HAWAII INFORMATION

Dress is normally casual resort attire, however, some resorts offer fine dining experiences that may require jackets for men. Ladies can wear the traditional muu muu for almost any occasion. For those traveling to higher elevations (ie. Haleakala, Maui), we recommend you bring a warm sweater or jacket as temperatures can reach down to the low 40's.

The Hawaiian islands have a generally mild climate with average temperatures ranging from mid-70's (fall) to mid-80's (spring). The summers may reach the mid-90's, but the Pacific trade winds keep the islands cool and comfortable. The rainy season tends to be November through March, but varies from island to island, Kauai being the wettest and Hawaii being the driest. Sunshine reigns here, with an average 200 days of sunshine a year.

 January 

 March 

 May 

 July 

 September 

 November 

 71 

 75 

 84 

 90 

 81 

 77 

 68 

 72 

 78 

 82 

 76 

 70 

Hawaii is the 50^th. state of the Union, but there is more than an ocean that makes it a world apart from its 49 mainland counterparts. Receiving its statehood in 1959, it was already rich in ancient history with its own unique personality, diversified culture, and powerful island spirit.

The unforeseen force that can be felt here on the islands has long been referred to as the "spirit of aloha." Hence, the magical phrase has coined the state's nickname of the Aloha State. Aloha translates to hello, love, good-bye, kindness and compassion.

The following are some insider tips to have you living like the locals.

The Hawaiian language began as an oral form of communication. It wasn’t until the 1820’s that the missionaries first put this language onto paper. With the introduction of the English language, speaking and teaching Hawaiian was banned from the early 1900’s until the island’s renaissance in the 1970’s. With this in mind the melodious rhythm of the Hawaiian native tongue was almost lost.

Everyone in Hawaii speaks English. However, to be part of the local conversation, it is highly suggested that you master two Hawaiian words. The first is aloha (a-LOW-ha), which serves as the all-purpose greeting – hello, welcome, and even good-bye. Although it has a much broader symbolism – to mean the general idea of compassion and good feeling that being on the islands affects both locals and visitors. The second word is mahalo (ma-HA-low), meaning thank you. And if you want to score more points with the locals, try out mahalo nui loa (ma-HA-low NOO-ee LOW-ah), meaning thank you very much.

Diverse is the word most commonly used to describe Hawaii's Big Island. It has tremendous sun and surf appeal, and also boasts the world's most active volcano. Spectacular water activities include snorkeling, diving, kayaking and fishing, and ecoadventures such as hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and hunting abound. For golf enthusiasts, the Big Island is known as the golf capital of Hawaii, with 18 spectacular golf courses and several more now in the making.

There are said to be 13 climatic regions on earth and the Big Island has all but two, the Artic and the Saharan. Nearly every one of the Big Island's stunningly diverse regions has its own nationally recognized park. This, in addition to the many historical sites make the Big Island a must see for the traveler who wants to experience Hawaii's rich cultural history and unique natural resources.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Red    Lei: Lehua Ohia    Size: 4,028 square miles
Population: 148,677    Coastline: 266 miles     Highest Elevation: 13,796 ft. (Mauna Kea)

Places To See:
'Akaka Falls State Park   Mauna Kea Observatory   Parker Ranch   Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park   Volcanoes National Park   Waipi'o Valley

Driving Distances From Kailua-Kona:
Hilo - 99 miles    Volcanoes National Park - 110 miles    Kohala Coast - 27 miles

Kaua’i is known for its spectacular natural beauty, diversity of activities, excellent golf courses and wonderful romantic places. Famed for its breathtaking Na Pali coast, expansive Waimea Canyon and the romantic Fern Grotto, Kaua’i has many special places to be explored. Home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Poipu Bay, Kaua’i has become famous for its challenging, yet beautiful golf courses. Puakea Golf Course has now grown to a full 18 hole and is ready to invite those golfers who would like to check out the newest golf course on Kaua’i. Being the island with the only navigable rivers, getting into Kauai’s scenery via a kayak or boat gives the visitor a close up experience with nature at its best. Come explore all that Kaua’i has to offer from the North Shore at Princeville to the West Side in Waimea - there is so much to see and do - you'll have to keep returning again and again.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Purple    Lei: Mokihana    Size: 552 square miles
Population: 58,303    Coastline: 90 miles    Highest Elevation: 5,243 ft. (Kawaikini)

Places To See:
Fern Grotto    Hanalei Bay    Na Pali Coast    Sleeping Giant    Waimea Canyon   

Driving Distances From Lihue:
Poipu - 14 miles    Princeville - 30 miles    Waimea Canyon - 36 miles   

Here, at last, is a place quiet enough to read that novel you’ve wanted to read for years. Time to enjoy a well-earned reward for your hard work in the front lines of achievement and competition: a place of pampering and excellence, where the service reflects your uniqueness and the physical surroundings are a doorway to new realms of beauty.

