Oahu is only the third largest of the inhabited Hawaiian
islands, but it is home to nearly three-quarters of the state's
residents, most of them living in the ultra-modern capital city,
Honolulu, and its adjacent beach resort suburb of Waikiki, on the
south coast of the island. Beyond the urban bustle of the south,
Oahu is quiet and enchanting; flaunting 23 state parks and
punctuated by ancient stone heiau (temples). The island's most
recognisable landmark is the 761ft (232m) tall Diamond Head to the
east of Waikiki. This mountain is a 'tuff cone' formed 100,000
years ago when an eruption of volcanic ash hardened into solid
rock. The extinct volcano is traditionally believed to be the home
of Pele, the fire goddess. Oahu means 'gathering place', and the
island certainly lives up to its name in its ethnic diversity,
which becomes evident at a glance at the annual festival calendar.
From the Chinese New Year in late January to King Kamehameha Day in
June and the Aloha Festivals in September there is barely a dull
moment and always a reason for celebration.
From the top of its dormant Haleakala volcano crater to its lush
rain forests, pristine beaches and rainbows of tropical fish in the
offshore valleys and reefs, the Hawaiian island of Maui offers a
magical dream-vacation in the Pacific Ocean.
Maui, named for a Polynesian god, is as close to paradise as it
is possible to get. Originally six different volcanoes created a
single landmass that, over the millennia, separated to become the
islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. All remain
administratively linked today as Maui County. Maui is the second
largest of the populated Hawaiian islands (after Hawaii Island/Big
Island itself), and also boasts the second largest population in
the state. Its two main features are the Haleakala crater (the name
means 'house of the sun'), which is the largest dormant volcano in
the world, and the underwater valleys that connect Maui with its
sister islands in the surrounding ocean, providing shelter for an
abundance of marine life.
The island's main business centre is the town of
Kahului/Wailuku, while the major resort area is in the west and
concentrated in Ka'anapali and the historic whaling town of
Lahaina. In south Maui is another busy resort district around the
town of Wailea. Maui's tropical north shore is quieter without
large hotels, only bed and breakfast establishments providing a
quiet, relaxing break. The island offers several points of cultural
and natural interest worth exploring, over and above its beautiful
beaches and underwater wonderland.
The youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, the island of
Hawaii (known as Big Island to avoid confusion) is one of the few
places on earth where visitors can go from snowboarding to
snorkelling in a single day! Local legend has it that the volcano
goddess Pele and the demi-god Kamapua'a, who could control the
weather, battled for the island and eventually decided to divide
it: Pele took the hot, dry western half and Kamapua'a ended up with
the wet, tropical east.
Big Island, however, actually has twelve distinct climatic zones
ranging from tropical rain forests in the east to the frozen tundra
atop Mauna Kea and the arid desert of Ka'u in the south. This
diversity makes Hawaii's Big Island an unrivalled pleasure ground
for active holidaymakers, the island's resorts offering every type
of outdoor activity imaginable. To add to the thrill there is the
attraction of two active volcanoes on this island - the Kilauea
Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world,
its present eruptive phase dating back to 1983; Mauna Loa last
erupted in 1984. Of the three other volcanoes on the island two,
Mauna Kea and Kohala, are extinct, while Hualalai is considered to
be dormant. All this volcanic action has meant that holidaymakers
can decide on their preferred beach sand tones ranging from white
to red, black and even green.
Together with the diverse ecosystems of Big Island is the rich
Polynesian Hawaiian culture, a culture that has absorbed some
interesting elements from both Asia and Europe, creating a
colourful mix. On the coast you can dance the hula at an authentic
luau feast, while upcountry you will find a blend of Portuguese and
Mexican culture combined with Hawaiian tradition among the
'Paniolos' (cowboys) on the giant cattle ranches.
