Here is a quick summary if you have not been on the Hawaiian Islands before. It will help you in your island selection, whether it would be a honeymoon , a vacation or an incentive trip. If you need advice please call FunHawaii at 1 800 324-2000. We know Hawaii very well and can tell you about the different island personalities.

There are six main Hawaiian islands:

Oahu, (tons of restaurants, clubs, shopping, famous Waikiki beach and great beaches on other side) Maui, (fastest growing island in terms of population and resorts. Cross between populated Oahu and more tranquil Kauai. Great beaches and full resorts) Kauai, (the garden island...not for nightlife or shopping, tranquil but more activities and resorts than Lanai or Molokai) Hawaii, (The big island. People are shocked when they land...miles and miles of desolate moon-like lava landscape...until you reach your resort) Lanai, Molokai, (these are the very tranquil islands,. Don't expect shopping or nightclubs. Few places to stay)

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OAHU

The Hawaiian island with most activities (defined as shopping, night life, variety of entertainment and recreation) is Oahu. If your Hawaii vacation includes lots of shopping, many restaurants and nightclubs then Oahu is the Hawaiian island for you. If this is your first Hawaii vacation should stop by Oahu for three days to experience the cosmopolitan Waikiki before you go to one of the more tranquil Hawaiian Islands.

If on your Hawaii vacation you want nightclubs, dancing, many restaurants, shopping then you want Oahu. Oahu is where the famous Waikiki beach is (the city is called Honolulu). Waikiki Beach has all the major hotels and you can walk right to the beach from any Waikiki hotel. The furthest Waikiki hotel is 4 blocks away. The closest Waikiki hotel is right on the beach.

Oahu has 1.1 million people living on it and over 4 million visitors per year. Yet it has some real beauty and 46% of it are mountains. Only 30 minutes away from Honolulu downtown you will find some of the most beautiful tropical bays where movie stars have their summer homes.

You do not need a car to get around Waikiki beach. You can walk all around the beach and the shops if you are healthy. Waikiki hotels charge $14 per day for you to park a car there. Honolulu is the city name where Waikiki Beach is located and the island is called Oahu. You really get a unique international flavor on Oahu. You can dance in a trendy disco or surf the waves while being watched from the disco.

Rent a car for a day or two to get to the other side of Oahu to get away from the city and to see the other great beaches on the island. You will also need a car to go to North Shore, where the big Hawaiian surf contest take place.

Oahu is 'the gathering place.' It has more hotels, more restaurants, and more major attractions than all of the other islands put together. Our major city, Honolulu, is here. So is the 'world's best beach' at Waikiki. Honolulu is sophisticated, lively, and as breathtaking as the Banzai Pipeline. It has more in the way of arts, culture, and entertainment. It has an abundance of galleries, nightclubs, and museums, a major zoo, aquarium, Iolani Palace (the only royal palace on U.S. soil), Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial... the list goes on and on.

The day-time high temperatures in Honolulu during the summer range from an average of 85 to 87 degrees F (29.4-30.6 C) with night-time lows of 70 to 74 (21.1-23.3 C). Winter day-time high temperatures in the city are 70 to 74 degrees F (21.1-23.3 C) and night-time lows are 65 to 69 degrees (18.3-20.6 C). Travelers may want to pack a light jacket and pants for strolling on the cooler winter evenings. Hikers planning to trek through some of Oahu's higher elevations should be aware that there is a 3.5 degree drop in temperature for every thousand foot rise above sea level. Its a good idea then to carry along a couple of layers of light clothing for these higher elevations, especially in the winter months.

No other American city could offer you the opportunity to surf the world's biggest waves, snorkel a lagoon, hike into a dormant volcano, golf at a dozen championship courses, and catch the sunset from a five-star restaurant. All within an hours drive of your hotel room.

If this is a Hawaii honeymoon stop by Oahu on your way to other Hawaiian Islands and enjoy great dinners and entertainment.

The key to enjoying Oahu, as with most of the islands, is mobility. The Bus circles Waikiki for only a dollar. Or rent a car and get out to see the 'real' Hawaii... the gentle waterfalls, and the craggy peaks. Discover the 'undiscovered' beaches. Boogey board at Makapuu. Ride a horse at Turtle Bay. Watch the surfers at the Pipeline. Or sample a little fresh pineapple juice.

The annual NFL Pro Bowl is held here on Oahu every year. The pro bowl brings in thousands of visitors to Hawaii, as do other major sporting events, such as the triathlon.

Oahu Points of Interest

ALOHA TOWER, Oahu - Honolulu's familiar landmark is open to visitors and offers an excellent view of the harbor area.

AQUARIUM, Oahu - on Kalakaua Avenue across from Kapiolani Park at Waikiki, the Aquarium contains a world-famous collection of brilliantly colored tropical fish.

