Applying for a visa to travel to the Hawaiian Islands. Criticism of the FSA FLEX program

So now I can tell you how these islands are similar, how they are different, and what you need to know when planning your vacation. How long to fly to Hawaii and the Maldives, how much such a trip will cost and who is suitable for a holiday on the bounty islands or volcanic tropical islands. I will also help you understand how best to choose an island and a hotel in all the variety of offers. Well, let's take a virtual trip to such remote and exotic places like the Maldives and Hawaii.

Let me start with the fact that both the Maldives and Hawaii can be called dream places, places you should definitely visit at least once in your life. One way or another, we are all familiar with these tropical ones. The pictures from the Maldives that many have seen in magazines or advertisements do not lie. This is exactly the classic image of heaven on earth: , turquoise sea ​​water, white pleasant sand, a palm tree bent over the beach, in a word - bounty!

The beaches in the Maldives are the best in the world!

And the mysterious Hawaii you may have seen more than once in the TV series “Lost” ( Lost). After all, they were the location where many episodes and scenes were filmed. This lush tropical vegetation, mountains, volcanoes and, of course, a great variety of beaches suitable for swimming and sunbathing, as well as for surfing and other water sports, simply could not leave you indifferent.

If you have already decided exactly what you want to go to Hawaii, and you need to choose an island and a beach, then I advise you to read my article on how to combine with big amount practical information.

It is important to know:

• Beach holidays will not disappoint you, whether you choose Hawaii (for example, a 5* hotel The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach) or a luxury resort Four Seasons in the Maldives. It's beautiful at both resorts. And what you like to do in your free time from sunbathing will have a decisive influence on your choice.

So let's start comparing the Maldives and Hawaii!

1. What kind of countries are these and the features of holidays in them?

• Many tourists do not realize until they start choosing a vacation spot that Maldives- is independent Island state, consisting of huge amount islands: inhabited local residents s, entirely converted into resort hotels, as well as uninhabited islands. In total, the state includes about 1,200 islands grouped into atolls. Read more.
• Hawaii same - this is large archipelago, consisting of seven large islands and some others smaller in size. All of them belong to the USA and are a separate state. Americans prefer to vacation in Hawaii in a rich way, so they plan their vacation trip there at least a year in advance. Tourists from all over the world also come to Hawaii to enjoy its unique natural beauty and charm. It is considered very prestigious to be there, and therefore the best Hawaiian hotels in high season are no cheaper than .

2. Do I need a visa?

• To visit the Maldives, citizens of almost all countries in the world do not need a visa at all. Upon arrival, a stamp is given allowing you to vacation in the country for no more than 30 days. It is quite possible to extend your vacation for some more time. Read how to do this in, which examines in detail all visa situations when visiting the Maldives.
• To visit Hawaii, you need a valid US visa. You can stay in America on a tourist visa for up to 6 months, but this is fraught with subsequent questions at the border upon your next entry and when receiving new visas. In any case, no matter how long your vacation, a regular American visa will be enough for you, which is best done in advance several months before your trip to America.

3. Location and where it is on the map

• The Maldives is located almost at the equator in Indian Ocean close to India and Sri Lanka. Read more.
• Hawaii is located in the northern part Pacific Ocean at west coast USA.

3. How long to fly and how to get there

• There are direct Aeroflot flights from Moscow to the Maldives. lasts 9 hours. You can also fly with transfers, which will also be approximately 12-15 hours, taking into account the time for transfers in Arab countries, Sri Lanka or Europe. Main airport The Maldives is located on a separate island, Hulule, 2 kilometers from the capital Male.
• There are no direct flights from Russia to Hawaii. From the European part of the country it is easier to fly through major US cities - New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and others. And from the east of Russia you can fly to Hawaii via Korea. Most of planes fly to the island of Oahu and the city of Honolulu. However, there are direct flights from the USA to other islands - Maui, the Big Island. Read more about the flight, which lasts 12 hours. From Los Angeles or any other US city in the west, it takes about 6 hours to fly to Honolulu.

Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives

4. When to go

• falls during the winter months: from December to April. It's Christmas time and New Year holidays, Valentine's Day and gender holidays on February 23 and March 8. At other times, the southwest humid monsoon reigns here. Read the detailed article:
• And the best time to go to Hawaii is in the summer - from June to September. Keep in mind that in America this is the time of mass vacations, so look for cheap air tickets in advance on the website Aviasales.

5. Features of culture

• The Maldives is a Muslim country in which all tourists are allowed to relax as they are used to only in resorts. Staying outside of them is a must. For example, vacationers on inexpensive island villages (for example, on) are extremely upset by the prohibition law in the Maldives. However, this does not concern tourists in resorts, because there they can wear a bikini.
• The Hawaiian Islands, although part of the United States, are proud of their indigenous Polynesian culture. Hula dancing, the gentle giant singer with a ukulele Israel and his unforgettable voice, the ancient belief in the volcano goddess Pele - all this is not forgotten and intertwined with modernity. The evening shows and dances are extremely interesting to watch. and if you love leisure, then do not forget that to travel around the island it is better to immediately rent a car at the airport, having previously booked on the website Rentalcars.

Developed infrastructure of Hawaii

6. Prices

• What is more expensive – Hawaii or the Maldives? The answer depends on the choice of island. The Maldives has excellent islands with very low prices, where the average cost of one day's holiday for two is about 200-300 dollars(For example, Kurumba And Baros). distant islands like a hotel Four Seasons They cost much more, but the comfort and service there are simply outrageous. The total cost of a holiday in the Maldives consists of the price of air tickets, hotel accommodation, meals in restaurants, excursions, additional services like massage and spa, as well as transfer to the hotel. Prices for a boat, seaplane or domestic flight vary greatly. To simplify, I would say that a week budget holiday in the Maldives with flights it will cost approximately $1500-2000 , and for a week and a half at the resort "" you will have to pay no less $3500 . Luxurious worth $5000-10000 .
• Things are different in Hawaii. A rather expensive flight to Honolulu or to other islands and serious prices for decent hotels will definitely say that luxury holiday in Hawaii it will be a little more expensive, because prices for a double room start from $250-300 per day, if you book in advance (see good 5-star hotels for example Halekulani or The Royal Hawaiian on the island of Oahu). Seems like an average hotel Hilton Garden Inn can be found for 150 dollars, but don't expect luxurious service there. Therefore, if we talk about an inexpensive way to relax in Hawaii, you will have to sacrifice the quality of services and comfort of living.

