Historic site with the most hotels and resorts on Oahu

South shore of Honolulu

The world-famous Waikiki neighborhood is located on Honolulu's south shore and was once the stomping ground for Hawaiian monarchs. Waikiki means "spouting waters" in Hawaiian and became world famous for its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, when it was built on the shore in 1901. Today, Waikiki is the main hotel and resort area on Oahu and a popular gathering place for visitors from around the world. On the main street, Kalakaua Avenue, you'll find world-class stores, restaurants, entertainment, activities and resorts.

Waikiki is best known for its beaches. Every room is just two or three blocks from the ocean, if not directly on the beach. With Leahi (Diamond Head) as a backdrop, Waikiki's calm waters are the ideal place for surf lessons. Legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku made it big surfing the waves of Waikiki. The Olympic swimming champion taught visitors to surf at the turn of the century and later became known as the "Father of Modern Surfing." Today, the Waikiki Beach Boys keep Duke's legacy alive by teaching visitors how to surf and canoe. The Duke Kahanamoku statue has become a Waikiki landmark.

Waikiki has more to offer than the beach, however. Waikiki attractions such as the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium offer fun for the whole family. You can learn more about Waikiki's history by reading the surfboard markers on the Waikiki Historical Trail. Exclusive boutiques, stores and restaurants can be found along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues, as well as popular spots like the Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikiki Beach Walk and the recently transformed International Market Place. After the sun sets off Waikiki, the fun continues with wonderful nightlife and live music.

Waikiki is also just a half-hour from several attractions on Oahu. These include Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Nuuanu Pali Lookout, and Hanauma Bay. Other area attractions also include the Ala Moana Center (a large outdoor shopping mall), the Kapahulu neighborhood, and the Chinatown arts district.

From Hawaiian royalty to Hawaii regional cuisine, Waikiki is always evolving in the spirit of aloha. On these famous shores, the past and the future come together in fresh and surprising ways.

If you're in the mood for history, culture or just some urban flair, you can plan a half day in Lahaina, an interesting historic town at the foot of the West Maui Mountains. In the days of whaling, all hell broke loose here. Even today, Lahaina is a bustling city with a population of about 11,700. However, the hustle and bustle in the streets and along the harbor is no longer caused by drunken sailors, but by the many tourists. Economically and administratively, Kahului and Wailuku are more important, but Lahaina is culturally the most important town in Maui and an American National Historic Landmark.

Many come for that. Many also come to store on the famous Front Street. Cruise ships dock here and also many tours (to Lanai, Molokai or whale watching) start from Lahaina.

Good to know

Lahaina was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Since 1846 it has been Honolulu.

Hermann Melville spent a few months in Lahaina in 1843. What he experienced here was included in his novel "Moby Dick".

Not all the houses here are from the pioneer era, they just look like they were hatched from the 19th century. New buildings are required to give themselves an old-looking "mask."

In Lahaina it is often hot and dry. In the West Maui Mountains, not far away, on the other hand, it rains frequently. That is why it is not uncommon for a magnificent rainbow to rise above the city.

Banyan Court Park

This park got its name because it is home to Hawaii's largest banyan tree. At first glance, it may seem that you are in a small forest. But no: everything that grows here over an area of almost 3,000 square meters is a single tree.

Banyan is a species of fig that spreads on other trees until its aerial roots reach the earth, the banyan grows stronger, and its host tree cannot survive under the load. Its proportions here in Lahaina are mighty.

There is always something going on around and under the Banyan Tree. Markets and cultural events take place here and people relax in its soothing shade from the "merciless sun" (for that is what Lahaina means).

Towards the harbor stands the Old Lahaina Court House. The courthouse was built in 1859. Conveniently, at that time the building housed not only the court, but also a prison. Today it houses a visitor center, the Lahaina Heritage Museum and two galleries of the Lahaina Arts Society.

Directly behind the Banyan Tree is the harbor. The Pioneer Inn on Wharf Street is the oldest hotel on the island.

