Hawaiian Islands - Tropical Paradise

The Hawaiian islands have 8 major islands and 6 are open to tourists. Each island offers different sites to see, but they are all exciting and exotic in their own way.

Here is a guide to each of the islands:

• Hawaii. This is known as the big island because it is the largest of all the islands. The big island is not as popular as Maui and Oahu, but it still has plenty to offer. Starting with Dolphin Quest, the perfect attraction for families. Dolphin Quest is perfect for children under the age of 12. The kids are able to view a traditional dolphin habitat and they get to touch and possibly swim with the whales. Another great attraction on the big island is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can see the worlds largest volcano and you can also walk around Kilauea, an active volcano that spews steam and lava. If you love to hike, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a great place to go if you want to see some beautiful waterfalls and experience rich plant life.
  
• Oahu. This is one of the most popular islands in Hawaii. One of the main attractions of Oahu is the USS Arizona National Memorial at Pearl Harbor. This is a surreal scene as you can actually view the sunken battleship in the crystal clear water. It is a reverent place and it is a must-see if you go to Oahu. The city of Honolulu resides on Oahu and most residents of Hawaii live here. Wakiki Beach is another wonderful place to head to for some excellent swimming and surfing.
  
• Maui. The tall volcanic mountain crater of Haleakala is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. Active travelers love the island of Maui for bike riding, hiking, and swimming. The Old Lahiana Luau is one of the best ones to attend as they have exciting entertainment and delicious food. You can watch fire dancing, eat coconut pudding and enjoy a kalua pig that is cooked in an earthen oven.
  
• Kauai. This smaller island is known as the garden island and it is home to the Na Pali Coast, one of the most beautiful scenes in the world. You can also see the Wailua River and Waimea Canyon, which is absolutely breathtaking. This island is considered a playground for 4-wheeling, zip lining, and many other fun adventures.

• Molokai. This is an active island filled with a lot of opportunity for hiking, surfing, and biking. This is the island you want to head to if you would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the traditional world. The food is delicious and the restaurants are cozy.
  
• Lanai. This island used to be owned by Dole Foods as they used it for their pineapple plantations. This is a quiet island and tends to be the ideal location for golfers. If you are an adventurer, this is a great island as most of it is still untouched so you can be the first person to explore in certain areas.
  
• Niihau. This is a private island so only relatives of the Native Hawaiians are allowed to enter. You can go on the island if you are involved in a hunting excursion or you can view it from the air in a helicopter tour.
  
• Kahoolawe. This island is currently closed to the public as the government is trying to clean it up. It was used as US Navy bombing range in the past, which is why it is uninhabitable.

When you head to Hawaii, you want to pack plenty of sunscreen and you will need shorts, sandals, and loose clothing. If you go on some of the hikes like the one to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you will need a sweater or jacket. Hawaii is fun to visit all year, the main tourist season is May through October, but all the islands tend to have steady and consistent crowds year-round.