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The Best of Beautiful Hawaii

Visiting Hawaii? Don't miss these:

   • Best Hawaii Beaches
   • Best Hawaii Sunsets
   • Best Hawaii Waterfalls
   • Best Hawaii Gardens
   • Top 10 Hawaii Facts
   • 25 Best Hawaii Photos

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT HAWAII?

If you think Hawaii is overrated, you are wrong! Hawaii is a truly special place.

The eight largest Hawaiian islands, from north to south, are:

1. Kauai, with its neighbor island Niihau
2. Oahu
3. Maui, with its neighbor islands Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe
4. Hawaii, also called the Big Island

Each of the four largest islands (Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island) share some common characteristics. There are great places on each to lay on the beach, snorkel, hike, dive, see waterfalls, shop, play golf, bicycle, and go for stunning drives by the ocean. But as you will soon discover, each island also has its own unique character.

KAUAI AND NIIHAU

Kauai is the northernmost of the 4 largest islands. It typically receives more rainfall than any other Hawaiian island; in fact, the wettest place in the world is located in west-central Kauai. Kauai is somewhat smaller than Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island, and seems to have more of a "small town" feel as a result. It is home to Waimea Canyon (called "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific") and the famous Na Pali coastline. Niihau, to the west of Kauai, is a small, privately-owned island where the 200 or so residents speak Hawiian. Because it is not open to visitors, it has been called "the forbidden isle."

Explore Kauai on our Kauai page.

OAHU

Oahu is the home of Honolulu, the capital and largest city of Hawaii. It is also the home of Waikiki Beach, the most famous beach in Hawaii, and perhaps all the world. Culture and night life abound on Oahu, but despite its reputation as a "tourist trap" in some quarters, Oahu may surprise you with its diversity of experiences. There are plenty of places on Oahu where you may find yourself quite alone if you know where to look. There are even spots of stunning natural beauty and places for isolated reflection.

Explore Oahu on our Oahu page.

MAUI, MOLOKAI, LANAI, AND KAHOOLAWE

Maui is called the "Valley Isle" because of the large valley between its two main volcanoes. It is home to Haleakala National Park and the famous "road to Hana." Molokai is just north of Maui, and has some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world. In the 1800s, a colony for Hansen's disease sufferers (leprosy) was founded in the north-central area of the island. Lanai, to the west of Maui, is a small, dry island with a great resort, snorkeling, and beaches. Kahoolawe was used for many years by the U.S. military as a practice bombing site, but is now undergoing a long, slow process of restoration. It is not open to the public.

Explore Maui on our Maui page.
Explore Molokai on our Molokai page.
Explore Lanai on our Lanai page.

THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

The Big Island called Hawaii is truly big. It takes about two days to drive all the way around it. The island is dominated by two enormous volcanoes: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, and as a result there is still a lot of volcanic activity going on here. Much of the geologic activity is in the southern part of the island near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The two main cities on this island are Kailua-Kona (or just Kona) on the west-central shore and Hilo on the east-central shore.

Explore the Big Island on our Big Island page.