Highlights on Front Street

Cafes, bars, stores, galleries - along Front Street, visitors bustle about. They are looking for postcards or paintings, jewelry, a delicious lunch or simply a bottle of water.

At the corner of Front Street and Dickons Street, in the middle of a lush green park, stands the Baldwin House. Dwight Baldwin lived in this house built in 1834, he was a famous natural scientist and Protestant missionary. It's interesting to visit (admission is just $3) this building because it also offers insight into Hawaii's missionary history.

Among galleries and clothing stores, another building stands out: at 858 Front Street is the Wo Hing Temple, a temple built by Chinese in 1912 that is now a museum of Chinese culture and history in Hawaii. By the way, the ticket to Baldwin House is also valid here. At the end of Front Street is a Japanese Buddhist temple.

By the way, these and other cultural and historical sights are summarized in the so-called Lahaina Historical Trail. More than 60 sites can be visited and explored on your own. The tour takes about an hour. The guide is available at the visitor center in the Courthouse at the Banyan Tree.

Directions and parking

Lahaina is located on Highway 30, a very well maintained road. From Kahului it is less than 25 miles to Lahaina, for the way you should plan about three quarters of an hour by car. Public buses (the Lahaina Islander) also run this route.

Highway 3000 is a bypass road. It goes around Lahaina to rejoin Highway 30 north of town. Despite the bypass, however, there can be heavy car traffic in Lahaina at rush hour, as many explore Frontstreet from their rental cars.

Free (and much sought-after) parking is available, for example, at the corner of Front Street and Prison Street. At the shopping center "Outlets of Maui" there is more, although paid, parking.

Around Lahaina

If you want to combine a trip to Lahaina with a day at the beach, you can do that at Ka'anapali Beach or Baby Beach.

Sailing trip on the Na Pali Coast

If you are looking for a little adventure trip on the water, you can't avoid Kauai. This island belongs to Hawaii and measures about 60 kilometers in length. The coast impresses with its almost 900 meter high cliffs and offers the most beautiful nature, which is completely untouched.

Here you can imagine almost nothing more beautiful than just sit back on a boat or ship and enjoy the view.

Known through Jurassic Park

If you think of Jurassic Park or a mystical abandoned world when you see the Na Pali Coast, you're not wrong. The coast actually features in the opening scene of the film series, welcoming guests to Dinosaur Island. So for real fans, it's almost a must-do!

For those who can't identify with the movies, the sight still offers a unique experience. Through the high cliffs and the deserted island, you almost feel like in a whole other world - just a country before our time.

Not for nothing does the island bear this name and at the same time has more than earned it. The island is almost covered with a green veil and offers its very own flora and fauna, which almost looks like a lush green garden.

So, if you like a blooming nature, this is the perfect destination and will not disappoint you.

From the boat you not only have an excellent view of the rocks themselves, but the overall picture of rocks, green plants and trees as well as blue sparkling water offers a beautiful picture that you rarely get to see.

Accompanied by some waterfalls, this creates a sight of a special kind. With a cool drink as well as a tasty meal you can let the scenery work on you and be integrated into the world of Jurassic Park.

During the approximately 3-hour trip on the catamaran, you can, with a little luck, discover dolphins, whales or other sea creatures and thus round off the picture even further. Depending on the season, many whales cavort here, having made their long journey from Alaska.

With the mild temperatures, you can sit back, relax or take a photo or two on site and thus take home a memory for life.

If you are planning a trip here and want to see the massive cliffs as well as green valleys for yourself, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to take a sailing tour. With a little planning, you can secure a spot on one of the popular boats here and take in the nature.

The mild climate and the endless expanse of the sea, allow you to see dolphins and other sea creatures and make the tour a unique experience. Enjoy the Na Pali Coast on Kauai and let the coast enchant you.

Huge park that houses one of the world's most active volcanoes

Location: 45 minutes south of Hilo

At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you'll witness one of the most fascinating wonders nature has in store for us. Located 48 km southwest of Hilo, this park is home to two volcanoes, including Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The unique spectacle of destruction and re-creation, elemental processes of Earth's history, makes the park not only a sacred place, but also one of Hawaii's most popular visitor attractions.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park covers an area of 135 hectares from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea. A 240-km network of trails invites visitors to hike extensively through volcanic craters, desert lava fields and rainforests, passing a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-through lava tube and two active volcanoes: Maunaloa, which last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea, which has been continuously active since January 3, 1983.

