All about the Aloha State; Travelocity Editors Highlight What to See and Do in Hawaii
August 10 2006 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
From Kauai's soaring sea cliffs to the Big Island's lava-baked
landscape, each island offers a myriad of experiences in Hawaii
making it hard to choose only one. One in four travelers opts to
explore more than one island, according to Travelocity's data. It
also shows that the majority of folks visit Oahu and Maui most
often. But with such diversity comprising Hawaii, Travelocity set
out to clarify why travelers might want to select a particular
Hawaiian haven. Travelocity's editors have Hawaii's big season in
mind with this latest destination information, as it's not too
early to start planning with winter peak season around the corner.
So as the summer season starts to quiet, maybe you want to take a
quiet fall vacation on the beaches. The famous Hana Maui black
sands may beckon some while others will be swept-up by the thought
of the surf in the North Shore. Read on to learn more: Oahu: The
Gathering Place: It's hard to pin down Hawaii's most populous
island, where a short drive can take you from the plumeria-scented
metropolis of Honolulu to the big-wave beaches of the North Shore.
Jam-packed with diversions, from golf courses to nightclubs to the
world's largest outdoor shopping center, Oahu is ideal if you want
your tropical retreat laced with life in the fast lane. Highlights
include: -- Hanauma Bay: This calm, crescent-shaped bay on the
southeastern tip of Oahu can get crowded, but the dozens of species
of tropical fish don't seem to mind -- and where there are fish,
there are satisfied snorkelers and scuba divers. The bay is open
every day except Tuesdays. Go early to avoid the crowds (and get a
parking spot). -- Pearl Harbor: It's hard to imagine one of the
greatest turning points in American history taking place on this
peaceful island in the middle of the Pacific, but a visit to the
USS Arizona Memorial puts the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor into
dramatic perspective. A visit to this site is a must -- just be
sure to get there early to avoid long lines. -- The North Shore:
Waikiki Beach suddenly feels very far behind as you cut through the
pineapple plantations on Kamehameha Highway towards the North
Shore. Stop in the town of Haleiwa for a shaved ice, then continue
up the coast to the world's most famous big-wave beaches: Waimea
Bay, Banzai Pipeline, and Sunset Beach. Maui: The Valley Isle:
Funky towns, fields of sugarcane, volcanic beaches, and bumpy roads
through misty rainforests make Maui a bona fide jack of all trades.
Everyone from world-class windsurfers to septuagenarian whale
watchers loves the Valley Isle -- and that makes for a great mix of
company over a round of Mai Tais as the sun goes down over Lahaina
Town. Highlights include: -- Haleakala Crater: At more than 10,000
feet above sea level, this enormous dormant crater lays claim to
one of the most legendary sunrises on Earth. It's worth the 3 a.m.
wake-up call to make it to the top for dawn. If you're still
feeling groggy after sunrise, get your adrenaline pumping on a bike
tour from the top of the crater and down to sea level. -- The Road
to Hana: This 50-mile stretch of topsy-turvy road gives credo to
the old saying that it's not the destination, but getting there
that counts. Top off your gas tank, fasten your seatbelt, and set
off for an eye-popping adventure along Maui's verdant northeastern
coast. -- Whale watching: From the shore or by sea, there's nothing
quite like seeing the humpback whales on their annual migration to
the waters off the coast of Maui. Visit during the winter or early
spring (January to April) for the best viewing opportunities.
Kauai: The Garden Isle: There's a spot on Kauai that gets an
average of 444 inches of rain each year -- but don't let that stop
you from packing your swimsuit and sunscreen. Kauai's lush foliage
gives way to golden sands on the north and south shores. Just don't
be surprised if you're tempted to leave the beach behind and
discover the Garden Isle's wild side -- by foot, kayak, or even
helicopter. Highlights include: -- Kayaking the Na Pali Coast:
During the summer, when the conditions are just right, adventurous
visitors glide past the emerald cliffs of the Na Pali Coast in sea
kayaks. Tours are strenuous, and last a full day. But if you know
how to swim, and you're physically fit, it's the experience of a
lifetime. -- Hanalei Bay: Even with Hawaii's overload of
picture-perfect beaches, this one stands out. On Kauai's north
coast, the long stretch of Hanalei Bay is calm and inviting for
swimmers, snorkelers, and divers in the summer, and seductive for
surfers in the winter. -- Waimea Canyon: If the Grand Canyon had a
mini-me, this would be it. At one mile wide, 10 miles long, and
3,500 feet deep, Waimea Canyon is one of the greatest natural
wonders of the Pacific. Hike in for a close-up view, or see it by
helicopter. The Island of Hawaii: The Big Island: Nature's been a
bit reckless on the Big Island, giving it a dash of just about
everything under the sun: towering cliffs to the north, smoldering
volcano vents to the south, misty jungles to the east, and
lava-baked deserts to the west. If you're coming for a tropical
escape, then much of the Big Island might leave you high and dry.
But if you're the type to find beauty in a variety of climates and
terrains, the Big Island may be for you. Highlights include: --
Kohala Coast: This perennially sunny stretch on the northwest shore
is dotted with some of the island's top accommodations, including
the legendary Mauna Kea Resort, built by Laurance Rockefeller back
in 1965. Even if you're not a guest at the Mauna Kea, stop by to
see the tasteful Pacific and Asian art collection or test your
skill on the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course -- home to the
most famous Par 3 in the Pacific. -- Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park: If you feel like the Big Island is growing on you, you're
right in more sense than one. Due to volcanic activity the island
is growing in land mass every year -- and you can be an eye witness
to the geographic expansion on a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park. -- Parker Ranch: One of the largest working cattle ranches in
the United States, Parker Ranch gives new meaning to the phrase,
"way out West." Throw on a pair of boots and explore the
175,000-acre ranch by horseback, wagon ride, or ATV. Travelocity
editor-at-large Amy Ziff also notes that some of the best deals to
Hawaii can be found for the fall. Sample deals are available at
www.travelocity.com/aloha. About Travelocity Travelocity is
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