Picture palm-fringed beaches, colourful flower leis made out of fragrant frangipani blossoms and bright orchid petals, hypnotising hula dancing, and a laidback island lifestyle… this is Hawaii. With a number of welcoming tropical islands to choose from, not to mention a wide range of activities catering to varied interests, Hawaii is held in high regard as one of the world’s leading holiday destinations. Though certainly a romantic hot spot, Hawaii is also great for families seeking a fun destination for all ages.

When to go

While Hawaii does see some differences in weather and temperatures throughout the year, the moderate tropical climate means there really is no wrong time to visit the beautiful isles. Since Hawaii is popular with American travellers, the island’s high season corresponds to when the rest of the country is suffering from poor weather, generally from mid-December to mid-April, with the times around New Year and spring break (usually at the end of March or beginning of April) being particularly busy.

The islands are less crowded from mid-April to early June and again in September to mid-December, while the summer months from June to August tend to see higher numbers of families taking advantage of the school holidays.

If you’re planning a trip during peak season, make sure to organise your hotel as early as possible to ensure you can get your desired dates and accommodation.

Where to go

Hawaii is made up of a number of different islands with the island of Hawaii (also called the “Big Island”), Maui, Oahu and Kauai being the most popular when it comes to family holidays. Head to the capital island of Oahu for incredible food, beautiful beaches and a modern way of living, or make your way to Maui for a more relaxed pace, highly local cuisine, and plenty of trekking. The Big Island boasts a little something for everyone, including a range of white- and black-sand beaches, the active Kilauea volcano and plenty of wildlife viewing options, while Kauai, known as the “Garden Isle”, is home to truly stunning landscapes with striking cliffs, beach paradises, and lush jungles.

Peruse the resorts available in our Global Traveller in-house exchange programme which allows Club Points Owners to trade their Club Points for accommodations at any of our Club Affiliate Resorts in Hawaii.

What to do

Hawaii is known for its gorgeous tropical beaches, thrill-inducing surfing, tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, traditional luaus and relaxed “island time”. Naturally, Hawaiian beaches are a big draw for vacationers of all ages, but there are plenty of other activities and excursions to help make a memorable holiday.

Take the family out for first-time surfing or snorkelling lessons, experience animal encounters at the Maui Ocean Center or Honolulu Zoo, go on a whale watching excursion, trek through the jungle or to the top of one of the island’s impressive volcanoes, and unwind at a luau. While luaus are certainly touristy, they’re also one of those quintessential Hawaiian experiences that you simply can’t miss. Plus, they’re fun and perfect entertainment for children! Young children will surely love moving to the music while older kids will be impressed with the hula and fire dancing.

When it’s time for some rest and relaxation, book a traditional lomi lomi massage, an indigenous Hawaiian healing practice incorporating repetitive massage techniques with chants and prayers to help restore mind, body and soul.

What to eat

Of course, a successful holiday wouldn’t be complete without enjoying satisfying cuisine. Hawaii’s local food encompasses a unique blend of ingredients, flavours and preparation styles from the range of Polynesian, Asian and European cultures that have influenced the islands. Try poke, a raw fish salad, or lomi lomi salmon, cured salmon mixed with tomatoes and scallions, for a light and refreshing appetiser. Fresh fish tacos and kalua pork, an entire pig slow-roasted in an underground oven famous for its tenderness and smoky flavour, make excellent main dishes, while shaved ice topped with flavoured sugar syrups will round out your Hawaiian feast. Though not native to Hawaii – it was supposedly invented in California in 1944 – the Mai Tai, a drink made with rum, Curaçao liqueur and lime juice, is a popular staple at bars and luaus throughout the islands.

Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing tropical holiday in an all-inclusive resort or an exciting family journey filled with exotic landscapes and outdoor adventure, Hawaii delivers every time.

Did you know? [possible sidebar or call out box]

• In Hawaii, “Aloha” means both “Hello” and “Good bye”.
• Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands. While there are eight main islands, Hawaii or “The Big Island”, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe, the state actually consists of 132 islands altogether.
• Mauna Loa is the world’s largest volcano and covers half of the Island of Hawaii. Its lava fields are so out-of-this-world that NASA astronauts trained for moon voyages by walking on the volcano. (Mauna Loa is also the name of Hawaii’s most famous brand of delicious macadamia nuts!)
• Hawaii is the only US state to grow coffee – try visiting some of the coffee plantations in Kona on the Big Island.
• Rainbows are Hawaii’s unofficial symbol and you’ll even spot them on the state’s license plates. In fact, Honolulu is considered the rainbow capital of the world thanks to a nearly constant combination of sudden weather fluctuations and abrupt drops in elevation from the mountains to the beaches that create the perfect conditions for colourful rainbows.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can take advantage of the many benefits of Vacation Ownership, please email info@anantaraclub.com or visit our Special Offers page.

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