Five Reasons to Escape to Hawaii

You spend your first morning hiking up through Akaka Falls State Park, surrounded by the rainforest draped with vines and moss, where only the sounds of the nearby falls and native birds break the silence. Thick bamboo groves make way for tropical plants and the rich colors of the flowering orchids that you see along your path.

At Akaka Falls, watching the cascading falls as they make their dramatic 442-drop is a spectacular way to kick off your Hawaiian adventure. While it’s impossible to translate its breathtaking strength and beauty into photos you snap away, capturing a rainbow as it shines through the falls.

Winter into early spring affords the best opportunity to catch sight of some of North America’s most majestic mammals – the humpback whale. Your morning adventure begins along the Kohala coastline, a rugged and scenic area formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago. Also home to the Marine Mammal Sanctuary, the coastline’s warm and inviting waters offer a prime location for whales migrating from Alaska to birth and raise their young calves each year.

You board the Winona, the catamaran that will allow you to get up close and personal with the magnificent 40-ton creatures. While providing a background on the area and marine life your captain navigates your group to prime observations points where you’re awestruck as multiple whales breach, tails high in the air. You snap photos of their impressive size as they leap and spin out of the water. Throughout your cruise, you’re captivated as you spot various whales blowing their spouts and slapping their tails.

While Hawaii offers some of the most varied and plentiful snorkeling options among all of the islands, you’ve chosen the relaxed pace of your snorkeling adventure in Makaiwa Bay’s gentle and clear waters where graceful sea turtles glide through the water next to you. Part of the Kohala coastline, with its plentiful and still-developing coral reefs, the bay’s sandy cove offers an underwater paradise for discovering the island’s diverse and exotic marine life, whether you’re a first-time or seasoned snorkeler.

As the world above disappears, you’re attracted to the vivid hues of craggy reefs where turtles, eels and schools of fish in all shapes, sizes and colors swim in and out of the coral. A moving rainbow, you follow a group of parrot and butterfly fish and swim out further where the reefs grow in size and you’re able to capture photos of an octopus making its way through the water.

Further along the trail, you venture on a self-guided hike to the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve. A short hike to the preserve, the trail becomes a little more rugged as you trek through the native kiawe forest, encountering small lava caves and your first glimpse of petroglyphs, the centuries old lava rock carvings that feature images including humans, turtles and canoes. A guided walkway leads you around the reserve and with more than 3,000 petroglyphs to view, the opportunity to soak in some of Hawaii’s rich history is nearly endless.

After a long day of hiking some of the island’s most stunning trails, you’re ready to unwind and relax. A refreshing dip in the resort pool offers the perfect respite. You breathe in the refreshing salt air, taking in the ocean views as you sip your cocktail - the Room 1 Twenty, an invigorating take on the aperol spritz and a tribute to the hotel’s history.

With the stars still illuminating the sky, your group sets out for Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano and, at 13,000 feet, the highest volcano in the world offering the perfect setting to awaken your senses. Pointing out various constellations, your guide gives you a visual tour of the sky while also sharing tales of Madame Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, and the significance of Hawaii’s volcanoes on the development of the land that surrounds you. As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, brilliant colors emerge. Pinks, yellows and shades of orange highlight the serene blue sky, peacefully helping you greet the new Hawaiian morning.

The next morning you feel a shot of adrenaline as you soar through the sky to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the volcanoes. The landscapes below offer stunning scenes in every direction – bright, tropical rainforests, pods of whales swimming along the coastline and the verdant Kona coffee fields that line the volcano slopes. Entering Volcanoes National Park, your pilot circles Hualālai, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa before approaching Kilauea’s with its impressive crater and powerful steam vents.