Hawaii is said to be one of the happiest places in the world for its people. The climate, nature, food and a lifestyle based on community relationships, family and friendship seem to make Hawaiians naturally optimistic and peaceful. Their philosophy of life is what they call the “Spirit of Aloha”, the synchrony of mind and heart in everyone, whereby each person should think and transmit good feelings to others.
And this must have been true from the beginning, when the first Maori explorers from Polynesia arrived in the Hawaiian Islands 1,500 years ago from the distant lands of the South Pacific, guided only by the stars. When they arrived, they were surely amazed by what they were seeing: a wilderness of nature, beaches, rugged cliffs, volcanoes and unusual mountains.
Captain James Cook was the first European to arrive in Hawaii in 1778. In the 19th century, the island was known for its sugar plantations and this led to the arrival of many workers from China, Japan and the Philippines, which has had a significant influence on the island’s gastro-nomy.
Although the United States incorporated Hawaii in 1898, it wasn’t until 1959 that the island became an official US state by popular vote. Of Hawaii’s six main islands, Oahu is home to Honolulu, the state’s capital and largest city. It is where former President Barack Obama was born.
Experiences for the whole family
Hawaii’s beautiful beaches are just the beginning of a wealth of experiences that allow you to get up close and personal with the nature, culture and deep-rooted traditions of these millennia-old islands. From surfing the gentle waves of Waikiki Beach to snorkelling and swimming with green turtles and stingrays on the Kona Coast, the sea is the ubiquitous feature of Hawaii, an archipelago that boasts more than 1,900 kilometres of coral reef.
In addition, every winter, Hawaii is home to some of the best whale-watching on the planet. At this time of year, thousands of kohola (humpback whales) migrate to its warm waters to feed and care for their calves. For the more terrestrial minded, much of the island can be visited by trekking on scenic trails, 4WDs or thrilling zip-line tours.
Hawaii’s 50 state parks and two national parks offer everything from waterfalls in lush valleys to volcanic landscapes that mimic the surface of Mars. And for the adrenaline junkies, there’s nothing like a helicopter flight over the island’s craters and mountains in what is one of the most unique experiences to discover Hawaii from the air.
Environmental care and sustainability are very important to these islands. Hawaii has the highest number of endangered native plant and animal species, more than anywhere else on the planet. For this reason, one of the important values for local and native Hawaiians is what they call “malama aina” or caring for the land.
We can discover different islands of Hawaii staying in different luxury resorts in this archipelago. All of them are located in stunning locations, between beaches of crystalline waters and volcanic landscapes, from where you can get to know the islands and enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences.
Stars
Hawaii is the Earth’s point of connection to the rest of the Universe. Mauna Kea, an island mountain on a dormant volcano at 4,200m above sea level, is home to the world’s largest astronomical observatory with 13 working telescopes at its summit. With a very dry climate, zero light pollution and an average of 300 clear nights a year, this prime viewing site is one of the best places in the world to contemplate the sky and the stars that guided the first Polynesians to Hawaii 1,500 years ago.
Gastronomy
Hawaiian gastronomy has a wide variety of flavours and traditions, thanks to the abundance of fresh vegetables, farm-raised meats and fish from the Pacific waters.
The local recipes are a blend of the global influences that have pervaded this archipelago for many generations.
We can’t leave this island without attending one of the traditional celebrations of food and culture: the “Luau”, where you can enjoy dishes such as kalua pork cooked in an imu (oven under the earth), laulau (beef, pork, chicken or fish wrapped in taro tuber leaves), poi (taro starch) or the famous poke. While the hula dancers tell the stories of their ancestors through beautiful moves.
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