Aloha! Top Hawaiian Travel Hot Spots

Aloha! Welcome to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, land of sunshine, sandy beaches, clear skies and blue water — not to mention botanical beauty, ancient island lore, history, rainbows and waterfalls — in general, a wonderful vacation spot to explore the sights or just simply kick back and relax.

When you visit Hawaii, the big questions are where to go and what to do. Oahu has almost 75 percent of the population of all the islands combined, but it is not the only one to visit. Maui, Kauai, Hawaii (the Big Island), Lanai and Molokai demand equal billing.

However, if vacation time is limited, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are where your days should be concentrated. There are so many things to see and enjoy, but there are a number of choices which usually appear in almost every “Top 10” list. So appearing in no particular order, here is my list, plus two.

Ho’s top picks o Pearl Harbor — Regardless of your age or knowledge of history, there is no experience more dramatic or sobering than visiting the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor on Oahu. When you leave the parking lot for the visitor’s center, you know you are entering hallowed ground. >From the moment you board the boat at the center and start your trip to the memorial, a hush seems to fall over everyone on board.

Walking up the gangplank, it is deathly quiet as you reach the battle flags hanging on the walls. A glass case houses models of the Arizona.

A veteran passes out flowers you may throw into the water. On the list of the 1,177 men who were killed in the attack there are many similar last names, and the guide reminds you numerous brothers and even fathers and sons were on the Arizona. Another plaque lists survivors who have since passed away. They requested their ashes be spread over the memorial so they could rest with their fallen shipmates.

As you leave and look out over the edge into the rusted gun emplacements you can see a trickle of oil, which 60 years later still is leaking from the ship — the “tears of the Arizona.”

The battleship Missouri stands to the starboard side, her bow guns aimed across the Arizona as if protecting her from any future attack. Within a few thousand feet of each other, you have the remains of the battleship Arizona where the war with Japan started and the Missouri on whose decks Japan surrendered to end the war.

o Hawaiian Polynesian Cultural Center — At the center, located in Laie, Oahu, about an hour’s scenic drive from Waikiki, you will meet, learn about and interact with the people of the islands. Games, crafts, foods and history are shared at each village.

You also will see Hawaii’s only canoe pageant, experience an authentic Hawaiian luau and enjoy a dinner show you will long remember.

o Waikiki Beach, Oahu — The most famous of all the Hawaii beaches, it is almost perfect in every way — long days of endless sun, fine golden sand, surfing, a long stretch of shallow sandy bottom lagoon ideal for swimmers, lots of water activities from catamaran cruises, hobby cat sailing, paddle boats and snorkeling trips and most of all, lots of people, lots of high-rise hotels with fantastic views, lots of restaurants and good nightlife.

o International Market Place — The market place has been an island tradition for years. With more than 130 carts, shops and artisan stands, this open-air setting in the heart of Waikiki remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir. It is Honolulu’s answer to the Hartville flea market with a Polynesian flavor. Take time to talk story with the local craftspeople and snap a photo by a cascading waterfall under a century-old banyan.

o Oahu Scenic Coastal Drive — The popular 30-mile loop drive from Waikiki along the southeast shore begins with crescent-shaped Hanauma Bay, a dedicated marine reserve with the island’s best snorkeling. The drive features Diamondhead, Halona Point, Sandy Beach Park, Koolau Mountains, Rabbit island and Waimanalo Beach. Beyond Hanauma Bay, waves pound the raised rocks on the rugged coastline.

o Lahaina Maui — Once a whaling port, Lahaina’s architecture is distinctly colonial, with wooden buildings displaying their of origin, and the old stone walls of the jail still standing. Several classic inns still operate. You can catch a ferry to the nearby islands of Molokai and Lanai.

A massive, century-old banyan tree spreads more than 100 yards in the town center. Narrow streets resemble a boardwalk city with wall-to-wall shops that include fine art galleries and more than 40 restaurants.

The shoreline street comes alive at dusk with the seawall a popular sunset spot, with bars slowly filling up through the night.

o Whale watching — The protected channel and shallow warm waters off the west coast of Maui are the best place in Hawaii to watch whales.

In addition to taking a charter whale watching cruise, you also can spot whales from shore at places like McGregor Point overlooking Maalaea Bay. The best times are early mornings and late evenings November to April. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a calf, too. The calving season starts in late January, and although you can’t witness the actual births, the calves come close to shore.

o Old Lahaina Luau — Stay in Lahaina, and you’ll find Hawaii’s No. 1 luau.

The evening unfolds with music and demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts, followed by a feast of roast pork, sweet potatoes, yellowfin tuna, steak, island-style chicken, mahi-mahi, crab salad, banana bread, vegetables, taro salad, pohone salad, poi, desserts and an open bar — and that’s just a sampling.

A one-hour production dealing with island history and lore tops the evening, complete with hula dancers.

o Iao Valley — This lovely, deep valley in central Maui features the Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle towering over the Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu’u Kukui Crater. Once used as a natural altar, the 2,250-foot stone pillar covered in green is a basaltic core that has survived eons of swirling water.

o Volcano National Park — Don’t miss exploring Kilauea via Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile road that encircles the summit caldera, passes through desert, lush tropical rain forest and traverses the caldera floor. It provides access to well-marked scenic stops and short walks. A walk through the Thurston Lava Tube leads to a rain forest.

o Na Pali coast — The most dramatic views of the Na Pali coast are seen from the sea. Dolphins, turtles and monk seals are common year-round, with whale sightings common January to April.

o Waimea Canyon — On the west side of Kauai, Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Similar but smaller in size, the multi-colored cliffs change color morning to night as the sun strikes them.

So there you have my dozen favorite places. No doubt if you ask somebody else, they will have a different list, but that also is the beauty of Hawaii.