Hawaii

One of my all-time favorite songs is Dwayne Johnson’s performance of “You’re welcome,” in Disney’s “ Moana” of 2016. I was absolutely floored when Maui started singing about all the things he had done for mankind.

“So what can I say except you’re welcome, for the islands I pulled from the sea? There’s no need to pray, it’s okay, you’re welcome. I guess it’s just my way of being me.”
Yes, according to Hawaiian mythology, Maui, a demigod, pulled all the six islands of Hawaii- Oahu, Kau’ai, Maui, Hawaii(yes, Hawaii), out of the sea. I must say, I am thankful to Maui because today, we’re going to be visiting the islands of Hawaii.

First off is the island of Oahu, which is the location for Hawaii’s capitol, Honolulu. Oahu is “the heart of Hawaii.” This island as a lot of beach action. So surf’s up, sunscreens on, it’s beach party time on Wakiki Beach, one of the most popular beaches. But that’s not all. The island has diverse sides. The beaches of the east side have crystal waters and snow white sand. The northern side of Oahu is home to world-renown surf break, Bonsai Pipeline. This is best visited before winter, because during winter months, the ocean conditions are dangerous and could literally kill you. dead.

Next, we have Kaua’i, also known as Garden Isle, has the rainbow shower trees with lush mountains for days, that have become the iconic representation of Hawaii. It is the perfect location for a romantic getaway, or at least taking pictures to post on Instagram for the world to know you’re having a great time. The south side is a great place to enjoy the finest of Hawaii. In the old town of Koloa, you can get a feel of ancient Hawaii- you’ll find museums with information on sugarcane mills, Kauai’s oldest agricultural industry. On the west side, you can splurge on the art of the small, local towns. The west side also has the Polihale beach (literally translates to “house of the dead”). Contrary to its name, the beach is absolutely beautiful. Kaua’i has several local wonders- ice cream parlors, small boutiques, local eateries, art… It’s an absolute delight. One of its towns actually inspired the location for Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch. “

The island of Maui, is of course named after our favorite demigod of the wind and sea, hero of man. And women. It is the ideal tropical paradise, and the most common site for first term visitors. You can take adventurous hikes to waterfalls, lovely coral reefs, resorts, night life… Maui has just a little bit of everything- Volcanoes, lush rain-forests, warm gold beaches. The Kaanapali town, on the east side of the island is most visited. It’s a combination of luxury and tourism. Lahaina, another town on the east side, is rich in history and culture, while having several tourist facilities to entertain yourself with. Maui’s south side has the more quiet towns of Kihei and Wailea. There’s the Oneloa beach- Hawaii is not in short supply of beaches- where you can do normal beach stuff. You can also enjoy the rich local cuisines, luaus and free hula shows. This island also has The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium.

Hawaii is the largest and youngest island. It is now referred to, quite originally as “big island,” to avoid confusion with the state name. The island is home to Hawaii’s only active volcano (slightly worrying). This gives it interesting structures like molten lava rivers, beautiful rainforests and black sand beaches. The island is a wonder to behold. To the west of the Big Island, Kona is a bustling tourist site. The beaches are calmer here, leaving you to enjoy tranquil swimming and snorkeling. Its towns are home to rainforests, falls, ranches, pastures, and modern tourist facilities.

The islands of Hawaii are an absolute beauty to behold. It’s no wonder they’re such a popular tourist attraction. It was fun to visit this mystic islands. Thank you for accompanying me thus far.

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featured image credit: Tyler Lastovich