Maui Hawaii USA

Maui, a top travel vacation destination, is the second-largest island in the Hawaiian Islands chain . The 729 square miles of Maui Island were formed when two volcanoes erupted out of the sea more than two million years ago. Gradually, the power of nature magically created this unique Pacific paradise formed by rain forests, valleys, springs, slopes, waterfalls, sandy beaches , exotic plants and flowers, beautiful birds, and many other tourist attractions. Tourism peaks in the winter months from November to March – this is when mainland Americans, in particular retires, take their extended winter break. In these months, accommodation can be booked-out well in advance. Winter is also the peak season for surfing and whale watching making the north shore of Oahu and Maui popular destinations.

The summer months are drier and slightly warmer (about 30 O C), the seas and surf are generally calmer and this is the Hawaii holiday season popular with families. The low seasons when hotel prices are most likely to be discounted is between April-May and September-October.

This island caters for the affluent executives, golfers, families, corporate groups, honeymooners, couples of all ages, and singles.
There is a wide choice of accommodation, from oceanfront luxury options to condominiums and B&Bs, plus a few camping grounds thrown in for good measure. Rates range from the price of a meal to the price of a small second-hand car! The beachfront area is the most popular and expensive.

Locality:

Maui is an island in the central Pacific Ocean, almost on the Tropic of Cancer, 20 to 30 mins’ flight from Honolulu international airport via inter-island airlines.
There is a Wide selection for the shoppers, from kitschy souvenirs to unusual, quality gifts and luxury goods. There are shopping centres/villages in Napili, Kahana, Kaanapali, Lahaina, Kihei, Wailea and Kahului-Wailuku.
Makawao has good boutiques and art galleries. Most hotels have beachwear, souvenir, art and jewellery shops ? some of them world-class. Local artists display in Maui’s popular galleries.

 

During the daytime there is good snorkelling, especially in the island’s protected marine reserves . Also Scuba diving, windsurfing, parasailing and jet-skiing. Good surfing can be found on the Kihei-Wailea coast, but can be a bit rough in winter. There is the Maui Ocean Center, a marine centre and aquarium. There are 15 golf courses on the island.

The nightlife on the island consists of the Maui Myth & Magic Theatre (in Lahaina) hosts a world-class Broadway-style musical based on the history of Hawaii. There are Bars and clubs in Lahaina, some with live music, other options dotted around the island. Most large hotels offer live entertainment, including Hawaiian evenings.

There are hundreds of restaurants at all price levels. Best restaurants generally in luxury hotels, with notable exceptions in Lahaina. There is a good selection of Japanese, Thai and Korean, and Pacific Rim cuisine.

Kauai USA Travel Guide

Kauai, geologically the oldest of the major islands, is breathtakingly beautiful, its lush green interior earning it the nickname “the Garden Isle”. This is one of the smaller of Hawaii’s main islands, measuring only about 3½ mls E to W and 2½ mls N to S.
Jagged green mountains dominate the landscape and some parts are still untamed Na Pali Coast remains roadless, a mystic wilderness. Major resort destinations are Princeville on the N coast, the Wailea coconut coast in the E and Poipu Beach on the S shore. A law forbids any structure from being higher than the coconut palms, and so making the most of the superb natural scenery.
This island suits the middle to upmarket families, couples and incentive/corporate groups, the active and sports-orientated, independent. Mainly American tourists.

On the island there is about 90 properties, two-thirds of which are hotels; the remainder is made up of condominiums, a few cottages and B&Bs.

Locality:
Kauai is an island in the central Pacific Ocean, almost on the Tropic of Cancer, 20 mins’ flight from Honolulu (Oahu) via inter-island airlines. The island’s major airport is at Lihue, with a smaller airport at Princeville. This is the northernmost of the major Hawaiian islands.

