for his wedding. Lanai now has become a trendy destination for corporate CEOs. Lanai can be interesting to explore but it is recommended that one rent a 4WD vehicle to travel the rutted dirt roads.
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Manele Bay Cliffs Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Japan |
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Muriel MacRae is an associate wedding coordinator, a design consultant and event choreographer, and a destination wedding coordinator with Creative Weddings and Occasions and the owner of a boutique travel agency called Del Sol Travel. She is a certified wedding planner and destination wedding coordinator through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation wedding. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca
or phone 403-477-0643.
or phone 403-477-0643.