7. What money to take with you and how much

• The official currency of the Maldives is rufiyaa. However, in the Maldives, as in Cambodia, there are two currencies in use: the local rufiyaa, as well as U.S. dollars. Tourists can easily pay for all services in dollars, both in cash and by bank card. In the capital, you can pay in dollars everywhere, and get local currency for change at the normal rate. Almost no one pays in cash, and the total bill is usually issued at the end of the vacation, which is easier to pay with your credit card. Therefore, on a trip to the Maldives, in addition to the money in your card account, take a minimum of cash to pay for souvenirs and all sorts of small expenses; a few hundred US dollars will be enough. Read more about money and prices in the Maldives.
• When traveling to Hawaii, you must bring cash. U.S. dollars for small expenses and a bank card (preferably dollar). You can pay with cash in cafes and restaurants, but in taxis they only accept payment using a card. Hotels don't like to accept large amounts of cash either, so... credit card You will definitely need it, including for renting a car. Read about features and prices, as well as how to pay tips.

8. What to do while on vacation

There is another very important difference between the giants beach tourism Maldives and Hawaii.

• People go to the Maldives mainly for two reasons: to relax on the beach, along the shore, or to go diving. The small size of the island-hotel and the relaxed atmosphere immerse you in a sweet slumber, and you just want to relax in the Maldives. And sometimes have fun, try yourself in various water sports, ride a boat, go to desert island to the picnic, . It's still relaxation. And only experienced divers really push themselves in the Maldives. But it deserves it! Read more.
• And in Hawaii, you can not only fully explore the island you fly to, but if you wish, you can also fly to neighboring islands! Although tourists usually do not have enough time for this. I really wanted to go to Maui, but I didn’t have time to see even all the most interesting things that it offers. Here you can trek to an extinct volcano, see waterfalls, rent a car and drive around the island in search of great beaches, or ride a surf wave. And also visit military museums (Pearl Harbor). Nightlife is also very rich - clubs and concerts. In general, Hawaii is more suitable for lovers of active recreation, which can be successfully combined with visiting the beaches.

9. Shopping

• There is no special shopping in the Maldives, all you can do is relax.
• Shopping in Hawaii is simply excellent! I bought clothes from world brands here, excellent souvenirs for gifts and local sweets.

10. Attractions

• We can say that the best attractions in the Maldives are themselves Paradise islands! – this is exactly what everyone comes here for. There is no such atmosphere anywhere else in the world.
• But Hawaii is full of attractions - both natural, cultural and man-made.

The Hawaiian Islands, otherwise called the Sandwich Islands, are an archipelago formed as a result of volcanic activity, numbering more than 160 islands, including 24 quite large ones, located in the Pacific Ocean 5000 km from North America. They are part of the United States as the 50th state. Therefore, for a vacation in Hawaii you will need.

Panoramic view of the Honolulu coastline

There are not many Russians visiting these places for tourism purposes, due to the remoteness of the islands from Russia and the rather complicated process of obtaining a visa.

Before you receive required visa, you need to think about which vacation spot to choose. Each of the islands has its own attractions and offers different options for spending time. To make your choice easier, you can study the reviews of tourists who have already visited here on the forums or find out the reviews of your friends.

The largest island in the archipelago is Hawaii, called Big Island, since its area makes up more than 60% of the land area of ​​the entire archipelago, a famous reserve of seven volcanoes, including active ones, and many “wild” beaches that attract surfers.

Map of Hawaii showing all the islands

Another interesting place for tourists is the Laymana Museum of Hawaiian Antiquities, located in Hilo.

The island of Maui is slightly smaller in area. It was chosen for family holidays by fans of quiet and peaceful measured life. Its peculiarity is hotels with original design and unusual design and the presence of a large number of golf courses. Russians and tourists from other countries are attracted to Maui by the beauty of its picturesque mountain shelves.

The most densely populated island in the archipelago is the island of Oahu, whose inhabitants account for three-quarters of the population of the entire state. The capital, Honolulu, is also located on it.

Tourists are attracted to the world famous Waikiki Beach and a number of historical attractions (Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue and the Polynesian Cultural Center).

The island of Kauai (translated as “garden island”) is attractive for its waterfalls (more than twenty) and canyons, creating unique picturesque landscapes.
There is a monument to Captain Cook here because it was on Kauai that his expedition originally landed.

The island of Lanai will be preferred by those who like solitude. A bunch of wild beaches, rivers flowing from the very tops of the mountains, waterfalls and small lakes create unusual, beautiful corners.

Local Attractions

In addition to wonderful beaches and picturesque landscapes, a vacation in Hawaii may be of interest to the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, which has been operating since 1916. It is located on the very large island, includes seven mountain formations, both dormant and active. Here you can learn about the history of the formation of the archipelago.

The Big Island is also famous for its extensive coffee plantations, beach green sand(of which there are only two in the whole world), the highest mountain peak(if you include the underwater part) Mauna Kea and one of the most active volcanoes, Kilauea.

Active volcano Kilauea in Hawaii

On the neighboring island, Oahu, there is another representative of the “fire-breathing” mountains - the frozen Koolau volcano, which last erupted almost 200 thousand years ago. This natural monument is called “Diamond Head”. In the central part there are pineapple plantations.

Here is the Battleship Arizona Memorial, built on the remains of a sunken ship in Pearl Harbor, and a submarine museum. The Battleship Missouri Memorial, where the Japanese surrender pact was signed, ending World War II, is also popular.