Kilauea is sometimes referred to as "the world's only drive-in volcano." In this regard, the active volcano currently produces about 200,000-500,000 m³ of lava per day. This volume would be enough to resurface a 32 km two-lane road every day.

Since January 1994, lava has created 200 ha of new land on Hawaii Island. Scientists can only make vague guesses about the future of volcanic activity - the current eruption could last another 100 years or be over tomorrow. According to many locals, the strong fluctuations of the volcanoes are subject to the mood of Pele, the goddess of fire who lives here. If during your visit the lava of Kilauea meets the sea, you should not miss this unique natural spectacle.

The park was designated a World Biosphere by UNESCO in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987 for its unique landscape and diverse nature.

HIGHLIGHTS OF HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Kilauea Visitor Center

Open daily: 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pay a visit to the Kilauea Visitor Center at the beginning of your exploration to view the introductory film about the park, which is shown every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, there is an opportunity to speak with one of the rangers and book a guided tour with a ranger. Here you can also get maps to take home, interesting facts about the trails in the park and the latest information about current eruptions.

Crater Rim Drive

Crater Rim Drive is a 17 km road that circles the crater area of Kilauea Caldera. Following this ring road will take you directly to the park's main attractions: the Kilauea Overlook, Jaggar Museum, Halemaumau Crater, Devastation Trail, Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook, and the Thurston Lava Tube.

Thomas A. Jaggar Museum

Open daily: 08:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thomas A. Jaggar pioneered volcanic research on Kilauea. Here you will find geological displays, maps and videos of scientific studies of volcanoes. At night, there is an impressive view of the smoking vent of Halemaumau Crater.

Halemaumau Crater

Steam and smoke rise from this massive crater, home to the fire goddess Pele according to legend. Especially at night, the glowing lava emanating from the crater is an awe-inspiring sight. There is also a great viewpoint at the Jaggar Museum. In 1967, this crater was still filled with lava, but it gradually drained away. Today, the lava lake, which is deepened in the crater floor, is continuously active again. This place is considered a sacred site, so you should treat it with respect. Also note that temperatures can drop relatively quickly with increasing altitude. If you plan to visit the crater after the beach and are only wearing shorts and a t-shirt, be sure to pack a light jacket as well.

Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku)

Hike through a 500-year-old lava cave. These lava tubes are formed by the outer areas of a lava flow cooling faster, causing a crust to form on the edges of the flow over time. A tropical rainforest awaits you at the end of the tunnel.

Puuoo Vent

Kilauea's volcanic activity has currently shifted from its caldera (the cauldron-shaped depression at the volcano's summit) to Puu Oo Crater in the East Rift Zone. For a close-up view of red-hot lava hissing into the sea in underground tunnels, head to the end of Chain of Craters Road.

Chain of Craters Road

Ranger station open daily: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

The Chain of Craters Road branches off to the south from Crater Rim Drive. The end point of the 1 km long road is finally the place where the lava ran over the road.

Volcano House

Built in 1846 as a grass hut, the Volcano House Hotel has been in operation ever since and offers magnificent views of Halemaumau Crater. At the time, none other than Mark Twain stayed here during his visit to Hawaii.

TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT

• Be well prepared if you are planning an extended hike or camping stay.

• Bring food and drink with you.

• Dress appropriately: Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and a jacket. Binoculars and a flashlight for nighttime also belong in your luggage. And don't forget your camera.

• For your own safety, always stay on the marked trails. Heed all warnings and do not enter any restricted areas. Keep in mind that harmful volcanic gases may escape in these areas and the ground may be unstable.

• Be sure to plan enough time for your visit. To fully enjoy your stay on site, it is recommended to choose accommodation in the east of the island. Hilo is only 45 minutes away. The drive to and from Kona takes about 2.5-3 hours each way.