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Hilo, Hawaii
Located on the eastern seashore of the big island of Hawaii,
Hilo is an old sugar town and the second-best (after Honolulu)
seaport in the islands. Also known as the flower capital of
the state, Hilo boasts flower farms and Queen Liliuokalani
Park, an authentic Japanese garden. You may wish to visit the
black sand beaches of the Puna District. Or Kilauea, the
world's largest volcano; its crater is the legendary home of
Pele, goddess of fire, who keeps watch over her domain of
Volcanoes National Park.
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor - these names evoke
feeling of magic, mystery, drama and history, and they are all
located in Honolulu. The capital of Hawaii, this city not only
offers some of the best beaches along side big-city
skyscrapers, there are also parks, fabulous shopping, the only
royal palace in America, the Arizona Memorial in the harbor at
Pearl City, the Polynesian Cultural Center and more.
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Located on the north side of Maui, known as the Valley Island,
Kahului is the principal seaport and the best "jumping
off point" for this island's attractions. You may visit
the old provincial town of Wailuka and its museum; or the
Valley of the Kings, with its towering rock monolith, Iao
Needle -- dramatic, beautiful and isolated. You'll also find
fabulous beaches and resorts, and Lahaina, an old whaling town
and the first capital of the islands. Maui also boasts the
largest dormant volcano in the world.
Kona, Hawaii
Located on the leeward side of the Big Island and best known
for its coffee, Kona was once the playground of Hawaii's
royalty. You can visit both coffee and macadamia nut
plantations, Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook first landed
(and was later murdered) in 1779, and The Sacred City of
Refuge, a haven for ancient lawbreakers. Or Parker Ranch, the
largest cattle ranch in the world, with over a quarter of a
million acres.
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
Historic Lahaina was once a rough-and-tumble whaling town in
days gone by. Today visitors come to watch, not hunt, the
humpbacks in Lanai Channel. Ascend through waving sugar cane
fields to the summit of Haleakala for sweeping views over its
vast dormant crater and of this beautiful island. Or, ride a
tram through the Tropical Plantation on its slopes.
Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii
This quaint port was named for the wiliwili trees that grow
here in profusion. Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai claims the
wettest spot on earth - Mount Waialeale, with 486 inches of
rain per year. All this rain makes lush vegetation, taro,
pineapple and sugar plantations, famous Fern Grotto and a huge
variety of native flora. You may also visit Waimea, the Grand
Canyon of the Pacific, and Sprouting Hole, a blowhole that
sends a geyser 50 feet into the air. Or, enjoy a swim at the
very beach where the movie South Pacific was filmed! |