Hawaii: Aloha, Islands of Paradise!
The Hawaiian Islands and the 50th U.S. state of Hawaii are located in the Pacific Ocean at a distance of 3,850 km from the mainland. These are the most remote islands in the world. To get here is a feat. However, for decades, crowds of tourists, wishing to find themselves at the most seductive resort on the planet, have been making it. Palm trees, beaches, turquoise water and a tropical climate - what more do you need for a magical vacation?
jai Mansson
Aloha, Paradise Islands!
Hawaii islands chain stretches 2,400 km in Pacific waters and consists of 8 big islands and more than a hundred tiny islands, several atolls and seamounts. This is where abundance and paradise on earth await everyone, but don't look for it in the noisy and dusty capital. For a true fairy tale, head to the highest waves and incredible sunsets at the edge of Oahu, or fly to neighboring islands to experience primal jungles, colorful canyons, and authentic Hawaiian flavor. All in all, aloha, Hawaii!
Which island to choose?
Until you've been to Hawaii, you call them simply "islands" without assuming much distinction. However, each island in this picturesque archipelago has its own, unique atmosphere that sets the tone for the trip. Below you'll learn about the features of the four most popular of Hawaii's islands, and you'll be able to choose the right place for your vacation. Check reality on different islands https://hawaiitrustedrealty.com/ .
Kauai
Kauai is Hawaii's most secluded spot where you can soak in the serenity of a landscape of ethereal beauty. The lush rainforests, amazing botanical gardens, and white sands of the beach create a truly heavenly setting in which you can relax and unwind. But you can't get bored on Kauai, and the adrenaline-pumping activities abound. Canoeing down the Hanalei River to Crete Falls, mysteriously lurking in the middle of the tropics, is an exhilarating adventure. If you can't imagine a vacation without nightclubs, Kauai may disappoint you: you'll hardly find an establishment here that's open at night. After sunset, the island literally falls asleep. People come to Kauai to just lie on the sand and take in the beautiful scenery.
Maui
Maui is an island of active entertainment, available as much by day as by night. It has perhaps the widest selection of hotels, including luxury, upscale accommodations. The island has recently gained a reputation as the most expensive tourist resort in Hawaii, but don't think that Maui is only accessible to the rich. All classes of lodging are available here, even for low-budget vacations. One of the most notable places on Maui is the road to Hana. Driving along this highway is like traveling through a fairytale forest, dissected by numerous waterfalls, emerald bays, and lush beaches enveloped in the divine scent of ginger and guava. The underwater world of the Molokini Crater, filled with the vibrant colors of thousands of tropical fish, sea animals and flowering corals, is not inferior in beauty. Foodies will especially love it in Maui. Maui's best eateries offer a huge variety of amazing dishes that use meat from grass-fed cows, freshly caught fish, vegetables, and fruits picked right before serving. So, Maui offers exciting hiking and snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and great food.
Oahu
The island of Oahu is the third largest (1,538 square kilometers) in the island chain of the Hawaiian archipelago, with about 80% of the population living there and the state capital, Honolulu. If you're in the mood for nightlife and like to "party" among the crowd, head to Oahu. Trendy nightclubs and bars are open every day of the week. The Waikiki suburb of Honolulu is a true center for outdoor activities and a home for energetic vacationers. If you want to learn how to surf, you'll never be in a better place to learn how to surf, just a few minutes and you're on board. Flights to Oahu are usually the cheapest, and accommodations are easy to find.
Hawaii, or the Big Island
A white sandy beach, rainforests, waterfalls, vibrant exotic flowers and majestic birds is the perfect setting for a vacation, isn't it? The Big Island is a chance to delve deep into Hawaiian culture and get close to wildlife where turtles, whales and dolphins live in untold numbers. The Big Island has all the same entertainment as the other islands, but on a smaller scale. Overall, it's a great place to stay, and it's hard to say if it has any disadvantages. Except for the price of airfare: a direct flight to the Big Island is more expensive. And one more feature worth paying attention to: there are very few gas stations on the island, so don't risk going far with an empty tank. The other two more modest islands, Molokai and Lanai, are much less often chosen as a place for a long stop, but they are still worth a visit for the sights they offer, especially since the transport connections between the components of the Hawaiian archipelago are well established.
Transportation
Whether you're arriving in Hawaii via the U.S. mainland, Canada, or a stopover somewhere in East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or the Philippines, chances are almost 100 percent you'll land at Oahu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, also known simply as Honolulu International Airport. Daniel K. Inouye, also known simply as Honolulu International Airport. This air gateway is the largest on the archipelago and is located 10 kilometers from the main city of Honolulu and 16 kilometers from the famous Waikiki Beach. You can also get to Hawaii by cruise ship from the U.S. coast. In most cases, passenger ships depart from Los Angeles (USA) or Vancouver (Canada). Such a voyage lasts three days and costs about the same as a flight.
Transportation from the Airport
After arriving on Oahu, every independent traveler wonders how to get to his hotel (or other accommodation), whether it is located in the capital or any other place of this island American state.
