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CHEAP HAWAII HOLIDAYS - DISCOVER THE LATEST HAWAII OFFERS!

Vacation in Hawaii: Hula, Surfing, and Volcanoes

Polynesian roots and the American way of life, overwhelming natural scenery, vacation joy and wellness on the beach, and of course surfing: Hawaii has a lot to offer. Read on to learn more about this dream travel destination and find cheap vacation offers for your Hawaii trip.

Check out the best deals for other top US destinations. Or check out other beach locations in the Pacific and read on about the best locations for snorkeling.

General Hawaii info

The island chain of Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean, 1,400 miles from USA's west coast. Geographically, Hawaii does not belong to the states, but to Polynesia, but has officially been the 50th US state since 1959, so the national currency is the US dollar. The 137 islands together have a landmass of 6,418 square miles. However, much of the land area is uninhabited. The eight major islands with a population of approximately 1.4 million are divided into five administrative districts: Hawaii Big Island: Hawaii County

  1. Hawaii Big Island: Hawaii County

  2. Niihau and Kauai: Kauai County

  3. Oahu: Honolulu County

  4. Molokai (territorial), Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui: Maui County

  5. Molokai (territorial): Kalawao County

Hawaiian Islands & Resorts

  • Oahu: Honolulu, Kailua, Kaena Point, Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Laie

  • Maui: Kahului, Wailuku, Kapalua, Lāhainā and Kīhei

  • Hawai’i Island: Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Volcano, Kohala

  • Kauai: Lihue, Waimea, Koloa, Kapa‘a, Princeville

  • Lanai: Lānaʻi City

  • Molokai: Kaunakakai, Maunaloa

  • Niʻihau: Kaʻula, Lehua

When you fly west to Hawaii, you take a trip back in time: 3 hours behind California's time and 6 hours behind the east coast. The chain of islands was formed by volcanism. This shaped the landscape: With lush vegetation, spectacular natural monuments, and dream beaches, Hawaii is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Most Beautiful Islands & Places for a Hawaii Vacation

There are only a few larger cities on the islands. As a metropolis, Honolulu , the capital of Oahu, is by far the most important center with 400,000 inhabitants . The second largest city, Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island, is ten times smaller. The holiday resorts relevant to tourism are usually well below the 20,000-inhabitant mark.

  • Kailua-Kona: The place is known as the scene of the famous Iron Man competition. Vacationers will find accommodation and restaurants for every travel budget, many sights as well as dream beaches and nature parks in the area.

  • Waikiki Beach: Located near Honolulu, Waikiki is certainly one of the most famous beaches in the world. The lively beach with its international crowd is a major draw for water sports enthusiasts who frolic on the clear waves..

  • Lahaina auf Maui: The former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii was an important port and trading center for whalers in the 18th century. Today Lahaina is a tourist center with many museums and galleries. Snorkel divers and whale watchers start their tours here.

  • Kinderparadies Oahu: The island of Oahu offers the best opportunities for family vacations with children. There is a huge fun pool with the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park; in Honolulu, the big zoo lures, and the Dole Pineapple Center offers not only the little ones excitement and interesting facts about pineapples.

Travel Information for Vacations in Hawaii: Weather, Climate, and Best Travel Time

The topography of Hawaii, the area and the altitude levels create different climate zones on the islands: rainforest, desert, tundra and temperate climate ensure a varied picture. This gives you the opportunity to go from sunny beach to hiking in the snow in a matter of hours. The summer period with temperatures around 80 degrees lasts from May to October; in the winter half of the year, the temperatures fall only insignificantly. The trade wind provides refreshment.

Even if winter is the "rainy season" in Hawaii, continuous rain is an absolute rarity. The water temperatures on the coasts remain constant at around 70 degrees throughout the year. All in all, Hawaii is a destination that you can visit all year round without having to worry about the weather. When planning your trip, however, bear in mind that July and August is the high tourist season in the USA due to the holidays. Surfing holidays in Hawaii are particularly popular in the winter months when the wind blows a little stronger.

Highlights: Well-Known Sights in Hawaii

Hawaii inspires with its diverse beauty. It is not at all easy to particularly emphasize individual goals. As a tourist base, you can use the following areas as a guide.

Hawaii Big Island

There are plenty of nature experiences on this island:

  • Rainbow Falls: The spectacular natural monument with waterfalls and rainforest offers you an unforgettable sight. When the sun shines, unique rainbows form in the spray.

  • Black Sand Beach: No white dream beaches! The beach with black volcanic sand is a natural phenomenon. However, the curious color does not detract from the enjoyable beach holiday.