BEACHES, Oahu - beautiful beaches, wherever you go, for swimming, surfing, fishing or a picnic. Some people spend the entire Hawaii vacation or Hawaii honeymoon in the Waikiki beach area

BISHOP MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, Oahu - at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum houses the world's foremost collection of Hawaiiana and Polynesian antiquities.

BLOW HOLE, Oahu - near Koko Head, playful Mother Nature forces the mighty sea through a tiny hole in a lava ledge and blows miniature geysers high into the air.

BYODO-IN TEMPLE, Oahu - Japan's 900-year-old architectural treasure is duplicated in exact detail at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. beneath the majestic cliffs of the Koolau mountains. The beautiful Oriental garden setting also has a carp pool, massive nine-foot Buddha statue, and tea house.

CHINATOWN, Oahu - unlike the Chinatowns in other American cities this section of downtown Honolulu is an exciting blend of shops, restaurants and markets displaying not only Chinese goods but wares and foods typical of the countries of origin of Hawaii's early-day immigrants.

DIAMOND HEAD, Oahu- this world renowned landmark bounds Waikiki Beach on the south. An extinct volcano, it is said to have once been the home of Pele, the Fire Goddess.

EAST-WEST CENTER, Oahu - a center for cultural and academic interchange between the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and United States.Established by the U.S Congress in 1960, the center has since become a public, nonprofit educational corporation with offices and facilities adjacent to the University of Hawaii campus.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN, Oahu - remarkable botanic displays including photogenic orchid section, in a 20 acre setting in downtown Honolulu.

FunHawaii.com has great Hawaii Vacations. If you are familiar with Hawaii book it on line up on top, otherwise call FunHawaii for advice.

HANAUMA BAY, Oahu - a delightful sea cove in Koko Head Park, its rugged grandeur was created by volcanic action 10,000 years ago when Pele made her last attempt to find home on Oahu, as legend tells. A favorite spot for swimming, picnicking, and snorkeling. This is a fish preserve so when ou are on your Hawaii vacation and want to snorkle in a sheltered area where the fish are guaranteed...its here.

HAWAII MARITIME CENTER, Oahu - includes a museum. Aloha Tower plus the square-rigged Falls of Clyde and the Hokule'a Polynesian sailing canoe.

HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ARTS, Oahu - a registered national and state historic place, renowned for an extensive collection of Asian and Western art and the beauty of its grounds and buildings.

HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Oahu - nine miles west of Waikiki, the Honolulu Airport is the hub of the Pacific for transpacific airlines as well as several interisland airlines.

IOLANI PALACE, Oahu - only throne room under the American flag, where Hawaii's last two monarchs lived and ruled. Completed in 1882, thebuilding has been entirely renovated, displaying a magnificent interior.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS, Oahu - established by a member of Hawaii's royal family for boys and girls of Hawaiian ancestry.

KANEANA CAVE, Oahu - near Mauka just before the end of Farrington Highway, Kaneana, the sharkman deity, is supposed to have made his home in this cave which is volcanic and coral in formation.

KAWAIAHAO CHURCH, Oahu - dedicated in 1842, the "Westminster Abbey" of Hawaii offers Sunday services in Hawaiian and English.

KEWALO BASIN, Oahu - sampans and other fishing boats moor in this small boat harbor which is also the departure point for Pearl Harbor cruises.

MISSION HOUSES, Oahu - the oldest existing buildings erected by the first missionary contingent to Honolulu are in the civic center area, whichis also locale of many other historic sites.

MORMON TEMPLE, Oahu - built in beautiful Laie in 1920, it was the first Mormon Temple to be constructed outside of Utah.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, Oahu - Punchbowl or Puowaina, literally translated "Hill of Sacrifice" is the final resting place of thousands of World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans. Open seven days a week, it overlooks the vast expanse of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Waikiki.

NUUANU PALI, Oahu - Oahu's scenic masterpiece, at the head of Nuuanu Valley, is where Kamehameha the Great defeated the Oahuans in a bloody battle in 1795, by forcing thousands of warriors over the precipice, to meet death on the jagged rocks below, thus adding Oahu to his realm.

OLD SUGAR MILL, Oahu - near Kaaawa are the stone ruins of the first sugar mill on Oahu erected in 1864.

PEARL HARBOR, Oahu - the USS Arizona Memorial, above the sunken battleship, is a tribute to American fighting men killed during the attack on December 7, 1941. The USS Bowfin, a restored World War II submarine, is on exhibit next to the Arizona Memorial ground facility.

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER AT LAIE, Oahu - located on the north shore of Oahu, the center is made up of native villages representative of those in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, Marquesas, and Hawaii.

QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE, Oahu - a charming home, located in Nuuanu Valley, the former summer palace has been restored to its
original appearance and houses a fine collection of Hawaiiana.

RABBIT ISLAND, Oahu - near Waimanalo, this is one of the many interesting islets that border Oahu. It looks like the head of a rabbit and was
once overrun by them.

