{"id":2082,"date":"2021-12-06T23:42:08","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T12:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/why-you-should-visit-hawaii\/"},"modified":"2024-11-29T09:46:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T22:46:37","slug":"why-you-should-visit-hawaii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/why-you-should-visit-hawaii\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Reasons Why Hawaii Should Top Your Travel List"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dreaming of a tropical escape? The Hawai\u2018ian Islands will not disappoint. Here are our top five reasons why you should pull out your suitcase and visit Hawai\u2018i.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tropical climate, vast white-sand beaches, multiple national parks, and a rich culture \u2013 it\u2019s hard for Hawai\u2018i to do any wrong. There are plenty of reasons why this island archipelago should be your go-to for your next international escape; here are just some of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to escape?<\/strong> View our collection of Hawaii hotels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Bask on the many sparkling beaches and bays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maui was voted \u2018Best Island in the U.S\u2019 by Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler readers for more than two decades, and it continues to live up to its reputation. One of the best ways to appreciate its beauty is through its beaches. K\u0101\u2018anapali Beach is Maui\u2019s signature beach and a swimmer\u2019s paradise with clear, gentle waters and more than 1.5 kilometres of white sand. On the island\u2019s south shore, head to M\u0101kena Beach State Park. Nestled between two black lava outcroppings, M\u0101kena provides great views of the islands of Molokini and Kaho\u2018olawe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When in O\u2018ahu you can\u2019t miss Waik\u012bk\u012b Beach, but there are plenty of other beaches to explore. Talk to the locals and they\u2019ll tell you to head to Ala Moana Beach. Kid-friendly in every way, this almost one-kilometre-long stretch of pristine beach is where island residents love to picnic on weekends, play tennis on the ten lighted courts, and jog the park’s almost four-kilometre perimeter. Further east, H\u014dnaunau Bay Nature Preserve is arguably the most famous of Hawai\u2018i\u2019s snorkelling beaches and one of the best in the world for viewing marine life up close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Island of Hawai\u2018i don\u2019t miss Kahalu\u2018u Beach Park, a tiny, sheltered cove teeming with fish, and shallow, calm waters making it a top snorkelling spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"There
There are many reasons why you should visit Hawai\u2018i, and the pristine, white-sand beaches have to top the list<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Stay in world-renowned resorts you won\u2019t want to leave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If beachside vibes are your jam, then Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is where you should bed. Singing to its own tune following a US$80 million renovation, the beachfront resort on the western edge of Waik\u012bk\u012b has had a complete refresh. Almost nothing was left untouched, including an overhaul of the restaurant and bar, Kani Ka Pila Grille, famed for its live music featuring local artists. Sit back and soak it all up while you breathe in the sea air of Waik\u012bk\u012b Beach. When you\u2019re not rocking to the local music, swim in the sprawling outdoor pool or take it easy in a private cabana on plush chaise lounges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be the envy of your friends, \u2018Alohilani Resort is the place to be. Overlooking Waik\u012bk\u012b Beach, the resort\u2019s restaurant and pool bar, Swell, has been dubbed \u2018Instagram-Worthy\u2019 by both Departures Magazine and Instyle \u2013 and it\u2019s not hard to see why. There\u2019s a heated saltwater infinity pool, glowing firepits, and a video art series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sip from the impressive cocktail menu, savour local favourites like poke and k\u0101lua pork, fish tacos and tangy teriyaki wings and stay until the sun goes down when it turns into a buzzing bar with local musicians and DJs. Equally impressive (and Instagrammable) is the resort\u2019s two-story saltwater indoor Oceanarium teeming with colourful native Hawai\u2018ian reef fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If keeping the kids cool is your plan, choose Sheraton Waikiki. Think: two slides, one that\u2019s 21 metres long and another that\u2019s 4.5 metres high, two whirlpools, an interactive fountain area, inflation floatation devices, and poolside cabanas. Need we say more? You will literally while away your days here and the only distraction will be the kids running up to grab a bite to eat poolside, while you sip on a cocktail and cheers to the resort for its forward-thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, when the kids are well and truly in need of a rest, take up the babysitting service and take a dip in the beachfront infinity pool \u2013 North America’s longest oceanfront infinity pool \u2013 where you can float on a water beanbag and admire views of Waik\u012bk\u012b Beach and Diamond Head<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"It's
It’s not hard to see why \u2018Alohilani Resort is dubbed ‘instagram-worthy’ <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Get out of your comfort zone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don your hiking boots, grab your water bottle and head to Haleakal\u0101 Crater \u2013 a dormant volcano that towers over the island of Maui. At more than 10,000 feet (3,055 metres) above sea level, you will have your head in the clouds before you reach the summit (literally). The best bit: the sun rising above the vast sea of clouds, a spectacle described by Mark Twain as \u201cthe most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is one place in the world where you should learn to surf, it has to be the sport\u2019s birthplace. Follow in the wake of legends like Hawai\u2018ian waterman Duke Kahanamoku \u2013 who was solely credited with polarising surfing across the globe in the 1920s \u2013 and grab a board from the many surf rental businesses to hit the waves of Waik\u012bk\u012b on O\u2018ahu. There are also plenty of instructors on hand to help get you on your feet regardless, whichever island you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built for stability and speed, the Hawai\u2018ian outrigger canoe was created to withstand the challenges of sailing and fishing on the wild waves of the Pacific Ocean. Still widely practiced today, outrigger canoe paddling is a competitive sport and an experience most resorts offer. Grab the family and make some magical memories on the water while partaking in this ancient Hawai\u2018ian tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Make
