The magnificent Hawaii Islands are blessed with abundant natural beauty and plenty of year round sunshine. This makes Hawaii an excellent place to take part in a wide range of outdoor activities. The area is also known for its richly diverse culture, and traditional music and dance performances are regularly held here.

People who have a strong sense of adventure are sure to enjoy the experience of trekking through the jungle. Special eco tours are organised by companies on most of the main islands and take visitors deep into the jungle to discover the vast range of flora and fauna that can be found there. Day treks offer a little taster of what these areas have to offer, while visitors who have plenty of time to spare can embark on a longer trip and spend the night camping in a traditional village or underneath the dense canopy of trees.

People who want to get a real feel for the beauty of the Hawaii Islands can take a helicopter tour of the area. This is sure to appeal to anyone who has a head for heights, and thrill seekers can ride in open compartments with the doors open to feel the full ecstasy of the experience.

The views are simply stunning from the top of the lofty dormant volcanoes on the main islands. While the going may be a little tough at times it is more than made up for by the sense of achievement that visitors are sure to feel when they make it all the way to the top. Make sure you take you camera along as this is an experience that you will want to remember forever.

Of course, sunbathing is also a popular activity among visitors to Hawaii. The beaches here boast picture perfect powdery white sand and are lapped with cool, clear water. Visitors will want to spend plenty of time working on the perfect all over golden tan, while water sports enthusiasts are really spoilt for choice in this part of the world. Windsurfing is particularly popular here, while snorkelling nd scuba diving offer visitors the chance to glimpse at the aquatic world of Hawaii and discover a whole host of colourful marine life.

The Abundant Natural Beauty of Hawaii

Hawaii is without doubt one of the most beautiful areas of the world as it boasts endless stretches of sandy beaches fringed with palm trees and cool, clear water. There are also dense jungles here to trek through as well as dramatic natural features such as dormant volcanoes and deep canyons.

The beaches on the Hawaiian Islands have earned a reputation among sun worshippers as excellent places to sprawl out and soak up the sun. There are dozens of popular beaches to choose from here as well as more secluded sandy coves for people who crave a little peace and quiet to enjoy. Among the beast beaches on the Hawaiian Islands are Sunset Beach, Hookipa Beach and Secret Beach.

The Big Island is a great place for nature lovers to explore either independently or as part of a guided tour. The large and lovely Hawaii Volcanoes National is just waiting to be explored and trails lead through the rainforests and up to the summits of two active volcanoes. The island is extremely ecologically diverse and is also home to areas of deserts and swamps.

Visitors who have their own transportation will be able to drive away from the touristy centres of Hawaii to explore the natural beauty spots at their leisure. Located on the Big Island is the enchanting oasis of Kiholo Bay. This area is fringed with palm trees and surrounded by large lava fields, while the main beach here is covered with striking black volcanic sand.

Secret Beach is situated on the north coast of Kuaui and is a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life for a while. Both local people and tourists alike retreat here to sunbath in the secluded sandy area while enjoying the scenery. People who have a strong sense of adventure are sure to enjoy the journey to Secret Beach as it is reached by hiking along a winding trail through the jungle.

The stunning natural phenomenon known as the Toilet Bowl is located just a short stroll from Hanauma Bay on Oahu. Visitors who venture this far will be able to admire the impressive hole formed in the rocks that leads down to a hidden underground cave.

Gay and lesbian tourists travelling to Hawaii are unlikely to encounter any problems during their stay at these stunning islands. The Hawaiians are welcoming of all visitors and tourism is considered a vital industry for the local economy. This article will explore the gay scene in Hawaii and what it has to offer.

Our Favorite: Venus Nightclub, Honolulu

The Aloha spirit is what makes Hawaii such a liberal and open-minded place for gay and lesbian visitors to spend a holiday. From the exotic beaches to the towering mountain peaks, Hawaii is a wonderful place to escape the hectic pace of modern life.

Despite the failure to legalise same-sex marriage in the state, the local government grants same-sex couples the vast majority of the rights afford to married couples. There does appear to be a greater tolerance towards gay rights in Hawaii compared with other US states, which is probably a result of the islands’ diverse population. Unlike most of the major cities in the mainland United States, Hawaii’s gay community is not as segregated and appears to be less anonymous or centralised.

However, the main hub of gay scene at Hawaii is situated on Oahu island, predominantly at the resort of Waikiki. Traditionally, most of the gay and lesbian venues were located along Kuhio Avenue before moving to Kapahulu Avenue in recent years. One of the most famous venues is the Hula’s Bar and Le, which is now on the second floor of the prestigious Waikiki Grand Hotel. Meanwhile, the Queen’s Surf Beach and the Diamond Head Beach, both close to Waikiki, are considered to be the most gay friendly beaches on the islands.

