The Hawaiian Islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean

The Hawaiian Islands are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean approximately 2,400 miles (4.000 km) southwest of California. You can go there only by airplane or boat. There are six major islands: Oahu, Maui, The Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai. Each island is unique and may feature live volcanoes, lava flows, tropical rain forests, beautiful beaches, sugar cane fields, pineapple plantations or historic sites. These tropical paradises attract about 7 million tourists each year, but most visitors only see one or two of the islands.

You can easily travel between the islands by using one of the two domestic airlines: Aloha or Hawaiian. Flights are frequent and inexpensive. When landing at each airport, be sure to look for the racks of free coupon magazines. Each island has its own coupon book with lots of discounts.

Hawaii has a wonderful climate

The climate is consistent and enjoyable. Temperatures seldom fall below 65 degrees or rise above 80 throughout the year. A pleasant breeze frequently cools the day. Don't forget your sunscreen, or sunblock! In such pleasant conditions, you can easily forget that the tropical sun causes severe sunburn to anyone not accustomed to it. Rainfall varies by location but can be an almost daily occurrence in the rain forests.

The Aloha Spirit is prevalent everywhere

Visitors are warmly welcomed and quickly enveloped by the Aloha spirit of Hawaii. Life is very informal on the islands and the dress is casual. Take lots of casual warm weather clothing and don't forget your swimwear! Men visiting the islands usually buy and wear Aloha shirts made of bright colorful fabrics. Women usually buy colorful muumuus (loose fitting comfortable dresses that can be worn anywhere in Hawaii).

The different islands offer a variety of features

There are numerous recreational opportunities on the islands. You can swim, surf, scuba dive, snorkel, sail, fish, golf or just see the sights. The famous Hawaiian surf is among the biggest and best in the world. Remember these two rules when surfing in Hawaii: 1. Never turn your back on the ocean! 2. If the natives are not in the water, stay out! When picking which islands to visit, consider the type of activities you enjoy. Some islands provide lots of nightlife and lots of sports or recreational opportunities. Others offer spectacular scenery or quiet beaches and solitude.

Accommodations on the islands include plenty of hotels and motels in various price ranges. If you stay longer than a few days, there are also lots of condominiums and apartments for rent. Car rentals are readily available and are the best way to see all of the spectacular scenery on most of the islands. When visiting Oahu, long-term car rentals are not a good choice as parking is very limited in Honolulu. Tour busses and daily car rentals are much better options on Oahu.

Hawaii has a strict quarantine

Hawaii enforces a strict quarantine inspection upon arrival. You will not be allowed to take any fresh fruit, flowers, plants and certain meats into the state. Small sniffer dogs very efficiently search all luggage and passengers on arrival.