Hawaii

    Hi everyone! Sorry for not blogging the last few months. I moved to Irvine and needed to get acclimated to that. There will be three upcoming blogs about my most recent travels. Let's talk about my first main summer trip, Hawaii. For many people, Hawaii is the perfect place to go on a vacation. There are many islands one would want to visit. The main four include Kona, known as the big island; Oahu; Maui; and Kaui. I haven't been to Kaui, so sadly I won't be able to give a pitch about it. Today we're going to discuss what makes Hawaii so special and everything every island has to offer.

    Let me first explain why tourists from all over the world go to Hawaii. People love to escape reality, and Hawaii is the best escape. Hawaii has some of the best beaches, resorts, swimming pools, and nature in the world. Tourism is actually Hawaii's main source of income after the military, and one can see why. Hawaii is to the west coast what the Caribbean is to the east coast. Unlike the Caribbean, I would recommend a land vacation because there is more to see in Hawaii than the Caribbean. The Caribbean only has so much to see and then one would get bored, which is why a cruise is good for the Caribbean and a week in Hawaiian paradise is the way to see Hawaii. Let's talk about the history of each island and what they have to offer.

OAHU

    Let's first talk about the number one main island people come to visit, Oahu. Here are some interesting facts: It's known as "The Gathering Place," it's the third largest island in Hawaii, and it's home to a million people, or two-thirds of the Hawaiian natives. The island has been inhabited since the 3rd century. The most infamous event is Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. Today, Oahu is visited by five million people a year, mostly from the United States and Japan.

    As I mentioned, tourism is a major part of the economy in Hawaii. Let's talk about some of the major tourist attractions in Oahu. The main places to visit are Waikiki, Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Mall, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. Some major sites in Waikiki include the major resorts, such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village; Waikiki Beach; and Honolulu Zoo and Aquarium. There's a lot people would want to see in Oahu, enough that one could spend a week in just Honolulu alone. If one wants to include a bunch of activities on one pass, one might want to get the All-Inclusive Oahu Pass.

    I would say Oahu is my second favorite island because of how much there is to see and all the beautiful beaches and tourist activities. There is a lot to see on this island. Some people complain that it's too much of a big city and not the real Hawaii. I strongly disagree because Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the North Shore offer amazing beaches with amazing blue water to snorkel in. If you're lucky, you can even see a sea turtle. Go out and explore Oahu and then decide if you want to go to another island.

                                                   MAUI

   Now let's talk about the best island in Hawaii, Maui. The reason that I think it's the best island is because of the fancy resorts and beaches. It has the real perfect blend of Hawaii and tourism and doesn't feel as touristy as Oahu. Also, it has excellent snorkeling.

   I am first going to discuss the history of Maui. It is the second biggest Hawaiian island. It has a population of 144,444 and is the third most populated island. The Polynesians came to populate Hawaii, probably how Maui from Moana came to be. Years after founding the constitution, explorer James Cook came to explore Maui and was the first from Europe to visit. The population has been growing throughout the years, which has expanded tourism.

    Now for the major reason to check out this part of the blog, the tourism. For those who are island hopping, let me give YOU a very good and time-saving tip. Don't fly into OGG Airport. There's an airport, Kapalua Airport, right in between Lahaina and Kaanapali. One can then take a bus or even walk to their resort. So much easier than going to Kahului Airport. Sadly those coming from LAX or the USA or international can't use this option.

    The tourism includes Lahaina town and the resorts near Kaanapali Beach. Some of those resorts include the Hyatt Regency Maui, Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, as well as the Westin. There is a resort row in Kaanapali where one can check out resorts near the beach as well as shop at Whalers Village. One can also take the bus to Lahaina town and explore it. Another excellent part to check out in West Maui is Kapalua Resort, which includes the Ritz Carlton. I prefer the Hyatt to the Ritz Carlton. Both Kapalua and Kaanapali Beach have excellent snorkeling. If one wants to explore some unique parts outside of the Maui resorts, one should check out The Road to Hana and Waimea, which is known as Cowboy Town. Maui has a lot to see combining tourism and nature. This is one island not to miss.

                                KONA AKA THE BIG ISLAND

    Well, let's talk about one of the most visited islands in Hawaii, The Big Island of Hawaii AKA Kona. I stayed in the major tourist part, Kailua. This island is a lot more quiet than some of the other islands like Oahu and Maui. This is a place for those who want to explore Hawaii without the tourists. From volcanos to black sand beaches, Kona has some variety.

   I am personally not a big fan of Kailua because of how there's a lack of activities and the beaches aren't very beautiful. I also was bored there. I went on a circle island tour and even though some of the caves and volcanos were interesting, they didn't hold my interest on this island. Also, one might have to go deep in the island to find white sand beaches. One could tell that this island was formed by the volcanic ash. I guess if one doesn't want activities and to relax on the beach, this could suffice, but I would never recommend this island.

    Hawaii has a lot of diversity and a lot to offer. Some of the highlights include big cities, beaches, snorkeling, and fancy resorts. The Hawaiian Islands help people escape reality with relaxation and beautiful beaches. People from all over the world, not just from the west coast of the USA, should make a point to see Hawaii once. I hope I motivate YOU to either go back to Hawaii or to visit the new world for the first time.