You’re Only a True Hawaii Expert If You’ve Done These 11 Things
Fancy yourself an expert of the Aloha State? Check yourself with these 11 things you should do to prove your expert status of Hawaii.
1. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Natural Feature, Park
2. Summit Mauna Kea
Natural Feature
3. Explore Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast
Park
The emerald green cliffs of Nā Pali are best seen by boat or helicopter. The magnificent terrain remains as untouched as when Hawaiian settlers once occupied its valleys.
Nā Pali, Kapaa, HI, USA, +1 808 274 3444
4. Drive the Road to Hana
Guesthouse
The Road to Hana is Hawaii’s one road trip that shouldn’t be missed. Circling the windward side of Maui, you get a taste of old Hawaii, away from the island’s built-up west coast brimming with shopping centers and resorts. With amazing waterfalls, sparkling ocean and lush forests, you’ll want to spend the night at an ecolodge or guesthouse in Hana for a real immersion.
Visit a farmer’s market
As an area with many tropical fruits and indigenous vegetables, it’s no wonder Hawaii has so many amazing farmer’s markets. Whether they’re by the roadside stand, next to a gas station or set up in stalls in town, the farmer’s market is the place to pick up the freshest pineapples, birds-of-prey flowers, lychee, mangoes, starfruit, papaya, passion fruit, and bananas.
5. Admire the Haleakala Sunrise
Natural Feature, Park
6. Take a surfing lesson
Waikiki is synonymous with surfing, and there are plenty of surfboard stands that will teach you how to manage yourself in the waves. Most surf companies promise at least one standing ride in the course of a lesson. With this beach’s small waves, it’s a perfect place to test out your sea legs.
Take a tour of a Kona coffee farm
Visit a local coffee estate and learn all about the harvesting and roasting process of these famous beans. Indulge in a cup of coffee that’s unique to the islands and find out why Kona coffee is an all-time favorite around the world. If you’re visiting in November, swing by the annual 10-day Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on the Big Island for cupping contests and tastings.
Feast at a luau
Hotels and cultural centers all over the islands frequently host luau, traditional gatherings of food and entertainment. This old-fashioned “dinner with a show” usually includes singing, dancing and occasionally fire-breathing. Food is typical Hawaiian: poi, kalua pig, chicken long rice, laulau, lomilomi salmon, haupia, and poké.
Get a lomilomi massage
Hawaii has its own special massage tradition, called lomilomi. Practiced since ancient times, it tends to be more invigorating than a calm Swedish massage, with or without essential oils and lotions. You can easily book one at any hotel or stop by a licensed massage practice.
Snorkel in a reef
Hawaii is home to fabulous snorkeling, with white sand beaches, teeming tidepools and reefs just a stone throw’s away from the shore. Depending on where you go, look out for turtles, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and schools of colorful fish.
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