Hawaii is not just sand, surf, luaus and tans. Sure, these are on every vacationer's list, but the islands have so much more to offer and to miss them will mean not getting the most from your Hawaii experience. Because of the island hopping that is involved, you may not be able to fit all of them into your schedule. These places are not presented in any particular order, since everyone has their own personal preference. So make your own priorities and try and fit in as many as you can.

Upon arrival on the Big Island of Hawaii, visitors may be surprised by the rich geographical diversity that can be overwhelming upon first glance. With a stunning coastline, sharp volcanic slopes, and breathtaking canyons, anyone with an affection for the great outdoors will be unable to resist the urge to explore all this spectacular island has to offer. Head to the Big Island for your next vacation and experience the majestic nature of this jewel in the Pacific Ocean.

Once upon a time, the Polynesians sailed the seas in their large canoes in search of land and in pursuit of adventure. They found the Hawaiian Islands and made these beautiful islands their home. In the late 18th century, American trading vessels, too, came across Hawaii, and after many years of turbulence, tourists discovered the astounding beaches of the Hawaiian Islands. From then on, it has been and will be, a tourists' paradise. We are going to tell you about Hawaii, and then we will clue you on how to plan a cheap vacation – if you want to see this paradise at astoundingly cheap rates.

Dining in Molokai provides culinary experiences just as exciting and varied as the island's lush rainforests, picturesque mountains and untouched beaches. The restaurants on Hawaii's "Most Hawaiian Island" reflect the lively and unique culture of the locals and also offer a variety of international options. Molokai has stayed true to its traditional culture which allows visitors to enjoy some of the most authentic luaus Hawaii has to offer. Sample the flavorful local cuisine in Kaunakakai, Molokai's largest town, or venture to Kualapu'u and Maunaloa for local and international fare paired with stunning views.

If you are thinking about planning a trip to Hawaii, you may be wondering the best time of year to visit Hawaii. Well, anytime really. Hawaii really doesn't have an off season. The winter months of January and February seem to be the rainiest, but it's not the same kind of winter you would have in other parts of the United States. In fact the winter months may actually draw crowds during those so called rainy months. One reason is that the waves on the northern shores of the islands are much bigger during the winter. The North Shore of Ohau in particular is famous for those huge waves, sometimes coming in as high as thirty feet. These are some of the largest waves in the world.

Rodeo is not likely the first thing that comes to the visitor's mind when they conjure images of tropical Hawaii, but rodeo here is an old and popular tradition here. Cows were first introduced to Hawaii in 1793 by George Vancouver and Kamehameha the Great soon imported Mexican vaqueros to teach his people how to handle them. Not many people realize that three generations of Hawaiian cowboys lived, worked and died in Hawai'i before cattle were ever driven into Wyoming or Montana, states more typically associated with ranching and rodeo.

I know this is going to sound crazy, but think about bringing a tent with you and spend a few nights at some of the excellent oceanfront parks on Oahu. One of my favorite places in the world is Malaekahana State Recreation Area, where the camping areas are on the water, but away road noise they also have some cabins but you need to reserve those most of the time way in advance, which are really beach houses and are fantastic deals. I have stayed there where there were very few people around and had the beach to ourselves.