Hawaii (The Islands)
Culture
It’s no doubt that the Hawaiian culture has left an indelible mark in history. From the skillful, innovative ways of Polynesian sea voyaging to the ancient traditions of the Hawaiian ohana (family), we continuously learn from our ancestors. The Hawaiian language is now being taught throughout Hawaii schools and the legacy of the Hawaiian monarchy is still revered today. The revitalization of the Hawaiian culture continues to remind us that the past clearly defines the present. There are many ways to connect with both contemporary and historical cultural activities throughout each island.
Romance
While soft trade winds whisper sweet nothings in your ear, sweet flowers are a constant reminder of intoxicating passion. Magnificent sunsets paint a picture of romance, setting the stage for an unforgettable wedding, honeymoon or romantic getaway. Even the lolling Pacific Ocean is brimming with an undeniable sensuality. With its unique beauty and grace, Hawaii offers the enamored an ideal place to declare their love. And professional services are at hand to assist in every way, from classic beach weddings to larger formal affairs
Great for Families
Have you ever noticed how Mother Nature makes such a perfect playmate? Just take the kids to one of Hawaii’s many beaches and you’ll see them playing in the sand, chasing waves to the point of exhaustion. You and your children can explore fiery lava flows, vibrant green fern forests and hidden waterfalls. The activities in Hawaii are so invigorating, their little minds will be filled with big wonder. The joy of snorkeling, the awe of watching a whale breach, and the contagious smile that comes from a first surf lesson -- these things will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Kids thrive in Hawaii’s natural environments and love to try new experiences. (Thanks to Mother Nature, they seem to sleep better too.)
Outdoor Activities
Hiking through Hawaii’s lush rainforests... Lounging on a secluded beach... Cruising down a volcano on a mountain bike at top speed... These are just a few of the myriad of activities you can do while in Hawaii - The Islands of Aloha. From catching a sunset sail on a balmy, tropical evening to hitting the ski slopes at Mauna Kea crater, Hawaii offers activities to please each individual. You can snorkel, hike, explore and catch an afternoon luau (feast) all in one day. The choice is yours. All you have to do is figure out what you want to do while on vacation in Hawaii. Then again, you may want to do nothing at all.
The Islands
Lanai
A place of deep cultural significance, Lanai boasts many historical sites, old fishing villages, and unique topographical features like the boulder-strewn Keahikawelo. In the center of the island, Lanai City features thoroughly and lovingly restored landmarks, including the lovely Lanai Playhouse and Theater and the charming Hotel Lanai, both dating from the 1920’s. A prehistoric mystery lingers in Luahiwa, where visitors will find 34 boulders featuring intriguing petroglyphs carved by ancient Hawaiians.
With two of the world’s most celebrated resorts and miles of pristine natural wonders awaiting your discovery, Lanai is a dream getaway for couples wishing to explore their love in a place of unrivaled beauty and sublime delights. Whether you choose to stay at either of the island’s two extraordinary resorts (the opulent Manele Bay Hotel or the majestic Lodge at Koele), a trip to each is a must. From the secluded, sun-drenched beaches to the warm glow of a sunset on Puupehe, Lanai will fire your senses and rekindle your passions
A 141-square mile playground for children of all ages, Lanai abounds with opportunity for new discoveries. Here you can take your family on a thrilling 4x4 excursion into remote Keahikawelo or along the sands of Kaiolohia Bay to marvel at the rusting Liberty Ship grounded just offshore. Or spend a day peering into tide pools while keeping an eye out for spinner dolphins and humpbacks at play in the turquoise waters just beyond. Or learn an ancient art like hula or lei-making from a local resident eager to share in the island’s rich traditions. Yet with all the things to do here, Lanai is perhaps most attractive to families for what it doesn’t offer: crowds and traffic. With hardly any crowds and practically no traffic, what more could a parent ask for? Lanai Resorts
Maui
From the timeless grandeur of Haleakala Crater to the historic charm of 19th Century Lahaina, Maui offers a wealth of historic and cultural attractions that will captivate your imagination and reveal the extraordinary traditions of this magical isle. The town of Lahaina is in fact a National Historic District, with timeless charm and a variety of important historic sites that take one back to the days when the town served as an important whaling port. History buffs will also find that the Lahaina-Kaanapali and Pacific Railroads provide an unforgettable journey into the area’s romantic plantation past. No matter where you travel on Maui you are sure to find points of historic and cultural significance.There’s just something special about Maui. The trade winds just feel a little softer here. The flowers a little more fragrant. And the nights a little more lively. Maui is more than just beautiful. It’s magical, mysterious and incomparably romantic. No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll find you’re never far from the things that make Maui the ultimate destination for lovers from around the world. Everything you imagine the perfect romantic escape to be, is here... the candlelit dinners by the ocean, the long walks in the surf, the hidden coves surrounded by glittering waterfalls, the sunset cruises, and the endless nights exploring Maui’s exciting nightlife.
