By Larry Anderson
Hawaii is home to four main islands: the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Together the islands offer a nearly unlimited number of things for people to do. There are outdoor activities and indoor activities, water-based activities and land-based activities.
Swim with the sharks
Three miles out from the North Shore of Oahu, people have the opportunity to get into an underwater cage and swim with the sharks. Additionally, shark watchers likely will see an abundance of other marine life, including sea turtles and dolphins.
North Shore Shark Adventures
61-724 Papailoa Road
Oahu, HI 96712
(808) 228-5900
sharktourshawaii.com
Visit Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor, which happened Dec. 7, 1941, is one of the most definitive events in American history. Today, visitors can tour the harbor, see the USS Arizona that sank during the attack and pay tribute to its crew.
Pearl Harbor
1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, HI 96818-3145
(808) 422-0561
nps.gov/valr
Go swimming
The Hawaiian islands are surrounded by some of the most beautiful water in the world. And there are plenty of beaches at which swimmers can access the water, and be safe in doing so. Oahu, for example, has 130 beaches, including Waikiki beach, which is one of the most famous in the world.
Waikiki Beach
aloha.com/~lifeguards/waikiki.html
Bike down a volcano
The Haleakala Volcano on the east side of Maui is a destination where more than 70,000 people visit each year. Bike tours begin near the top and riders ride downhill, losing nearly 8,000 feet as they make their way down the volcano. The views from the top can be spectacular.
Haleakala Bike Company
810 Haiku Road, Suite 120
Haiku, HI 96708
(808) 575-9575
bikemaui.com
Attend a luau
Hear about how the islands of Hawaii were created, and about the early inhabitants of the islands, at a luau. The luaus often include food and drinks, and are meant to recall the feasts and celebrations that once took place on the islands. One of the most popular is the Old Lahaina Luau.
Old Lahaina Luau
251 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761
(800) 248-5828
oldlahainaluau.com
Go deep sea fishing
The Hawaiian waters are home to a large variety of sport fish species, from marlin that can weigh more than 1,000 pounds to bottom fish that are much smaller, but can provide fishermen with a day full of fun. The waters around Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii hold a variety of fish, including mahi mahi and ono.
Sea Wife Charters
77-6454 Kilohana Street
Kailua Kona, HI 96745
(808) 329-1806
seawifecharters.com
Go snorkeling or scuba diving
The clear, blue waters around the Big Island are a great place for people to don a mask and snorkel or scuba tank and swim with the fish and other marine life. Some snorkelers and scuba divers even get to swim with dolphins.
Coral Reef Snorkel & Dive of Kona
Honokohau Harbor
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
(808) 987-1584
coralreefsnorkeldive.com
Tour Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon, located on the northernmost Hawaiian island of Kauai, is sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." It is a sprawling canyon and people can see it from their car, or they can go on hikes on its various trails.
Waimea Canyon State Park
hawaiistateparks.org/parks/kauai
Go skydiving
Kauai has some of the most lush vegetation and beautiful views of any of the islands. One of the best ways to see it all is from the air.
Skydive Kauai
(808) 335-5859
skydivekauai.com
See a coffee plantation
Coffee is one of the main crops on Kauai, and there are large plantations devoted to growing it. The Kauai Coffee Visitor Center is a good place to learn more about the history of coffee on the island.
Kauai Coffee Visitor Center
P.O. Box 530
Kalaheo, HI 96741
(808) 335-0813
kauaicoffee.com
About the Author:
Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College.
