Maui
Maui is formed from two main volcanoes: the older, taller Mauna Kahalawai in the west and younger Haleakala in the east. Over millions of years, their flows overlapped to create the mountainous topography that gives Maui its nickname, ‘The Valley Isle’.
Maui regularly tops polls of the world’s most romantic islands, thanks to a wealth of luxury resorts, clean white beaches and adventurous activities. Climb to the summit of Haleakalā to take in the sunrise, or head to Pe’ahi between October and April for the chance to watch brave surfers as they tackle ‘Jaws’, a world-famous break that reaches heights of 20m.
From Maui, it’s simple to take a day trip to either Moloka‘i or Lāna‘i. Moloka‘i is the most traditionally Hawaiian of the islands you can visit, an unspoilt and easy-going place that is one of the purest examples of the aloha attitude. It’s also home to the oldest religious site in Hawai’i, ‘Ili ;ilil’ opae Heiau. Lanai is more developed, with plenty of high-end hotels to choose from, but there are still opportunities to get out into the wild: a 4×4 tour of the rutted roads to the west is highly recommended.
The Island of Hawai’i – also known as the Big Island to differentiate it from the wider state of Hawaii – is the only island with ongoing volcanic activity, which means it’s also still growing. Seeing molten lava meeting the ocean and solidifying into land is a sight that’ll stay with you forever. Your best bet is to take a boat or helicopter trip to Hawai ‘i Volcanoes National Park. Walking trips are also available, but lava is fickle, and having the ability to get around quickly will give you the greatest chance to see the four elements of earth, wind, fire and water meeting in a single place.
Mauna Kea is the towering volcano at the centre of Big Island. Its strange, otherworldly landscape is home to the highest concentration of observatories in the world, all taking advantage of the thin atmosphere and low light pollution. Arrive in the evening for a glorious, multicoloured sunset followed by stargazing.
For the quintessential Big Island experience, make sure you eat at a luau before you leave. It’s perhaps the most upfront expression of aloha: a night of music, food and traditional Hawaiian arts, all delivered with the omnipresent Hawaiian smile.