The tiny Hawaiian island of Molokai has been called the 'island
that the world has left behind'. It is largely untouched by tourism
and development, there are no highrise buildings, traffic lights or
fast food outlets, even in the main town of Kaunakakai. As small as
it is (you can drive from tip to tip in a couple of hours) this
authentic paradise boasts Hawaii's longest white sand beach and
other black sand stretches; the only barrier reef north of
Australia; a lowland desert, some rain forests and ancient Hawaiian
heiau (temples). The island was once a place of refuge for those
who violated the Hawaiian kapu (taboo) system, and many visitors
are drawn by the mana (spiritual power) that still seems to infuse
this naturally beautiful spot. East of the Kalaupapa peninsula, to
the north of the island, is the world's highest sea cliff, Kahiwa
Falls. The peninsula itself used to be a leper colony in the
mid-19th century, and some sufferers of the ailment continue to
live there out of choice. Molokai's main claim to fame, however, is
as the place where the famous Hawaiian hula dance was born. Each
May a hula festival is held in Papohaku Beach Park in honour of the
dance.
The main attraction on the Hawaiian island of Kauai is its
natural beauty and unassuming lifestyle of the people. The wettest
spot on earth is said to be Kauai's Mount Waialeale with an average
rainfall of 485 inches per year - this has resulted in the Alakai
Swamp, the highest swamp in the world, and the Waimea River, the
longest river in the Hawaiian Islands. It also causes an abundance
of rainbows and lush vegetation that has earned it the title of
'the Garden Island'.
Kauai was the first of the Hawaiian Islands to be discovered by
English explorer Captain James Cook in 1778 when he landed at
Waimea on Kauai's southwest coast. There is evidence, however, that
he was not the first European in Hawaii; some Spanish sailors may
have paid a visit about a century earlier. Today Kauai is popular
with visitors, but tourism development is concentrated in just a
few prime locations such as the Princeville resort on the north
coast. Holidaymakers who opt for Kauai's raw wilderness are
rewarded with some of the most secluded, pristine beaches in the
Hawaiian Islands and marvellous natural wonders like Waimea Canyon,
covering 14 miles (23km) on the west side. There are also some
restored historic sites to explore, like the Alekoko Fishpond near
Nawiliwili Harbour on the southeast coast, regarded as an
engineering wonder of ancient times.
Hula down to Hilo, which has been dubbed 'Hawaii's forgotten
city' on the coast of the Big Island, for a dose of old-time
Hawaii. The city may be the second largest in the State, but Hilo
has a small-town feel. Overlooking beautiful Hilo Bay, and
dominated by two volcanoes (the active Mauna Loa and dormant Mauna
Kea), the city was a trading centre for native Hawaiians in ancient
times, then became an important port once the westerners had
discovered that the area was ideal for growing sugar cane.
More modern times have seen Hilo bear the brunt of two tsunamis,
one in 1946 and another in 1960, but the hardy citizens of Hilo
cleaned up their city after each affliction and now the high-water
marks of these devastating events are a tourist attraction, along
with the Pacific Tsunami Museum on the corner of Front and Kalakaua
Streets.
Although reminders of the past are everywhere, in the
architecture and attractions, Hilo is a young, happening city, home
to the University of Hawaii and the Merrie Monarch Festival,
celebrating hula dancing, held annually in the week after
Easter.
Another of the hottest happenings in Hilo is the Farmers'
Market, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays along Front Street, when
more than 100 vendors set up their stalls selling everything from
fresh produce to Portuguese pastries and native crafts.
The downtown area of Hilo contains Hawaii's largest collection
of historic buildings, dating back to the turn of the century.
There are plenty of restaurants, museums, a rainforest zoo and the
beautiful Nani Mau Gardens to explore. Beyond the city itself the
countryside is photogenically beautiful, with waterfalls plunging
down the hillsides, forming rainbows that light up the lush
vegetation. It rains a lot, but mostly in the late afternoons,
ensuring that the area stays vividly green. The volcanic beaches in
the area are covered in jet-black sand, offsetting the brilliant
white spray and blue, glassy waters. Hilo is a colourful
kaleidoscope of Hawaii, filled with friendly, smiling people
waiting to welcome visitors.
