~ Top 10 Destinations in Hawaii, USA ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Destinations in Hawaii, USA

We all know that Hawaii is the most common and well known place in the world to travel for those looking for a tropical paradise to enjoy during their holidays or random getaway but the Hawaiian Islands werent just given this prestige they earned it and rightly so. The islands have many amazing things to see and they are quite astonishing in many ways. Not only does Hawaii have a diverse amount of lands and features amongst many of the worlds top of the line resort but it also has some very deep history and great historical landmarks to explore. This list will let you in on the top ten destinations and attractions that you will not want to miss while you make your visit to the Hawaiian Islands.


1. Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai



Located on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai is the Grand Canyons of the Pacific Ocean or otherwise known by the official name of Waimea Canyon State Park. This is one of Hawaiis extraordinary attractions and one of the best destinations for visitors of all ages to see the beautiful Hawaiian lands in with full effect of the Hawaiian diversity. The volcanic nature of the Hawaiian lands is expressed marvelously in the features of the canyons, some of the lava dipped walls are very thin and some are flat in form. The landscapes of the 10 mile long canyon seem prehistoric in view and are home to some of the most unique flora and fauna of the land because of its one of a kind eco system. Like most of the other islands of Hawaii the island itself is the top of a huge volcano that was once active around 5 million years or more ago.

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2. Diamond Head, Oahu



Diamond Head in Oahu is the name of a volcanic tuff cone that got its name from British sailors mistaking crystal deposits for diamonds, they thought they hit the mother lode when they stumbled upon the giant cone but they were wrong as the thousands of shining stones were just calcite deposits and not the diamonds they thought they were. The massive volcanic crater is much younger than its surrounding mountain lands, which are estimated to be around 2.5 million years old or more while Diamond Head is only around 150,000 years old. The eruption that took place creating the giant crater is thought to only have lasted about 3 days maximum and it is believed it was quite explosive given the shape of the crater it left behind in its wake. One thing is for sure that it is one of the best places to explore among the other great destinations in the Hawaiian Islands.

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3. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Big Island



The Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on Big Island, Hawaii is another great park to visit, although the park is only open for 13 hours a day for visitors looking to enjoy its hardened lava beaches and black sands. The park hours of operation are from 7am to 8pm but that should be plenty of time to roam the park and if it isnt then you can always go back several times. Just near the park as well there is a mausoleum that once held the remains of around 36 Hawaiian chiefs. The royal grounds are just near the park too where many Hawaiian royals spent their holiday time and some even had permanent residencies there. There are many historic sites to see in and around the park so it remains one of the best places to see the Hawaiian cultures past history. Aside from the history and unique beaches of the park there is a abundant amount of spectacular tropical flora that grows exclusively in the park that is worth seeing.

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4. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island



Also located on Big Island is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site that will leave you with some memories of the wild and violent earth that you will retain for years to come after your trip to the park. Within the park visitors will discover two still active volcanoes and they are known as the most active in the world. The park is usually filled with scientist observing the volcanic activity; it is the best place in the Hawaiian Islands to get insight on how the complex islands were formed so many millennia ago. The 505 square mile park offers some one of a kind hiking opportunities and camping opportunities as well. The park is the home to the worlds most massive volcano standing at a whopping 13,000 feet or so. Rainforest and dry volcanic deserts can all be found in the park as you hike throughout the land.

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5. Waianapanapa State Park, Maui



In Maui the Waianapanapa State Park reigns supreme when it comes to unique and exciting places on the islands. Waianapanapa offers visitors the chance to hike an ancient Hawaiian trail along the volcanic coast that is truly secluded in nature. The park is perfect for family hikes and outdoor camping. Inside the park area you will find many amenities such as water fountains, shower facilities and even some picnic areas to sit down and rest for a while. Among the many things to do within the park there is a opportunities to observe large colonies of seabirds that make their home in the park as well. For those who like caves, there is a legendary cave system in the park that you can tour as long as you visit within park hours, which the park is open 7 days a week for almost 12 hours each day. It will be hard to miss the park as it is only about 52 miles from one of the busiest airports on the island.

