The Hawaiian Islands exist because of a hot spot beneath the earth’s slow-moving Pacific Plate, which has been spewing lava and creating islands for 70 million years. Today, the state of Hawaii contains eight main islands, only six of which are populated. Measure for measure, the Hawaiian islands are as diverse as it gets. Their flora and fauna are a textbook case of Darwinian evolution. Time and time again, single migratory species blossomed into dozens of variations, as isolated individuals adapted to arid coastal deserts, rain forests and snow-capped subarctic mountaintops. As a result, the majority of Hawaiian plants and animals are endemic, and nearly as often, endangere.

Few places satisfy the urge for a carefree tropical vacation like the islands of Hawaii. Indeed, the 50th state’s stunning beauty is no secret – nowhere else in the United States boasts the combination of white-sand beaches, lush green landscapes, pounding surf, and rich culture of these far-flung Pacific islands. But what’s less well known, especially for first-time visitors, is that there’s a lot more to the state than Oahu’s Waikiki Beach. In fact, of the eight islands in Hawaii, six are primed for tourists, each with different reasons to visit, from ecotourism and volcanoes to beaches and nightlife

Hawaii's Peak Season: December to March, June to August Even Santa Claus wears slippers and shorts in Hawaiian islands, where it’s 75 degrees practically every day of the year. Though winter sees slightly cooler temperatures and more rainfall, it’s still an ideal place to defrost, so prices and hotel occupancy remain high. Off Season: April to May, October Hawaii in spring is almost more appealing than Hawaii in summer, because the higher temperatures (still just around 85 degrees) are reached less frequently. Hotel rates tend to be lower before the busy summer season.
Hawaii's Sweet Spot: September, November You’ll find less people (and more available accommodations) before the holiday rush. Powerful northern swells hit the Hawaiian islands in October, so it’s the perfect season for surfing.
Long days offer extra sunshine to catch that one last wave of the day or extend a romantic sunset stroll into evening.

Kauai Tailor-made for active types and nature lovers, Kauai is every bit as beautiful as it is onscreen in Jurassic Park. Kayak down the fabled Hanalei River, hike the verdant Na Pali coast, or bike into the massive Waimea Canyon. Oahu Affordable, cosmopolitan, and convenient, Oahu (the “Gathering Place") is the island most of Hawaii’s population calls home. The North Shore is a major surfing mecca, and pedestrian-friendly Waikiki offers world-class shopping, great nightlife, and palm-fringed, pastel-colored sunsets. Maui Hawaii’s second largest isle, Maui offers a quiet blend of ecotourism and sandy shores, with dormant volcanoes, humpback whales, and a variety of black-, white-, and red-sand beaches to discover. The Big Island Twice the size of the other islands combined, Hawaii (The Big Island) is also the most diverse of the islands, with snow-capped mountains on Mauna Kea, lush rainforests, arid deserts, bustling towns, and the world’s most active volcano. Molokai There isn’t one traffic light on Molokai, where life unfolds a bit more slowly than on the other islands. The “Friendly Isle” retains its traditional Hawaiian culture and most residents live off the land and the sea. Lanai Two exclusive Four Seasons resorts dominate this dusty, former pineapple-producing island, where the most popular activities are snorkeling, diving, and golfing. The red-dirt roads are navigable by 4-wheel-drive ...