The Hanauma Bay Marine Sanctuary is an ideal place for diving enthusiasts (fees have been available since 1998), and the Marine Life Park is an interesting place where you can get up close and personal with sea ​​lions and turtles, dolphins and stingrays.
On the island you can visit both the Buddhist temple and the Kawaihao Christian Church; an excursion to the Iolani Palace will reveal the entire history of the island. The state capital, Honolulu, also offers a traditional zoo, museums and a number of monuments, especially military ones, due to the presence of many American army bases on the islands.

So, let's start with what Hawaii is like.

Hawaiian Islands - the pearl of the United States. They form an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, almost entirely forming the US state of the same name, located on the northeastern edge of Polynesia. Once a major center for whaling, sugar cane and pineapple farming, Hawaii is now economically dependent on tourism and US military bases. Natural beauty continues to be one of Hawaii's greatest assets. Warm tropical climate, long coastline, curvy rainforests, waterfalls, rushing rivers flowing through canyons and active volcanoes turned the islands into popular place trips of tourists, surfers, biologists and volcanologists. And, of course, the beaches are golden, red, black and even green, caressed by the endless surf. Looking at all this splendor, you begin to understand why Americans call Hawaii "Aloha State", which means " happiness", "love" It is the last 50th state to join the United States on August 21, 1959, and the only one entirely made up of islands.

Hawaii also has excellent surfing conditions and active volcanoes spewing lava flows attract tourists from all over the world. In the Hawaiian Islands, you can go diving in coral reefs in the mornings and listen to guitar music at sunset. Hawaii is the juicy fruit of the lilikoya fruit and hibiscus flowers in the hair; this is Pacific cuisine, fiery red volcanoes and whales jumping out of the water.

The state capital is Honolulu - With modern multi-story city that lies on south coast oahu islands. Extended snow-white seasides and blue waters the oceans are ideal for swimming and sunbathing; surfers surrender themselves to the waves on the island's northern coast. And the resort town of Waikiki Beach is bustling night life. Honolulu is the largest "city" in the world because, according to the Hawaiian Constitution, every unnamed island belongs to the district that belongs to Honolulu. Thus, it includes almost the entire island of Oahu, as well as the uninhabited Northwestern Islands. Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is the only royal palace in USA.

One of interesting facts about Hawaii is what it is the most remote inhabited place on Earth : The islands are 3,850 km from the state of California (USA), 6,195 km from Japan and 7,885 km from China. Despite this, Hawaii has the highest population density of any US state. It has its own time zone, Hawaiian Standard Time (HST). There is no daylight saving time, so in the summer time in Hawaii is two hours behind the US West Coast, and in the winter it is three hours behind. By the way, Hawaii is the only state whose territory is constantly expanding (due to volcanic eruptions).

Islands of the Hawaiian archipelago

Hawaii has six islands accessible to tourists. They are all significantly different from each other. Great contrasts exist even within the same island, both in climate and in the presence of beaches, nature, and weather. Which island is the best? Apparently, the most best island objectively does not exist - it all depends on personal preferences, the purpose of the holiday and the company on the trip.

It’s probably better to split your stay between two or even three islands, but only a few “active” tourists want to hop from island to island (in the local jargon, “island hopping”). Most people want to take a break from long flights and finally completely relax. I recommend staying on one or two islands. There is only air communication between the islands. You can visit the neighboring islands on your own by renting a car, or go on a one-day excursion to the neighboring island.

For those visiting Hawaii for the first time, I recommend Oahu or Maui . Neighboring Islands can be visited on a one-day excursion.

Oahu:
The most urbanized and populated, but also the most diverse of the islands, with the world famous Waikiki Beach. Wide range of attractions and entertainment. There is everything for relaxation and entertainment: a nice compact city, museums, restaurants, 64 equipped beaches, three botanical gardens, world capital surfing North Shore, Pearl Harbor and, of course, Waikiki Beach. The area around this beach is concentrated a large number of hotels, restaurants and shops.

Despite the obvious crowding of people, cars, shops, there is no feeling of a “crowd”, and the beaches are quite free. Large selection of entertainment, trips, shops, restaurantsisland allows you to “remove” most of the tourists from the beach, especially since you can’t stand under the Hawaiian sun for a long time. The wonderful promenade along the beach, filled with boutiques, loitering crowds, street performers, restaurants, Hawaiian dance and music, is a constant favorite among tourists.

The Big Benefit of Vacationing on Oahu- no need to rent a car, the undeniable convenience of Waikiki beach, a variety of attractions, as well as entertainment in the evening. Oahu - a good choice, allowing you to get to know Hawaii while on the same island.

If your goal is to escape from civilization, then this is not the place for you. True, you will have to pay for the “escape” - a trip to other islands usually costs one and a half times more.

Leisure: Hiking in the mountains, snorkeling or scuba diving, horse riding, shark watching.

In the evening You can go to a Hawaiian luau show, take a boat ride on the ocean, or dine at one of the many restaurants.

Maui:
Maui is quintessential beach holiday in Hawaii. Undoubtedly beautiful island comes closest to the stereotype of a tropical island: beaches, palm trees, sunsets... Maui has a special, inexplicable atmosphere. Even the Hawaiians relax here and call it No Ka Oi - the best. The most popular among the American middle class (10 times the title of “the best island in the world” according to a survey of readers of Condenast magazine). On the most “non-Hawaiian” (there are the fewest Polynesians and locals here) party island there are excellent beaches, snorkeling, whales, diving, nature.

There are four main tourist areas on the island. Of these, two are the best and most popular:Wailea in the southeast and Kaanapali in the West. Vailea is built up with fashionable (primarily in terms of price) houses and hotels. Z Here are the best beaches, for example,Wailea- a wonderful combination of sandy bottom, waves for boogie boarding, reefs for snorkeling, sharks...(just kidding): Kaanapali- excellent site sandy beach kilometer long.

The western position protects from the wind of the second half of the day. There is a village nearbyLahaina- restaurants and shops along the embankment.

