Hawai’i Tours & Holidays

Is there anybody on Earth that doesn’t have some sort of preconceived idyllic image of Hawai’i?

I have friends that don’t travel (yes I know it’s a hard thing to confess to) and when I mention Banff or Kruger or Kowloon, they stare at me blankly as if I was cataloguing survey plots from lunar missions. Mention Hawai’i and I guarantee a twinkle will cross their otherwise “I’m happy right here” eyes.

For those of us that love to travel, that see a life more ordinary as a life not lived, we know that Hawai’i is actually a collection of islands. The central focus for first-timers – and the gateway point – is O’ahu where flights will land in Honolulu. Depending on what source you consult, you will be told there are between 6 and 137 islands that make up the state known as Hawai’i. For us intrepid travellers, there are mainly five. Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Kona (the Big Island), and Molokai.

Oahu - the centre of attention - is Beach, Buzz and Bling (well Diamond Head anyway!). With tonnes of shopping, surfing and celebrating to be done, Oahu’s main locale is Waikiki. Most first time visitors to Hawai’i will choose to spend the majority of their holiday here, with many devotees returning regularly. O’ahu, with its tourist hotspot of Waikiki is not just about the beach and the shops. Remember, as Diamond Head stares down at you, that there is a lush island awaiting your exploration and you’re doing yourself an injustice if you don’t take in Pearl Harbor, a sunset cruise and a Luau.

The next island is Maui. Maui can seem more barren than the other islands – in spite of its surfer chic reputation – or at least this is the case on the Western side. The reason for the tremendous following among surfers is the 30 mile of West Maui coast beaches, particularly Kaanapali. If you’re not surfing, there’s still plenty to do, including Humpback Whale watching and exploring Haleakala volcano.

Kauai is lush, lingering and lovely in its sumptuous isolation – a feeling very different to the other islands. Known as the ‘Garden Isle’, Kauai has been the setting for many Hollywood blockbusters including ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘Jurassic Park’. Whilst here, Waimea Canyon is a major highlight that should be on your ‘must-see’ list.

Kona, the Big Island, is the big daddy of the group, the actual island called ‘Hawai’i - though most refer to is as Kona. With Kilauea volcano pouring molten fire to the ocean at one point, and on the other a celestial gateway of the dark sky telescopes of Mauna Kea, this island is a reminder of the contradictions that are the diverse flowers in the beautiful garden that is Hawai’i.

Molokai is the island of myth and mystery. Well off the beaten track for most travellers, but to this day an echo back to a not developed time for those that love Hawai’i and love what this land used to be. The fifth biggest island in the Hawai’ian group, Molokai is the Hawaii of “serene seascapes, unspoiled coastlines, and untamed wilderness.” Spend some time here if you want to soak yourself in Hawai’i’s old culture and nature without the mass encroachment of western society.

Hawai’i, a land like no other - best discovered with an expert. Imagine Travel 02 4296 9822.