Sights to See in Hawaii

The Hawaiian archipelago is comprised of eight major lands masses, smaller islands and atolls. There are many activities to pursue once visiting any of the six inhabited regions. Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai are the primary tourist destinations. The smaller islands Kahoolawe and Niihau are not open to tourist activities, the former being a barren uninhabited area and the latter being privately owned. There are many wonderful sights to behold, each unique to the island it occupies. In addition to wonderful beaches and waterfalls, there are historic parks, amazing geological formations, cultural centers and beautiful botanical gardens. The islands are indeed a testament to nature's magnificence with spectacles to entice all who enter their welcoming environment.

Sights to See by Island

There are several sights to see on each island. These are all open to the public and are guaranteed to be informative, interesting and often quite breathtaking. The six major islands encompass a variety of spectacles. Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai, in particular, are home to some of the more popularly known attractions.

Hawaii, Big Island

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii, is by far the most geological dynamic island. The Volcanoes National Park houses the world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa and also the world's most active volcano Kilaue which has erupted several times since 1983. Visitors are able to explore the volcanoes by driving on the roads set out distinctly for that purpose. The two gorgeous mountainous phenomena are best viewed in daylight hours. Drivers are urged to be cautious when traveling after sunset as visibility rapidly deteriorates near night time.

Akaka Falls
The 440 foot waterfall located north of Hilo is a spectacular sight to behold. It is nearby the smaller, yet still impressive Kahuna Falls. Families with small children are allowed to enter. The falls are considered fairly safe because of the steps that have been implemented to make it easier to explore. It can also be viewed from the north-east coast from the Waimea Highway.

Mauna Kea
Visitors can explore the stars from one of Hawaii's dormant volcanoes Mauna Kea. The region, just west of Hilo, provides one of the clearest spots for astronomy in the world because of the lack of street lights and its great altitude. The Onizuka Center for Astronomy is also located on Mauna Kea. Upon the summit of the grand mountain, visitors can use the telescopes made available or travel with their own. There is no charge to enter the area and tourists are reminded to dress warmly because of cooler conditions associated with its elevation.

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Puuhonua o Honaunau provides a wonderful learning experience. Here visitors are able to absorb the old customs that included the Kapu system and special rituals, tour the entire museum, see the demonstrations on Hukilau and view traditional craft items. There is also a royal fish pond on the site which includes several turtles.

Oahu

Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is considered the most popular paid tourist attraction. It is unique because of the extensive information that it provides on the major land masses. It includes realistic depictions of villages found in ancient Samoa, Hawaii, Aotearoa, Marquesas, Tahiti, Fiji, Rapa Nui and Tonga. There are also exhibits set up by the natives that are very interactive. Additionally, there is an evening show which allows visitors to experience Hawaiian musical forms among many other things.

USS Arizona National Memorial
The memorial was created to honor the lives loss during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was established in 1961 for public viewing after its completion. There are regular showings of a historic documentary surrounding the events that took place on that dreadful day and a museum that showcases wartime memorabilia among many other things.

Queen Emma's Summer Palace
The palace built in 1847 was home to King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. It has been restored to near perfect condition and allows tourists the opportunity to see what life was like for the Hawaiian monarchs. It is one of the few remaining castles on the island chain and is a must see for visitors to Oahu.

Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu. It is an ideal surfing area during the winter months when the tides are stronger, additionally there are several activities available to visitors including snorkeling and sun-bathing. The pristine waters are perfect for swimming and the incredibly beautiful sands along its shores make exploration of its two miles a pleasant experience.

Kauai

Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Is an immense geological formation that spans 10 miles and is 1 mile deep. It is a colorful rocky land formation with bits of green from fertile areas. It is millions of years old and is understandably Kauai's greatest attraction. The Kokee State Park just above the Canyon presents a great challenge for hikers.

Botanical Gardens of Kauai
There are several Botanical Gardens in Kauai. The fertile region is home to variety of flowers and plant life. The three most popular gardens are McBride, Allerton and Limauhuli. There are several species of endangered plants on the island, presently being housed in the Allerton and McBride Gardens. The latter, in particular, is best known for its robust collection of ex situ native Hawaiian plants. Limahuli is home to a number of native plants, many of which were used extensively by early Polynesian settlers.

Maui

Maui is home to a number of sights including the Haleakala National Park which allows panoramic views of the island; Wainapanapa State Park which has sea caves, a black sand beach, sea arch and a small blowhole; Iao Valley State Monument which has beautiful gardens; Lahaina which was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and also a historic whaling village. There are also numerous activities of which to partake: hiking, golfing, sailing, horseback riding, whale watching and submarine tours.

There are several attractions and sights to see in Hawaii. The islands are famous for their beaches and their vibrant spectacles. Visitors are privileged to view distinctly rich surroundings, see magnificent geological formations, learn more about the culture and way of life of the humble people and experience the warmth and charm of the tropics. Hawaii is comparable to very few places in the world, its uniqueness and its grandeur have helped solidify its presence as a major tourist destination.