Away from the Crowds in Hawaii

Hawaii is the Aloha State and the only state comprised entirely of islands. The state stretches over the northeast corner of Polynesia in the North Pacific Ocean. The state is known for its gorgeous landscapes, unique culture, abundant outdoor activities, and relaxed way of life.

The Bamboo Forest in Maui looks like an enchanting place. It can be found along the scenic Pipiwai Trail in the Haleakala National Park.

Among the highlights are several waterfalls, among them Makahiku Falls with the “Infinity Pool” at the top.

At the end of the bamboo forest you’ll cross a shallow stream bed; after crossing it, you’ll follow the trail to Waimoku Falls.

The Blue Room is an amazing cave leading into an enchanting subterranean world. It is also referred to as Waikapalae Wet Cave. You’ll find it just before the end of the road on Kauai’s North Shore. On the mountainside, look for a short trail leading up to the wet cave.

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum was named in honor of a former director of the Hawaii Sugar Planters’ Association. The Oahu site is home to twelve gardens. Among the plants you can see several rare and endangered species that are native to Hawaii.

Nearby is Manoa Falls (pictured above).

Aihualama Falls

Kalalau Trail is located on Kauai. The trail stretches along the awesome Na Pali Coast. The trail leads through five pristine valleys, and walking along cliff tops, you get impressive ocean views. Kalalau Trail is one of the most difficult and challenging hikes on Kauai. The first two miles of this trail will take you to Hanakapiai Beach.

Keahiakawelo is also known as the Garden of the Gods on Lanai. This is a series of natural rock formations. The dry reddish earth is scattered with boulders in all shapes and sizes. The site holds cultural importance for Native Hawaiians, often associated with legends and traditional practices.  The rock towers, spires, and formations formed by centuries of erosion are at their most enchanting at dusk. The area actually used to be part of a native dryland forest, parts of which have survived today.

Kawela Bay is a lovely secluded beach close to the northern tip of Oahu. A reef stops large waves from reaching the shore. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, paddleboard, or kayak. This lovely beach has been featured in films such as “The Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Hunger Games.”

Lanai Cat Sanctuary in Lanai is a must-see for all cat lovers. Presently it is home to around 500 cats. Cat lovers can visit the home to play with the cats, learn more about the sanctuary’s work, lend a hand, and, of course, make a gratefully appreciated donation. The sanctuary supports wildlife conservation by protecting native Hawaiian birds. Cat lovers can adopt or virtually sponsor cats from afar.

Niihau is a private island and is the archipelago’s seventh-biggest inhabited island. Three hundred people make their homes here. The island is home to a school, a church, and rent-free private homes. There is no electricity on the island save for solar power and no running water; the local water supply comes from rain catchments. Since outsiders are not permitted on the island, visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of the island by helicopter.

Sanju Pagoda is located in the Kyoto Gardens of the Honolulu Memorial Park on the island of Oahu. This is a soaring temple that is a large replica of the Minami Hoke-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. The temple has three levels and was constructed with concrete. It is a National Historic Site. The pagoda is part of a larger memorial park that includes the Kinkaku-ji, a columbarium inspired by Kyoto's famous Golden Pavilion, and the Mirror Lake Garden, which reflects traditional Japanese garden design. The site is significant for its cultural and architectural heritage, showcasing traditional Japanese-style structures outside of Japan.

The Raelian UFO Peace Park is located on the Big Island. Raelianism is an alternative religion that was founded by Claude Vorilhon, sometimes referred to as Rael. The belief system follows the idea that all earthly life stems from an alien species, known as the Elohim.

The Raëlian UFO Peace Park features a number of sculptures. The main one is a naked woman, but there are also a few peacocks, chameleons, native birds, and a sea turtle, many of them featuring Raëlian symbols.