ROYAL MAUSOLEUM, Oahu - resting place of Hawaii's former rulers, with well-informed guide-custodian.
SEA LIFE PARK - located at Makapuu Point. Sea Life Park features an outstanding display of Hawaii's exotic marine life in a truly beautiful ocean side setting. The 300,000 gallon Hawaiian Reef Tank is one of America's finest aquariums, housing 2,000 island specimens: sharks, rays, moray eels, turtles, and exotic reef fish. Giant whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins and a variety of sea birds can also be enjoyed.

WAIMEA BAY, Oahu - between Haleiwa and Kahuku, the beach is fine for picnicking but the bay is dangerous for swimming when surf is six feet or more.

WAIMEA FALLS PARK, Oahu - this narrow canyon extending into the Koolau mountains was once a heavily populated Hawaiian village. Today the 1,800 acre site between Haleiwa and Kahuku, is a dwelling for Nature's lovely, unspoiled environment of tropical plant life, birds, hiking trails and a truly beautiful waterfall.

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The BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

Many first timers confuse the Island of Hawaii with Oahu in planning their Hawaii vacation or Hawaii honeymoon. Hawaii is the big island where the active volcano is located. Oahu is where the famous Waikiki beach is located and the city is called Honolulu. So make sure that when you plan your Hawaii vacation you choose the right island.

The best hotels with white beaches on the big island of Hawaii are located on the Kona coast. The volcano is over 3 hours away, so if you are planning to see the volcano in Hawaii make sure you plan an entire day or just take a helicopter tour.

Hilo on Hawaii is located much closer to the volcano is a smaller sleepy village with few activities and fewer hotels. If you are making air reservations on your own make sure you fly into the right airport. Otherwise you will be driving 4 hours to get to the other side.

Kona side is the recommended side for most visitors, unless you are more into remote locations, then Hilo is for you. This is a big island, so if you want to see it save hours of driving. Expect a LUNAR LANDSCAPE on most of the island because of the lava flows. If you expect a lush, tropical Hawaiian island for your Hawaii honeymoon this may not be it. Its a great island and many of the resorts on Kona side have great lush landscape....but just outside it will be very barren.

Great whale watching off Kona January - April.

Twice as large as all of the other major Hawaiian Islands combined, the Big Island is also the youngest of the island chain. At some 800,000 years of age, it's also still growing.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains one of the world's most active volcanoes which continues to pour into the sea adding to the shoreline.

From its snow capped peaks to its black, white and green sand beaches the island is really a study in contrasts. Rocky deserts and lush rainforests. Peaceful bays and rolling pasture land. Luxurious orchids and waterfalls on the windward side, and areas on the western slopes where the world famous Kona coffee is grown.

The Big Island is the place for adventure. Horseback riding in Waimea. Golf everywhere. Snow skiing (really!) at Mauna Kea. The ocean is gorgeous at any time of year. Kona is the marlin fishing capital of the Pacific.

All over the island you'll see petroglyphs, and heiau, ancient places of worship. The royal summer palace and the first Christian church in Hawaii will take you back in time.

Because Hawaiian weather varies very little throughout the year, the weather you'll experience on the Big Island depends more on location than time of year. The wide variety of climates and the resulting range of temperatures and rainfall across the island are due primarily to differences in elevation and exposure to the moist northeasterly trade winds. The average day-time temperature in the coastal resort areas ranges from the mid 80's (29.4 C)in the summer months of May to October to the mid to low 70's (23.9-26.1 C) during the winter months of November to April.

The Big Island Points of Interest ©1997 Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau

AKAKA FALLS, Hawaii - north of Hilo, plunges over 420 feet in a sheer drop over a volcanic cliff.

BLACK SAND BEACHES, Hawaii - made up of pulverized lava, located on the south-eastern cliff.

CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT, Hawaii - at Kealakekua Bay, is a tribute to the British navigator and discoverer of the Hawaiian islands who was killed on the shoreline in 1779.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Hawaii - at Kailua-Kona, was erected by American missionaries who first landed on this coast in 1820.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii - one of the top scenic attractions in the Aloha State, has an array of unique volcanic formations, forests of giant tree ferns, steaming craters and a volcanological museum which shows free color movies daily.

HULIHEE PALACE, Hawaii - in the village of Kailua-Kona was once the summer home of Hawaiian royalty and now houses a rare collection of Hawaiiana.

KAMEHAMEHA STATUE, Hawaii - in Kohala. This, the original statue was lost at sea during shipment to Hawaii and later recovered after a replica had been made and erected in Honolulu.

KAMUELA MUSEUM, Hawaii - in Kamuela/Waimea, with royal Hawaiian treasures from the Iolani Palace, ancient Hawaiian artifacts and art objects from around the world.

LAPAKAHI STATE HISTORICAL PARK, Hawaii - north of Kawaihae, was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village.

