Hawaii Attraction
The type of experience you wanting during your stay in Hawaii will be a big factor in determining when and where you decide to go. There are four islands which make up the state of Hawaii, each of which has its own unique charm and appeal. Kauai offers a quite and serene atmosphere, with only 56,000 residents; while Oahu has all the conveniences and business of any large metropolitan area with a population of 836,231. Maui is one of the best places to see mountains, and is home to the world's largest dormant volcano, Haleakala; while the Big Island features the country's largest contiguous ranch of 480,000 acres of land as well as the world's most active volcano, Kilauea.
Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai is the least developed of all the islands and is home to some of the oldest settlements in Hawaii. This also helps to make it perhaps the most beautiful of the islands, as many areas are completely secluded. It is a nature lover's paradise. Kauai's north shores have been made most famous by the movie South Pacific, and the northernmost point of the island offers a spectacular wildlife refuge along with a picturesque lighthouse. The west side of Kauai offers visitors the Waimea Canyon, also known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." This area is often photographed, along with the Polihale Heiau area--the place where, according to local tradition, departed souls leave the island and head into the setting sun.
Golf on Hawaii is another activity that is certainly alive and well, and golf near the shore has been a popular attraction for quite a while. There is even a course that lets golfers play for free, but requests a donation for upkeeping. Hawaii's diverse terrains also make for an added golfing challenge.
The Big Island is technically called "Hawaii" itself, although in order to not confuse the group of islands, it is often just referred to as the Big Island. Unique features of the Big Island include the regularly active volcanos on the southeast coast, two of the world's largest mountains and the Kona Resort.
Oahu is the most developed of the islands, as well as most populous. It is also home to Honolulu, currently home to eighty percent of the state's residents, as well as Waikiki beach, perhaps the best known tourist destination in Hawaii. The Polynesian Cultural Center is the the island's both oldest and most visitied attraction. The USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor is also a popular sight at Oahu. Last, Maui, the second largest island, attracts a number of visitors with its secluded and quiet resorts and the scenic roads of the Hana Highway.