Hawaii is America's Pacific paradise, where vacationers can enjoy world-class beaches and immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian people. We offer resort vacations on Hawaii's six major islands, and below is a brief description of each. Click the links to see a list of resorts and price a stay at any of them.
Home to Honolulu, the state capital, Oahu is a mecca for beach worshippers, shoppers and surfers. Most resorts are located along the 2-mile stretch of sand at Waikiki Beach. One of the most popular Oahu landmarks is the USS Arizona Memorial, dedicated to the 2,335 service members and 68 civilians who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Royal heritage is on display at Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii's last two monarchs. November through February is the best time to watch the pros tackle the big waves at the North Shore, a prime surfing spot. Iconic Diamond Head peak, rising above the Honolulu skyline, provides stunning views to those who climb to the top.
Maui is famous for its beautiful beaches, championship golf courses and some great windsurfing locations. Hawaiian legend says that an ancient hero named Maui stood atop the island's Haleakala volcano and lassoed the sun, slowing its descent in order to make daylight last longer. Nowadays, you can drive to the Haleakala Visitors Center at 9,740 feet and catch a spectacular sunrise. Lahaina, which anchors Maui's west end, was a busy whaling town in the mid-1800s and is now a thriving arts haven. Road warriors will enjoy driving the legendary Hana Highway, a narrow and twisting 64-mile route.
As its nickname indicates, the Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian isles, encompassing diverse landscapes in its 4,000-plus square miles. See black-sand beaches at Punaluu, coffee farms in the Kona region and rainforests along the Hamakua Coast. Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and visitors can watch the scorching lava flows meet the sea. Fields of lava rocks give way to beautiful beaches on the Kohala Coast, where some of the finest resorts and golf courses are located; snorkelers should keep an eye out for green sea turtles here.
Emerald valleys, rainforests, taro fields and waterfalls create a lush spectacle in Kauai, known as "The Garden Isle." Waimea Canyon has been dubbed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and lookouts provide panoramas of the chasm, which is a mile wide and 14 miles long. Visitors can get a closer look at the velvety green, knife-edged cliffs of the Napali Coast by boat or helicopter tour, or by hiking the challenging Kalalau Trail. The Fern Grotto, once restricted to Hawaiian royalty, is another big draw; the lava rock cave is draped in tropical foliage and accessible by a boat ride up the Wailua River.
Lanai is Hawaii's smallest inhabited island, and it offers top-notch beaches, golf and rugged adventures -- like four-wheel-drive excursions to secluded Polihua Beach or hikes along the 13-mile Munro Trail through eucalyptus and pine forests. The isle's central town, Lanai City, once was the hub of a thriving pineapple industry. Today, it offers a collection of restaurants and shops situated around Dole Park.
Low-key Molokai still remains largely undeveloped and is the place to experience "old Hawaii." The tallest point in its largest town, Kaunakakai, is a church steeple; the 80-year-old Kanemitsu's Bakery draws long lines of locals for its fresh breads hot from the oven. Maunaloa is a small plantation town set in the hills, and it's famous for the handmade kites produced here. Papohaku Beach is a broad swath of white sand that stretches for 3 miles, while the Kamakou Preserve houses rare plants -- most found nowhere else in the world.
