#16 best destination in the world

Mauna Kea

2014-10-29 - 17.13.00 (Public)

  • Dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii
  • Most of the volcano is underwater, and when measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, measuring over 32,808 ft in height

‘Akaka Falls

2123757935_25d8abfa01_b

  • Spectacular 442 ft waterfall
  • Home to the ʻoʻopu ʻalamoʻo, Hawaiian species of goby fish that spawns in stream above the waterfall, but matures in the sea
  • These fish have a suction disk on their bellies that allows them to cling to the wet rocks behind and adjacent to the waterfall
  • Using this disk, they climb back up to the stream when it is time to spawn

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Puu_Oo_cropped.jpg

  • Encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

4529502704_59b37d96be_b

  • Beach that has black sand made of basalt, created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools

Kaanapali Beach

12842219265_9e678733ca_k

  • #9 of the top 25 beaches in the world

Hana Highway

Bridge_on_Hana_Highway

  • 64 mile long stretch of Hawaii which connects Kahului to the town of Hana
  • A car-trip takes about 2.5 hours to drive, since the highway is very windy, narrow, and passes over 59 bridges, of which 46 are only one lane wide
  • Hana Highway goes through lush, tropical rainforest
  • Many of the concrete and steel bridges date back to 1910, which all but one is still in use

Hana Lava Tube

1599px-Entrance_of_Hana_Lava_tube_Maui_Hawaii_Road_to_Hana_(30800755337)

  • Created by underground lava rivers, this rocky tube provides a cave trail

Lanai Cat Sanctuary

1020304

  • Island sanctuary for rescued & abandoned felines, offering volunteer & adoption

North Shore

1024px-Surfer_at_Banzai_Pipeline,_North_Shore_(Oahu)

  • Coastal area best known for its massive waves, attracting surfers from all around the globe
  • Though most famous for its surfing, there are also other popular activities on the North Shore including hiking, scuba diving, shark cage diving, snorkeling, food trucks, foilboard, shopping, shave ice, and dolphin tours

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond_Head_Hawaii_From_Round_Top_Rd.JPG

  • Volcanic tuft cone that resembles the shape of a tuna’s dorsal fin
  • Named diamond head because British sailors in the 19th century mistook calcite crystals on the beach for diamonds

Hanalei Bay

1024px-Hanalei_Bay_Beach,_Hanalei_-_panoramio_(1)

  • Large bay that consists of nearly two miles of beach, surrounded by mountains
  • The wetlands were used to grow taro by ancient Hawaiians
  • By the 1860s, the new crop was rice, which was shipped to Honolulu to become the second largest export crop of the islands
  • The Hanalei Pier was built to help Hanalei farmers move their crops to market

Costs

Number of Days: 20 days

Best Time To Fly: April-May, Sept-Oct

Airline tickets: $915

Seattle -> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (one way) = $258
Kailua-Kona -> Kahului, Maui (one way) = $81
Kahului -> Lanai (one way) = $48
Lanai -> Honolulu (one way) = $54
Honolulu -> Kauai (round trip) = $174
Honolulu -> Seattle (one way) = $223

Food: $45/day x 20 days = $900

Rental Car: $57/day x 18 days = $1,026

Gas: $49

Entertainment: $82

Airbnb: $276/day x 20 days = $5,520

TOTAL: $8,492