The Island of Hawaii, often called "Big Island," is home to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The park has 150 miles of trails to hike, taking you through volcano craters, rainforests and deserts. The mountain of Mauna Kea boasts multiple observatories for gazing at the stars. Adventurers can check out the black sand beaches of Punaluu just for the view, even though the swimming there is unpopular because of the rocks in the ocean. Don’t take the sand off of the beach. That is illegal. On the northern side of the island is the Hamakua Coast, home to the Akaka Falls and miles and miles of rainforest to explore.
The trails of the Kokee State Park on Kauai provide areas for hiking. The Hawaiian adventure unique to Kauai however is kayaking, as it is the only island in the chain that has navigable rivers. The Wailua River takes you along the east side of Kauai, and on the north shore, there is Hanalei River, the longest on the island. Ocean kayaking off Kauai is also popular for those looking for more of a challenge than kayaking on the river. "Zip-lining," riding attached to suspended cables throughout the rain forest, is another unusual activity available. Princeville Ranch Adventures, Kauai Backcountry Adventures and Just Live are three main zip-line providers.
Driving on the Hana highway in Maui is an adventure for some. It has 600 curves and 54 bridges that take you through 52 miles of rainforests, waterfalls, pools and seascapes. The whole drive takes from two to four hours because of narrow bridges and sharp turns in the road.
Haleakala National Park covers 30,000 acres of land. Drive up early and see the sun rise from the Haleakala Visitor Center, at 9,740 feet. In the winter months, you may see humpback whales off the northern coast of Lahaina.
Oahu, the most populous of the islands, is home to beaches for surfing, kite boarding, wind surfing and other water sports. Adventurers heading to Oahu often take a trip to Leahi, more commonly known as "Diamond Head," for hiking. The 760-foot crater is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks. The hike includes two sets of stairs with a total of 175 steps. Take a flashlight for viewing dark, underground tunnels and military bunkers. Hiking to the top of Diamond head reveals views of the coast of Waikiki and Oahu.
