Population
1,430,000
capital
Honolulu
Language
English, Tagalog, Ilocano, Japanese
currency
US dollar
Flight time
17 hours and 10 minutes from the UK
time difference
UTC/GMT -10 hours
best time to go
Mar-Sept
Introducing Hawaii
Grass skirts, swaying palm trees, golden beaches and awesome waves; Hawaii conjures up the most incredible images of sun, sea and fun. This U.S state and volcanic archipelago sits off North America’s west coast and offers an island getaway like no other. A paradise for beach bums, surf dudes and party people – and families with young children alike, Hawaii is everything you can dream of and more. From its tropical trees and multi-coloured beaches (of golden sand, red sand, black sand and green sand) to its waterfall walks and its countless national parks and active volcanoes, this seductive state is a natural playground for anyone who appreciates the great outdoors. But there’s more than just colourful landscapes and tremendous topography; Hawaii is fun-filled in every way and this means entertainment at any time of day or night. Theme parks, water parks and sea life centres fill the cities; golf courses and spa resorts form save havens for adults in need of luxury; concerts, theatre and dinner shows make entertainment easy every night of the week; and strips of bars and casinos line the streets of Honolulu and Oahu for the best party atmosphere that the U.S has to offer.
Whatever captures your imagination in enchanting Hawaii, you’ll be sure to have the time of your life. And whether you choose to stick to a budget or go all out with the luxuries, a trip to Hawaii will be an unforgettable one with your loved ones. With eight major islands to choose from – including Hawaii (Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe – and so much to do in each destination, tailoring your perfect holiday will be ever so easy.
Family
Hawaii is great for families because there’s simply so much to do. From Maui’s safe and shallow beaches to the great choice of family restaurants in Oahu’s Waikiki Beach, or from the easy hiking trails of Kauai Island to the mesmerising volcano tours on Big Island, every destination in Hawaii has something fantastic to offer to families. Getting around on public transport is also extremely convenient and affordable, whilst the Hawaiian Islands offer a safe place for tourists. There are no deadly snakes or large predators so hiking with kids is highly encouraged. Some fun attractions for kids include Wet’n’Wild Hawaii, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Sea Life Park in Oahu, Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii Children’s Discovery Centre, Waimea Bay Beach Park and the Polynesian Cultural Centre.
Cuisine
Hawaiian cuisine is colourful, exciting and tasty. It looks as good as it tastes and the visually appealing element makes it a great cuisine for kids and adults alike. Fruit and vegetables are abundant, as are meats and seafood and a number of staple starches. Traditional Hawaiian dishes you will want to try are Kalua Pig (slow cooked pork), Lomilomi salmon (fresh tomato and salmon salad), Huli Huli Chicken and Chicken Long Rice (chicken noodle soup). And some more modern fusion dishes include Loco Moco (teriyaki beef and a sunny-side-up egg) Manapua (dim sum style pork buns), Spam Musubi (pan fried spam wrapped in steamed rice and nori), Chicken Katsu, Mac Salad, Hurricane Popcorn and Chocolate Haupia Pie. Sweet treats and desserts are offered with so much variety so anyone with a sweet tooth will love eating out in Hawaii.
History and Culture
This isolated archipelago in the United States has its own unique culture and customs, and the Native Hawaiians date back more than 1,500 years. Traditional Polynesian traditions form the backbone of Hawaiian culture and today, the Hawaiian people express their values, ideals and principles through etiquette, religious practice and in artistic or culinary ways. The traditional Hula dance, traditional Hawaiian music and Hawaiian festivals keep modern day islanders connected to their past – and these art forms are often enjoyed throughout the tourist areas.
Recommended Hawaii Specialists
Top Locations in Hawaii
Big Island
Big Island (the main island of Hawaii) is the place to go for big beach resorts, luxury hotels and major attractions. The island has endless walking trails for you to choose from and is also home to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park where you can spot live lava flows from the active volcano! Exciting for all ages!
Maui
Maui is a great island that caters to all. With beautiful beaches that are safe for kids, a fantastic farm-to-table food scene and many different attractions to suit all ages, this island really does have it all. The diverse landscape means that you can have adventures by the sea or further inland, and although this island gets busy during peak travel months, you’ll still be able to find some secluded beaches along the coast.
Oahu
The beautiful island of Oahu is a cultural hub; if you want to learn more about Hawaiian, head over to the island’s historic Chinatown or the iconic Pearl Harbour, which is the site of the 1941 Japanese bomb attack. For a wide choice of restaurants or for fantastic nightlife, make sure you check out the area of Waikiki plus the neighbourhood of Honolulu.
Kauai
Kauai Island, also known to the locals as The Garden Isle, is the greenest of the islands in Hawaii. It boasts gorgeous tropical rainforest and features some of the most dramatic cliff drops across the nation; so in a way, Kauai is much more rugged than some of the other destinations. Don’t miss Nā Pali Coast State Park, Polihale State Park, Waimea Canyon and Wailua Falls.
Molokai
This is perhaps Hawaii’s best kept secret and one of the lesser known island destinations. It’s not as developed and you won’t find tourist amenities everywhere but if you want to get off the beaten track, this is the place to be.