Whitton - Moon Hawaiian Islands

KEVIN WHITTON

Escape the world you know in Hawaii. Wander beautiful stretches of white sand. Swim in warm, crystal-clear water. Explore colorful reefs teeming with marine life. Lose yourself under a canopy of tropical rainforest. Cool off in passing rain showers and enjoy the rainbows that follow them.

One source of Hawaiis appeal is the diversity of the islands. As the most isolated archipelago on the planet, Hawaii is a place of geologic and biological extremes and a living experiment in evolution. Active volcanoes and erosion continually redefine a land populated by myriad endemic and native plant species found nowhere else on earth. The islands are also a true cultural melting pot. Their rich agricultural promise has attracted immigrants from all over the globe, contributing to Hawaiis eclectic cultural heritage, cuisine, and lifestyle. At the heart of Hawaiis ambiance is aloha, a gift of hospitality from native Hawaiian tradition that resonates among all who live and travel here. Aloha brings with it a deeply ingrained reverence for nature: a respect for the land, the ocean, family, and friends.

Though tied together by statehood, each island offers a world of its own. Oahu is the Gathering Place, where big-city pleasures overlap with tropical adventure. Maui is dominated by endless beaches. The Big Island of Hawaii is a primal wonderland, with barren lava fields alongside fertile forests and farmland. Kauai is the Garden Isle, where verdant cliffsides plummet into the sea below. And secluded Molokai and Lanai offer a journey back in time to Old Hawaii.

How can you choose just one? Its possible to explore each of these worlds, with all of their diverse charmsespecially if youre the kind of traveler who cant stay put for too long. Island-hopping is an art, not a science: an opportunity to make your own way based on what you want to see and do. A strategically planned two-week itinerary offers you the chance to visit all of the main islands. With one week, its possible to explore two islands at a slightly slower pace. Read on to discover the treasures of all of the islands for yourself.

Home to world-famous Waikiki as well as 70 percent of the states population, Oahu is the marriage of big city and tropical paradise. Enjoy all the comforts of city life, including diverse culture and nightlife, alongside verdant mountains and crystal-clear water. State capital Honolulu is home to historical sites like Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the United States, and World War II pilgrimage site Pearl Harbor. Legendary surf pounds the coast for much of the winter, while the summer offers magnificent diving. You can spend the morning sighseeing in downtown Honolulu, surrounded by crowds of people, but be on a secluded beach by noon, surrounded only by crashing waves.

Set sail from Waikiki.

MAUI, LANAI, AND MOLOKAI

The second largest island, Maui is lined with endless, accessible sandy beaches, especially along the south and west shores. With ample accommodations, Maui offers the complete resort experience, but much more spread out than the cluster of hotels in Waikiki. Maui is also the best island for whale watching and the windiest islandmaking it a mecca for windsurfers. The Road to Hana is Mauis most popular attraction: a winding drive to a sleepy town in a lush setting. A quick ferry ride or plane flight away, the islands of Molokai and Lanai offer secluded getawaysand glimpses of the Hawaii of yesteryear.

BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

Hawaii, better known as the Big Island, is a raw and powerful place, the youngest island in geological time. Its the site of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with its barren lava fields and emerging native forests. Snow-capped Mauna Kea is one of the best spots on earth for star gazing, while Mauna Loa remains active and Kilauea has been continuously erupting since 1983. Agriculture still permeates the of island residents. Hawaiian cowboys and coffee plantations mix with the spacious resorts that line the dry western coastline.

KAUAI

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle for good reason. Its Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest spots on earth, where waterfalls pour down its vertical walls almost daily. Botanical gardens abound, as does hiking, both along the famous Na Pali Coast and in Waimea Canyon. Accommodations are split between the green north and the sunny south, where resorts, vacation rentals, and golf courses are abundant. Expect romance, freedom, and a slower pace.

Waimea Canyon