Hawaii is known by many names: The Crossroads of the Pacific, Heaven on Earth, and Paradise all come to mind. For millions of people around the world, a trip to Hawaii is a dream come true. While there are countless things to see and do in the Aloha State, there are a few things that you absolutely must experience while visiting the former “Sandwich Isles”. Perhaps the most easily recognizable icon of Hawaii is Waikiki Beach, a strip of white sand located along the southern coast of the island of Oahu. Waikiki has been visited by millions of tourists, and the crowds should by no means keep you from visiting this international hot spot. Although it can be very crowded, the waves at Waikiki Beach are relatively tame and the beach is well-covered by lifeguards, making it a great family destination. Waikiki hosts Sunset on the Beach, a popular film screening celebration, and also boasts several places for surfing in addition to a boardwalk. Waikiki is also a great place to check out because of the world class shopping facilities located along the Waikiki Strip. Designer stores, boutiques, and souvenir shops line the streets of Waikiki, while trendy restaurants and bars occupy the higher floors.
Just beyond Waikiki is another essential destination, Ala Moana Shopping Center. Ala Moana is the largest outdoor shopping mall in the world, and the biggest shopping center in the entirety of Hawaii. In addition to an excellent food court and many shops similar to those found along the Waikiki Strip, Ala Moana often hosts local performing arts groups on its locally well-known Center Stage. To the east of Waikiki and Ala Moana, you can find Haunama Bay, which is quite arguably the best snorkeling destination in the world. The City and County of Honolulu is very sensitive about the preservation and upkeep of Haunama Bay, which is understandable considering the multitude of fish and coral species that call the beautiful half-moon bay home.
Often lost among the skyscrapers of downtown Honolulu are some of the most significant landmarks in Hawaii – Aloha Tower, Iolani Palace, and the State Capitol. Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in Hawaii for several decades, and is still open for interested tourists. There is also a popular, if somewhat expensive, shopping center and food court area built around the tower, while a whaling museum is within walking distance. Iolani Palace was the seat of the Hawaiian Monarchy before the Revolution of 1893, and maintains one of the most highly regarded museum tours in the state, while the adjacent State Capitol is a great example of tropical modernism; an architectural style inspired by the Islands.
Of course, no trip to Hawaii is complete without a tour of the untouched Na Pali Coast of Kauai, where one of the few truly undeveloped portions of Hawaii can be experienced via boat or helicopter. Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii is definitely worth a stop, as are the valleys and waterfalls of Maui. When visiting Hawaii, try to respect the “aina” (land) and the local customs of the Hawaiian Islands. You’ll find that if you go with the flow of things and act like one of the kama’aina (locals), you’ll enjoy your stay in paradise much more.
