| The Hawaiian Islands are located
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean approximately 2,400
miles (4.000 km) southwest of California. You can go there
only by airplane or boat. There are six major islands:
Oahu, Maui, The Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai and
Lanai. Each island is unique and may feature live volcanoes,
lava flows, tropical rain forests, beautiful beaches,
sugar cane fields, pineapple plantations or historic sites.
These tropical paradises attract about 7 million tourists
each year, but most visitors only see one or two of the
islands.
You can easily travel between the islands by using
one of the two domestic airlines: Aloha or Hawaiian.
Flights are frequent and inexpensive. When landing at
each airport, be sure to look for the racks of free
coupon magazines. Each island has its own coupon book
with lots of discounts.
Oahu Coast
Hawaii has a wonderful climate
The climate is consistent and enjoyable. Temperatures
seldom fall below 65 degrees or rise above 80 throughout
the year. A pleasant breeze frequently cools the day.
Don't forget your sunscreen, or sunblock! In such pleasant
conditions, you can easily forget that the tropical
sun causes severe sunburn to anyone not accustomed to
it. Rainfall varies by location but can be an almost
daily occurrence in the rain forests.
The Aloha Spirit is prevalent everywhere
Visitors are warmly welcomed and quickly enveloped by
the "Aloha" spirit of Hawaii. Life is very
informal on the islands and the dress is casual. Take
lots of casual warm weather clothing and don't forget
your swimwear! Men visiting the islands usually buy
and wear "Aloha shirts" made of bright colorful
fabrics. Women usually buy colorful muumuus (loose fitting
comfortable dresses that can be worn anywhere in Hawaii).
The different islands offer a variety of features
There are numerous recreational opportunities on the
islands. You can swim, surf, scuba dive, snorkel, sail,
fish, golf or just see the sights. The famous Hawaiian
surf is among the biggest and best in the world. Remember
these two rules when surfing in Hawaii: 1. Never turn
your back on the ocean! 2. If the natives are not in
the water, stay out! When picking which islands to visit,
consider the type of activities you enjoy. Some islands
provide lots of nightlife and lots of sports or recreational
opportunities. Others offer spectacular scenery or quiet
beaches and solitude.
Polynesian Hula Dancers
Accommodations on the islands include plenty of hotels
and motels in various price ranges. If you stay longer
than a few days, there are also lots of condominiums
and apartments for rent. Car rentals are readily available
and are the best way to see all of the spectacular scenery
on most of the islands. When visiting Oahu, long-term
car rentals are not a good choice as parking is very
limited in Honolulu. Tour busses and daily car rentals
are much better options on Oahu.
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