LAUPAHOEHOE, Hawaii - which literally translated means "leaf of lava" is one of the Hamakua Coast's many scenic and historic spots.

LAVA FLOWS, Hawaii - are marked by Warrior signs which designate flows which have surged down the mountains of Mauna Loa and Kilauea since prehistoric times.

LYMAN MISSION HOUSE MUSEUM, Hawaii - in the city of Hilo, contains a collection of historic Hawaiian relics.

ORCHIDS AND ANTHURIUMS, Hawaii - grow in profusion in Hilo and surrounding areas for export to far ports of the world.

PAINTED CHURCHES, Hawaii - at Honaunau, St. Benedict's is the oldest Catholic church on the Island constructed in 1875. The church has brilliantly hued murals depicting biblical scenes on the interior walls. Murals in the Star of the Sea Catholic church at Kalapana were painted by a priest half a century ago.

PARKER RANCH, Hawaii - in the Waimea-Kamuela district at the foot of Mauna Kea, is the second largest cattle ranch under the American flag, and the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the world.

POLOLU VALLEY, Hawaii - in Kohala, was once the locale of a number of ancient Hawaiian heiau (temples).

PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU (PLACE OF REFUGE), Hawaii - a National Historical Park, is said to have been built at the Honaunau location in the 12th century to provide political and religious asylum.

PUUKOHOLA HEIAU, Hawaii - near Kawaihae, was built by Kamehameha the Great and is now a National Historical Site.

RAINBOW FALLS, Hawaii - one of the Big Island's loveliest waterfalls, is located in Hilo.

WAHA'ULA HEIAU, Hawaii - at the foot of the Chain of Craters Road is maintained by the National Park Service as part of the Volcanos National Park. Walking tours available.

WAIPIO VALLEY, Hawaii - north of the town of Honokaa, was once the home of kings of old Hawaii.

WHITE SAND BEACHES, Hawaii - Hapuna State Beach Park, Anaehoomalu Beach, and Magic Sands Beach, Kailua, all on the western side of island.

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MAUI, Hawaii

Maui used to be a really nice quiet island with local flavor. Now with the advent of condos and cars it has its own traffic jams. However Maui has retained its tropical beauty. It is a cross between the hussle of Oahu and the tranquility of Molokai. Maui is a very popular Hawaii vacation destination and great for Hawaii honeymoon couples.

Just make sure that if you expect an unspoiled beach with no cars around and away from anything you do not choose the economy areas for your vacation, such as Kihei. However if you are on a budget Kihei area has some great condos, especially across the street from Kamaole park.

The most famous stretch of beach is the Kaanapali beach where dozens of resorts sprung up like mushrooms. The closer you are to the black rock, where Sheraton Resort is located, the better the snorkeling. Take a boat from Kaanapali to Molokini, a little island 30 minutes off Maui, for a day of snorkeling and lunch.

The town of Lahaina, below Kaanapali beach is where most of the action is with many art shops and a few cute restarurants. If you need advice where to stay call FunHawaii.com.

The most expensive resorts are located on the north side, Kapalua area. That's where the Ritz, Kapalua Bay hotel and others, including some great golf courses are located. The bottom side, Wailea, has high end resorts too. Kihei is where you find the "suburbs" with lower priced condos across the street from beaches.

Maui's prime resort areas are Kapalua, Kaanapali, Kihei, Wailea and Makena. Strung like jewels on the sunny western and southern shores of Maui, they offer pristine beaches and a wide range of hotel and condominium accommodations. At serene, secluded Hana, you'll discover Hawaii the way it used to be.

The best golf in paradise is yours to enjoy on Maui. There are challenges for players of all skill levels and incredible views no matter where you play, from the public courses to the championship layouts of Maui's Golf Coast. Plus, nowhere else in the world will you find the array of oceansports and activities that Maui offers.

Then there are the 42 miles of world famous beaches, ranging Only on Maui... from the little jewel of Red Sand Beach to the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park. The best snorkeling is at Honolua Bay or the small islet of Molokini, a submerged crater.

For the nature enthusiast, Maui has breathtaking hiking trails. The Hawaii Nature Center in Iao Valley is a good starting place. The rangers at Haleakala National Park lead free nature walks, both at the 10,000 foot summit of Maui's awe-inspiring, long-dormant volcano and at Oheo Gulch with its famous Seven Pools. So if your Hawaii vacation includes hiking you will like a Maui vacation.

How about a Hawaii vacation that includes horseback riding? One of the best ways to experience Upcountry Maui is on horseback. The green pastures and sweeping vistas will remind you of range land in Wyoming. And Makawao town provides a taste of the "Old West."

Discover the fascinating artifacts of Maui's ancient culture at the Bailey House Museum or explore the island's heiau ruins (Hawaiian religious temples). If you get a chance, don't miss the performance of hula kahiko (ancient hula) by one of Maui's hula halau (hula schools).