Main attractions and best entertainment:

• Haleakala Volcano National Park
• Iao Valley
• Hana Coast
• Snorkel - boat trip to the island of Molokini
• Scuba diving near the island of Lanai
• Whale watching (by season)
• Maui - the main hangout for humpback whales
• Submarine
• Helicopter - overflying the western slope of the Mauna Kahalawai volcano

Big Island - Hawaii:

Most tourists skip the island in favor of Oahu or Maui. Of course, big does not mean the best, but the island surpasses all others with a combination of beauty, traditionality, low population density and even price. In my opinion, the Big Island is not for everyone. It makes no sense to come here if you are planning to spend time on the beach. But in other respects, it is an absolutely unique island, the like of which does not exist in the world. I recommend the island to those who want to feel (however they manage) the “Hawaiian spirit” and see the “real Hawaii”.

It should be noted that many tourists prefer to visit the island on a one-day excursion by plane from Oahu or Maui (30-40 minutes). There are two large areas on the island: East Coast Hilo And West Bank Kona. The bulk of hotels and tourists are located on the sunny and warm side of Kona. This is due to the presence of beaches and the weather - it rains almost every day in Hilo.

Temperature fluctuates between 29-32 °C in summer and 18-21 °C in winter. Very rarely the temperature rises above 32 °C and drops below 16 °C.

Kauai:
Absolute champion in beauty. All covered with greenery, absolutely all - this is about Kauai. Small in size (only 40 by 60 km), but very clean - fresh greenery everywhere, calm (some say excessively), the island has amazingly beautiful views.

The garden island is one of the most beautiful in the Hawaiian archipelago. Suffice to say, residents of other Hawaiian islands come here when they want to enjoy the scenery. Lush vegetation of lush tropical forests (however devoid of snakes and predators), picturesque waterfalls, white beaches, and the turquoise waters of the ocean that harmonize with them.
Fantastic landscapes have long attracted the attention of Hollywood producers to the island. More than 300 films have been filmed on the island, including such famous ones as King Kong, Blue Hawaii and Jurassic Park.

Since more than 90 percent of the island is inaccessible to cars, there are many hiking trails among untouched nature. The few militantly patriotic residents of the island (35 thousand) are doing their best to prevent the construction of modern hotels and condos.

Kauai has two main tourist areas - Poipu in the south and Princeville in the north. The Poipu Beach area is the most popular among tourists. From my point of view, Princeville is preferable, it is closer to great beaches north coast.

You should visit Kauai mainly in the summer. Late autumn and in winter you can easily catch “rain for the whole week.”

It seems to me that this island is suitable for those who love active holidays: hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, or lonely walks along deserted beaches.

Molokai:
Many consider it the most “Hawaiian”. Very quiet and calm island dubbed "friendly". The island of Molokai escaped mass tourism. There are no modern hotels or expensive restaurants here. There are very few tourists on the island, measuring 16 by 60 kilometers, without traffic lights or high-rise buildings. Seven thousand residents, half of them Hawaiians, are in no hurry and are happy with life. At once attractive and unpopular, Molokai is for those who want a “simple” vacation without people or cars.

The island is ideal for solitary walks along deserted beaches or for a variety of hiking By historical places in the Halawa Valley. For many, the central event is a trip to the village of Kalaupapa, a former leper colony. Most interesting way visit the historical valley - still one of the most isolated places on the islands - on mules. A narrow path along high cliffs leads to the ocean 600 meters below. The road passes in sight of the famous cliffs of the northern coast of the island (marked in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest coastal cliffs in the world: more than one kilometer).

Top Attractions and Best Entertainment:

• Beautiful beaches with white and black volcanic sand
• Inspection of ancient pagan temples
• Bicycle rides
• National historical park Kalaupapa
• The longest white sand beach in Hawaii is Papohaku Beach.
• Palaau Park with its "phallic rock"
• Horseback riding
• Ocean kayaking to the barrier coral reefs
• Hiking through the picturesque Halawa Valley

Lanai:

This island was once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world and is now home to several exclusive resorts. A very small island of exclusive vacation for American and Japanese millionaires. Lanai Island located near Maui (half an hour by ferry). People come here to leisurely enjoy the game of golf, the climate, and the absence of people. Here you can shoot at clay pigeons, archery, scuba dive (one of best places in Hawaii), and even go hunting.

There are also a couple of islands that are not visited by tourists.

Niihau:

Niihau literally means "Forbidden Island". Tourists are prohibited from visiting this private island, which is home to a cattle and sheep ranch and a single village, Puuwai, with a population of about 200 residents. From the outside, life on Niihau has not changed much over the past century and a half - until today there is no running water, sewerage or electricity. Residents continue to speak Hawaiian; men work on the ranch, fishing and hunting; the women specialize in collecting tiny white Pupu Niihau shells (found only on this island) to make leis, which are valued at thousands of dollars. Holidays on the island are limited to helicopter tours.

Kahoolawe:

Kahoolawe, once a former US Navy training ground, remains uninhabited.

Hawaii's Best Natural Attractions

Volcanoes. The entire island chain is made up of volcanoes, so don't miss the opportunity to see at least one. Hike to the top of world-famous Diamond Head on Oahu. At the other end of the spectrum is fire-breathing Kilauea National Park Hawaiian volcanoes(Big Island of Hawaii) where you can see the hot lava up close. The island of Maui is famous for the beauty of the inactive crater of the Haleakala volcano.

Waterfalls are some of Hawaii's most beautiful natural attractions. If you are on Big Island, check out Rainbow Falls or the spectacular Akaka Falls near Hilo. On the island of Maui, scenic road to Hana passes by many beautiful waterfalls. At the end of the road you will see a nice place Oheo Gulch (often called the Seven Sacred Pools). North Shore and the Wailua area of ​​Kauai has many waterfalls. The 25-meter Wailua Falls is especially beautiful.