  • Volcanoes National Park: The UNESCO World Heritage is a nature reserve. Mauna Loa is the most active volcano in the world - a breathtaking experience. To climb the hot ground, you must not forget sturdy shoes, long trousers and a jacket. It is best to book a guided trekking tour: a total of 150 miles of hiking trails await nature lovers.

Maui

Volcanoes and culture can be found on Maui - ideal for a hiking vacation.

  • Lahaina Historic Trail: You can explore places from the city's history on a signposted hiking route. Worth seeing: At 12 feet, the largest Buddha statue outside of Asia is in the Lahaina Jodo Mission.

  • Sugar Cane Train: On Maui, don't miss a ride on the Sugar Cane Train. The steam-powered tourist train serves a route of about ten kilometers here.

  • Haleakala National Park: In the center of the park is the 10,000-foot-high Haleakala volcano. The hiking trail to the summit crosses several climate zones, it is quite chilly at the top: bring hiking boots and a warm jacket. On the southwest side of the park, the Pipiwai Trail leads through an impressive bamboo forest to Makahiku Falls and Waimoku Falls.

  • Leahi: The volcano that provides the backdrop for the borough of Waikiki is 757 feet high and is also called "Diamond Head". It got its English name from the glittering deposits of calcite crystals.

  • Road to Hana: A drive on the coastal road with its many vantage points opens up one wonderful panorama after the other.

  • Whale Watching: If you travel between December and April, don't miss a majestic sight. Then thousands of humpback whales pass the island.

Oahu

The natural port of Pearl Harbor gained notoriety in 1941 through the devastating air battle. Today, naval and aviation museums and some monuments can be visited here. In downtown Honolulu stands the Iolani Palace, royal palace of the island's last monarchs. Built in 1879, the building is open to the public and definitely worth a visit. But not only in terms of culture, O'ahu is at the forefront. No, the hiking routes on Oahu are also worth a trip. Here it goes high and into the beautiful nature of the island.

Kauai

In Waimea Canyon State Park you can marvel at a huge natural monument. The extraordinary gorge is 13 miles long, nearly a mile wide, and drops 3,600 feet at its deepest point. A paradise for hikers is the bizarre green hilly landscape that alternates with red and gray rocks and blue water. If you are a plant lover, you should not miss the magnificent Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden full of exotic plants.

Experience Hawaiian Culture Up Close on Vacation

The culture of the state of Hawaii is determined on the one hand by the traditional roots of the original population and on the other hand by the American standard of living and US politics. As a tourist, you should let the fascinating peculiarities of the country work their magic on you.

Polynesian Origins

Hawaii is part of the Polynesian culture; Hawaiian is the official language alongside English. In the absence of a written language before the introduction of the school system in the 19th century, Hawaiian is kept alive primarily traditionally with songs and stories. Respect for nature and family cohesion, which includes the ancestors, are important cultural values ​​in the country.

Following the discovery of Hawaii by Europeans in the late 18th century, the traditional Polynesian religion was interspersed with proselytizing from various Christian and Asian faiths. Today the population is mostly Christian. In the "Polynesian Culture Center" on Oahu, an open-air museum, you can find out about the history and culture of Polynesia. Attached to it is a cultural theme park, which is one of the most successful of its kind in the world and offers a high entertainment factor with many events.

Hawaii has the nickname "Aloha State" in America. Aloha is a Hawaiian word used as a universal greeting. Literally translated it means "in the presence of life", a little more loosely it stands for "friendship".

Arts, Dance, and Crafts

Of course, culture includes those typical things that only exist in Hawaii.

  • The famous ornate wreaths of flowers that adorn incoming holidaymakers are called "lei". Usually made of flowers, sometimes nuts or shells, they are an important accessory of Hawaiian culture.

  • The hula, a traditional, narrative dance, is almost iconographic for Hawaii. The steps follow the music, and the rest of the body is used to mimic and gesticulate to accompany the singing. The traditional, rhythmic hula is distinguished from the musical variant. Instruments such as guitar and ukulele are used.

  • You want to take home a typical souvenir from Hawaii? Typical souvenirs in the form of carvings or wickerwork are made by artisans. Jewelry made from volcanic rock or glass is another popular keepsake.

Culinary Highlights in Hawaii

In Hawaii you don't have to worry about your physical well-being.

