HAWAII
Our Hawaii Travel Guide
Situated 2,000 miles away from the U.S. mainland in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the only U.S state that is entirely made up of Islands. In total, there are 137 islands in the state, but only seven of them are inhabited. These seven islands are located at the eastern end of the chain and include the islands of Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, and Lānaʻi. We love Hawaii, so keep reading and learn more about traveling to this state.
First, a little history…
In the early 19th century, Christian missionaries arrived in Hawaii. Before the arrival of missionaries, Hawaii had no written language, and Hawaiian history was passed from one generation to the next through songs and poems.
The Spanish-American war in 1898 highlighted Hawaii’s strategic location as an American base. As a result, it was annexed by the United States. In 1959, the monarchy was overthrown, and Hawaii received statehood. This also makes Hawaii the most recent state to join the U.S. In 1993, almost a century after the coup, the U.S. government formally apologized to Native Hawaiians for depriving them of their rights to self-determination.
Travel Guides for Hawaii
Find your adventure! Organized by city name…
National Parks in Hawaii
Who doesn’t love Hawaii? While we’ve been to Hawaii, we haven’t had the privilege of visiting the parks, YET. We hope to add to this section soon. Check back for updates!
Explore!
Major Attractions
Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai
The wilderness in Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park became famous from the film Jurassic Park which showed its dramatic coastline with cliffs. You can experience the wild by taking a helicopter ride or approaching the coast by water. The Kalalau Trail is famous among expert hikers due to its breathtaking scenery and remains a top attraction.
Halawa Valley, Molokai
Halawa Valley is considered the oldest settlement in Hawaii. Its lush tropical rainforests look breathtaking with their stunning landscape and waterfalls. Anakala Pilipo Solatorio and his family offer guided tours of the valley to provide visitors with an authentic experience where they can learn about the history and culture of the region.
Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hawaii is famous for its many volcanoes that formed 70 million years ago. The Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places where you can safely visit an active volcano. Here, lava seeps from the earth’s cracks and shapes the surrounding landscape. The park also contains the shield volcano Kilauea, which only recently became active.
Maui Ocean Center, Maui
A visit to Hawaii will be incomplete without its famous Maui Ocean Center. Visitors can experience the marine life surrounding the islands of Hawaii. You will also find a massive living reef in the ocean center with around 40 coral species. In addition, you can walk through the underwater tunnel and get a chance to look closely at sharks and stingrays.
Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai
Waimea Canyon State Park, or the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is located on the western side of Kauai, and offers a scenic drive. The canyon’s landscape includes waterfalls and colorful rock layers.
Some other notable places and attractions:
Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu
Kauai’s Botanical Gardens
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial, Oahu
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu
Journey to another state!
“Travel not to find yourself, but to remember who you’ve been all along!”