Hawaii
Introduction
Mark Twain declared Hawaii to be "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies
anchored in any ocean". A trip to this blissful landscape will persuade any
visitor to echo his opinion.
Thoughts of Hawaii tend to be focused solely on beaches and palm trees, but a
visit to this consummate tropical paradise unveils an alluring diversity of
attractions. Cascading waterfalls, imposing volcanoes and sodden rainforests
dominate the landscape, and distinguished museums, awe-inspiring memorials and
monumental districts evoke images of Hawaii's royal past.
Getting Around
Your need of a tour guide in Hawaii will depend on how adventurous you are. If
you're content with basking on shores of Waikiki Beach and other renowned
beaches, you certainly don't require a guide. However, each and every Hawaiian
island is filled with unique natural wonders and historical districts, so if you
venture past your local beach, a guide may prove valuable.
Examples of shore excursion opportunities in Hawaii
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Cruise Tip
Outside cabins typically have a porthole or a
window. More lavish outside cabins may have private balconies.
...More Tips |
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Sports Excursions
- Sport fish for marlin, ahi, ono, mahi and
shortnose spearfish off the coast of Kona.
- Swim in Hidden Valley Falls, a unique series of
pools and waterfalls that cascade over black lava rock in Nawiliwili Kauai.
- Windsurf at Hookipa Beach Park, Maui's most
favored windsurfing hotspot.
Adventure Expeditions
- See the largest Hawaiian body of fresh water, a
volcanic crater and magnificent mountain and ocean vistas during an ATV tour in
Nawiliwili Kauai.
- Kayak down the jungle stream of Huleia River
past the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge and the Alekoko Fishpond, a living
archaeological site.
- Hike to the top of the mammoth Haleakala Crater,
a Maui crater as expansive as Manhattan Island and as tall as four Empire State
Buildings.
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Cultural Attractions
- Tour the Maui Ocean Center, the largest tropical
aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
- Attend the Paradise Cove Luau and Polynesian
Show, a grand beachfront celebration consisting of arts, crafts, a Hukilau
ceremony, tropical feasting and a shower of flowers.
- Meet the people of Samoa, Hawaii, Marquesas,
Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji at the Polynesian Cultural Center in
Honolulu.
- Visit sites where Jurassic Park, Raiders of the
Lost Ark, Fantasy Island and other popular movies and TV shows were filmed.
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Nature Trips
- Explore Diamond Head Crater, the Halona Point
blowhole and Pali Lookout in the Koolau Mountains in Honolulu.
- Walk along a one-mile pathway through lush
tropical forest en route to Akara Falls, a 442-foot unbroken waterfall over a
volcanic cliff.
- Visit Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea
Volcano, home of Pele - the Legendary Goddess of Fire.
Historical Tours
- Take a walking tour of Honolulu and see the
Kamehameha Statue, the lolani Palace, Aloha Stadium, Washington Place, the
Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Chinatown and the Punchbowl Crater.
- Enjoy a leisurely ride in a horse-drawn carriage
through the historic district of Kona.
- Relive history with a visit to Pearl Harbor and
the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
Flightseeing Charters
- Take a thrilling helicopter ride over the active
Kilauea Volcano in Hilo and follow its surface activity down to the devastated
village of Kalapana.
- View the Olokele Canyon, Wailea Falls, Alakia
Swamp and the Na Pali Coast during a grand helicopter tour over Nawiliwili
Kauai.
- Soar in an island seaplane over the sights of
Honolulu, including Aloha Tower, Waikiki Beach and Koko Head Crater.
Wildlife Interaction
- Photograph tropical fish and humpback whales
during a glass-bottom boat cruise in Kona.
- Embark on a marine boat safari and search for
spinner dolphins and other marine wildlife.
- Snorkel amongst endangered sea turtles, elusive
mantra rays and multicolored fish in Pawai Bay.
| Enhance
your travel to Hawaii by reading about its culture, people and history in these
novels: |
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Travelers' Tales: Hawaii - edited by Rick & Marcie
Carroll
Folktales of Hawaii - Mary Kawena Pului
Voices of Wisdom, Hawaiian Elders Speak - MJ Harden
Kula Keiki Ali'I - Rosemary I. Patterson, Sarah Fitzpatrick
A Map of Paradise - Linda Ching Sledge
Hawaii - James A. Michener
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