Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Your Special Vacation in Hawaii

By Penelope SanMateo

Whether you are planning to visit the Big Island, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lahai or Maui your vacation in Hawaii will be filled with enjoyment. There are sites to see on each of the islands that make up the state of Hawaii.

When you visit the island of Kauai you will have the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, better known as Waimea Canyon. Here you will see panoramic views of the more than 3000 feet deep canyon. You will see crested buttes, ragged crags, and deep valley gorges. Your camera will never stop clicking at all the beauty surrounding you.

The North Shore of Kauai offers views that will be remembered for a lifetime. The velvet green cliffs which tower over the ocean. The tumbling waterfalls that cascade down the cliffs to the valleys far below offer a memorable experience as does the view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean stretching for miles beyond your vision.

Now go visit the island of Oahu that was once the home of King Kamehameha. Waikiki offers you the wonderful opportunity for great surfing on Waikiki Beach. You can take lessons here if you are just beginning the art of surfing or enjoy yourself with the big waves if you are an experienced surfer.

If you are interested in aquariums you will definitely want to visit the Waikiki Aquarium in Oahu. It is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach right next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. This aquarium is the 3rd oldest in the United States with more than 500 marine species and 3,000 marine specimens for you to learn about and enjoy.

Of course you will visit Honolulu while you are on Oahu. This beautiful capital city is the epicenter of Hawaii with everything from the historic buildings to treasured monuments along with the opportunity to do some shopping and see the wide array of arts and culture.

Take a tour of Iolani Palace where King Kalakaua and his successor, Queen Liliuokalani held lavish parties and conducted diplomatic affairs for the kingdom. See the private living quarters of the royal family and learn the history of how the Queen was imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Sea Life Park will offer you an alternative to Waikiki Beach. Here you will be able to see dolphins and penguins. You can also capture the views of the Pacific Ocean with its breathtaking beauty from the Koolau mountains.

Take a trip to Central Oahu and see the beautiful plantation areas. Visit Historic Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona with the memorial to those that died protecting our country from the Japanese invasion of WWII.

When you visit Molokai be sure to spend a little time at the main harbor, Kaunakakai, where the tallest point on the island is located. This is the steeple of a chruch since no buildings are taller than a coconut tree!

Now you are off to Lanai and the area well known for the pineapple plantations. You can find fabulous snorkeling spots, enjoy the swimming or just sit on the beach and see ifyou spot a whale or a dolphin. The relaxed environment of the island will make you glad you took a break to visit here.

A 60 ft. banyan tree is something you will want to see when you are visiting Maui. The tree and the mountain top of Haleakala offer an alternative to the beaches (which are great) of the other islands.

Come to the Big Island and see how it is still growing! The volcano keeps adding land mass to the island. With 11 different climate zones you can experience everything from the desert to the Rain Forest, from the black sand beaches to the snow capped mountains. - 15431

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