Hawaii Tours: An Overview of the Islands

Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2009

Hawaiian Paradise 

The Islands of Aloha are a scenic paradise, and you will explore the rich cultural history of the Hawaiian people which makes your visit to the islands even richer.

Since the weather in Hawaii is very consistent, Hawaii is the perfect destination to visit anytime of the year. You can discover the beautiful beaches, tropical waters and the very unique cultures. Hawaii offers an ideal experience for couples, families, golfers and honeymooners. Here are some highlights of what you can see and do on the most popular islands:

Oahu – "The Gathering Place"

The city of Honolulu recently expanded its beachfront where you can attend weekend concerts, sunset torch-lighting ceremonies and free hula performances.

Waikiki makes Oahu the most-visited island. It has more restaurants, shops, and nightlife than all the other Hawaiian Islands combined.

Close to Waikiki is the USS Arizona Memorial which commemorates the women and men that died on December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Along the North Shore of the island, you can drive to the 42-acre lagoon park, The Polynesian Cultural Center. Enjoy the authentic Hawaiian luau experience at the award-winning Ali’i Lu’au dinner and show. The Polynesian Cultural Center is the number-one paid attraction in Hawaii.

Maui – "The Valley Isle"

Maui is second most visited island. The most popular area is along Kaanapali, which is on the western shore of the island. Kaanapali is considered to have one of Maui’s best beaches. 

Home to 36 holes of championship golf, Ka'anapali offers golfers both spectacular views and a   challenge. So if golf is your passion, then you're in one of the best spots on Maui.

In Lahaina, on a specially built, open-air luau grounds next to the ocean, the Old Lahaina Luau is one of the finest luaus in the world, offering excellent Hawaiian food and entertainment.

Hana is Hawaii’s very own Garden of Eden with its unspoiled tropics with shimmering waterfalls, beautiful flowers and breathtaking cliffs.

Kauai - "The Garden Isle"

You could say Kauai is on any list of the world's most beautiful and spectacular islands as it is made up of lush tropical greenery and sparkling beaches. Formed some six million years ago, Kauai is the oldest island in Hawaii.

South of the island is Poipu which is the perfect resort area. The accommodations range from ultra-luxury hotels to cozy bed-and-breakfasts. Here you will find gourmet restaurants and specialty shopping.

Wailua Falls is the must-see waterfall to visit on the garden island of Kauai, mainly, because it is the most easily accessible waterfall. The falls was made famous when it was the opening scene of the popular show, Fantasy Island. 

Hawaii – "The Big Island"

The island of Hawai‘i is the youngest of the Hawaiian isles, but by far the largest island. The Big Island offers so much diversity. You can go from fiery volcanoes to fascinating waterfalls or from a snowy winter to sultry summer all within a 50 mile drive, passing through spring and fall along the way.  

You can head to Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park. The park highlights two of the world’s most active volcanoes. It includes Mauna Loa, world’s largest volcano, and Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting since January 1983. The park displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration and evolution.

Kona offers calm and clear waters which are perfect for snorkeling, diving or even spotting dolphins and green sea turtles. Kona is the home of hundreds of coffee plantations and many offer tours to the public. The high elevation and rich volcanic soil creates the ideal environment for harvesting this unique Hawaiian coffee bean. Be sure to sample Kona’s unique Hawaiian coffee and experience the rich flavorful taste that makes Kona coffee so highly valued.

Whether this is your first time visit or returning, the islands offer distinct experiences that will entice any traveler. For every visitor, Hawaii is a fantasy realized!

Hawaii Facts

Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hawaiian Facts

• Hawaii lies 2,397 miles west - southwest of San Francisco
• South Point on the Island of Hawaii is the southern most point in the United States
• Hawaii is actually a 1,523 - mile chain of islets and eight main islands. Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau
• Hawaii has the world's most active Volcano, Kilauea crater on Mauna Loa
• Mt. Waialeale on Kauai is known to be the wettest place on earth
• Hawaii is the only state with an official native language
• Hawaii boasts the most diverse population mix of all the states
• Hawaii is the only state ever governed directly by monarchs who were recognized by international law. Iolani Palace on the Island of Oahu is the only royal palace in the United States.
• During WWI, many Hawaiians went into the service

Other Fun Facts:

Capital: Honolulu

Date of Statehood: August 21, 1959

Population: 1,224,398 ( 2001 estimation )

