Hawaii

Aloha. Whatever your perception of Hawai‘i, pure white beaches, breathtaking sunsets, exotic hula dancers - it's all true! Hawai‘i is all this, but these 6 magical islands in the Pacific Ocean have many more secrets to share. There is the breathtaking beauty of the beaches, their contrast with lush rainforest, plunging sea cliffs, active volcanoes and rugged valleys. The chance to watch whales play off the coast of Maui, feel the heat from the volcanic lava flow on Hawai‘i's Big Island, absorb the history at Pearl Harbor on O‘ahu, or hike through the Jurassic Park landscape on Kaua‘i. Each one is an unforgettable experience.

With over 25 years experience in the Pacific, Orient Pacific Holidays is Australia's quality South Pacific holiday company, committed to the highest levels of customer service and uncompromising in ensuring your Hawaii holiday is the best possible.

We look forward to sharing these extraordinary islands with you!

Hawaii  Fast Facts

Climate: Hawai'i enjoys a temperate climate year round. In summer, the average daytime high temperature is 29ºC; in winter, it's 25ºC. Ocean temperatures are always warm; trade winds keep the islands air-conditioned and the humidity comfortable.

Time Zone: Hawaii is 20 hours behind Australia EST.

Currency: The US dollar is the basic unit of currency. 1AUD = 0.75USD

Languages: The English language is predominantly spoken, however Hawai'i's two official languages are English and Hawaiian.

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are mandatory however consult your doctor before travelling.

Tipping: It is customary to tip for all services, including taxis and porterage, in addition to bar and restaurant service.

Visa: All visitors to the US must have a valid machine readable passport. Australians do not require a visa as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days, they hold a machine-readable passport and outbound ticket, they have no criminal record and they have never been refused a visa.

The Hawaiian Experience

Kaui

• Take a helicopter ride of Waimea Canyon and see why Mark Twain nicknames it "The Grand Canyon of the South Pacific". The canyon can also be explored by foot or car. The best time for viewing is after it's been raining as the earth takes on a deep red tinge and the waterfalls are fully cascading.
• Over 60 movies and TV-series have been filmed on Kaua'i. Visit a number of these Hollywood movies sets on a movie tour around the island. South Pacific, Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark are just a few of the films shot on Kaua'i.
• Suitably nicknamed the Garden Isle, Kaua'i is green, tropical and wild with rainforest-covered cliffs, cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation. Visit one of the islands many beautiful botanical gardens to learn more about the island's flora.

O'ahu

• A visit to Pearl Harbor is both a moving and interesting experience. Learn about what happened on Sunday 7 December, 1941, when the USA was drawn into World War II. Admission to the USS Arizonia Memorial is free, although a more extensive tour can be pre-booked. At Pearl Harbour visitors can also get a closer look at the USS Missouri, where the peace treaty for the Second World War was signed.
• The dormant volcano, Diamond Head, is O'ahu's most famous landmark. Visitors can take the three hour hike to the top for spectacular views for the Pacific and Waikiki. Early sailors named the crater Diamond Head, thinking that the calcite they found in the craters was diamonds.
• Hawai'i is the birthplace of surfing and O'ahu's North Shore is where the professionals head in the winter months for some big surf - Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. During the summer months the waters along this coast are flat but the area is still well worth a visit.

Maui

• Visit Haleakala, the dormant volcano that makes up a large part of the eastern side of the island. Haleakala means "House of the Sun" and the best time to see this magnificent lunar landscape is at sunrise. Enjoy the breathtaking views and then mountain bike down the side of the volcano - all 61 kilometres of it!
• Keen divers and snorkellers won't want to Molokini - a partly submerged volcanic crater and a marine conservation area teeming with tropical fish. It's a great day trip and tours depart daily from Lahaina. During the winter months (Dec - Apr) humpback whales are often spotted in these waters.
• Don't miss a tour or drive along the Great Ocean Road of the Pacific - Hana Highway. With more than 600 twists and turns, 54 one-way bridges and spectacular views, it is not a drive that should be rushed. Absorb the views, and explore the waterfalls and forests along the way.
• Iao Valley is a perfect spot for hiking and home to one of Maui's most famous natural landmarks, Iao Needle. While there, visit the Hawai'i Nature Centre's Interactive Nature Musuem and Rainforest Walk to learn about Maui's spectacular natural environment.
• The world's best windsurfing spot is found on Maui. Ho'okipa Beach offers massive waves and certainly isn't for beginners. Visit the beach to check out the professionals jumping and flying their way across the waves.