Hawaii Island

Oahu Island

When Captain James Cook landed here in the 18th century, Oahu had been untouched by the West. It achieved prominence when the volume of Honolulu's commercial traffic increased and the US Navy acquired rights to Pearl Harbour. Oahu has four divisions from a tourist's point of view: Honolulu, the metropolitan centre; Waikiki Beach, 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Honolulu's downtown area; the North Shore, stretching from Kahuku to Kaena Point; and the Windward Coast, notable for its beaches. The Leeward Coast, on the western side, is more desolate, though in recent years a certain amount of development has taken place and new residential areas, golf courses, parks, a shopping centre and an amusement park (Hawaiian Waterways Adventure Park) have sprung up.


Hawaii

Honolulu, as the cultural, commercial and political centre of the island group, is the starting point for most visitors. Waikiki Beach is a particularly popular resort region of the city. The old harbour area here (known as Aloha Tower Marketplace) has recently been converted into an attractive waterfront development, with shopping plazas, restaurants and pavement entertainers. Other attractions include: Kalakaua Avenue, Kilohana Square, the Ala Moana Center and the Kahala Mall (all noted for their shopping); the zoo in Kapiolani Park (where the Honolulu Marathon is held annually); the National Cemetrey of the Pacific, or The Puncwhbol, a memorial and cemetrey for US military veterans; central Honolulu, including Chinatown; the fine collection of Asian art at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; Bishop Museum; Iolani Palace; and the spectacular Nuuanu Pali. There are also many other parks, aquariums, museums and theatres in the city and its surrounding areas. Numerous excursions are available. At least a day should be allowed for the Circle Island Tour, which takes in the whole of Oahu. Attractions en route include The Parks at Waimea, Pearl Harbour, the Polynesian Cultural Center; Sea Life Park, the Waialua Coffee Visitors' Center (on a former plantation), the Sacred Birthstones and Sunset Beach. .

Hawaii

'The Big Island' encompasses over 4,000 square miles (10,000 squae kilometres) and holds more attractions than initially meet the eye. Towns like Kailua-Kona, once a favourite spot for vacationing among Hawaiian royalty, and other resorts lie along the west coast. Over on the east coast lies the town of Hilo (site of the 2001 World Conference of Hula Dancing) as well as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. At 13,677 feet (4,103 metres), Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world, while at 4,000 feet (1,200 metres), the still-active Kileaua's steaming vents and frequent eruptions provide an unusual (and safe) spectator sport. The volcano is currently in its 51st phase of eruption, but lava flow is rapid only near the summit and in underground tubes, although it can be seen entering the ocean at sea level.

Maui

Over two million tourists a year flock to Hawaii's second-largest island, popularly known as 'The Valley Isle'. Luxury resorts and budget condos abound, but there are isolated spots of raw beauty. Attractions include the town of Wailuku; the more bustling town of Kahului; the Iao Valley; the historic whaling town of Lahaina; Mount Haleakala, a massive volcanic crater whose name translates as 'The House of the Sun'; the tranquil beauty of Hana on the Eastern Shore; the East Mountain range with its native ecosystem; the waterfalls at Wailua Cove; and Ka'eleku Caverns, which are located beneath the Hana rainforest.

Lanai

Once known as 'Pineapple Isle' (pineapples have dominated the plantation economy since the early 1900s), beautiful Lanai now offers two 5-star resorts. Spectacular natural attractions include the dramatic Shipwreck Beach, where remains of World War II ships still remain, or Kaiolohia, with its petroglyph rock carvings. The mystical Garden of the Gods at Kanepu'u cause one to marvel at the forces of nature. Although surrounded by lush tropical forest, the Garden is a canyon filled with twisted and scoured orange and gold rock formations left by ancient eruptions of volcanoes.

Other attractions include the ruins of Kaunolu Village (a complete archaeological site) and the Munro Trail, which leads to the Hauola Gulch, which offers a truly spectacular view of the neighboring islands. From November to April, Lanai is the perfect place for whale-watching, as humpback whales make the waters around the island their winter breeding and calving grounds.
Night Life

Bars and nightclubs abound, especially on Oahu and Maui. Top international stars are booked, whilst luau shows are in themselves a great attraction. Jazz, big band music, tea dances and hula groups are all available.