Maui rates high on a Hawaii vacation list for those who want the combination of shopping with long stretches of beach, close to civilization.

More on Maui

Maui Points of Interest
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BALDWIN HOME, Maui - now serving as a museum, this is an excellent example of early Island missionary homes.

BANYAN TREE, Maui - planted in 1873, this magnificent tree is said to be the largest banyan tree in all Hawaii.

HALE HIOKEIKE, Maui - historical Society Museum in old Bailey Mission Home, built in 1841. Interesting display of early missionary items and Hawaiian artifacts.

HALE PAAHAO, Maui - this old jail was built for drunken and disorderly members of whaling crews that roared through Lahaina in the mid-1800s. The whole Lahaina area, royal capital of the islands until 1845, is filled with sites and scenes of great interest to students of Hawaiian history and legend.

HALE PA'I, Maui - here you will see the quaint old press on which Hawaii's first newspaper was printed in 1834.

HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, Maui - it was here, according to Polynesian legend, that the demigod Maui captured the sun and held it captive to give his people more daylight hours. And it is here that you will stand to capture an unforgettable scenic memory. From the crater's top most rim to its floor is a drop of 3.000 feet. The floor measures 25 square miles, a fascinating area of richly colored cinder cones. Haleakala's last eruption was more than 200 years ago. A public observatory stands on the rim of the volcano's crater. The outerwall of the volcano, cut by ravines and gullies, slopes down to the shore of the island.

HALEKII HEIAU, Maui - ancient temples of worship, sacrifice and refuge, ordered destroyed by King Kamehameha II in 1819, has no been partially restored.

IAO VALLEY, Maui - now an enchantingly tranquil park, this was the site of a bloody battle in 1790 when Kamehameha conquered Maui, in the famed battle of Kepaniwai.

KAAHUMANU CHURCH, Maui - oldest Congregational Hawaiian church of central Maui, the original section was built in 1873.

KAANAPALI, Maui - one of the top resort areas, situated along three miles of golden sand beach with a misty mountain backdrop. Lots of recreational facilities - golf, tennis, riding, swimming - and unique whaling museum/shopping center.

KAIWALOA HEIAU, Maui - there are eerie legends about spritis that walked from this heiau at night, and about daring humans who followed them and were never seen again.

KANAHA BIRD SANCTUARY, Maui - each winter, migratory birds from the Northwest make this park their Island home.

KAPALUA, Maui - The luxurious Kapalua Resort on the northwest coast of Maui offers its residents and guests golf, tennis, three beaches, restaurants, luxury hotel and vacation condominium accommodations.

KAUMAHINA PARK, Maui - halfway point on the drive from Kahului to Hana, the perfect place to pause and picnic.

LAHAINA, Maui - first capital of the islands and historic heart of Maui, this colorful town is steeped in the memories and evidences of whaling days, missionaries, ancient Hawaiian rulers and plantation workers of various ethnic origin who migrated to this island.

LAHAINALUNA SCHOOL, Maui - oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains, established in 1831, its first building of poles and grass was replaced by a stone building which still stands on the modern school grounds.

MAUI TROPICAL PLANTATION, Maui - Hawaii's agricultural showplace located in Waikapu Valley. Working plantation with acres of tropical fruits, sugarcane, coffee and macadamia nuts.

MAUI ZOOLOGICAL & BOTANIC GARDENS, Maui - an entertaining and educational view of the animals and plants from many parts of the world is situated on a three-acre site in Wailuku, across from Maui War Memorial Stadium.

OHE'O STREAM (SEVEN POOLS), Maui - truly a photographer's paradise, it is said that in these crystal pools, the mother of Maui, the demigod, used to wash and bleach her tapa-cloth.

PUAA KAA PARK, Maui- a gem of a park whose name means "the place of the rolling pigs" - dating from days gone by when plump wild pigs were said to have rolled down the slick, steep grassy hills in this area.

TEDESCHI WINERY, Maui - Hawaii's only winery. Taste its light pineapple wine, a forerunner to the production of grape wine from vineyards on the slopes of Haleakala.

WAINAPANAPA CAVES, Maui - strong swimmers and scuba divers, by diving into a pool and swimming underwater can reach a big inner cave, a legendary trysting place for lovers of old.

WAILEA, Maui - a deluxe 1500-acre beachfront resort area between Kihei and Makena. Facilities iinclude hotels, condominiums, fine restaurants, two championship 18-hole golf courses, a tennis club, excellent swimming beaches and a view of neighboring islands.

WAILUA LOOKOUT, Maui - a choice view of the entire Keanae Peninsula and its spectacularly lovely coastline.

WHALER'S VILLAGE MUSEUM, Maui - hundreds of antiquities recalling the boisterous, rowdy years of the great whalers housed in a picturesque atmosphere of yesteryear.

