What was Hawaii again?
Hawaii is a group of 137 islands in the Pacific and the 50th U.S. state. Big Island, where I stayed, is home to Kīlauea, an active volcano, and offers diverse activities like surfing, hiking, and exploring black sand beaches. Hawaii is home to the Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and has a population of approximately 1.4 million people.The capital is Honolulu, located on O’ahu Island, famous for its Waikīkī neighborhood. Languages spoken include English, Hawaii Creole English, and Hawaiian.
The Islands are formed by volcanic activity and are home to the largest mountain on earth (at least when measured from the foot and not from sea level, that’s still Mount Everest). There are a total of 15 Volcanoes on the eight main islands.
Is it dangerous with all the Volcanoes?
Not necessarily. Be cautious when touring the national parks, yes. But you would probably not be super surprised by an eruption on a Saturday morning. There are observation groups keeping a close eye on the active volcanoes. For example, in 2018, Kīlauea on the Big Island experienced a summit collapse. Since December 2020, there have been minor eruptions that typically result in the formation of “lava lakes,” altering the volcano’s appearance but not causing widespread destruction.
Why should I go there?
Well, if you like culture, amazing food,unique beaches, lush rainforests and interesting nature you’re in the right place. Hawaii is extremely diverse while showing you all the beautiful things we have on this earth in one contained place.
When is a good time to visit?
There’s always something going on, but to give you an overview: avoid holidays, it’s going to be busy, expensive and crowded.
May and September have great weather, fall is ideal for experiencing many festivals, and winter is perfect for activities like whale watching. Summer has very high humidity and is also hurricane season, so be prepared for the weather.
Can I surf there?
Yes! You can check out this surf school, it is the one I went to and had a lot of fun at! It’s not cheap but the price is justified for what you’re getting.
I know how to surf but I can’t bring my stuff?
No problem the school mentioned above also provides rentals, and there are plenty of places which offer that as well. You probably know best what type of equipment you want.
What else is there to do?
As said before, the Islands offer a wide variety of nature and traditions. Make sure to pinpoint what you’re interested in and check if the Island you plan on visiting offers that. They are unique and different after all. Generally speaking: you can swim, get a tan, learn how to surf, to dance or maybe even how to speak Hawaiian, attend local festivals, hike a volcano or rainforest, go shopping, kayaking or snorkeling and eat some shaved ice – Hawaiian style.
How about hotels?
We stayed in a super fancy Guesthouse, AirBnB style. But there are a bunch of affordable options all over the Islands, including hotels and condos. Hawaii is a pretty touristy spot after all. You can also stay on one of the many camping sites there just to make sure that you might not be very welcome if you camp wild. There are some state parks which allow you to do just that. Check them out before to avoid arguments. To name a few you could look into Kiholo State Park reserve on Big Island, Malaekahana State Recreation on O’ahu or Kalopa State Recreation Area on Big Island.
Should I go there if I don’t like the outdoors?
Well, you don’t need to hike but you are missing out if you’re not going to the beach.
How long should I stay?
We stayed for just two whole and a half days and I would definitely recommend you go for a little bit longer. I think a week might be just the sweet spot, or like 4-5 days. It does get expensive after a while. A good start is usually to map out the things you want to see and figure out how long you should stay there to see what you want to see. That way you have an idea of the least possible amount of time you should plan for and then add an extra day or two.
Anyways. Thank you for reading! I am excited to meet you again for the next adventure!
