Hawaii travel guide

The Byodo-In is a smaller-scale replica of the original Byodo-In Temple in Kyoto and is built entirely without nails. It was constructed in 1968 to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Hawaii's first Japanese immigrants. It's a non-practicing temple with a gorgeous setting at the foot of the Koolau mountains. The garden ponds swarm with with large schools of koi, some nearly one hundred years old.

Ka'anapali Beach is lined with big luxury resorts (Hyatt, Marriott, and Sheraton, just to name a few), but since all beaches in Hawaii are public, there are paths between the private grounds. The wide beach is a mile long with fine sand and crystal clear water. It is surprisingly empty, since most holidaymakers are using the sunbeds around the pool at their resort. There are parking spaces allocated to public beach use, but they can be hard to find.

One of the best beaches on O'ahu is the long Kailua Beach. It has soft white powder sand, turquoise blue waters, and views several small islands off-shore. It's protected by Kailua Bay which makes for gentle waves, perfect for swimming, kite surfing and other water fun. The beach is located in the posh, but hippieish, community of Kailua and has a nice shady beach park with all facilities.

Hiking doesn't come better than this. The Kalalau Trail starts at Haena State Park and continues all the way to Kalalau Beach 11 miles away. However, most hikers settle with just the first section to Hanakapi'ai Beach (6.5 km return). This hike is among the best in Hawaii and is truly spectacular. More adventurous hikers can add a side trip to Hanakapi'ai Falls (13 km in total return). The trail is muddy and slippery, and you need to cross several streams on the way. It follows the jungle covered cliffside with many breathtaking lookouts of the pristine Na Pali Coast's deep, enchanting pleats. If lucky and in season, you might able to spot dolphins and humpback whales off the shore. Do not swim at Hanakapi'ai Beach as the current is dangerous.

A tall cave, which lies right next to the road. The main cavern isn't particularly deep, but at the far back several narrow tunnels branch off to the unknown. The cave features in the Hawaiian folklore (it's named after the god of creation Kane), which explains the small offerings that might be laying around. There is a parking lot across the road.

The small charming beach town of Kapa'a is popular to use as a base, while exploring Kaua'i. Not only is it located about midway between the north and the south, but it also has a good selection of accommodations and eateries. The cute and colourful main strip is lined with an odd mix of stops selling anything from ukuleles, boutique beachwear, and Hawaiian crafts to quirky bamboo products, tacky souvenirs, and blooming orchids. The range of food trucks is almost as diverse. A long bicycle and walking path runs along the shore all the way up to the next beach.

There are plenty of pretty beaches to choose from at Kihei. If you don't like the first one, go to the next. They all have some kind of beach park with parking and toilets. It's a popular area to stay in Maui, but lacks the restaurants and tourist shopping of Lahaina.

Probably the most scenic road trip on Big Island is Kohala Drive. It's a loop, which passes through many of the different landscapes of Big Island. The route follows Hwy 270 from Kawaihae along the beautiful northwestern coast through dry grassland. During winter you might spot humpback whales off the coast. Continue now through lush forest and the small towns of Hawi and Kapa'au (statue of Kamehameha) before reaching the lookout at Pololu Valley. Backtrack to Hawi and take Hwy 250, which passes close to the summit of the sleeping volcano of Kohala. Here the landscape changes again to a green world of grassy hills with pasture for cows. After a lot of zigzag Mauna Kea (4,205 m) will appear. On clear days you can see the white observatories on the summit. From this point, it's just downhill back to the coast.

If you feel the gentle waves at Kailua are "too rough", then head to the even more esteemed beach next door at Lanikai. The picture perfect beach has been mentioned as the prettiest beach on O'ahu - and for good reason. Not only is the sand white and soft, but the aqua blue water is calm, which is unusual for Hawai'i. However, there isn't much shade and hardly any parking (besides a few spots on the residential streets), so you will have to park at Kailua and walk about 20 minutes.

Lapakahi is an archaeological complex set along the shore of Koai'e Cove. The first settlers came here 700 years ago and the area was inhabited until 1920. The trail leads through some of remnants of this once thriving settlement, mostly stacked rock walls. There are sweeping views of the beautiful North Kohala coastline and in season you might be able to spot humpback whales.