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KAUAI, Hawaii

The beautiful garden isle is liked by many for its unspoiled beauty and the many golf courses. Night life is small (actually not existant) compared to Oahu and Maui. This Hawaiian island is full of lush vegetation, tropical flowers, waterfalls and fern grottos.

If you are on a Hawaii honeymoon you will like this island both for its isolation and its beauty. Seven rivers from mount Waialeale give rise to beautiful waterfalls and greenery unmatched on other Hawaiian Islands. Great for fantastic hiking and horseback riding, biking, fishing etc.

Kayak on the same river where Indiana Jones escaped, or windsurf with playful spinner dolphins swimming at your side. Enjoy a whalewatching expedition, or explore exquisite waterfalls on a scenic helicopter tour, or from a zodiac craft. Sportfishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling are all popular in the pristine waters off the incomparable coasts. Horseback riding offers breathtaking vistas from the mountains to the beaches.

Kauai is a magnificent natural setting for golf. Kauai is home to many top-ranked courses as Golf Digest rates four of the championship golf courses among the top seven in the State of Hawaii and Wailua Municipal Golf Course consistently ranks in the top 100 municipal courses in the country.

Kauai rates high on a Hawaii vacation list for those who want more peace and tranquility

Kauai Points of Interest

BOTANIC GARDENS, Kauai - abounding in natural vegatation, Kauai also has four botanic gardens which are open to the public for small fees. The Smith's Tropical Paradise at Wailua, Ola Pua Gardens at Kalaheo, Kiahuna Plantation Gardens in Poipu, the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawai, offer an unusual assortment of flowers, shrubs, cacti and other magnificent species of plant life.

CAPTAIN COOK'S LANDING, WAIMEA BAY, Kauai - the first place in which the intrepid British explorer set foot in Hawaii in
January, 1778. This bay was for many years a favorite provisioning port with Pacific traders and whalers.

FERN GROTTO, Kauai - this hauntingly beautiful cave, luxuriantly festooned with growing ferns, is reached from the Wailua Marina.

GROVE FARM HOMESTEAD, Kauai - founded in 1864 by George Wilcox, the homestead is now a museum complex which includes the old family plantation home, wash house, tea house, guest cottage and other amenities. The homestead is typical of the old Hawaiian plantation experience and tradition. It is just south of Lihue. HANALEI VALLEY - another name for Hanalei is Hanohano, meaning "glorious." You will want to stop at the vantage point near the marker to gaze at this sweeping scene of majestic tranquility. HANAPEPE VALLEY - note the red cliffs and the handsome color accent they give the valley's myriad shades of green and blue.

KALALAU LOOKOUT, Kauai - once peacocks preened their plummage in this tropic Eden and families cultivated terraces of taro. No one lives here now... nothing remains but one of the most beautiful views on earth.

KAMOKILA HAWAIIAN VILLAGE, Kauai - above the great bend of the Wailua River, where war canoes of the King of Kauai, Kaumualii, once assembled, lie the ruins of an old Hawaiian village.

KAUAI MUSEUM, Kauai - the museum in Lihue presents a factual history of the Garden Isle, using artifacts and photograph. Other historical and art exhibits are also displayed.

KE'E BEACH PARK, Kauai - a fine bathing beach at the end of the road where the trail begins to the Na Pali Cliffs.

KILAUEA LIGHTHOUSE & KILAUEA POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Kauai - a refuge for nesting seabirds, the isolated promontory where the lighthouse sits is open to visitors.

KOKEE STATE PARK, Kauai - adjacent to Waimea Canyon this park has picnic grounds, cabins and a wide variety of outdoor activities including hunting, trout fishing and hiking. The NASA Kokee Tracking Station is located nearby.

LUMAHAI BEACH, Kauai - chosen for Nurses' Beach in South Pacific, this lovely spot is undoubtedly the most photographed beach on Kauai.

MENEHUNE DITCH, Kauai - only small portions remain of what was once a great water course or aquaduct. Archeologists say it was built before Hawaiians came possibly by the Menehune.

MENEHUNE FISH POND, NIUMALU, Kauai - remarkable stone walls are said to have been built in one night by the Menehune.The fish pond they enclose is still in use.

OLD RUSSIAN FORT (FORT ELIZABETH), Kauai - hoping to seize Kauai for his Czar, an employee of the Russian Fur Company of Alaska built this fort near the mouth of the Waimea River in 1817. Rocky ruins are all that remains of his effort and dream.

OPAEKAA FALLS, Kauai - the Wailua River makes a dramatic plunge over a high clif. Opaekaa means "rolling shrimp" and dates from days when swarms of shrimp were seen rolling in turbulent waters at the base of the falls.

POIPU BEACH, Kauai - Exceptionally fine bathing beach.

ROYAL BIRTHSTONES, WAILUA, Kauai - women of Hawaiian nobility always tried to reach these sacred stones in time to give birth to insure the royal status of their children.

SLEEPING GIANT, Kauai - the outline of a mountain ridge shows a striking resemblance to a reclining giant.