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6. Hanalei Bay, Kauai



The Hanalei Bay also in Kauai is a great place for those looking to explore the Hawaiian culture to visit about anytime of the year. Mountains encompass the bay and it has around 2 miles of beach that visitors enjoy sunbathing and doing water sports. One of the main events of the bay is sail boating as it is one of the best places in Hawaii to get the perfect winds without getting so much of the waves associated with a strong wind. Just about 100 yards off the shoreline of the bay is also the site of a kings yacht that struck a shallow reef and sank in 1824. A team recovered many of the artifacts from the shipwreck site about 12 years ago and now they sit in the Smithsonian Museum on display. Most of the time surfers come to the area to snatch up some big waves that develop near the shoreline and it is a favorite spot for the surf inclined.

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7. Iao Valley State Monument, Maui



The Iao Valley State Monument is a stream carved valley on the island Maui, the name actually means "Cloud Supreme”. This may be because it feels as though you can reach the clouds from the sky as you stand on the edge of the tallest cliffs or peaks. The park may be comparatively small to the other parks on this list but it is just as magnetic as the rest, the park only covers about 6.2 acres of land in total. Within the park you will be able to explore a vast rainforest of introduced vegetation that now covers the entire area. There is another neat little display in the park as well known as the Heritage Gardens where you will find scale models of the various cultures of the Hawaiian history and lots of monuments that reflect the same. The river in the park is where a great battle took place, when the Hawaiian king set out to unify the lands.

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8. Waimea Valley, Oahu



Another historical site on Oahu is the Waimea Valley, which has many historical sites from the years of the Hawaiian monarchy including stone walls, statues and building structures. The park holds some of Hawaiis most precious botanical gardens that have been around since the arrival of the Europeans in the state and it has been a well preserved site which is now protected by the government of the state to maintain its vast history and unique flora. The park is a nice place for a picnic out among the tropical and aromatic flowers and plants with in the park grounds. It is not a very big park but it is quite exceptional with all the history to be learned and the many trails and areas of the park to explore all of this can be done in a day or so. It is surely worth taking a day to wander its trails and centuries old sites.

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9. Waimanalo Beach Park, Oahu



Again in Oahu is the Waimanalo Beach Park which is one destination that attracts beach goers of all ages and all types from surfers to sunbather and snorkelers. Everyone will find something fun to do in the park. This is where you will find the longest piece of sandy shoreline on the island of Oahu, nearly five and a half miles long, every bit of which is pristine. The area is also the place where the first prisoner of war was taken into US custody during World War 2, right on the beach. There is also a famous villa worth a visit in the park area too, it was featured in the early 90s hit TV show, Magnum P.I.. The area has about 4,500 permanent residents and is quite secluded, it doesnt attract a really big amount of tourist traffic and this is a good thing for those who just want to relax a secluded beach.

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10. Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Molokai



On the island of Molokai there is a park that is unique in its own ways, it actually has modern time Leper Colonies and was the site where Jack London wrote two of his books on the topic of leprosy. The park known as Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established by the US park service in the year 1980 to provide better facilities to the leper colony that was first in the area. The site has been the topic of many books and has been featured in many movies and even the popular cartoon series The Simpsons. The park was and colony was made possible due to the Belgian priest Father Damien and he has been the subject in some film documentaries about his works in the park. The colony is one of the only in the United States and it is the most well fitted to handle the ups and downs of the crippling disease, but you dont have to worry if you visit you wont be exposed to leprosy, not in this day and age.


It is so easy to picture Hawaii as just being a ton of clear blue waters, mountains and sand y beaches but there is plenty to do while on the islands of Hawaii and this list let you know of only 10 of those things you should see while you make your stay on the Hawaiian Islands. So whether you want to go hiking or just for a nice walk on a secluded beach you know you can find the best spots in Hawaii now with ease. For those who like to observe the unique and magnificent power of the earth you now know where to find it on the islands, like the volcano parks of big island.