Make sure you add a hike up the Haleakala Crater to your Hawai\u2018i itinerary for jaw-dropping views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Dine on mouthwatering local morsels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You wouldn\u2019t go to Italy and not eat pizza and pasta, and the same should be said for the incredible traditional, local foods of Hawai\u2018i. Start any meal with p\u016bp\u016b, a Hawai\u2018ian appetiser. Every local restaurant in Hawai\u2018i has a range to dine on from poke dishes to sushi. Another tasty morsel you can\u2019t miss is loco moco \u2013 hamburger steak and egg over rice and covered in gravy \u2013 at Caf\u00e9 100 in Hilo on the Island of Hawai\u2018i, which is said to have originated the name. For the sweet tooth, try malasadas (a Portuguese doughnut). You\u2019ll find a line of people queuing for one at Leonard\u2019s Bakery in Kapahulu on O\u2018ahu or ask any local to point you in the direction of their favourite bakery where you can find one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those wanting to make a meal of it, there is an increasing number of local chefs who have carved a name in the farm-to-table movement. Try Koko Head Caf\u00e9 in Honolulu helmed by Lee Anne Wong, that serves up American brunch classics with an Asian twist; Erik Leong of Mahina & Sun\u2019s who has taken a new twist on local comfort foods; and Sheldon Simeon, author and chef of Tin Roof Caf\u00e9, who has evolved the traditional ma and pa shop with authentic fresh ingredients \u2013 and ultimately just serves damn fine food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fresh,
Fresh, local food sourced from surrounding farms is easily found on the Hawaii islands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Make lasting memories while giving back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pay it forward by taking part in an experience with the knowledge you are giving back. The M\u0101lama Hawai\u2018i Program is an initiative that has teamed up with partners including Hawai\u2018ian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, where you can plant a tree while guides talk about the history of Hawai\u2018i and explain how your tree will contribute to healing the local ecosystem. Multiple hotels also play their part, like \u2018Alohilani Resort, where you can plant a tree in the \u2018Alohilani Forest on the North Shore of O\u2018ahu, capped off with dinner for two back at the resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to make a sea change? Try your hand as a community scientist with the Coastal Marine Debris Monitoring Program. Simply pick up your supplies (an upcycled grain bag donated by Maui Brewing Company) at PacWhale Eco-Adventures\u2019 Ocean Store in Lahaina or M\u0101\u2018alaea and head out to clean up any part of Maui\u2019s coastline. With the help of travellers, more than 50,000 pieces of debris have already been removed from the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"-\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Looking for more reasons why you should visit Hawai\u2018i?<\/strong> Check out Where to Eat, Drink, Stay and Play in Hawai\u2018<\/strong>i<\/a> and 5 Reasons Why Maui is the Mother of Family Holidays.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dreaming of a tropical escape? The Hawai\u2018ian Islands will not disappoint. Here are our top five reasons why you should pull out your suitcase and visit Hawai\u2018i. Tropical climate, vast white-sand beaches, multiple national parks, and a rich culture \u2013 it\u2019s hard for Hawai\u2018i to do any wrong. There are plenty of reasons why this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,38],"tags":[33,58,17,7,60,28,26,13],"location":[],"customertype":[],"class_list":["post-2082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hawaii","category-usa","tag-accommodation","tag-beach","tag-family-friendly","tag-food-wine","tag-hiking","tag-honeymoon","tag-islands","tag-outdoor-adventure"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Hero-Media.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"lux_id":2082,"lux_link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/why-you-should-visit-hawaii\/","lux_title":"Five Reasons Why Hawaii Should Top Your Travel List","lux_excerpt":"Dreaming of a tropical escape? The Hawai\u2018ian Islands will not disappoint. Here are our top five reasons why you should pull out your suitcase and visit Hawai\u2018i. Tropical climate, vast white-sand beaches, multiple national parks, and a rich culture \u2013 it\u2019s hard for Hawai\u2018i to do any wrong. There are plenty of reasons why this [\u2026]","lux_excerpt_trimmed":"Dreaming of a tropical escape? The Hawai\u2018ian Islands will not disappoint. Here are our top five reasons why you should pull out your suitcase and visit Hawai\u2018i. Tropical climate, vast","lux_image_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Hero-Media.jpg","lux_image_url_medium":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Hero-Media-350x197.jpg","lux_image_url_large":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Hero-Media-1024x576.jpg","lux_image_url_square":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Hero-Media-500x500.jpg","lux_categories":[{"label":"Hawaii","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/usa\/hawaii\/"},{"label":"USA","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/usa\/"}],"lux_tags":[{"label":"Accommodation","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/accommodation\/"},{"label":"Beach","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/beach\/"},{"label":"Family Friendly","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/family-friendly\/"},{"label":"Food & Wine","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/food-wine\/"},{"label":"Hiking","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/hiking\/"},{"label":"Honeymoon","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/honeymoon\/"},{"label":"Islands","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/islands\/"},{"label":"Outdoor & Adventure","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/outdoor-adventure\/"}],"lux_locations":[],"lux_customer_types":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2082"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=2082"},{"taxonomy":"customertype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/customertype?post=2082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}