SMITH'S TROPICAL PARADISE, Kauai this 23-acre site has gardens, lagoons, exotic birds and unique narrated train ride which meanders through a rain forest, a Polynesian village, a Japanese island, a Filipino village and other interesting areas. Kauai's ethnic heritage is reflected nightly in a 75-minute musical production in the lagoon theater.

SPOUTING HORN, Kauai - when tide is running high, waves pressured through lava tubes are forced through a hole in coastal rocks to burst noisily into spectacular fountains of salt spray and foam.

WAILUA FALLS, Kauai - nicknamed Fantasy Island Waterfalls.

WAIMEA CANYON, Kauai - this is more than a view, it's an experience! You'll treasure in memory its grandeur and jewel-tone colors, its awesome depth and breadth.

WAIOLI MISSION HOUSE, Kauai - visitors are welcome to look through this quaint home, built in 1834 and restored by descendants of the first missionaries.

WET AND DRY CAVES OF HAENA, Kauai - these eerie caverns, one dry, the other two filled with limpid green water, are where chiefs are said to have gathered in ancient times.

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LANAI, MOLOKAI

These are islands that probably portray Hawaii like it used to be 100 years ago. Very tropical, lush, quiet. The sidewalks roll up at sundown...so don't expect too many activities afterwards...except for quite walks. Several hotel clubs are open later. These islands are very peacefull and if your Hawaii vacation or Hawaii honeymoon means getting away from it all this is it.

MORE ON LANAI

For nearly 70 years, Lanai dubbed the "Pineapple Island," was operated as a pineapple plantation by Dole Company.

Today there are two exclusive, world-class resorts, the Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel. In addition, the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele provide visitors with award winning, world-class golf. People: Lanai is known for is amiable residents who greet island visitors with old-fashioned Hawaiian aloha. Some 2,800 people call the island home, including older families of Hawaiian, Caucasian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Puerto Rican and Filipino ancestry.

Recreation: Golf, tennis, diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, hunting, ocean-rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicle are among the outdoor activities residents and visitors enjoy on Lanai.

Restaurants: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the hotels, and all three share the homegrown bounty of lettuce, herbs and other produce from island gardens. The Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel also offer room service and fine dining options. Lunch is offered at the clubhouse at the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele. There are also two small cafés in Lanai City.

Transportation: Two airlines--Hawaiian Airlines and Island Air--currently serve Lanai with more than 100 scheduled flights weekly. Expeditions operates five round-trip ferries daily from Lahaina, Maui. FunHawaii.com aranges for many Hawaii vacation packages to Lanai.

Whale-watching: In season, November to April, whale-watching abounds in the winter breeding and calving grounds of the giant humpback whales in the waters surrounding Lana`i. The 40-ton mammals perform their bring ballet in great leaps and dives. Mother and calves are often spotted swimming together in preparation for the migration north to the humpback's summer home, Alaska.

Environment: This relatively undeveloped island features wide open spaces with only 30 miles of paved roads, one airport, and one plantation village boldly named Lanai City, where virtually the entire island population lives. The primary man-made impact is agricultural: rows of spiky green pineapple, hay fields, macadamia nut, papaya and banana trees, herb gardens, and penned cattle line the Palawai and other fertile cropland. Lanai's natural and cultural resources are fragile and vulnerable, and as the island opens itself to guests and more residents, protecting the resources is a major goal of the corporate owner and populace alike.

Topography: Only one fifth of the area of Lana`i was used for pineapple cultivation. Today there are less that 100 acres growing pineapple for consumption by island residents and hotel guests. The rest of Lana`i's ancient volcanic land mass is rolling tablelands and steep, eroded gorges. Red lava cliffs and mesquite bushes give way to giant stands of towering Cook pines and green mountains at higher elevations.

Wild Game: Axis deer, a prized game animal introduced before the turn of the century, now outnumbers Lana`i's inhabitants. There are also Mouflon sheep, and a plethora of game birds--pheasant, quail, chukar partridge and wild turkey. Hunting and resource management is under protection of the Lana`i Company and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Preserves: In 1991, Dole Food Company, Inc., granted the Nature Conservancy a permanent conservation easement over the seven patches of 590 acres of native forest at Kanepu'u. The Nature Conservancy receives two thirds of its management funds through the Sate of Hawaii's Natural Area Partnership Program. The funds are used to protect and restore this rare forest. Kanepu'u contains the largest remnants of olopua and lama (native Hawaiian olive and ebony) dry land forest left in Hawaii. This forest type once covered the lowlands of the largest Hawaiian islands. Kanepu'u is high in biological diversity hosting 48 species of plants unique to Hawaii, including endangered Hawaiian gardenia (na'u) and sandalwood ('ilihai) trees.

The waters of Manele Bay and Hulopo'e Bay are designated as marine preserves, and the snorkeling and diving spots are among the best in Hawaii.