Another popular area of the gay scene at Hawaii is Maui, which has a well known nudist beach. This island also has a large gay and lesbian community in the Kihei district and the second largest gay and lesbian population in Hawaii. Maui also boasts plenty of gay and lesbian friendly accommodation and services providing special commitment ceremonies. This island has also been voted as one of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands and is noted for its breathtaking cliffs and beautiful forests.

All in all, thanks to its warm and open culture, Hawaii is an excellent destination for gay and lesbian travellers. The islands’ stunning natural environment and captivating cultural life continue to attract millions of tourists each year.

A brief history of Hawaii – the 50th State.

The beautiful island group of Hawaii was settled by intrepid explorers in canoes from Polynesia, migrating northwest, possibly as early as the 4th century AD. The name is probably taken from Hawaiki, the former name of Raiatea, which is the ancestral home of the Polynesians.

Lacking a written language, the early Hawaiian settlers had a rich oral culture, similar to many early Northern European tribes, and their rich myths and legends were coupled with a vast practical knowledge of the flora and fauna around them.

They worshipped and feared a vast variety of gods, not unlike the Greek pantheon in terms of their variety and powers, and by the time of a second migration from Tahiti, sometime between the 9th and 10th centuries AD, the isolation of the islands had led to a culture with its own marked characteristics.

By the late 18th century, the Hawaiian society had become a complex one, with a fixed system of laws, governed over by chiefs and priests.

By the time Captain Cook happened across the islands in 1778, there was a vibrant society, with a population of approximately 300,000 people. Sadly, western explorers and traders brought western diseases with them, to which the islanders had no natural immunity whatsoever. Together with the profound cultural effect of contact with the outside world, in just a century, the population collapsed to fewer than 40,000 inhabitants by 1890. Hawaiian as a spoken language almost died out at this point.

Inevitably, this led to a period of intense change – faith in the old gods waned, and considerable curiosity about life outside of the islands led to rapid adoption of Christianity, and the collapse of the old kapu (taboo) system. By 1850, Hawaii was almost entirely a Christian kingdom, with a significant European and American population.
The last monarch was overthrown when a group of American and European businessmen seized power of the islands in 1893. By 1900, the islands were annexed as US territory. Hawaii rapidly became important as a base for the American Navy, and the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan in December 1941 led to entry into World War II. Post-war, Hawaii finally became the 50th State in 1959.

Today, Hawaii is a bewitching and aspirational tourist destination, undergoing a considerable cultural renaissance in music and language, coupled with a modern, bustling, and thriving society for the Aloha state.

Hawaii Islands – An overview – all islands

The picturesque Hawaiian Islands can be found in the Pacific Ocean and are famed for their enchanting sandy beaches and rich culture. This part of the world boasts a number of enchanting islands to explore, although the main islands that are open to tourists are Oahu, the Big Island, Maui and Kauai.

As the name suggests, the big Island is the largest island in the whole of Hawaii. This stunning island is a great place to use as a base while exploring the area as there are numerous excellent resorts to stay on here and plenty of nightlife options. Among the many highlights here are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which features two active volcanoes and the impressive summit of Mauna Loa.

Most people touch down in Hawaii in the city of Honolulu, which can be found on the island of Oahu. The sands of Sunset Beach and Waikiki attract sun worshippers from all over the globe and are lined with several lavish resorts and other amenities. Oahu is also home to Pearl Harbor, while the former Royal Palace is by far one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Hawaii.

The island of Maui has earned itself a reputation as a honeymoon destination in recent years and lots of young lovers head here each year to spend a little quality time together. Water sports are popular here and people who enjoy windsurfing should head on over to Hookipa Beach to spend their days messing about on the water. Taking a pilgrimage to the holy site of Haleakala is also an experience that should not be missed. Visitors can hike here from tourist villages such as Kihei, Lahaina and Kaanapali and the scenery here is simply stunning.

Kauai is often celebrated as one of the lushest places in Hawaii, if not the entire world. Trekking through the jungle is a popular activity here and is offered by several local companies. This is the perfect way to get back to nature for a while before heading back to the beach to enjoy freshly caught seafood and a cool cocktail while watching the sun slowly sink behind the horizon. Kauai is certainly an island of extremes as it features one of the wettest places on Earth, namely Mount Waialeale and Waimea Canyon, which is an impressive 835 metres deep.

Accommodation with added aloha