Bus
There are several bus routes connecting Honolulu Airport with the main Hawaiian city, from where you can get to any corner of Oahu. The local bus system is called TheBus. The eastbound #19 and #20 buses, following several different routes, reach the heart of the Waikiki tourist area. At the same time the westbound route #19 brings passengers to Hickham Air Force Base and the westbound route #20 arrives at the Pearlridge Mall - both bypassing Downtown Honolulu. The #31 westbound route, which terminates at Kalihi Transit Center, also originates at the airport. At the air terminal, the stop is on the overpass on the second floor level, and signs will help you get there. Buses depart and arrive approximately every 30 minutes depending on the route. It is also possible to walk to the nearby Nimitz Highway, which is a short walk from the main terminal, and go to some remote suburbs of the capital. Of course, if the tourist plans to live on another island, he can, without leaving the airport, make a further domestic flight to Hawaii, Maui or Kauai, but because of the low cost of this method of transportation, many prefer to get to their island by water from the seaport. You can walk there from Downtown Honolulu or take a cab from Waikiki in a matter of minutes.
Shuttle
The Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle runs daily from Honolulu Airport. Passenger boarding areas are conveniently located on the first floor in the following locations: baggage claim area A (sidewalk); baggage claim area C (next to the building adjacent to the escalators); between baggage claim area D and the international arrivals hall (sidewalk); baggage claim area H (near the center fence on the road dividing strip). However, look for signs posted throughout the airport, giving you directions to the nearest ticket counter or boarding point. You can also approach one of The Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle representatives, dressed in yellow Hawaiian shirts, and ask to arrange a ride.
Cab
The Honolulu Sky Pier operates AMPCO Express, an open cab management system where drivers from all taxi companies can get permission to take airport passengers. To use the service, go to the appropriate counter at the exit of the baggage claim area or to one of the dispatchers wearing a yellow shirt with "TAXI" written on it.
Ground transportation.
Visitors to the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago have several options for getting around inside and outside of the cities. The choice depends on how often, how far and where you want to go.
Self-driving.
Most travelers prefer to rent a car right at the airport. In Hawaii, this is by far the most convenient means of transportation, especially on those islands where public transportation is very limited. If you have a driver's license, be sure to rent a car and use it to the fullest while exploring every corner of the island. This really is the best way to see the real Hawaii. Make frequent stops and don't be afraid to ask locals for directions - they are very friendly and welcoming. Rent-a-car stations are available in many places on the archipelago. At the airport, however, fares are expected to be more expensive than anywhere else in town.
Public transportation
Public transportation in Hawaii is represented mainly by buses. On Oahu, the aforementioned carrier, TheBus, runs services all over the island. Buses run from early morning to late evening, but schedules vary depending on each individual destination. Bus service is also available on neighboring islands. On Kauai, the Kauai Bus Company, whose buses stop every half hour at Liau Airport, although there are few connections to cities outside of Kauai. On Valley Island, Maui Bus picks up passengers at Kahului Airport every 90 minutes and takes them to the transit station at the Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center. In addition, Maui Bus routes run to almost all sides of the island, both on the outskirts and in the interior. As for the Big Island, the Hele-On Bus company runs buses to Hilo Airport every 1.5 hours and once a day to Kona Airport. On the islands of Molokai and Lanai, however, there are no bus services. On Oahu you can also get around on the Waikiki Trolley double-decker buses, which make stops at key locations on the island. With this mode of transportation you can explore Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and/or Waikiki on a hop-on, hop-off basis for one, four, or even seven days and see all the major attractions at a pace of your choosing. The Waikiki Trolley has five different itineraries: red (historical tour of Honolulu); blue (panoramic coastal tour); pink (stores on Waikiki); purple (Pearl Harbor); green (Diamond Head). You can choose one of them, or you can buy a ticket that includes all the routes.
Cab
Cabs are widely available both in Honolulu and in the other major cities of Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, as well as in the bustling tourist areas of all the major islands. Cars can be picked up at hotels, large malls, and other crowded places with a wave of the hand, but in general it is safer to ask a hotel or restaurant employee to call for a car. The cost of travel is calculated by the taximeter and it is customary to leave a tip of 10% of this value.
Inter-island transport
Tourists and locals can get from one island to another by air or water.
Planes
Only two airlines, Hawaiian Air and Mokulele Airlines, currently provide inter-island flights in Hawaii. The former is the largest local carrier, with 160 daily flights to Honolulu Airport, Hilo and Kona Airports on the Big Island, Lia Airport on Kauai, and Kahului and Kapalua Airports on Maui. Hawaiian Air also operates a subsidiary airline, 'Ohana by Hawaiian, whose small planes fly to Molokai and Lanai, as well as to Oahu, Maui and Hilo Airport. As for Mokulele Airlines, they operate more than 120 flights a day on more than nine routes. Among the destinations this carrier operates are Honolulu, Lanai, Molokai, Kona, and the resort towns of Kapalua and Kahului on Maui.
Ferry service and cruises
The only carrier currently operating inter-island ferry service is Expeditions Lanai Passenger Ferry, whose ships sail between Lahaina Harbor on Maui and Manele Bay on Lanai five times daily. Tickets are available both one-way and two-way. In addition, many sightseeing cruises are available on the main Hawaiian islands, and a package provides all the transportation up to and including pickup and drop-off at the hotel. Sometimes such tours combine sea and air flights. If you wish to take a week-long island cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line is the only company that operates in Hawaii year-round, shuttling between and stopping at the Big Island, Maui, Kauai and Oahu for seven days.