The islands offer you a colorful mix of different culinary influences that the immigrants brought to the islands. Restaurants serving American dishes and international cuisine can be found in all tourist spots. Typical for Hawaii, however, is the use of a lot of fish and fresh fruit: Thanks to the shortest transport routes, all of this is available in the best quality. Well-known Hawaiian dishes include kalua pig (pork cooked in an earth oven), poi (a sweet mash made from the roots of an arum plant), and loco moco, a dish with rice, dark sauce, and meat or seafood. If you would like to collect even more tips and tricks when it comes to food in Hawaii, then you can find out from us where you can eat like the locals.

Fresh fruit juices, but also good wines, and all kinds of cocktails are served in Hawaii. A good dozen breweries that produce regional specialties provide the beer – which is certainly available in Hawaii.

Tips on Accommodation & Hawaii Travel

Accommodation in Hawaii - Hotels, Camping & Co.

A holiday in Hawaii is suitable for almost every budget because in Hawaii you will find accommodation for all requirements along the beaches. From the simple bed & breakfast to hotels of all star categories to holiday homes, apartments or campsites, there are appealing accommodations by American standards everywhere. Particularly noteworthy are the so-called cabins, log cabins in the national parks: ideal for hiking and discovery tours for nature lovers.

But be careful: Wild camping is strictly forbidden everywhere!

Our pirate tip: If accommodation is booked locally in Hawaii, there is no tax on the room rate. Therefore, be sure to inquire about the final price so that there are no surprises.

Practical Travel Tips for the Hawaii Vacation

When packing your suitcase for your Hawaii vacation, you should not forget the following items:

Due to the proximity to the equator, the UV radiation in Hawaii is very high. Pale European skin is at risk of sunburn. You need sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

The fauna of the island also includes mosquitoes. To be on the safe side, use an insect repellent with diethyltoluamide (DEET) as the active ingredient.

However, you are not allowed to take fruit, vegetables, or plants with you to the island: the sensitive ecosystem must not be endangered by unintentionally introduced pests.

USA or Hawaii without a credit card is simply unimaginable. You need them for the rental car, often also when checking in at the hotel.

Travel in the Hawaiian Islands

The islands of Maui and Oahu have a public bus system that serves island-to-island flight service on Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, or Pacific Wings. Of course, there are also regular ferry connections between the individual islands and ports. Bus tours can be booked to popular tourist destinations. In order to be mobile, you should use taxis or book a rental car. There are special packages for young drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 and additional drivers, which you should select in advance, as the surcharge is much higher on-site.

Hawaii is an excellent travel destination if you are looking for a bathing and active vacation or impressive nature experiences, value comfort, and want to get closer to an exotic, fascinating culture. Convince yourself!

Aloha from Hawaii: Experience an Unforgettable Honeymoon on the Pacific Archipelago

Endless, snow-white sandy beaches, deep blue sea, coconut cocktails, a gentle breeze, and your loved one very close. Is this how you imagine your honeymoon? Then you are well-advised to consider Hawaii as a destination. The archipelago not only offers all this but also a lot of variety for lovers of action and adventure.

The Best Travel Time for Lovers

Hawaii awaits you with countless hours of sunshine all year round. If you want to enjoy your honeymoon in Hawaii in peace, spring and autumn are best. Temperatures are optimal, rainy days are rare and the islands are less crowded than the rest of the year.

Beaches for Lovers: The Most Beautiful Stretches of Coastline in Hawaii

Waikiki Beach is the most famous beach in the Hawaiian island chain and one of the most visited. If you want intimacy and seclusion, you should visit the island of Kauai and drive to Hideaway Beach. It is tucked away at the end of a narrow path and enticed with shady spots, turquoise blue water, and the finest white sand.

Pirate tip: Honopu Beach on Kauai is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii - which requires a good deal of adventurous spirit. Because the main reason he's so lonely is that it's not easy to even get there. A path leads to Kalalau Beach, then you can take the boat just before the coast. However, this is not allowed to moor, you have to swim the rest of the way.

Romantic Hotels: Honeymooners Welcome

Whether it's island-hopping or a romantic getaway, you'll find plenty of great hotels on all Hawaiian islands, from luxury resorts to simple accommodation right on the beach. We have put together the most beautiful ones for you:

Maui: the Napili Kai Beach Resort. Located directly on the beach, with a typical Hawaiian atmosphere, cozy bungalows, and a wonderful garden, this hotel offers everything you would expect from your honeymoon in Hawaii.

Hawaii: the Chalet Kilauea. Located in close proximity to one of the main island's two volcanoes, Chalet Kilauea is perfect for nature trips and the spectacular Akaka Falls.

Kauai: the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. This luxurious resort promises you a honeymoon on your own beach with all the comforts.