MORE ON MOLOKAI

The fifth largest and least developed of the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai is only 20 minutes by air from Hawaii's most populous islands, Maui and Oahu. Molokai's population, numbering less than 7,000, includes the highest percentage of people of native Hawaiian ancestry of any of the islands. Because of their friendliness to visitors, Molokai is known as, "the Friendly Isle."

Molokai is a quiet island that offers a unique introduction to the gentle rythms of South Seas life. Many of the Hawaiians here still exist much in the fashion of their ancestors, reaping fish from the sea. Days are spent in a carefree manner, and nights pass in a relaxed mood of tranquility Kaunakakai, the main town on Molokai, is famed in song for its "Cockeyed Mayor."

A few hotels and condominiums are scattered along the island's south shore, and on the western coast is the 6,700-acre Kaluakoi Resort with an 18-hole championship golf course and miles of secluded white sand beach. On the west end of Molokai is the plantation village of Maunaloa.

A highpoint in any tour of the Friendly Isle is a visit to Kalaupapa, one of America's early settlements for sufferers of Hansen's Disease (commonly known as leprosy). The most interesting way to visit is on a mule, with the Molokai Mule Ride. Established by the Hawaiian Monarchy in 1866, the settlement lies on a peninsula jutting out from Molokai's north coast. Father Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest, came to Kalaupapa in 1873, planning to stay only a few weeks. Instead, he spent the rest of his life establishing order, ministering to those forgotten people, and becoming himself a victim of Hansen's Disease. Damien's church, St. Philomena's, stands near the settlement's old cemetery where a monument marks the martyr's gravesite. From a pleasant park along the craggy shoreline you have a stunning view of Molokai's windward side, with the world's highest seas cliffs and waterfalls plunging thousands of feet into the ocean. Near the park is Kaohako Crater, with ancient Hawaiian graves along its slopes.

All of Molokai is rich with old Hawaiian lore. Much of the island's eastern end is dense wilderness, thrusting mountains deep, green valleys. The western side is a rolling fertile plain which is Molokai's agriculture center. Winding country roads beckon sightseers via offroad tour and taxi services. You'll find a pit where Hawaiians measured loads of fragrant sandalwood before shipping them to China, missionary churches, the walls of ancient Hawaiian fish ponds, stark stone heiau (sacrificial temples), and historic battlegrounds. Molokai's thickly-forested back-country intrigues the huntsmen with a variety of game, while isolated and unfrequented beaches and reefs delight skindivers.

Like all of the islands, Molokai, or "the friendly isle" as it is called, has a variety of distinct climate zones, including the cool, wet rainforests of the rugged mountains and valleys of East Molokai, the sunny, arid rolling hills of West Molokai and the dry central plains region of Hoolehua. Visitors will find the island's climate relatively uniform throughout the year. The average summer temperatures in the island's principal town, Kaunakakai, range from 68-82 degrees F. (20.0-27.8 C), while the average winter temperature is 61-80 degrees (16.1-26.7 C).

Hawaii Honeymoon Planning

Would you like to have someone relieve you of all the honeymoon details and planning at absolutely no cost to you? Just think of all the phone calls, all the searching and all the time you would save. After all, you have so many other things to do in preparation for the great event.

WHAT DO WE DO

Our honeymoon coordinators will design a honeymoon just for you in Hawaii. It will be within you budget, with your approval and we will handle everything - transportation, car rentals, airport transfers, hotel, island lei greeting, air to Hawaii, seat assignments, excursions, inter-island air and so many other details that you don't need to think about.

HOW DOES IT WORK

How do you envision your honeymoon? That is the first think we will ask you. What Hawaiian island or islands, what kind of hotel or condo, what kind of location, view etc. So we will ask you a few questions below to help us identify the best Hawaiian honeymoon possible. Then we will match your lodgings, location and amenities with your desires and your budget.

Yes, that budget is very important. Some honeymooners like to stay in a suite and a 6 star resort. Others would like a mid range condo overlooking the ocean and 6 star resort amenities are not as important. So one of the first things we want to know is what is your budget. It is crucial that we offer you a package that does not blow your entire wad or a package which really does not meet your requirements.

Next we turn our direct computer connections to the biggest Hawaii wholesalers and packagers in the world, such as Pleasant Hawaii, Apple Vacations, Hawaii World, American Vacations and we find the best price for you on the package that meets your honeymoon requirements. As a Pleasant Preferred Gold we will look there first for the vast selection of Pleasant offerings. Then we will compare it with other vacation packaging companies to see if meets the price and amenity criteria. The we e-mail you or call you with what we found for your approval.

CAN I SAVE MONEY BY CALLING YOU

YES. As Pleasant Hawaii Gold we receive a much better price from suppliers than you do. And we know what to ask for, how to look for specials and since this is our business we do it so much faster. You do not have to spend hours researching your honeymoon package.

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