Dora Liu

What comes to mind when you think about a vacation to Hawaii? If you said hula dancers wearing flower leis and swaying their hips, then you are only scratching the surface of what the island state has to offer. Hula is more than just a dance. It’s part of Hawaii’s culture and history. The luau is all of it, the history, culture and dance, all rolled into an entertaining evening with a mouthwatering feast. But you're not done yet.

Hawaii is the nature-lovers destination. Two National Parks, Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, are located in Hawaii on the islands of Maui and the Big Island. You might be lucky enough to be at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while the volcano is erupting.  Miles of hiking trails will lead you close to volcanic lava, old and new. For a calmer volcano, a visit to dormant Haleakala is a must. Hike into the crater for a landscape of cinder cones and red rock. Some animals, like the nene Hawaiian goose, can only be found in Hawaii. Others stop for a visit like the humpback whales escaping the Arctic cold. Catch a glimpse of the visiting whales on a whale watching cruise. You might also see dolphins and turtles out for a swim.

Athletes flock to the Big Island annually for the Ironman Triathlon. Swim, bike, and run on the Big Island’s beautiful Kohala Coast. Golfers have their choice of courses on five of the islands. The Sony Open attracts the pros to Oahu. Of course, surfing is synonymous with Hawaii. You’ll find the pro surfers at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in January.

History buffs will enjoy seeing Hawaii’s regal past at the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States. The Bishop Museum also houses artifacts from old Hawaii. The attack on Pearl Harbor is memorialized at the USS Arizona Memorial. A short boat ride will take you to the sunken ship and the memorial. The US entered World War II after the bombing of the USS Arizona. The war ended on the Battleship Missouri which is now a museum on the grounds of the Arizona Memorial.

As you can see, leis and luaus are just the beginning of an all-in-one vacation to Hawaii.