Throughout the islands, hundreds of must-see historical attractions await the visitor. From the poignant heritage of Pearl Harbor to numerous, well-preserved ancient sites, Hawaii offers the visitor plenty of opportunities to experience a rich history amidst a diverse and complex cultural past. While on Oahu, make plans to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. A war grave, this site marks the final resting place of more than 1,000 men who died when the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. At America's only royal palace, Iolani Palace in Honolulu, visit the rooms where Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani was held prisoner while being forced to abdicate her kingdom to a U.S.-backed coup.
Snorkeling ranks as one of the most popular of all visitor activities. With its translucent, high-visibility waters, Hawaii's shores give you outstanding snorkeling opportunities on almost every island. Because of its younger age and actively forming reefs, the Big Island is considered one of the better snorkeling and diving meccas. At Kahalu'u Beach Park off Ali'i Drive in Kailua-Kona, easy access to the shallow snorkeling allows even the beginner to see turtles, tangs, pufferfish, eels, butterfly fish and more. If you are vacationing on Maui, book a trip to Molokini, a sunken crater replete with reef formations that attract thousands of interesting tropical species.
Hawaii's beaches offer an outstanding selection as diverse as the islands themselves. A few choices include the soft white sands at Waikiki backed by its glittering big city lights, the abundant golden sands of Maui fronting Ka'anapali's tony resorts or the remote black sands of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island, home of rare nesting sea turtles. The windward sides of all islands showcase less swimmable but highly exotic and dramatic beaches, framed by steep cliffs, plunging waterfalls and deep-cut gorges and valleys.
The Big Island of Hawaii is known as home to the world's only "drive-up" volcano. Experience the rare sight of a live, erupting volcano that as of January 2011 featured two active eruption sites, one at the Halemaumau summit and one at the ocean. When lava is flowing from southeast rift zone sections, visitors can experience these primal lava flows at close-range. At the summit, spend the day hiking the 5-mile Kilauea Iki Crater, the Devastation Trail or traverse the lighted Thurston Lava Tube.
