| Nothing says tropical paradise quite like an | | | | The north shore offers world renowned surfing |
| excursion to the Hawaiian Islands. The | | | | and windsurfing next to the wealthy community |
| volcanic archipelago lost in the middle of | | | | of Princetown. The dramatically plunging Na |
| the North Pacific Ocean stretches northwest | | | | Pali Coast State Park in the northwest draws |
| from the Big Island of Hawaii in the south | | | | backpackers and nature lovers to its 11-mile |
| through Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, | | | | Kalalau Trail, the only land access to this |
| Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, each with its own | | | | rugged and isolated coastline. Sea cliffs and |
| identity and topography. Eleven more islands, | | | | lush valleys alternate along the route that |
| reefs and atolls comprise the Northwestern | | | | ends at Kalalau Beach. Stone terrace walls |
| Hawaiian Islands and are all uninhabited. | | | | and sacred burial grounds of Hawaiian tribes |
| | | | still dot the valleys, while there is a |
| Get As Far Away As Possible, Really | | | | growing naturalist community tucked away at |
| | | | the end of the trail. The wettest place on |
| Travel to Hawaii, the 50th state of the | | | | earth, averaging 460 inches of rainfall per |
| U.S.A., is the ultimate getaway. The | | | | year, is near the peak of Kauai�s Mount |
| island-chain situated 2300 miles from the | | | | Wai�ale�ale. From this point, |
| mainland is the exposed top of an enormous | | | | plunging rivers have carved out the fantastic |
| undersea volcanic mountain range known as the | | | | expanse of Waimea Canyon, coined �The |
| Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain and is | | | | Grand Canyon of the Pacific� by Mark |
| commonly known as the most remote and | | | | Twain. The views are a once-in-a-lifetime |
| isolated island outcropping on Earth. | | | | experience. |
| | | | |
| Geographically, the islands are more subject | | | | Resort or Adventure, Pick your Pleasure |
| to tropical weather, large waves and storms | | | | |
| on the north/northeast side, know as the | | | | Maui is the most popular resort destination |
| windward side. The leeward side of each | | | | in Hawaii. The lush island boasts the |
| island, to the southwest, is drier and thus | | | | spectacular and riveting Hana Highway, which |
| home to the majority of resort towns. The | | | | is more about the wondrous journey than the |
| incredible blend of Polynesian, Tahitian and | | | | secluded destination, and Mount Haleakala, |
| European cultures makes for a dynamic | | | | where a hike into the Haleakala Crater will |
| adventure from the traditional luaus and | | | | land you in the center of the world�s |
| serene Shinto shrines to the hippie-surfer | | | | largest dormant volcano. The Big Island of |
| culture abundant in the less touristy | | | | Hawaii is the youngest island and nearly |
| locales. | | | | entirely comprised of Mauna Loa, the largest |
| | | | shield volcano on Earth. Lounge and snorkel |
| Kauai: A One-Stop Hawaiian Experience | | | | on the Kona side of the island or venture out |
| | | | across lava fields along the eastern coast. |
| The westerly island of Kauai is one of the | | | | |
| lesser inhabited islands and claims many of | | | | From the bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki on |
| Hawaii�s most stunning natural features. | | | | Oahu to the tranquil serenity of Lanai�s |
| The blend of a more prominent local | | | | sandy beaches, a journey to the middle of the |
| population with the southern resort region | | | | Pacific will certainly prove to you that |
| and a priceless backdrop makes Kauai the | | | | Hawaii is more than just pineapples and |
| ultimate escape within an escape. | | | | coffee. |
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