Aston Hotels & Resorts Big Island

Located more than 2000 miles off the west coast of America, this tropical paradise of turquoise bays, white sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation and balmy sunshine all year round, is renow-ned as one of the world's most famous vacation playgrounds. Most of the 132 islands in this beautiful archipelago are no more than tiny atolls, the summits of a chain of submarine volcanoes that stretches almost to Japan. Hawai`i is full of contrasts and extremes and it has 11 of the world's 13 climatic zones.

Capital & Major Centres
Tourism is restricted to six of the eight most southerly islands. These are O`ahu, with the city of Honolulu, the capital of Hawai`i; Maui, the second largest island with the world's largest dormant volcano; Kaua`i which is known for its magnificent scenery and vegetation; Hawai`i or the Big Island where Captain Cook is buried, and the ancestral home of Hawaiian royalty; and Moloka`i and Lana`i, located off the coast of Maui.

People
There are 1.3 million people of mixed races living in the Hawaiian archipelago. Hawai`i's religions are as diverse as its cultural heritage. The official languages are Hawaiian and English.

History
The first inhabitants of Hawai`i were Polynesians who arrived between the fourth and fifth century with plants and animals. Captain James Cook was the first European. He landed in 1778 to find a structured society with chiefs ruling each island. In 1920, Hawai`i became a major tourist destination with the first non-stop flight from the US mainland. In 1959 it became an American state and Honolulu is now the 11th largest city in the USA.

Nature
Home to more than 10,000 plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth, the islands are famous for palms, cactus, coconut palms, kamani, ohia, kukui and hau trees, glorious trop-ical flowers (5000 types of hibiscus), along with vari-coloured fruits, coffee and macadamia nuts. The humpback whale is an annual visitor and there is an exotic collection of birdlife.

The Sights
On O`ahu, see Pearl Harbor and visit famous Waikiki Beach. Hire a car or jump on the local bus to explore the beautiful beaches on the famous North Shore. On Maui the main attraction is Haleakala, a 10,023-foot dormant volcano. The best time to visit Haleakala is at sunrise. A drive along the stunning Hana highway is also a must while on Maui.

On Hawai`i's Big Island, there's Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Parker Ranch on 225,000 acres, which is the third largest working cattle ranch in the US. There's also a space centre named after Hawai`i's first astronaut, Ellison S. Onizuka.

Kaua`i has Waimea Canyon and a number of magnificent Botanical Gardens. A sailing trip or helicopter ride along the breathtaking Napali coast is also a must. Ride a mule down Moloka`i's cliff trail to Kalaupapa. Lana`i's best dive spot, Cathedrals, has dramatic coral formations creating pinnacles and caverns rising from the 70-foot depth to the surface.

Where to Stay
There are hundreds of hotels and condos in every category from luxury to budget style. Camping is available in National, State, City, and County Parks.

Getting Around
If you are considering visiting all of the islands, it's recommended that you allow a minimum of three weeks. The domestic airlines, Hawaiian, Go Hawaii and Island Air help to maximise sightseeing time. Helicopter flight seeing tours are popular and give you a chance to see places that may otherwise be inaccessible.

On the ground there are limousines, taxis and sightseeing coaches. O`ahu is the only island with a bus service, an extensive route that covers the entire island. In addition, there is a ferry from Lana`i to Maui, from Moloka`i to Maui and from O`ahu to Maui. Renting a car or jeep is extremely popular in Hawai`i, although it's not necessary in Honolulu as there's good public transport. Driving is on the right hand side and, as most islands have only one main road, it's difficult to get lost. Night driving is not quite as enjoyable, as roads between towns are not lit and can be narrow. Cycling is popular in towns.

Food & Entertainment
Experience a traditional Hawaiian feast or luau, which usually includes dishes like poi, ground from the taro plant, kalua pork, an entire pig wrapped in ti leaves and baked in an underground oven or imu, and poke, marinated raw fish, shellfish, or octopus, along with Polynesian-style entertainment and a hula performance.

Aside from the Pacific Rim or Hawai`i Regional Cuisine, which is a fusion of food and techniques from all of the countries and ethnic groups that have historically had an influence on Hawai`i, Hawai`i boasts many international restaurants serving various Asian and continental cuisines. There's also fast foods of every kind, and do-it-yourself as most condominiums have cooking facilities.

Activities
A full range of activities for all ages includes snorkelling, fishing, tennis, golf, windsurfing, sailing, and many other water-based activities including magnificent surfing. Hawai`i offers sightseeing tours, bushwalks, downhill cycling adventures and trail rides, and a range of indoor activities.

Shopping Guide
Artisans make copies of their ancient instruments made from gourds, stones, seeds, feathers, shells, lumber and bamboo. Also for sale are woven leaf hats, feather work in colourful hatbands, capes and bags, hand-woven cloth, Lauhala leaves made into sandals, bags and wall ornaments, and beautiful Hawaiian applique quilts in island designs.