Hawaii Trip - Preface

Paradise camp fire caused lots of life loss, house destroy, property damage and air quality pollution. It has been a while since last long vacation at Cancun (I traveled between China and California quite often in past 2 years), so I definitely need a break to relax and enjoy some fresh air. I firstly looked at Chicago and New York, but gave up after knowing the cold weather, then I looked at Florida and Hawaii. After comparing price and POI (points of interest), I decided to go by myself to Honolulu, the Oahu Island for a Thanksgiving break. It cost $1050 for flights+hotel+airport pickup on Expedia.com, actually if I decided earlier, the price could be around $900. I didn't rent car as the island has convenient TheBus and Trolley public transit.

Hawaii is the top vacation destination, and it is indeed such a great place for relax, dining and shopping. Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959, the same year Alaska joined the union as 49th state. There are over 140 islands that make up the state of Hawaii, but tourists only visit the six largest islands out of eight major islands. In order of size, the islands are Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe (which is not populated). Those same islands in order of population are Oahu (including Honolulu), Hawaii (The Big Island), Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.

The most famous parts of the state of Hawaii, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the Polynesian Cultural Center, are all on the island of Oahu.  More people visit Oahu than any of the other Hawaiian islands, because of those sights, and because there are more direct flights from the United States and other countries to Oahu, than to any of the other islands. But each island is unique and each island is worth visiting. Oahu is the highly recommended one for first time visitor.

My trip started with direct flight from SJC to NHL on Nov 23, and ended with 1-stop flight from NHL to LAX to SJC on Nov 27 morning time. It was a fantastic and unforgettable 4 days 3 nights trip to the Aloha State.

Aloha is the Hawaiian word for love, affection, peace, compassion and mercy, that is commonly used as a simple greeting (hello or goodbye) but has a deeper cultural and spiritual significance to native Hawaiians.

Keywords: Hawaii islands, Expedia, Aloha