Welcome to Hawaii, the Aloha state! An archipelago of islands formed by volcanos, each with their own personality, history, and unique attributes. While there are a total of 132 islands, there are only a handful that make up the majority of the state. Whether you’re on Oahu "The Gathering Place" to eat, shop, explore history & nature all at once, or Maui "The Valley Isle" where you go to hike, drive, & adventure, or Kauaʻi "The Garden Isle" full of untouched land & preserved nature, or Molokaʻi "The Friendly Isle" for a small town feel, or Lānaʻi "The Pineapple Isle" for some of the most incredible produce of your life, or of course Hawaiʻi "The Big Island" where it all came from, there is no end to all the things to see, do, and fall in love with. Get ready for an incredible vacation!

For the more remote islands, the easiest way to get around is by renting a car. Ferries can take you between certain islands like Maui to Lanai but puddle jumper planes are very common as well. Waikiki has a trolley service, and Oahu has an excellent bus system. Ride-sharing is available too and usually your best bet!

Each of the major islands has its own airport with Honolulu Airport (HNL) being the largest. Once you land, the best option is to take a cab or Lyft to your hotel - no matter the island.

Over a thousand years before Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World, Polynesian settlers arrived in Hawaii. In 1778, Captain James Cook discovered Hawaii and in 1796 King Kamehameha united all of the islands. In 1898, the United States annexed Hawaii but it wasn't until 1959 that it became the 50th U.S. state. Due to its more remote location from the mainland, it has retained a lot of its cultural history so it can feel like a whole different world when you visit!

Tourism in Hawaii is a major industry. Because of that, most people promote the “aloha spirit” and locals are extremely friendly. Embrace the local culture and you will learn so much about them and their rich history! While there, you may choose to be active with snorkeling or riding ATV’s, or just choose to relax on the beach drinking pineapple juice and Mai Tai's while taking in the breathtaking sunsets. The choice is yours and here you can have it all!

Weather in the Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes throughout the year. There are really only two seasons: summer from May to October & winter from November to April. Summer is drier with daytime temperatures around 85° while winter is wetter with temps near 78°. Temperatures at night are approximately 10° lower than the daytime.

Attend a luau where the main event will be a pig roast & the dancing is quite a spectacle to see. By the beaches, you will find refreshing shaved ice to enjoy while you cool down and unwind. Fresh fruit, especially pineapple, is easily accessible and Spam is very popular with the locals. Be adventurous and give it a shot! Hawaiian cuisine is a fascinating mash up of all the cultures that call these islands home and is a perfect encapsulation of all these islands have to offer.

There are usually souvenir shops around every corner, but some of our favorites are found off the beaten path.. We love a handmade ukulele for the artistic of us. Of course, there is always a true Hawaiian shirt right from Hawaii! If you are a coffee drinker, bring some of the best beans in the world home with you. Or of course, fruit, jams & macadamia nuts are always delicious!

If you want to fit in with the locals, dress casually. If you’re looking to dress up, think a silk aloha shirt, known to us on the mainland as a Hawaiian shirt. You’ll see lots of shorts, t-shirts & sandals.

The Hawaiian alphabet only has thirteen letters composed of five vowels & eight consonants. Bartenders are more than happy to help you perfect your pronunciation!