By Isabel Prontes
Hawaii, a US state located in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. With countless beautiful
beaches, volcanoes, historical and cultural centers and recreational activities, there is no shortage of wonderful things to see and do while vacationing in Hawaii.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is located on Honolulu on the island of Oahu. It is one of the most important sites in American history, being the location of the surprise Japanese military strike on December 7, 1941, that brought the United States into World War II. It is still the US Navy's operational center. Some notable historical attractions at Pearl Harbor include the battleship Missouri, the submarine Bowfin and the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the most famous tourist attractions in all of Hawaii. The memorial commemorates the 1,777 crew members who lost their lives on that fateful day in 1941.
Dole Plantation
The Dole Plantation is in Oahu and is the home of Hawaii's quintessential "pineapple experience." The Pineapple Express tour (via train) spans two miles and details Hawaii's agriculture. The Pineapple Garden Maze is also interesting, being 1.7 miles in length. It's also fun to walk through the gardens and browse a large array of pineapples, and then head over to the pond and try your hand at feeding fish. There are also guided tours available of the plantation buildings.
64-1550 Kamehameha Highway
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
Tel: (808) 621-8408
Nuuanu Pali Lookout
The Nuuanu Pali Lookout on Oahu is an exquisite scenic route that provides some of the most stunning vantage points of the island (with its cliffs that are between 2,000 and 3,000 feet high). This area also has major historical relevance, as the locale where the first king of Hawaii Kamehameha defeated the Kingdom of Oahu's warriors in order to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Hiking along the Nuuanu Pali Lookout combines fascinating hiking trails with cultural heritage and historical value.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
On the east coast of the Big Island of Hawaii is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which consists of the Halemaumau Crater, mythical home to the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele. Hawaiian folklore believes that when Pele is angered, the volcano erupts. Some of the most notable features of this volcanic park include Jagger Museum (for details on recent volcanic activity), Bird Park (Kipuka Puaula), which is excellent for spotting rare birds as well as rare plants, Thurston Lava Tube and Devastation Trail.
Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
Tel: (808) 985-6000
Hana
Hana is a village in Maui that is one of the Hawaiian Islands' most sparsely populated districts. Because of its isolation, it has remained relatively untarnished, a site of extreme natural beauty, with amazingly lush gardens and fields thanks to the abundant rainfall of the area. If you want to experience Hawaii in a natural way, then visiting this tiny village is a treat.
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