While famous around the world as an unforgettable honeymoon destination, Maui also offers an abundance of family-friendly attractions too. Take a trek through a bamboo forest and scout for rare tropical birds. Spend each day on a different beach. Hike down an ancient path, or straight up a volcano. Take a road trip to the other side of the island, or take a glass-bottom boat ride to a whole new world. And be sure to check out the wonderful Maui Ocean Center, featuring a 750,000-gallon, open-ocean tank with a walk-through acrylic tube. Several of the larger resort hotels provide supervised activity programs for young guests, giving them a unique opportunity to experience Hawaii’s culture. And many hotels and resorts offer special family rates that often include free accommodations and meals for children under twelve. Maui Resorts
Molakai
Molokai residents show a deep regard for tradition and take great care to preserve the island’s unique cultural heritage. Here, it often seems as if the past and the present exist simultaneously. One of the island’s most popular cultural attractions is the Kalokoeli Fishpond, where ancient Hawaiians once practiced a remarkably sophisticated form of aquaculture. As many as 60 of these fish ponds once operated along the southern shore, and most of them were constructed at least 700 years ago. Another must-see is the Iliiliopae Heiau, one of the largest ancient temple platforms in all of Hawaii. Set deep within a thriving forest, this historic site offers a palpable sense of wonder and spirituality.
For those in active pursuit of romance, Molokai is a dream come true. If it’s seclusion you’re after, Molokai gives you thousands of acres to explore your passions. You might take a thrilling mountain bike ride through ancient forests and meadows bursting with wild flowers. Or perhaps take a quiet kayak excursion along the island’s glorious south shore, home to the largest reef system in the US. Or follow crystal clear streams on horseback to discover a hidden waterfall hundreds of feet high. However you choose to explore the beauty of Molokai, you’ll find romance around every bend, magic in the air and love in full bloom.
Kids love Molokai! And why wouldn’t they – they’re free to run wild over miles of open wilderness, explore tide pools teeming with exotic sea creatures, comb untracked beaches for treasures carried in by the sea, or learn to rope cattle with a real island ranch hand. And for junior astronomers, a trip to Molokai is truly an eye-opening experience – cloudless nights open to a brilliant blanket of stars unmarred by the glow of city lights. On Molokai, as is true throughout the Islands of Aloha, keiki (children) are treated with an extra measure of hospitality. The gentle nature of Molokai residents makes a one-on-one hula demonstration or lei-making lesson all the more unforgettable. Molakai resorts
Oahu
Oahu’s rich cultural heritage may be something you seek out, but you’ll most certainly find it without even trying. There are several ways to soak up Oahu’s colorful history. Museums, temples, cultural centers and festivals just to name a few. Historical artifacts can be found at both the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, home to the last reining monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. Take in turn-of-the-century architecture with a stroll through Chinatown, or ride the trolley through Waikiki and you’ll see historical hotels such as the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel made famous in the early 1900’s.No matter how you define romance, a trip to Oahu will almost certainly redefine it for you. Sunset strolls along miles of soft sand beaches come with the territory, typically followed by scintillating evenings of world-class nightlife and entertainment. The island will send your heart racing. Consider a horseback ride along the tumbling surf of a deserted beach. Set sail on a starlit cruise. Wander through acres of lush tropical gardens to discover a waterfall plunging into a hidden grotto. Surrender to a day of indulgence at an opulent spa. Of course, if you can’t decide what to do, just follow your heart. You’re sure to end up somewhere unforgettable.
In Hawaii, it’s evident that caring for keiki (children) is very important. On Oahu, there are a variety of exciting activities designed specifically with kids and families in mind. Take a submarine ride and witness sunken ships, airliners and reef structures. Ride the thrilling waterslides at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Get up close and personal with dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels at Sea Life Park. Spend the day at the Honolulu Zoo or Waikiki Aquarium and see animal and marine life like you’ve never seen anywhere else. Or explore 4,000-acres of fun at Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, jet ski or kayak.
