WeatherThe Hawaiian Islands exist because of a hot spot beneath the earth’s slow-moving Pacific Plate, which has been spewing lava and creating islands for 70 million years. Today, the state of Hawaii contains eight main islands, only six of which are populated. Measure for measure, the Hawaiian islands are as diverse as it gets. Their flora and fauna are a textbook case of Darwinian evolution. Time and time again, single migratory species blossomed into dozens of variations, as isolated individuals adapted to arid coastal deserts, rain forests and snow-capped subarctic mountaintops. As a result, the majority of Hawaiian plants and animals are endemic, and nearly as often, endangered.
All the islands have similar climates: southwestern coasts are sunny, dry and lined with sandy beaches, while the northeastern sides have lush rain forests, cascading waterfalls and pounding surf. Hawaii enjoys warm weather year-round, with coastal temperatures averaging a high of 83°F (28°C) and a low of 68°F (20°C). Summer and fall are the driest seasons, winter the wettest.
Getting there & around
Honolulu is a major Pacific air hub and an intermediate stop on many flights between the US mainland and Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. Passengers on any of these routes can often make a free Honolulu stopover. From Europe, ask about an add-on fare from the US West Coast or perhaps a round-the-world ticket. From the US mainland, the cheapest fares often start at around $600 from the east coast, $400 from California. Most major US airlines fly to Honolulu, Maui and the Big Island.
Hawaiian Airlines (808-838-1555, 800-367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com), Aloha Airlines (808-484-1111, 800-367-5250; www.alohaairlines.com), and go! (888-435-9462; www.iflygo.com) are the main carriers flying between Hawaiian islands. Service is frequent and flight times are short. Recent fare wars have driven one-way trips down to $30 to $40; typically, they have run $60 to $100.
New in 2007, Hawaii Superferry (877-443-3779; www.hawaiisuperferry.com) operates high-speed ferry services from Honolulu, O’ahu, daily to Maui (at Kahului) and every day but Saturday to Kaua’i (at Lihu’e); service to the Big Island will begin in 2009. One-way trips are $55 to $65 per person (add $60 to $70 for a car) and take three hours. Standard ferry services also connects Maui to Lana’i and Moloka’i.
O’ahu is the only island that can be explored extensively by public bus. Maui, the Big Island and Kaua’i have limited bus services between major towns but no service to most sightseeing destinations.
Rental cars are available on all the main islands and typically cost $35 to $50 a day and $175 to $250 a week. It’s wise to book a car before arrival; browse websites of the major rental companies to find the best price.
On the larger islands, half- and full-day sightseeing bus tours are available for $60 to $100. Specialized tours include whale-watching cruises, bicycle tours, snorkeling trips, overnight tours and helicopter tours. All can be booked after arrival in Hawaii. Two of the larger tour companies are Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours (808-737-3700, 800-946-4432; www.discoverhawaiitours.com) and Roberts Hawaii (808-954-8652, 866-898-2519; www.robertshawaii.com).
Hotel and Resort
Hawaii has a very strong tourist infrastructure with hundreds of hotels, condos, vacation homes and bed & breakfasts. There are several resorts state wide - planned development areas that usually include condos, hotels, golf courses, and vacation homes. These include the Mauna Lani and Waikoloa resorts on the Big Island; Wailea, Kapalua and Kaanapali resorts on Maui; the Ko Olina, Turtle Bay and Hilton Hawaiian Village resorts on Oahu; and the Princeville resort on Kauai. Many accommodation options can be found outside resort areas as well.
•Mauna Lani Resort, Kohala Coast, Big Island
•Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast, Big Island.
•Wailea Resort, Wailea, Maui.
•Kapalua Resort, Kapalua, Maui.
•Kaanapali Resort, Lahaina, Maui.
•Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Oahu.
•Ko Olina Resort, Kapolei, Oahu.
•Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort, Waikiki, Oahu
•Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai.
Getting there & around
Honolulu is a major Pacific air hub and an intermediate stop on many flights between the US mainland and Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. Passengers on any of these routes can often make a free Honolulu stopover. From Europe, ask about an add-on fare from the US West Coast or perhaps a round-the-world ticket. From the US mainland, the cheapest fares often start at around $600 from the east coast, $400 from California. Most major US airlines fly to Honolulu, Maui and the Big Island.
Hawaiian Airlines (808-838-1555, 800-367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com), Aloha Airlines (808-484-1111, 800-367-5250; www.alohaairlines.com), and go! (888-435-9462; www.iflygo.com) are the main carriers flying between Hawaiian islands. Service is frequent and flight times are short. Recent fare wars have driven one-way trips down to $30 to $40; typically, they have run $60 to $100.
New in 2007, Hawaii Superferry (877-443-3779; www.hawaiisuperferry.com) operates high-speed ferry services from Honolulu, O’ahu, daily to Maui (at Kahului) and every day but Saturday to Kaua’i (at Lihu’e); service to the Big Island will begin in 2009. One-way trips are $55 to $65 per person (add $60 to $70 for a car) and take three hours. Standard ferry services also connects Maui to Lana’i and Moloka’i.
O’ahu is the only island that can be explored extensively by public bus. Maui, the Big Island and Kaua’i have limited bus services between major towns but no service to most sightseeing destinations.
Rental cars are available on all the main islands and typically cost $35 to $50 a day and $175 to $250 a week. It’s wise to book a car before arrival; browse websites of the major rental companies to find the best price.
On the larger islands, half- and full-day sightseeing bus tours are available for $60 to $100. Specialized tours include whale-watching cruises, bicycle tours, snorkeling trips, overnight tours and helicopter tours. All can be booked after arrival in Hawaii. Two of the larger tour companies are Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours (808-737-3700, 800-946-4432; www.discoverhawaiitours.com) and Roberts Hawaii (808-954-8652, 866-898-2519; www.robertshawaii.com).
Hotel and Resort
Hawaii has a very strong tourist infrastructure with hundreds of hotels, condos, vacation homes and bed & breakfasts. There are several resorts state wide - planned development areas that usually include condos, hotels, golf courses, and vacation homes. These include the Mauna Lani and Waikoloa resorts on the Big Island; Wailea, Kapalua and Kaanapali resorts on Maui; the Ko Olina, Turtle Bay and Hilton Hawaiian Village resorts on Oahu; and the Princeville resort on Kauai. Many accommodation options can be found outside resort areas as well.
•Mauna Lani Resort, Kohala Coast, Big Island
•Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast, Big Island.
•Wailea Resort, Wailea, Maui.
•Kapalua Resort, Kapalua, Maui.
•Kaanapali Resort, Lahaina, Maui.
•Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Oahu.
•Ko Olina Resort, Kapolei, Oahu.
•Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort, Waikiki, Oahu
•Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai.