Garden of the Gods(Lanai): On the northern coast of Lanai is the stone Garden of the Gods: a windswept, deserted, but very beautiful place, with unusually shaped rocks protruding directly from the ground. Scientists call this landscape “badland,” that is, a highly rugged, infertile, eroded area. Ancient Hawaiians considered the Garden of the Gods to be a supernatural phenomenon. Barren land or mystical garden? Rent a car, visit the Garden of the Gods and draw your own conclusions.

Waimea Canyon(Kauai). Known for its reddish lava flows, the gorge is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Its counterpart on Kauai constantly changes color, but it is much smaller than the Arizona canyon - only one and a half kilometers wide, 16 km long and just over 900 meters deep. There are 72 km of hiking trails throughout the canyon (and the nearby Alakai Wilderness Preserve). The observation decks offer magnificent views of the canyon. Stop along the side of the road and spend a few minutes admiring this natural wonder, hiking or viewing it by helicopter.

Na Pali Coastindicated on each tourist map Kauai. This is one of the most spectacular attractions in Hawaii., the most unique natural corner of our planet. Featured in Jurassic Park and other Hollywood films, the coast features steep, jagged cliffs sloping down to pristine beaches. The beaches can only be reached by inflatable rubber boat, yacht, catamaran, or viewed from a helicopter. Serious hikers can brave the 18-kilometre ancient trail to Kalalau Beach.

Pali Coast. The Pali Coast in Northern Molokai (not to be confused with the Na Pali Coast) is another one of the most impressive natural wonders Hawaii. The Molokai Pali are considered the highest coastal cliffs in the world (up to 1200 m high). Tour operators offer kayaking from Halawa Bay to the Pali Coast. To view these cliffs from the air, book helicopter tours from nearby Maui . If you can't see the most beautiful coast Hawaii (not many Molokai tourists see it), don't miss the opportunity to take a look at it from the Kalaupapa Lookout. You will not see a stunningly beautiful panorama of rocks anywhere else in the world.

Best beaches

All the beaches in Hawaii, even in front of the hotels and resort complexes, are municipally owned by the state and are open to everyone. Hawaii State Law requires all resorts and hotels to provide right of way and access to the beach, along with public parking. If the beach is adjacent to the hotel, its staff has no right to prevent everyone from enjoying the water and relaxation. Moreover, if non-hotel clients want to rent equipment for aquatic species sports, buy a drink or eat a sandwich - money is money - the staff will be happy to provide it all. But you will not be allowed to use the sun loungers reserved for hotel clients. Nudists have nothing to do on Hawaiian beaches - nudity in in public places prohibited by state law.

Lanikai Beach(Oahu). Since the morning, photography enthusiasts have been trying to capture the famous sunrise at one of the most beautiful beaches Hawaii. Calm waves, White sand, beautiful panorama in all directions. There are no toilets, showers, or even parking for cars, but the beautiful beach with white sand and calm turquoise water completely compensates for these shortcomings. Two tiny sea ​​islands the background of the adjacent mountains complements the beauty of the picture.

Hapuna Beach(Big Island). Crescent-shaped and almost a kilometer long, this beach is regularly featured in many travel publications as the most beautiful beach in Hawaii, and many even consider it one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One look and you'll see why: soft, cream-colored sand disappears into the crystal clear waters of the ocean. Big waves in winter attract surfers, and camping conditions are some of the best in Hawaii.

Hanauma Bay(Hanauma Bay). Just 10 miles from Waikiki, Hanauma Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu. A small beach surrounded by palm trees is located in a crater extinct volcano, on one side destroyed by the ocean. A sheltered bay provides protection from strong currents and big waves- ideal conditions for swimmers and divers. Today this beach receives an average of 3,000 visitors per day, or about a million per year.

Haena Beach(Kauai). This curved beach on the north coast of the island has served as the filming location for many Hollywood films. Grainy golden sand and clear turquoise waters have made Hollywood's love affair with Haena Beach. The summer months roll in with calm waves for swimming and snorkeling; winter delights surfers with its powerful waves. Near the beach there is Maniniholo dry cave - a huge cave stretching several hundred meters deep into the rock.

When is the best time to go

Most visitors don't come to Hawaii when it's best weather but rather, they visit when cold weather sets in in their homeland. The busy season - when prices go up and resorts are often 100% booked - is from mid-December to late March or early April. The last 2 weeks of December are peak travel season for Hawaii. If you are planning a trip at this time, book a room in advance, expect a large influx of vacationers, be prepared to pay dearly for everything: hotel, car rental, air tickets, tours.

Spring (mid-April to mid-June) and autumn (September to mid-December) are the off-season. At this time, prices are creeping down, there are few vacationers on the islands, although this best season in Hawaii in terms of weather. If you're looking to save money or just want to avoid the influx of tourists, this is best time for visiting.

The exception is the end of April - beginning of May. The last week of April in Japan is called Golden Week because three Japanese holidays pass one after another. At this time of year, Hawaii is visited by many tourists from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Climate

and Hawaii does not have “seasons” as we understand the term. The climate has two annual cycles based on rainfall. Hawaii's "wet" season (lower temperatures and more precipitation) runs from approximately October to March, and its "dry" season (more heat and less precipitation), from April to September. Consequently, there is a higher chance of rain during the peak tourist season in late December or January. The rainy season sometimes brings quite gray weather, but it rarely rains for three days in a row.

In general, Hawaii has a mild and humid climate, all year round the temperature is not much different. Daytime temperatures usually range from +27 °C in winter and +31 °C in summer. Very rarely the air temperature exceeds +33 ° C even on the hottest days of summer. Ocean water temperature from +25 °C degrees in winter to +28 °C in summer time. As a rule, the difference between day and night temperatures does not exceed 12 °C.

But the climate largely depends on the location. Each island has a leeward (protected from the wind) and a windward (receiving the full force of the wind) side. Moist tropical air collides with the mountains, causing the windward sides (east and north) to tend to be cooler and wetter and the leeward sides (west and south) to tend to be hot and dry. If you want dry, clear weather, choose the leeward side. If the weather doesn't suit you, just go to the other side of the island.

