Hawaii
Discover the beauty, culture and cuisine of the Hawaiian Islands. There are six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Island of Hawaii, Lanai and Molokai. Each island has its own unique personality, adventures and attractions offering different experiences from high-energy Oahu to total serenity on Lanai.
Experience the best of Hawaii on the only cruise visiting 4 islands in 7 days sailing year-round from Honolulu in 2020, 2021 and 2022 on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. Immerse yourself in the Aloha Spirit, dramatic landscapes and delicious cuisine exploring Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and the Island of Hawaii.
Overview
From Maui’s 10,023-foot-high volcano, Haleakala, to the colorful creatures swimming beneath the clear turquoise seas of Oahu’s Hanauma Bay, Hawaii offers a bounty of natural wonders waiting to be explored. The spirit of aloha infuses every waterfall, flower, and smile on these magical isles. Each island possesses a unique personality; all hold the promise of a picture-perfect vacation.
Maui - Offers over 30 miles of accessible beaches, much more than the other Hawaiian Islands. The friendly town of Lahaina, a former fishing village and the original capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is an oasis along the island’s western shores. Roam its many art galleries, pubs, and eclectic shops. Explore the area’s unique history, from whaling to missionaries, via the Lahaina Historic Trail.
Oahu - Although this is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, it is also the most popular destination for tourists and holds two-thirds of the state’s population. With its impressive blend of traditional Hawaiian culture, stunning beauty and urban vibe, it is frequently the starting point for vacations including other neighboring islands. The state’s capital city, Honolulu, meaning “sheltered harbor,” offers a microcosm of island life, from the bustling beaches, shops, and restaurants of Waikiki to one of the most photographed backdrops in the world, iconic Diamond Head.
Island of Hawaii - Nearly everything about the Island of Hawaii (commonly referred to as the “Big Island”), feels larger-than-life. Here, you’ll find Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, the vast moonlike landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the southeast and giant, snow-capped mountain peaks of Mauna Kea, the “white mountain.”
Kauai - Take a trip to Hawaii’s firstborn, Kauai, and prepare for the unexpected. The enchanting “Garden Isle” offers a spectacular variety of tropical splendors, as well as the surprising burnt umber, 10-mile long “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon and Hawaii’s only navigable river, the Wailua. Its source lies at the island’s core, Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on earth.
Things To Do
These friendly isles offer something for everyone.
Shop for souvenirs in Oahu’s bustling Waikiki. Snorkel amid rainbow-colored fish in Oahu’s kid-friendly Hanauma Bay or ride the waves of Waikiki and the North Shore. Revisit history at the enduring USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. For a grand tour of the islands, consider a Hawaii cruise vacation, where you can visit each of the islands from the comfort of your cruise ship.
See the sunrise from high atop Maui’s dormant volcano on a Haleakala Sunrise Special tour or sail beneath the sea on a Maui Atlantis Submarine adventure. Explore the winding road to Hana, with its many surprises along the way.
Play a round of golf on Hawaii’s private island of Lanai.
Marvel at the shimmering shades of gold and umber that cloak Kauai’s “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and kayak or hike amid its towering Na Pali Coast.
Witness an island being born on the Island of Hawaii, swim with sea turtles and sunbathe amid unique black and green sand beaches.
Discover the world’s highest sea cliffs on Molokai or take a guided tour through the breathtaking rainforests of the Kamakou Preserve.
From sailing, surfing and seasonal whale watching adventures to family-friendly luaus, snorkeling and hula lessons, the Islands of Aloha offer an endless array of things to do.
Best TIme To Visit
The Islands of Hawaii offer an idyllic vacation whenever you choose to visit. Warm trade winds and abundant sunshine are made for adventures outdoors. Average daytime temperatures are 72 F in January and 82 F in July. October through April marks the rainy season; spectacular rainbows frequently tint the sky following showers. Generally, on the north side of any island is a bit wetter and windy than the other parts of the island. Make sure to ask your Travel Advisor which island and what area of each island is best suited to you.
Did You KNow?
- Directions in Hawaii are often given using mauka, the Hawaiian word for mountain, and makai, meaning ocean.
- No one can own a beach in Hawaii. They are all open to the public.
- Hawaii is the only state in which coffee is commercially grown.
- Located a distant 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan, the islands of Hawaii are the most isolated inhabited islands on the planet. They are, however, easily accessible by ship or plane.
- The Hawaiian alphabet comprises only 12 letters: A, E, I, O, U H, K, L, M, N, P, W.
- Hawaii was established as the United States’ 50th state on August 20th, 1959
