This is Part III of my travels to islands in the Pacific.  Part I, The Treats of Tonga, can be found here; and,  Part II, The Special Surprise that is Samoa, can be found here.

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Hawaii ... a place filled with so much beauty, so many natural treasures, that it is hard to find just the right word to describe perfectly what it is the eyes see and the heart feels. 

In a single day, it is possible to travel from black-sand beaches to lava flows; from snow-capped mountain peaks to tropical jungles; and from tranquil coral bays to volcanic craters.

The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands:  Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, O'ahu, Molok'i, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Maui and Hawaii. The island of Hawaii is the largest in the archipelago but is often referred to as The Big Island so as not to be confused with the entire state.

The Big Island is home to two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on earth, rising more than 17 kilometres (over 10.5 miles) from seabed to its summit. 

A dormant volcano, Mauna Kea, is also found on the Big Island and is the highest point in the entire Pacific Basin.

The largest town on The Big Island is Hilo and this is where our ship docked.

The Big Island

What a glorious welcome to Hawaii and the United States .... twin rainbows!!!

Part of the beautiful coastline of The Big Island...

 Akaka Falls - a spectacular 422 foot waterfall

The colourful town of Honomu...

Waipi'o Valley - The Valley of the Kings

The valley has both historical and cultural importance to the Hawaiian people. According to oral history, up to 10,000 people lived in Waipi'o during the times before the arival of Captain James Cook in 1778. Waipi'o was the most fertile and productive valley on The Big Island of Hawaii.

It was at Waipi'o in 1780 that Kamehameha the Great received his war god Kukailimoku who proclaimed him the future ruler of the islands.

In 1946, a tsunami destroyed much of Waipi'o valley including temples, ancient house sites, taro patches and modern residences. This caused many families to move.  Today these families continue the traditions of their forefathers, planting taro and producing poi.

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Maui

Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands.  It is formed by two massive volcanoes joined by a rich valley.  This gives Maui the nickname the "Valley Isle".

A colourful waterfront town, Lahaina, is Maui's most popular resort area and was once the Pacific centre for America's whaling fleet. Today the town, preserves the spirit and architecture of the 1800s.

The U.S. Seaman's Hospital

During the reign of Kamehameha the Great, ruthless masters of whaling ships dumped sailors in the Islands to lighten their loads before heading to Canton to trade. Hungry for food, drink and female companionship, they were an embarrassment to the American government, which persuaded Kamehameha III to lease the building as a center for the sick and disabled seamen of Lahaina.

The Baldwin Home ...

The Baldwin Home, built in 1834, is the oldest building still standing in Lahaina.  It was the home of missionary, Rev Dwight Baldwin of Durham, Connecticut, and his wife from 1838 until 1871.  Rev Baldwin was the pastor of Lahaina's old Wainee Church. 

Lahaina waterfront...

Look closely at the photo below and you'll see my cruise ship in the distance...

A contrast of swaying palms, rooftops and volcanic peaks... 

Sunset over Maui as we sail away ... bound for Honolulu.

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Oahu

Oahu, "The Gathering Place",  is home of Waikiki, the most famous beach in the world, and Pearl Harbor.  It is here in Oahu where you'll find America's only royal palace, Iolani Palace, as well as the world's only wholphin, a cross between a killer whale and a dolphin.

The capital of the Hawaiian islands, Honolulu, is actually the biggest city in the world. Its municipal boundaries reach across 540,000 square miles of the Pacific, most of which is underwater.

Waikiki Beach

  The Moana Surfrider Hotel, right beside Waikiki Beach is where I spent a glorious afternoon and evening.

What could be better than sipping Mai Tais; falling under the enchanting spell of a beautiful hula girl ... and being totally awe-struck and mesmerised by the most amazing and ever-changing sunset?

I imagine there could be no other place on earth like Hawaii.  I think I can best describe it as heavenly ... Heavenly Hawaii.

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I also visited Pearl Harbor whilst in Oahu and wrote a post titled, Black Tears,  for Memorial Day.  That post is here.

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Photos by Kate