Hawaii has many microclimates thanks to its inland valleys, coastal plains, and mountain peaks. Mount Waialeale on Kauai is the wettest place on earth, but Waimea Canyon, just a few kilometers away, is almost desert. Hilo on the Big Island is one of the rainiest cities in the US (450 mm of precipitation per year), but Puako, just 100 km away, has only 15 mm of precipitation per year. If you travel in the mountains, the climate can change from summer to winter within a few hours.

Tropical cyclones rage in the Hawaiian Islands from June to November. On rare occasions, natural disasters lead to catastrophic consequences, such as Hurricane Iniki on Kauai in September 1992. But this happens extremely rarely. Mainly, good weather follows day after day.

I wish you a great holiday!

How more people learns that I once wintered on these islands, located far away in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the more questions they have. In this article I will try to tell you about the main moments of my very first and therefore most unforgettable trip to a distant hillock.

While Thailand and wintering in Thailand are described in some detail on the Internet, Ukrainians and Russians still rarely get to Hawaii. It’s understandable: it’s far away, it’s expensive, it’s more difficult to get a visa... How did I manage to get to these paradise islands, at the age of 16, and even spend almost whole year absolutely free? As I recently promised in the comments to one of the articles, I’ll talk about this today... 😉

Part 1. Participation in the FSA FLEX selection

The FSA FLEX program is the Freedom Support Act Future Leader's Exchange Program. Translated: "Freedom Act - Future Leaders Exchange Program." In simple terms, this is an exchange program for students who come from post-Soviet countries to the United States to exchange culture, experience, knowledge, and this event is sponsored by no less than the US State Department.

FSA FLEX has existed since 1992, and since then more than 20 thousand people have visited America under this program. Today, schoolchildren from ten countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine can become participants in FSA FLEX. It is noteworthy that in 2003, teenagers from Belarus and Uzbekistan also came to the United States under this program, and I personally know these people, but now these countries are not on the list of participating countries. Politics however...

How the FSA FLEX Program Works

The bottom line is that any interested student aged 15 to 17 years from the above countries has the opportunity to take part in the competition completely free of charge. The main thing is to know about it and come to the right place at the right time and with the necessary documents on hands. The competition itself is held in several stages (in my opinion, four). It is logical that at each stage the vast majority of students are eliminated, and each stage is a whole bunch of surprises and nuances. Participants undergo a lot of different tests, for example, on the perception of live speech, listening, tests on grammar knowledge, etc. The very last stage consists of the task of writing three essays in English on completely unexpected topics. Each participant has only 45 minutes at their disposal, and even in their native language it is not always possible to get their bearings and formulate their thoughts so quickly. Works are submitted on click. A delay of one second means automatic exit from the program. Everything is very tough!

As far as I have heard, essays are checked by psychologists, in addition to other experts. In a word, the selection is really serious and according to many criteria - obvious and not so obvious. After writing the essay, the participants in the last round undergo an oral interview with a very important American, on whom a lot also depends... And then everyone can only wait for their work to be checked and a whole pile of documents, which takes several months. Absolutely everything is managed and managed by the Americans, and the work is sent for verification to the USA, so the possibility of bribing anyone is completely excluded.

As you can see, everything is quite difficult, but the game is worth the candle. Finalists of the program receive an unprecedented opportunity to study in the United States of America for an entire academic year completely free of charge. And everything is at the expense of the State Department and the host families, from plane tickets to pens, notebooks, school meals and hair shampoo.

So, schoolchildren from the countries of the former USSR come to the United States in August before the start of the school year. There are only 50 states in America, and before participating in the program, everyone signs a paper that if they become a finalist, they will agree to go to any of the fifty states, including Alaska or Hawaii. When we signed these documents, I remember exactly that it was very funny - everyone joked about who he thought would get to Alaska, and that he personally, of course, would go to Hawaii. But then no one seriously counted on this 100% - the program eliminates too many people, and the probability of getting to any particular place is too small.

To be honest, I really wanted to win and go to America, and in particular to Hawaii, where another girl from our class was already studying at that time. I looked at her photographs, listened to the stories that our classmates told about her journey - and I understood that it was difficult, but real! At that time, this was my most cherished dream, although I was well aware that at least going through several rounds of the program would be very, very difficult... Plus, I realized that the likelihood of me getting to Hawaii (even if successful) was so insignificant that even meeting a dinosaur on the street is even more likely... 😀 And yet, I hoped and worked hard, leaning on textbooks! I cannot help but say that I would not have been able to learn English if I had not had a simply amazing teacher and a Person with a capital P - Tamara Vasilievna. The second person who constantly encouraged me to learn the language was my mother. I am simply immensely grateful to these people, because knowledge in English changed my life forever!

When the results become known, the finalists of the program are called and informed that they have won. The organizers draw lots or choose a family based on compatibility... Nobody knows for sure how they do this, and it is also completely unrealistic to influence these results... As a result, each finalist learns about the state and city to which he is traveling, and a little later he They send a large envelope with instructions and information about the host family. American families participating in FSA FLEX are volunteers. It is in these families that schoolchildren from Ukraine and other countries of the former socialist camp are placed. Then everyone is assigned to study at their place of residence - in the most ordinary American schools.

An ordinary Hawaiian school, although almost new - Kapolei High School

The goal of the program, originally in 1992, was to remove the so-called Iron Curtain that separated the countries of the former Soviet Union from the capitalist world. Now, fortunately, the Iron Curtain has fallen long ago. But the FSA FLEX student exchange system continues to operate and is funded, so that every year there are more and more lucky students who receive a lot for their efforts in learning English. I think it’s incredibly great that the program works, although, of course, there are different opinions on this matter.

Criticism of the FSA FLEX program

1. Typically, I heard criticism from people who were not involved in the program. However, there are many exceptions. Indeed, it is quite difficult to organize such a program - everything must be thought out to the smallest detail. But no one has yet canceled the human factor.

