Dreaming of Hawaii?

​Years ago it was my dream to visit Hawaii because Elvis Presley made it look so fun!  (I have since visited the actual hotel from which Blue Hawaii was filmed!)  Do not let the long flight prevent you from going to Hawaii.  The surroundings are gorgeous, unlike any experienced elsewhere in the USA.  These islands were made from volcanoes in the middle of the ocean…what can be more beautiful and exciting that that?  It is better to let an expert plan this trip with you or you will spend weeks trying to figure out which islands to visit and how.
The six Islands of Aloha are home to treasures unlike any other on earth: dramatic cliffs of the Napali Coast on Kauai, vibrant shores of Waikiki Beach on Oahu, miles of white sands of Papohaku Beach on Molokai, dolphin friendly waters of Hulopoe Bay on Lanai, the summit of Haleakala on Maui, and the primal energy of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island.
Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu is Hawaii’s major airport, serving as the entry point for most of Hawaii’s visitors. All major domestic carriers and many international carriers serve Oahu, so you can get here from just about anywhere. There are also direct flights from the U.S. mainland to Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, but for the most part, you may need to connect through Oahu to get to the neighboring islands.
While in Hawaii you can learn to surf, snorkel, dive, and kayak.  Don’t forget to go to an authentic luau where you can get a taste of Hawaiian culture and watch the art of the hula. The opportunities on Hawaii are endless, from romantic escapades to family fun; from whale watching to walking on a volcano. Helicopter rides are awesome as well!
One way to experience all the islands in a short amount of time is to go on a cruise that hops from island to island.  There are seven day itineraries that begin and end in Oahu. This is a great way to see all the islands. A real plus for this cruise is that you only have to unpack your suitcase once and the food is good! I recommend this as a way to get the most for your money going to Hawaii.
For those wanting to do a land only trip to Hawaii I personally recommend staying at one of their nice resorts.  The concierge at each resort is extremely helpful. To really experience all that Hawaii offers, you should rent a car. Reserve your rental vehicles in advance because quantities can be limited on some islands.
Any time of the year is a good time to visit Hawaii because of the trade winds. Summer, between April and November, is warmer and drier (average temperature is 75˚-88˚ F) while winter, between December and March, is a bit cooler (68˚-80˚ F).
If you don’t have three weeks to explore all the islands by land I would suggest choosing two or three islands to visit.  It would be a shame to travel all the way to Hawaii and see only one of their spectacular islands because each is so different.  My three favorites are Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.