About Hawaii
Discover the beauty, culture and cuisine of the Hawaiian Islands. There are six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Island of Hawaii, Lanai and Molokai. Each island has its own unique personality, adventures and attractions offering different experiences from high-energy Oahu to total serenity on Lanai.
Experience the best of Hawaii on the only cruise visiting 4 islands in 7 days sailing year-round from Honolulu on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. Immerse yourself in the Aloha Spirit, dramatic landscapes and delicious cuisine exploring Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and the Island of Hawaii.
The Hawaiian Islands are slices of paradise in the Pacific, a lush archipelago of hundreds of islands stretching across 1,500 breathtaking miles. Only six of these majestic isles, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Island of Hawaii (popularly known as “The Big Island”) are currently open to the public.
Explore Hawaii
Overview
From Maui’s 10,023-foot-high volcano, Haleakala, to the colorful creatures swimming beneath the clear turquoise seas of Oahu’s Hanauma Bay, Hawaii offers a bounty of natural wonders waiting to be explored. The spirit of aloha infuses every waterfall, flower, and smile on these magical isles. Each island possesses a unique personality; all hold the promise of a picture-perfect vacation.
The state’s capital city, Honolulu, meaning “sheltered harbor,” offers a microcosm of island life, from the bustling beaches, shops, and restaurants of Waikiki to one of the most photographed backdrops in the world, iconic Diamond Head.
Even the air smells sweeter in Hawaii, infused with fragrant fields of pineapples and brightly colored plumeria and hibiscus. From the Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where an island is still being born, to Kauai’s ancient Na Pali cliffs, rising majestically out of the Pacific, amazing adventures await around every breathtaking turn. Explore our Hawaii Itineraries for more experiences and activities.
What To Do in Hawaii
These friendly isles offer something for everyone. Shop for souvenirs in Oahu’s bustling Waikiki. Snorkel amid rainbow-colored fish in Oahu’s kid-friendly Hanauma Bay or ride the waves of Waikiki and the North Shore. Revisit history at the enduring USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. For a grand tour of the islands, consider a Hawaii cruise vacation, where you can visit each of the islands from the comfort of your cruise ship.
See the sunrise from high atop Maui’s dormant volcano on a Haleakala Sunrise Special tour or sail beneath the sea on a Maui Atlantis Submarine adventure. Explore the winding road to Hana, with its many surprises along the way.
Play a round of golf on Hawaii’s private island of Lanai.
Marvel at the shimmering shades of gold and umber that cloak Kauai’s “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and kayak or hike amid its towering Na Pali Coast.
Witness an island being born on the Island of Hawaii, swim with sea turtles and sunbathe amid unique black and green sand beaches.
Discover the world’s highest sea cliffs on Molokai or take a guided tour through the breathtaking rainforests of the Kamakou Preserve.
From sailing, surfing and seasonal whale watching adventures to family-friendly luaus, snorkeling and hula lessons, the Islands of Aloha offer an endless array of things to do.
When To Go
The Islands of Hawaii offer an idyllic vacation whenever you choose to visit. Warm trade winds and abundant sunshine are made for adventures outdoors. Average daytime temperatures are 72 F in January and 82 F in July. October through April marks the rainy season; spectacular rainbows frequently tint the sky following showers.
Fast Facts
Directions in Hawaii are often given using mauka, the Hawaiian word for mountain, and makai, meaning ocean.
No one can own a beach in Hawaii. They are all open to the public.
Hawaii is the only state in which coffee is commercially grown.
Located a distant 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan, the islands of Hawaii are the most isolated inhabited islands on the planet. They are, however, easily accessible by ship or plane.
The Hawaiian alphabet comprises only 12 letters: A, E, I, O, U H, K, L, M, N, P, W.
Hawaii was established as the United States’ 50th state on August 20th, 1959
Travel Tips & Tools
You will be transferred to our traditional site.
We are currently working on enhancements to this part of our website. A new version will be available soon. Don’t worry – switching over will not interrupt your booking.
Welcome to the all-new Pleasant Holidays booking experience !
You can now plan your next vacation with our exciting new booking engine. Some advanced features are still being developed, and selecting these options may require you to return to our traditional booking experience. Don’t worry – switching over will not interrupt your booking.
We've updated your online experience to make sure you can get your dream vacation. Since our makeover is still in progress, you may experience shifts from our traditional booking experience to our new one.