Recreation and Sports

Golf courses are numerous and scenic. Deep-sea fishing is very popular off the island of Hawaii. The Islands provide numerous opportunities for watersports. For would-be yachtsmen, one-week yachting charters are available, with or without crews. All boats are equipped with Coast Guard-approved safety equipment and are under Coast Guard supervision. Surfing is, of course, a very popular sport for both participants and spectators. Snorkeling is especially popular near the Molokini Crater off Maui, as well as at various sites around each of the islands. In addition, there are some exciting international events such as the Canoe Races, in which outrigger canoes race against each other. One particularly grueling racecourse runs from Molokai to Waikiki. Races take place from autumn to spring.

Shopping

The Aloha Tower Marketplace, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, are popular shopping areas. Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Some shops may open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Special Events

The Merrie Monarch Festival (a cultural festival, including Hawaii's most prestigious hula competition) is held in April.

The Kapalua Wine and Food Festival occurs in Maui in July. The Annual International Festival of the Pacific begins in July and lasts into August.

In August, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is staged.

September through October, each island has their own Aloha Festival (Hawaii's largest multicultural festival).

History

Physically and psychologically, Hawaii stands apart from the USA, with an ethnically diverse population and a rich Polynesian heritage. The human history of Hawaii probably began over 2 thousand years ago when travellers from the Marquesas Islands took up residence. Many more Tahitian immigrants arrived in Hawaii in the 14th and 15th centuries. The first known European to land was a Spanish navigator named Gaetano in 1555, with the next contact in 1778 by James Cook.

On 17 January 1893, Queen Lili'uokalani surrendered at gunpoint, yielding her throne to the government of the United States. A provisional government led by wealthy white sugar growers assumed control of Hawaii as well as the royal palace and petitioned the US for annexation

An attempt was made to re-secure the throne and the monarchy as the centre of power in 1895 by a band of native royalists, but the effort was quelled and resulted in the imprisonment of the group. Queen Lili'uokalani was imprisoned on charges of conspiracy (in what had been her own palace) after firearms were unearthed in her gardens.

In 1898, Hawaii was finally annexed by the US, and in 1900, it became a US territory. On 21 August, 1959 it became the 50th American state. In 1993, Congress and President Clinton formally apologized for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A vocal secessionist movement continues to voice its unrest.
Food and Drink

Hawaiian food is based on chicken, pork, seafood and local fruit and vegetables cooked using traditional methods. Special condiments and spices are used (see below). Much of the food available on the islands is basically American with oriental influences brought in by the assortment of ethnicities that make up the population.

The classic traditional Hawaiian feast is the 'luau',based around a puaa kalua (whole pig) that has been shaved and rubbed with rock salt on the inside. It is then placed on chicken wire, filled with hot stones from the fire, and cooked in an imu (pit) along with sweet potatoes, plantains and sometimes laulaus (pork, butterfish and spinach-like taro shoots wrapped in leaves and steamed). The steam is prevented from escaping by encircling the pig with banana and coconut husks and taro leaves and covering the pit with wet burlap bags. The cooking process takes about 6 hours. The kaluapig is eaten with fingers and is accompanied by the traditional Hawaiian poi (thick paste made from ground taro), opihi (a salty, black, clam-like mollusck and lomi lomisalmon (salmon rubbed with an onion and tomato marinade). Chicken luau comprises tender chicken pieces cooked with taro tops and coconut cream. Garnishes include limu (seaweed), paakai rock salt and chopped roasted kukui nuts. Local seafood includes moi (mullet) ulua, opakapaka (pink snapper), lobster and yellow fin tuna. Hawaiian breakfast specialties are macadamia nuts and banana and coconut pancakes with coconut syrup. Fresh fruit and nut ice creams or sorbets make excellent desserts.

From: http://www.flightcentre.us/