10 things you never knew about Hawaii

So you think Hawaii is all about surfing, hula dancing, pineapple cocktails, sunbathing on the most stunning beaches in the world and being the location of the TV series, Lost? You’d be surprised to find that there is a whole new Hawaii waiting to be discovered, here is a list of a few things that you may have not placed in the same sentence as Hawaii before.

1. Go wine tasting in the shadow of a volcano
Who knew that award-winning wines were made in Hawaii? Inspired by the volcanic soil of the Big Island, the Volcano Winery, tucked between two majestic volcanoes, has been producing wine since 1993, their signature award-winning wines are made from the ‘Symphony grape’ and are available for wine tasting and purchasing.
volcanowinery.com

2. Follow in the footsteps of Barack Obama
Bang on trend, operators on Oahu are now offering special ‘Obama Tours’, taking visitors on whirlwind journeys through the life and times of Obama in Hawaii; where he was born, where he went to school; his favourite restaurants, surf spots and beaches. Special Obama tours are available with expert guides.
obamatourhawaii.com (tickets from USD 40)

3. Visit the only royal palace in the USA
There has been a royal court in Hawaii for centuries. The Iolani Palace, built in 1882 in Oahu is as majestic as it is surprising. This Palace was at the height of modernity when it was built (designed with a European flair, it had electricity and telephones even before the White House in Washington DC).
iolanipalace.org (tickets from USD 5)

4. Get up close and personal with Humpback whales
Every year between November and May, approximately 1,000 Humpbacks make the 4,000 mile trip to the archipelago to breed and give birth. For visitors, the site of Humpback Whales is a once in a lifetime spectacle, and in Hawaii visitors can get up close and personal (within 100 yards), to witness the incredible acrobatic displays of these huge beasts. You can whale watch from every island, however the calm, clear waters between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai are considered the best spots to see Humpback whales.
hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/

5. Become a Paniolo for a day
The Waimea area of the Big Island is home to what was once the largest cattle ranch in the USA – Parker Ranch. Waimea town is also home to the Parker Ranch Visitor Centre, with a museum of early cowboy life in Hawaii. Cowboys are known as “paniolo” to the local folks and today there are various cattle ranches and working farms that visitors (and especially families) can enjoy. Horse riding, understanding the basics of farming life and generally learning how to become a paniolo is on the cards at these modern day ranches.
kahuaranch.com/; princevilleranch.com/; haleakalaranch.com/; kualoa.com/

6. Feel the heat of one of the most active volcanoes in the world
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island encompasses more than 229,000 acres spread over 35 miles, from an altitude of 13,677 feet to sea level. Kilauea on the Big Island has been erupting for more than 25 years, its lava creating a plume of steam as it spills into the Pacific Ocean. Encircling the crater of Kilauea Volcano is a 50 mile drive, which descends to the coast where visitors can view active lava flows plunging into the sea.
nps.gov/havo

7. It’s a budding astronomer’s nirvana
Hawaii is considered the best place in the world for stargazing due to its remoteness and lack of air or light pollution. Perched high atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island, rising 13,796 feet above sea level, 11 telescopes representing 13 countries watch the heavens and lead the field in astronomy research. A visitor's centre set 9,200 feet up has several small telescopes for public use and for beginners a stargazing program runs every night where visitors are guided through telescope use and a constellation tour of the sky.
imiloahawaii.org; ifa.hawaii.edu/

8. Dive some of the best reefs and shipwrecks in the world
Due to Hawaii’s volatile navy history, its volcanic topography and sheer isolation, the islands are a mecca for divers across the world. The Cathedrals off Lanai offer dramatic coral pinnacles and caverns rising from the seventy foot depth to the surface. Another spectacular dive site is Molokini Island off Maui. Because of its natural abundance, Molokini was named a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District. Oahu offers spectacular shipwreck dives, with the wrecks such as the Yo-257 (a 1940 war ship), Sea Tiger (Chinese vessel) and Mahi (voted as one of the wreck dives in the USA) just minutes away from the coast.
gohawaii.com/uk

9. Take a helicopter flight over the second largest canyon in the Pacific
Waimea Canyon, known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ on Kauai's west side, is more than 3,000 feet deep and provides stunning panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags, and deep valley gorges. The best way to capture the enormity of this canyon is by helicopter. From the air visitors can catch a glimpse of the Mana Waipuan Falls, one of the largest in the world, along with the emerald mountains descending into the sapphire oceans.
gohawaii.com/uk

10. Discover the only Green Beach in the USA
The Big Island is home to the only ‘green beach’ in the USA. Papakolea Green Sand Beach has olive-colour sand due to the green semi-precius stone olivine. This is a secluded beach on the South Point of the Ka’u district of the Big Island, only reached by a rugged 2 mile hike.