For many people, the hardest of the US states to visit is Hawaii simple because of it’s location in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. But for those that have been fortunate enough to have visited these Hawaiian islands, they know that they have had a real treat because of the beautiful landscape and near perfect climate there.
I would urge anyone that has never visited Hawaii to add this to your bucket list, just like we have because when you see some of the following attractions and locations on offer, you will soon realize this is a place you have to visit!
Here are our top 5 reasons for visiting the appropriately name ‘Islands of Aloha’.
Pearl Harbor
Located on the island of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is a world-recognized attraction that was once host to the tragic events of the bombings that took place during World War II. This site is also the location of the USS Arizona Memorial and I am convinced that touring this site would be a sombre yet extremely rewarding experience. While the actual harbor is fairly large in size and can, the Visitor’s Center and USS Memorial are the real tourist hubs. Both places are free to enter, and of course because of this both draw large volumes of visitors!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most renowned volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Today, the national park displays the results of active eruptions from these volcanoes and how they have formed the beautiful landscape that they reside on. The true character of this national park is best discovered on foot, as with over 150 miles of trails in the park, exploration by walking and hiking is both a beautiful and enjoyable experience.
Haiku Stairs
Commonly known as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, the Haiku Stairs are located on the island of Oahu and is a steep hiking trail that challenges even the most serious of hikers. The stairs are made up of a series of galvanized-steel ship ladders that run from the Hawaiian valley floor to the top of Puu Keahiakahoe providing stunning scenery and views of the surrounding Hawaiian islands.
Hawaiian Beaches
It wouldn’t be a trip to Hawaii without experiencing the beautiful, golden sandy beaches that represent the islands as we know them. Of course, I am sure we are all aware of the world famous Waikiki Beach on Oahu but there are others that equally as aesthetically appealing to the eye such as Ho’okipa Beach on Maui, North Shore and Lanika on Oahu and Poipu Beach on Kauai.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Described as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon State Park is a geological masterpiece 10 miles long and an area with stunning views everywhere. Known for its reddish lava beds, Waimea clearly has the Arizona feel to it but with a Hawaiian twist due to the earthquake activity that has taken place within the region producing the channels and streams that flow out of the canyon and into the Pacific Ocean.
***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***
