National Hawaii Day: Plan a trip with your family

Happy National Hawaii Day! Plan a trip with your family to explore the wonderful sites, culture, and arts of Aloha State, and do not forget to share your photos on social media with the hashtag #NationalHawaiiDay to celebrate this important day.

Celebrated on July 5 of every year, National Hawaii Day 2020 is observed to honor the 50th state of the US that was given statehood. Lying on the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, also known as the largest island in Aloha State,  is one of the states of the United States located 2,500 miles off the west coast of mainland USA.

Home to pristine beaches, majestic volcanoes, and exotic atmosphere, Hawaii draws visitors for a richly fascinating diverse heritage. Here dance, music, and song that are taught from one generation to the next one keep customs alive in a beautiful environment surrounded by ancient history. On the occasion of National Hawaii Day, pack your summer gear to explore the pretty state and relish the vibrant summer vibe along with fantastic experiences by your family.

TRANSPORTATION TO HAWAII

In order to get to Hawaii, you will have to spend about 10 hours from departure from Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland to direct fly to Honolulu. These flights are all operated by respected airlines including Virgin Australia, Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air New Zealand or Fiji Airways that flies from Australia to Hawaii with a stopover in Nadi. For those who would prefer to avoid the hassle of flying, a cruise is ideal to get to Hawaii. With an excursion, you can enjoy the comfort of an unchanging room, hundreds of potential friends, nightly entertainment, savory food while gliding between the islands over calm turquoise waters and take the holiday at your own pace.

WEATHER IN HAWAII

Dubbed as a paradise for traveling, there are no bad times to visit the Aloha State. The weather in Hawaii is very consistent with only two seasons including summer from May to October and winter from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 29.4° C while the average daytime winter temperature is 25.6° C. Celebrating the National Hawaii day this summer is ideal for summer outdoor activities and immerse in the sun of the beautiful state.

HOW TO GET AROUND HAWAII

Depending on which islands you visit, there are many ways to get around Hawaii.

Bus: Buses are the only public transportation option in Hawaii with extensive transit systems, decent coverage and frequent buses. With about $2.75, you can explore and get around easily.

Air: Flying is the main way to travel between the islands with cheap, quick, and super casual flights. If you want to admire the pretty state and explore charming islands, consider Hawaii’s domestic airlines including Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines with $110 to $120 USD depending on various islands.

Car Rental: The best way to get around Hawaii’s Big Island is by car though it is not usually the cheapest option. You will have to pay about $35 or $50 or more per day for shorter rentals.

Ferry: If you want to travel from Maui to Lanai, you can take a ferry while other islands will require you to fly. Spending about $30 each way, you will have a fantastic experience on the ferry gliding on the ocean.

THINGS TO DO IN HAWAII

Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Visiting Hawaii on your holiday, be sure to set your foot on the Big Island and explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park first. Big Island is home to two of the world’s largest volcanoes, including the very active Kilauea with active lava flows and eruptions. Opening to the public 24-hours a day, Volcanoes National Park has tons of amazing things to do. If you are an early-bird landscape photographer, the park is worth the first visit. Do not miss the Thurston lava tube which is a cave formed by lava near the parking lot with an admission of US$30 per vehicle.

Go snorkeling or scuba diving

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without snorkeling or scuba diving. Be sure to get to popular spots for snorkeling and dive such as Kealakekua Bay, Poipu Beach Park, Kailua-Kona, Golden Arches and the North Shore for wonderful experiences immerse in the deep ocean. You can also book a snorkel tour at US$100 or a two-tank dive at US$125.

Stargaze at Mauna Kea

Located at a height of 4205 meters, Mauna Kea Volcano in Hawaii’s tallest mountain offering a striking stargazing spot for astronomy buffs. At the summit of this long-dormant volcano lies the Mauna Kea Observatory – a collection of 13 high-powered space telescopes. Do not forget to stop at the visitor center to stargaze through the telescopes there or join a free stargazing session to admire the whole breathtaking sky of Hawaii.

Go on a helicopter tour

If you love to see a birds-eye view of the islands in all their scenic beauty, take a helicopter tour. While a helicopter tour is not cheap, they make for a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience to splash out on. It is worth spending an hour sitting on a ride to soak up the incredible scenery of Kaua’i, O’ahu, or Big Island. Helicopter tour prices start from US$275 per person.

Hike the Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast

Do not miss wonderful hiking experiences in Hawaii. The well-marked trails offer you spectacular views of the canyon and coast as well as interesting tropical plants. Consider the Kalalau Trail which is considered the most beautiful hike in Hawaii, with 35km of trails across valleys, streams, and coastline.

Drive the scenic road to Hana

If you are planning your holiday in Maui, driving the winding road to Hana is a must. You will have a twisty, hairpin-turn journey along the coast with lots of scenic viewpoints and waterfalls. Besides, check out the Kahekili Highway which is less busy with hairpin turns, and has plenty of sights to see such as the Nakalele Blowhole.

WHAT TO EAT

Poke

As a rich dish full of flavorful, simple ingredients, Poke is perennially beloved by locals and visitors alike. This dish uses ahi tuna, chopped into small cubes and combined with onions, sesame seeds, limu seaweed, and soy sauce. You can also substitute other freshwater fish or even octopus instead.

Lomi Lomi Salmon

The dish is made with the salted salmon massaged gently, over and over, and then mixed with onions, tomatoes, and hot peppers. You will definitely be addicted to this overall flavor combination. 

Kalua Pua’a

This dish features pork slow-roasted in an underground oven, resulting in meat that practically melts off the bone. The wood smoke used in the oven gives the meat a pleasingly strong flavor without the need for additional condiments. Heaped over rice, kalua pua’a is a meal in itself.

Haupia

Haupia is a traditional dessert made from the beloved coconut. The coconut cream is combined with arrowroot powder and then baked in an underground oven. Modern versions often boil the cream and add cornstarch as a thickening agent before chilling in the fridge. Regardless of the method, haupia will surely satisfy your sweet tooth after the main meal.

Pipi Kalua

Here is a Hawaiian-style version you’ll be eager to try again and again. The flank steak is typically dried outside or in a drying box before being charbroiled for a rich, smoky flavor. The meat is often marinated in sauce or incorporated with other condiments, too.

Hawaiian Cocktails and Drinks

What would the evening be without a little cocktail? Enjoy it alongside a meal, or relax with a drink and watch the setting sun. There are numerous cocktails to sample, with some of the most famous being Blue Hawaii, Mai Tai, and Lava Flow. Pineapple iced tea, virgin piña colada, and tropical smoothies will have you savoring the flavors just as readily.

ACCOMMODATION IN HAWAII

Hawaii offers many types of accommodation that you can indulge in Hawaii vibe filled with the sun and the fresh air. Consider these stays on your Hawaii holiday.

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