Hawaii- contains 8 of 13 different climate zones in the world. So, there are a multitude of things to do. There are waterfalls, zip lining, and hikes that can be done on the East side. On the west side, learning to surf or boogie board, swim at night with manta rays, a snorkeling tour, a sunset cruise on a catamaran, and different hiking trails. Also, if you’re a night sky lover, driving or taking a tour to Mauna Kea is a must. In order to get to the summit, you have to have a 4×4 vehicle. Travel to it on a new moon night and clear sky to see breathtaking views our galaxy, The Milky Way. Bring warm clothes, the temperature can drop to 50’s and below.  The Volcano National Park allows you to see how islands are made with Kilauea that is currently erupting. The Chain of Craters Road leads you through a history of eruptions and ends at the Holei Sea Arch. Thurston Lava Tube allows you to go through a tunnel created by a river of molten lava. It was created 350-500 years ago! Currently, Devastation Trail is the best view to see Kilauea. My advice is to wait for sunset or after to start to see the glow of the lava and the beauty of the stars. There is a parking lot and a mile walk on a paved road. Check the weather to see if there is any rain and bring a jack at night. It can get chilly and windy. At the end of January, all of February, and some of March, the humpback whales are in the area raising their young and mating. It’s a must for all ages. Seeing them breach is one of the best things I’ve seen. Also swimming with manta rays is one of those experiences you wont forget. The gentle giants glide around you so effortlessly.

Oahu-A visit to Pearl Harbor is something that I’d recommend for everyone. The USS Arizona Memorial program is free for all visitors. The visitor center and museums are also free.  Though it is free, you will still need a ticket. Go to Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tours, Pearl Harbor National Memorial – Recreation.gov for the free ticket/reservation. If you’re a big Jurassic Park fan or have family members that are, Kualoa Ranch is where you want to go. I did the 2.5 hour tour and it was the best. I got to see locations like where the Gallimimus were running with Dr. Grant and the kids, Chris Pratt running downhill from the volcano explosion, and the wall and observatory station of the Indominus Rex! There are other tours that you can also do from Hollywood filming locations, ATV raptor tour, and zip-lining. Another place I’d recommend is going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. There you can learn about the history of the Polynesian culture of Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Aotearoa ( New Zealand), and Samoa. Each section has different presentations and activities for all ages. My favorite part was at the end of the night the show. HA: Breath of Life. It’s a “Pacific isle saga of birth and death, love and family, tragedy and triumph.” We also did Manoa Falls and went to the East side of the island to Lanikai Beach. If you’re able, take a sailboat tour and appreciate the island and how beautiful it is from the ocean. There are many hiking trails and one of the most famous is the Diamond Head one. The zoo was nice and bigger than expected.