The island is ringed with 45 superlative beaches , large and small, most of them deserted, but all of them (as throughout the Hawaiian Islands) open to the public. Among the best: Hanalei Bay on the N shore; Poipu Beach in the S; Kalapaki Beach near Lihue (E coast); and Polihale Beach in the SW. Many beaches are for strolling along or sunbathing rather than swimming, as currents are strong and undertows dangerous; check with the locals first before taking a dip.

The island’s largest shopping mall, Kukui Grove Center, is in Lihue, the island’s principal city. Shopping “villages” are located at Poipu, Coconut Plantation Marketplace in Wailua, Princeville and Hanalei. Clothing, art and souvenir shops can be found in most hotels. Outdoor shopping includes a bazaar at Spouting Horn, just W of Poipu. Look for hand-painted clothes, exquisite Niihau shell jewellery, hand-crafted items and locals artists’ work. During the daytime there is water sports; gliding; bird-watching; fishing; golf. Hiking on the Na Pali Trail. Kauai Museum in Lihue. Botanical gardens. Several scenic state parks, including magnificent Waimea Canyon. Learning Hawaiian crafts; cultural and music festivals; sports events.
The nightlife here is very low-key. Hotels offer clubs, bars and entertainment programmes; there is also local dancing and music.

For food there is a limited choice. The range includes restaurants serving regional dishes and international fare to snack bars and lunch wagons near beaches. Hotel restaurants are good; food choice tends to be mostly steak/seafood/American. Local speciality is shaved ice flavoured with tropical syrups.

Hawaii Travel Guide

The state of Hawaii includes approximately 130 islands in the Pacific Ocean, many of which are uninhabited. Hawaii is considered the 50th state of the United States of America and is situated nearly at the centre of the north Pacific Ocean. Hawaii marks the NE corner of Polynesia. While it was once a major hub for the whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, it is now economically dependent on tourism and the U.S. military.
The natural beauty of the islands continues to be one of Hawaii’s greatest assets and is the location of some of the finest beaches in the United States, each unique in its dimensions, shapes. These sandy stretches are fronted by crystal waters full of tropical fish darting through beautiful coral. Some of the world’s best surfing and watersport opportunities are on offer here and for those intent on impressive sightseeing, it is hard to beat the thrill of watching lava flow from the world’s longest erupting volcano. Honolulu is the state’s capital, largest city, and cultural hub. Hawaiian and English are the official languages of Hawaii.

Hawaii’s traditions and culture is also an attractions in itself. Most nightlife is centred on traditional festivals which visitors are encouraged to experience as they let themselves free under necklaces of flowers and dance the famous ‘hula’ after sunset.
The Hawaiian islands offer a vast number of activities. Hiking and eco tours are popular on most islands, with opportunities for horseback riding, ATV, air tours, and other methods of exploring the landscape. Museums and historical sites such as Pearl Harbor are also to be found throughout the islands. Cultural activities such as the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu also make for interesting day-long activities.

Oahu is famous for Pearl Harbor tours, but also popular are Shark Snorkel dives in cages, Waikiki snorkel tours as well as around Oahu Tours where you will see all the major highlites of Oahu including Diamond Head, the North Shore and Dole Plantation where you can sample menu items made from fresh picked pineapples.
Maui is the location for Humpback Whale Watching from December 15 to April 15 each year as the massive Humpbacks migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters to bear their calves. Also famous from Maui is the Molokini Crater which is a partially submerged volanco crater that you can snorkel at.

Kauai is untamed and beautiful. It has been featured in many major motion pictures over the past two decades. See this island by land or by air to take in the true beauty of this island.
This Big island is the volano island where you can take a land tour or fly over the incredible huge volanco on a helicopter tour. Doors off flights allow you to feel the heat from the volanco, and amazingly unique experience. Also on the Big Island you have the rare opportunity to swim with Wild dolphins, not capitve one.

Hawaii is best known for its beaches and water activities. Surfing is practically a religion in Hawaii, and scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities exist nearly everywhere. In addition, jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking are available in tourist areas.