There are also plenty of other educational and cultural excursions for kids and families year-round, including nature walks, hikes, wildlife feedings, fishing, catamaran sails and more. Many hotels and condominiums also offer programs for kids that include activities such as lei and kite making, lauhala weaving, and sandcastle building. This is one family vacation where boredom is never a problem! Oahu Resorts
The Big Island
It’s easy to immerse yourself in the culture of Hawaii's Big Island. Try dancing the hula and taking part in an authentic luau (feast). Head upcountry and discover the uniquely blended Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Mexican cultures - still alive and well among Hawaiian paniolo (cowboys) on the island’s giant ranches. Visit historical Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook dramatically lost his life in 1779. And don’t miss Puukohola Heiau. This sacred spot was built in 1790 by King Kamehameha as an offering to the gods, where he asked for success in his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands.With 365 unforgettable days to choose from, Hawaii’s Big Island is the perfect place to make your wedding dreams come true and celebrate year after year.
Exchange your vows and flower lei, just the two of you, barefoot in the sand. Or fill a formal ballroom with family and friends, and tropical splendor fit for a queen. Sail into a sunset ceremony at sea, walk down the aisle of Hawaii’s oldest Christian church, have fun with a western wedding paniolo-style, stroll through a garden by Hilo Bay, crossing a collection of oriental bridges to symbolize your journey together. Engage your imagination, indulge your senses, elevate your spirits here, together.
We’re here to help, with experienced professional planners, poetic settings, creative caterers, magical photographers, florists, musicians and more. Many of the preparations can be done from your home, to make your wedding day as flawless and stress-less as possible.
Hawaii’s Big Island is a big ohana, and that means family, whether it’s a traditional mom & dad and kids, blended, extended, multi generational family reunion or a group of old friends. The Big Island ohana embraces groups of people traveling together, of different ages, with different interests and tastes. And there’s an adventure waiting for anyone with a sense of play and imagination.
In one day, a family can experience the desertlike lava plains along the Kona coast and the rainiest city in America, Hilo. Go from sea level to the world’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea (13,796 when measured from sea level, 33,500 from the ocean floor), cruise through green rainforest or black lava rock. Watch whales, swim with dolphins, whisper to horses or listen to rare birdsong, sleep in the hotel industry’s best, or camp out in seldom-seen places. It’s all here, in a big way, on Hawaii’s Big Island. Big Island Resorts
Kauai
Archaeologists speculate that the first “tourists” to Hawaii landed on Kauai perhaps as early as 500 A.D. The gentle Pacific Ocean trade winds that brought settlers from Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa and other South Pacific islands were the same that eventually led Captain James Cook to make his first landing in Hawaii on the shores of Waimea, Kauai in 1778. Educational displays of the artifacts and contemporary crafts of the Native Hawaiians can be found at the Kauai Museum. Discover ancient sacred sites on the banks of rivers, near fishponds, in parks or set among the cliffs. Attend a luau (feast) at one of the resorts to see the dances and hear legends of Kauai. Other places where Kauai’s culture and beauty pervade are botanical and cultural gardens, the Kokee Natural History Museum, the Waioli Mission, and the charming historical towns of Hanalei, Hanapepe and Lihue.Entertaining slack key guitar concerts and professional hula competitions are just some of the interesting events you can witness on Kauai. Be sure to pick up a local newspaper to see what’s hot in town. For art exhibits, artifacts and murals featuring the people, culture and geological history of Kauai, spend an afternoon at the Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum, Kauai Historical Society, Kauai Museum or the Waioli Mission House.
Imagine a balmy evening lit by a full moon and the sparkle of a thousand stars. Imagine a plumeria-scented breeze that caresses the skin like a gentle kiss. Imagine a brilliant double rainbow over jade-colored mountains. Settings like these were made for lovers. Play tag in the surf. Steal a kiss along a mountain trail. Toast every sunset with champagne. Slip off your shoes and walk hand-in-hand on a quiet palm-fringed beach. Dine in a fanciful plantation estate. Doze to the sound of the surf while resting in each other’s arms. Kauai can’t help but inspire romance.
The traditions of the many cultures that make up life on Kauai center around ohana (family). Here, children are not only welcomed; they’re celebrated. This unique corner of the tropics is a virtual playground for children. Family-oriented accommodations, activities and restaurants make family trips safe, easy, fun and economical.
The Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum in Kapaa isn’t just for children. Interactive exhibits, virtual reality games, and hands-on science and art activities will delight adults as well. On Saturdays, the Starlight Planetarium Program tells how the Polynesian voyagers used the stars, winds and ocean to navigate their canoes across the Pacific.
Most of the major resorts on Kauai have programs for kids that include fun, educational activities like Hawaiian crafts and cultural activities, fishing, beach games, nature walks, surfing lessons, sand sculpture contests, coconut frond weaving, tide pool explorations, tours of historic sites, and fieldtrips led by local naturalists and other experts. Kauai Resorts