Sometimes our schoolchildren get into trouble. No matter how experienced psychologists check the work, and no matter how hard the FSA FLEX organizers try to prepare teenagers, sometimes the system fails. The terms of the program clearly state that if a program participant is expelled from school, he returns home early. You also cannot break US laws, smoke, drink, engage in debauchery... much more. When our children find themselves in a land of great opportunity, and even abruptly leave their mother’s and father’s care, sometimes they fall under someone’s negative influence or simply go off the rails. Cases vary, but I can assure everyone that in 99% of them, as far as I heard, everyone completed the program successfully, regardless of the state, city and family in which they lived.

By the way, about families. It happens that our teenagers do not agree in character with their “adoptive parents,” their children or other family members. According to the terms of the program, in the event of irreconcilable conflicts, a replacement host family is allowed. I know a case where a girl from Moscow changed family twice. And every time they found her new family in Honolulu - exactly where she lived. In the end, there were moments in the third family that did not suit her, but she achieved a lot. Her first host family professed the Mormon religion. They forbade her to drink tea and coffee, determined what she was allowed to wear and what not, forced her to go to bed exactly at 9 pm, came up with a million more rules for her... By the way, the girl was from a very decent family, just the life of the party, and it wouldn’t get along I still had to work harder with her character. These “would-be parents” themselves did not have their own children, but for some reason they decided that they could experiment on a girl from Russia.

Some people come across a great family, but not everything is in order at school. For example, one girl was assigned to a school where only blacks studied, who constantly smoked weed, fought and were generally dysfunctional... Fun, right? Or someone might be accidentally placed in a black neighborhood. Let them say what they say about equality and lack of discrimination in America, but believe me, living as a white person in a black neighborhood and going to school every day where 99% of the students are black is not the best option spending a year of your life. Nothing bad may happen, but the team must be healthy and it is important for a teenager aged 15-17 to have his own social circle - people with whom he will be interested, comfortable and safe to communicate.

The list of possible problems goes on... Someone simply ends up with a bad school, or a bad coordinator of the host organization, unable to resolve pressing issues, or some other annoying nuisance...

And yet, mostly such cases are exceptions, although sometimes students remain dissatisfied with their families, schools, neighbors, and social circles, but continue to live in these conditions without telling anyone anything. Accordingly, their life in the USA turns into some kind of “departure”. Subsequently, you can hear a lot of criticism towards the program, family, and school from such people, but in fact, all problems within the program can be solved - in extreme cases, every student has almost a direct 24-hour number for the State Department. Level, huh!?

2. The second portion of criticism falls precisely on those who have never had anything to do with the FSA FLEX program. I’m talking about supporters of conspiracy theories... Especially for them, I would like to write that there is no catch in the program... But convincing people of something that they know better than anyone in the world is pointless. 🙂

Some believe that such programs are needed to zombify our people and almost to recruit special agents... Bug! What have I not heard in many years since participating in FLEX. And most importantly, sometimes they say such things as a joke, and sometimes in all seriousness...

Regarding brainwashing, I can say that every day each of us is given a dose of noodles. Don't you agree? What about this:

“Buy 190 toilet lids and receive a roll of toilet paper... Bounty - paradisaic delight... It is this chewing gum that best restores the acid-base balance... We will return the country to the people! Vote for... shhh..."

What is this if not manipulation of your opinion and consciousness?

Sometimes this stream of unnecessary zombie information makes your head spin. Many people are trying to brainwash us, and everyone faces this from birth and on every corner...

I can say with complete confidence that no special brainwashing approach was applied to me personally during the FSA FLEX program. I saw the whole life of a simple town in which ordinary American schoolchildren studied, communicated with them, made friends, played football, went to the cinema... Perhaps with a slight amendment that all this happened in Hawaii... But every state of America has its own amendments. By and large, Hawaii is still part of the United States, and if it weren’t for the climate and the presence of the ocean nearby, how would Hawaii be different from West Virginia or Ohio?

Although, of course, it’s difficult to judge, because I have not yet been fully to other US states except Hawaii. In any case, what follows will be about these paradise islands.

Here they are - Hawaii... =)

Part 2. How we were prepared for the trip to the USA

After the news that I was going to Hawaii for the whole academic year, many new people and events appeared in my life... The finalists of the program were brought together several times. FSA FLEX graduates (the so-called Alumni), American volunteers, American Councils employees and many others worked with us interesting people. Everyone got to know each other and talked to each other. Immediately before the trip, a Pre-departure orientation was organized for us. A whole event that consisted of the fact that we lived for several days at a recreation center, communicated in English, played American games, watched films, program graduates told us about their experiences... It was incredibly fun and great! Everyone asked each other: “Where are you going?” - “I'm in Missouri”, “I'm in Minnesota”... And I was a superstar because I was going to Hawaii. 🙂

Since then, I have been given the nickname “Aloha,” a Hawaiian greeting and the official name of the state. 🙂 Aleha... aloha... that’s what the other finalists of the program started calling me. The coolest thing was that all these people were very friendly, sociable, positive with a minimum amount of unnecessary show-offs and some other negative aspects. They could only envy someone as a joke, because everyone understood that it was just the fate that had fallen that way, and everyone expected a lot of interesting things from their next year in America. Where exactly to go was in second place. The main thing is that everyone here was a happy winner, who six months ago could only dream of traveling to the USA.

I can say with one hundred percent certainty that each of us is lucky to a certain extent, because the lottery’s share in this program is considerable. This is not mathematics - either you solved the problem or not... We were assessed on an incomprehensible scale - anyone could be eliminated at any moment... Or kicked out of the classroom for the slightest mistake - the discipline, as I already said, was very strict! In general, to some extent, all the finalists of the program, including me, were lucky! Honestly speaking!

Part 3. Flight to Hawaii

I had to fly on an airplane for the first time in my life, and immediately over such a long distance. If you draw a straight line on the globe, you will find out that the distance between Kiev and Honolulu is more than 12 thousand kilometers. Taking into account the fact that there are, of course, no direct flights, I had to cover a much greater distance by air. However, I didn’t have a drop of fear - only euphoria, joy, anticipation!

