Travel Through Time

While most of us are familiar with at least some of the Hawaiian Islands many people don’t realize just how diverse and unique the total of the seven main islands are. Though one of these seven islands is private the remaining six can easily keep your attention, and keep you very happy, for the better part of a full month. Honolulu, on the island of Oahu (pronounced “Oh wah who” for beginners) is probably the best known tourist area of the islands and is likely to offer you some of the best budget honeymoon packages.
Oahu is known as The Gathering Place and is generally more commercial than the other islands but even so, there is plenty of beauty and tropical charm to keep you enchanted for a good week. The world renowned Waikiki Beach is the center of Honolulu tourism. To the southeast is the extinct volcano crater of Diamond Head with the ritzy Black Point and Hanauma Bay beyond. To the northwest, and beyond the international airport lies Pearl Harbor with the Ihilani resort area a few miles further along the coast.
On the far side of the island lies a totally different and diverse world. On the northwestern portion of the island (the windward side) is Waimea with its roaring surf and well known surfing beaches of Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. While in this area don’t overlook the beautiful Waimea Falls Park. On the northeastern side of the island (across the pass known as The Poli - which in itself is worth a visit) lies Kailua and a more serene and peaceful way of life. Along the coast road between Kailua and Waimea, you will want to see the Sacred Falls and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Of the six main islands the island that will keep calling you back again and again is The Garden Island, Kauai. This is the oldest and most beautiful of all the islands. Kauai truly is what you envision when you think of getting away to Hawaii! Here you find the grandeur of Waimea Canyon, the serenity of the Fern Grotto and Wailua River and great secluded beaches at Hanalei Bay with its Princeville Resort sitting atop the towering cliffs overlooking the white sands where the movie “South Pacific” was filmed. Excellent shopping and great dining abound in all three of this island’s major tourist areas, Princeville, Kapaa Wailua Lihue, and Poipu (once you get the knack of it pronouncing these Hawaiian names becomes fun.) Kauai is by far our personal favorite island.
But , not far behind our favorite are a few more great choices. Molokai is just a short hop east of Oahu and is known as The Friendly Isle. Molokai is considered “the most Hawaiian” of the Hawaiian Islands because it is still largely undiscovered by the “usual” tourist trade. Here is a getaway within a getaway. On Molokai you can lay back - really lay back - and just take it all in. A Great Honeymoon Destination!
Almost due south of Molokai is another less-traveled island, Lanai, Hawaii’s Private Island. Here among pine forests and stark landscapes you find high cliffs and beautiful white sand beaches. Lanai is the smallest of the main islands and is the most primitive.
Further east of Lanai and Molokai is The Valley Isle of Maui. Once a pristine getaway destination, today Maui is one of the largest tourist destinations of all the islands (second only to Oahu.) Not only tourists winter in Maui. Just off this coast is where the Great Humpback Whales spend their winter.
Even with its almost frantic hotel and resort development Maui still has an enormous amount of beauty and charm plus nearly endless entertainment! The Kaanapali area is just up the coast from the historic whaling village of Lahaina and our favorite white sand resort area of the island. Besides Lahaina you will want to visit Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools, climb into the Haleakala Crater and otherwise just party - Maui IS a party island!
The last of the six main islands is The Big Island. This is the island of Hawaii. Steeped in legend and history The Big Island is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Island chain. This is the island of total diversity and constant change. You can have it all on the Big Island: the beautiful secluded black sand beaches and resorts; shopping and dining in Kona Village; the snowcapped mountain of Mauna Kea; erupting volcanoes; water falls; entertainment and contrast, contrast, contrast.
All six of the Hawaiian Islands are more than hospitable - they are GREAT. Each island is unique and offers a little something different but all the islands have a few things in common - plenty of excellent accommodations, plenty of excellent food and plenty of excellent Aloha Spirit and Attitude. Once you have visited Hawaii you will want to go back. Article by Hawaii vacations and Kauai weddings