The Hawaiian Vacation: Leis, Luaus, And Luscious Landscape

Nothing says tropical paradise quite like anof Princetown. The dramatically plunging Na Pali
excursion to the Hawaiian Islands. The volcanicCoast State Park in the northwest draws
archipelago lost in the middle of the North Pacificbackpackers and nature lovers to its 11-mile
Ocean stretches northwest from the Big Island ofKalalau Trail, the only land access to this rugged
Hawaii in the south through Maui, Kahoolawe,and isolated coastline. Sea cliffs and lush valleys
Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, each with itsalternate along the route that ends at Kalalau
own identity and topography. Eleven more islands,Beach. Stone terrace walls and sacred burial
reefs and atolls comprise the Northwesterngrounds of Hawaiian tribes still dot the valleys,
Hawaiian Islands and are all uninhabited.while there is a growing naturalist community
Get As Far Away As Possible, Reallytucked away at the end of the trail. The wettest
Travel to Hawaii, the 50th state of the U.S.A., isplace on earth, averaging 460 inches of rainfall per
the ultimate getaway. The island-chain situatedyear, is near the peak of Kauai�s Mount
2300 miles from the mainland is the exposed topWai�ale�ale. From this point, plunging rivers
of an enormous undersea volcanic mountain rangehave carved out the fantastic expanse of
known as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chainWaimea Canyon, coined �The Grand Canyon of
and is commonly known as the most remote andthe Pacific� by Mark Twain. The views are a
isolated island outcropping on Earth.once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Geographically, the islands are more subject toResort or Adventure, Pick your Pleasure
tropical weather, large waves and storms on theMaui is the most popular resort destination in
north/northeast side, know as the windward side.Hawaii. The lush island boasts the spectacular and
The leeward side of each island, to theriveting Hana Highway, which is more about the
southwest, is drier and thus home to the majoritywondrous journey than the secluded destination,
of resort towns. The incredible blend ofand Mount Haleakala, where a hike into the
Polynesian, Tahitian and European cultures makesHaleakala Crater will land you in the center of the
for a dynamic adventure from the traditional luausworld�s largest dormant volcano. The Big Island
and serene Shinto shrines to the hippie-surferof Hawaii is the youngest island and nearly entirely
culture abundant in the less touristy locales.comprised of Mauna Loa, the largest shield
Kauai: A One-Stop Hawaiian Experiencevolcano on Earth. Lounge and snorkel on the Kona
The westerly island of Kauai is one of the lesserside of the island or venture out across lava fields
inhabited islands and claims many of Hawaii�salong the eastern coast.
most stunning natural features. The blend of aFrom the bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki on Oahu
more prominent local population with the southernto the tranquil serenity of Lanai�s sandy
resort region and a priceless backdrop makesbeaches, a journey to the middle of the Pacific will
Kauai the ultimate escape within an escape.certainly prove to you that Hawaii is more than
The north shore offers world renowned surfingjust pineapples and coffee.
and windsurfing next to the wealthy community