Only nine miles across the channel from Maui, Lanai is isolated without being remote. The two award-winning, luxurious resorts on Lanai are designed to appeal to the most discerning of visitors and it offers a myriad of activities to please the most adventurous.

There are no traffic lights or beeping horns, just the quiet, intimate rhythms of unhurried exploration. Drivers wave to nearly every vehicle that passes. Past Lana‘i City, horses graze in golden pastures behind split rail fences. The drive through the arid landscape ends at sea level, where the most beautiful beach on the island, Hulopo‘e, greets you with warm air and a wide white sand beach between two lava outcroppings. Look seaward for spinner dolphins, which love Hulopo‘e as much as you will. Relax with your long-awaited novel, hearing this silent refrain: At last, Lana‘i.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Orange    Lei: Kaunaoa (air plant)    Size: 141 square miles
Population: 3,193     Coastline: 47 miles     Highest Elevation: 3,366 ft. (Lana'ihale)

Places To See:
Garden of the Gods    Luahiwa Petroglyphs    Munro Trail    Pu'u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock)    Shipwreck Beach

From the old whaling town of Lahaina, to one of the most spectacular sunrises imaginable from high atop Mount Haleakala, Maui offers a special blend of island activities.

If there is one reason for Maui's enduring popularity, it's diversity -- the island's uncanny ability to dazzle and soothe almost at the same time. The second largest island in the Hawaiian chain, Maui is packed with long, sandy beaches, tropical rainforests, rolling green pasture lands, and spectacular rocky cliffs. With average temperatures range between 75 and 85 degrees. In one day you can huddle at the top of Haleakala Crater at sunrise in 40 degree weather; relax on a sun drenched stretch of beach by noon, and then enjoy a refreshing drink at sunset from your lanai. Maui's beaches are legendary, pristine and sheltered. It is an island about discovery -- hike the forested trails and view native plant species, watch rare birds in its wetlands, and follow the highways of ancient chiefs. The magic of Maui is its endless diversity.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Pink    Lei: Lokelani (pink rose)    Size: 727 square miles
Population: 117,644    Coastline: 120 miles    Highest Elevation: 10,023 ft. (Haleakala)

Places To See:
Haleakala Crater    Hana    'Iao Valley    Molokini Island    Upcountry Farms and Vineyards

Driving Distances From Ka'anapali:
Lahaina - 6 miles    Haleakala - 60 miles    Wailea - 30 miles   

Driving Distances From Kahului:
Ka'anapali - 30 miles    Wailea - 17 miles

The island of Molokai is nearly four times longer than it is wide. Its long and narrow shape is somewhat of a quite dash located between two boisterous sentences, Oahu and Maui. The eastern portion of the island is rugged, verdant and largely inaccessible. To the west, the land is flatter and drier. On its north side is the famous Kalaupapa Peninsula, a National Historic Park surrounded by the worlds tallest sea cliffs, stretching more than 3,000 feet skyward. And, to the south is the longest continuous fringing reef in Hawaii, measuring around 28 miles. Molokai is particularly perfect for travelers thirsty for outdoor adventures, obtaining knowledge of the Hawaiian style ways of life and for those seeking new experiences.

A sanctuary for the spirit and a haven for the adventurous this is one of the most peaceful, relaxing places you will ever visit.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Green     Lei: White Kukui Blossom    Size: 260 square miles
Population: 7,404     Coastline: 88 miles     Highest Elevation: 4,961 ft. (Kamakou)

Places To See:
Halawa Valley    Kalaupapa National Historical Park    Kamakou Rain Forest    Kanemitsu Bakery

Escape to the island of Oahu and discover it's exceptional diversity wrapped in the Aloha Spirit that is a way of life in the islands. Whether you're here with a special loved one, alone or with family, Oahu has something special for you. Oahu can be as exhilarating as learning to surf, swimming with dolphins or hiking through tropical rainforests. Or it can be as relaxing as bathing in the sun on a sandy shore, learning to sew your own lei and dance the hula, or indulging in a day of pampering at one of Oahu's many relaxation spas. From famous Waikiki, where you can ride waves on an outrigger canoe by day and enjoy Hawaii Regional Cuisine and live entertainment by sunset, to the legendary beaches of the North Shore, cultural treasures of Honolulu and distinguished Pearl Harbor, Oahu promises you a vacation filled with memories to last a lifetime.

Interesting Facts:
Color: Yellow    Lei: Ilima    Size: 597 square miles
Population: 876,156    Coastline: 112 miles    Highest Elevation: 4,003 ft. (Ka'ala)

Places To See:
Bishop Museum   Byodo-In Temple   Diamond Head   Dole Plantation   Duke Kahanamoku Statue at Waikiki Beach   Haleiwa Town   Iolani Palace   North Shore   Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial)

Driving Distances From Waikiki:
Honolulu Airport - 9 miles   Pearl Harbor - 7 miles   Sea Life Park - 16 miles   Polynesian Cultural Center - 38 miles

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