Primary Industry: Tourism

State Bird: Nene or Hawaiian Goose

State Mammal: Humpback Whale

State Tree: Kukui or Candlenut

State Flower: Yellow Hibiscus

State Motto: Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono ( The Life Of The Land Is Perpetuated In Righteousness )

State Song: Hawaii Pono'i

State Gem: Black Coral

Nickname: Aloha State

Oahu Hawaii Vacation

Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009

From the northern natural scenic areas to the skyscrapers towering over the white sands of Waikiki, Oahu is the most visited island in the state of Hawaii. It’s also one of the most interesting; novelist Mark Twain once commented that every step in the city of Honolulu revealed a new contrast. Today the streets of Honolulu are still flocked with businessmen in suits, schoolchildren in uniform and Samoans in bright sarongs.

Elsewhere in the United States, Honolulu is probably best known for Pearl Harbor. Today on that site stands the Arizona Memorial, the most visited attraction in Hawaii. Just outside of town is the Punchbowl Cemetery. The Polynesian Cultural Center is the second most visited attraction in Hawai’i and offers traditional Hawaiian entertainment as well as insight into Hawai’ian culture. The Japanese-style Buddhist Byodo-In Temple welcomes people of all faiths to visit and participate in its traditions.

Sightseeing highlights: Arizona Memorial, Bvodo in Temple, Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific, Society of Seven Show & Waikiki Beach

Informtion provided by Perillo tours. For more Perillo Hawaii tours, visit the deluxe section on this site.

Kauai, Hawaii: The Garden Island

Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Blessed with tropical beauty, Kauai, "The Garden Island," is a tranquil haven of lush vegetation and sparkling oceans. Kauai is the oldest of the populated Hawai’ian Islands; the forces of wind and water have had six million years to carve steep cliffs and spectacular yawning chasms, which are now carpeted with rich vegetation and fringed by long, white, sandy beaches.  Today it is a quiet island, with no structure higher than a coconut tree.

Visitors to Kauai can enjoy some of nature’s most spectacular creations, from the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" to the twin cascades of Wailua Falls, the thrilling Na Pali coast and even one of the rainiest places on earth.

Popular sites: Mount Waialeale, Waliua Falls & Waimea Canyon

Information provided by Perillo tours. To see Perillo tours of Hawaii, click on the deluxe tour section.

Hawaii Shopping Tips

Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009

Oahu has the most shopping choices of all the islands. Waikiki is well known for its world class shops – you’ll find everything from Gucci and Tiffany and Co. to unusual local stores and unique handicrafts. The Ala Moana Shopping Center, Hawaii's largest mall, has more than 200 restaurants and shops, including Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Sears and J.C.Penny. Right across the street from our hotel, the famous International Marketplace offers bargains on souvenirs and craft items, and down the street is the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, housing 160 shops, including Fendi, Chanel, Ferragamo and Hermes.

In downtown Honolulu is the largest Hilo Hattie in the islands. It’s a fun place to visit – they carry the largest selection of "Aloha wear" you’ll find anywhere. Aloha shirts, floral print dresses, t-shirts, souvenirs and all kinds of Hawaiian products, including macadamia nuts and other packaged food items. They even have seamstresses on hand, in case you need that special muu muu altered!

Honolulu's Chinatown District, historically the oldest Chinatown in the country, is filled with exotic Asian shops, and Maui Divers Jewelry carries beautiful, locally made jewelry. For excellent quality, this is a great place to buy Hawaiian jewelry, especially coral pieces. Down the block from Chinatown on Honolulu Harbor is the Aloha Tower Market Place, famous for the Aloha Tower and now for some fabulous stores and restaurants.

Kauai, on the other hand, is known more for its beauty and resistance to change than for shopping. Nevertheless, there are many fun and interesting places to browse and buy. The Poipu Shopping Village has about 30 great little shops and restaurants, and in downtown Lihue you can find anything that you might need.

Although Maui is more laid back than Oahu, there are plenty of shopping opportunities. The Whalers Village Shopping Center is Maui's only oceanfront shopping center. A number of shops and restaurants surround the Whalers Village Museum, too – and be sure to check out the museum!

Another must-see on Maui is the town of Lahaina, the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii as well as one of the most important whaling towns in the world. Front Street has many specialty shops, art galleries, restaurants and popular night spots.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, check out King's Shops, which has more than 35 specialty shops and restaurants.