I was given air tickets completely free of charge, although people still ask my mother how much it cost to send her son to study in Hawaii. 🙂 Some of our people are like that, they don’t believe in anything! After the default, MMM and other crises, I readily understand them! They certainly don’t believe in a freebie that suddenly falls on a neighbor! 😉

1. Kyiv - Frankfurt am Main

The shortest flight on my route took me just a couple of hours to a huge airport, which is one of the largest air hubs in Europe. Frankfurt Airport is the third largest in Europe, one of the ten largest airports in the world, and through it air gate More than 50 million people move each year.

We flew to Frankfurt in a huge crowd - most of our flight was purchased specifically for FSA FLEX students. It is noteworthy that we all had to fly without taking off our branded blue T-shirts, so half of our plane was wearing blue T-shirts - it looked very positive. 🙂

However, the next flight was also a joint flight for most of the finalists.

2. Frankfurt am Main - New York

Yes, yes... We all flew to New York, and it was reality. For many of us, this was the only opportunity to go abroad at the age of 16, and we were proud of it, we wanted it, we were already looking forward to meeting our family and our new adventures in America.

The atmosphere on the plane was incomparable, the flight lasted about 7-8 hours, I don’t remember exactly. Everyone shared their emotions... Many managed to become close friends in the last weeks and months before leaving... The girls even cried, remembering the upcoming separation from their girlfriends and friends! Now there were many of us, but in a few hours everyone had to be on their own. We never met many people again... Some remained in the USA. Despite the two-year ban on re-entry into the United States, which we agreed to under the terms of the program, some guys and girls found workarounds and were able to return, enroll in American colleges... I am often asked why I didn’t stay, but I had no such goal and I didn't think about it for a second. Those who wanted it found solutions. Those who didn’t really want it couldn’t be found. Personally, I and many others simply did not look for them. But that was all later. At that moment we were flying towards our dream, which was about to come true.

I remember the flight over New York forever. The first thing I saw, you won’t believe it, was the Statue of Liberty, which flashed below under the clouds. We flew right over it, but because of the thick clouds, absolutely not a single building in the city was visible. But then a statue flashed between the clouds - half the plane saw it, so there could be no doubt! It was a cool feeling... As if she appeared to us on purpose and hid in the clouds again. Parallel reality!

It was then that I experienced for the first time what turbulence was. Nothing terrible happened - our large transatlantic liner just chickened out a little.

In New York we spent the night in a hotel. We were accommodated two people each, and the hotel was very decent. I don’t remember anything else - neither the names, nor how we drove through New York. There were some fragments of memories, frames left... Everything was as if in a dream. I remember that in the morning a bus picked us up and took us back to the airport. We said goodbye to some of the guys immediately upon arrival in New York, since they had to travel further by ground transport. But many flew to distant states - Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington State - although almost all on different planes...

3. New York - Salt Lake City

On the next plane there were only two of us in blue T-shirts. Me and some guy with whom I had not really communicated at all before, but for a few hours we became almost best friends. 🙂 We exchanged emails, then we probably corresponded for a month, and then Hawaiian life completely absorbed me, so that I even began to write to my really close friends less often)) I’m sure they forgave me!)

At the airport in the city of Salt Lake City, as the Americans abbreviately call Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, I was left alone for several hours. I had to wait for a connecting flight... And I just walked around the airport, looked at duty-free windows, rode the escalators... Then I found my terminal, sat down on a bench, noticed that Americans prefer to sit on carpet - for some reason they are not satisfied with comfortable seats... 🙂 I marveled at these miracles of miracles, and then found out that my flight was postponed...

The organizers gave us all a magic phone number - we had to call it free of charge from any payphone in case something happened or the flight was delayed. I called from the nearest phone - the woman on the other end of the line listened to me and told me not to worry, that everything was fine. And I wasn’t worried. 🙂

Saw the first people wearing Hawaiian leis. Then I didn’t yet know that these were “leis” - but it turned out that this is the name of the famous wreaths of Hawaiian flowers... I saw the first very, very fat people! Although no, I saw them back in NY. 🙂

The wait for the plane lasted a long time for me - there was absolutely no one I knew around. And yet, the people who waited with me were confirmation to me that everything was going according to plan. No one was nervous, everyone was waiting, sitting on the carpet. 🙂 Through the huge window of the airport building, I had the opportunity to look at the sandy-brown city. From the outside it seemed that Salt Lake City was located in the crater of a volcano, which was surrounded by desert... I began to imagine what this city was like if you looked deeper into it. In the end, I decided that the nature of Utah was rather poor, and the city of SLC was boring and dusty. I don’t know if it’s really true, but the high-rise buildings looked depressing against the backdrop of lifeless mountains and sand. “It’s also hot here in the summer, and probably very cold in the winter,” I thought and grinned. Once again I was glad that fate was throwing me not into some gloomy and dull place, but into a fabulous tropical island with the sweet-sounding name Oahu...

Soon our plane finally decided to perform the feat... And we began to rapidly approach the Hawaiian Islands.

4. Salt Lake City - Honolulu

How can you get to Hawaii if you are 16 years old and your parents have worked at a factory all their lives, earning fairly modest money even by the standards of your not-so-rich city? How to get to Hawaii if you were born in a non-existent state, and live in one of the poorest countries in Europe, twelve thousand kilometers from Hawaii? How to get there if you have previously only heard about this place in jokes about new Russians? Finally, how to get to Hawaii if the coolest trips in your life were trips on the Zaporozhets to Gelendzhik? 🙂

On a bright sunny day in early August 2003, I first set foot on the island of Oahu, which became my second home for one school year, and for my soul, perhaps, for the rest of my life.

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— how to get to Honolulu and how to combine great holiday in California and then take a trip to Hawaii. Los Angeles offers varied holiday— here you can learn the secrets of cinema, go surfing, go by car to various National parks and authentic towns on the Pacific coast. But, unfortunately, there is no classic beach holiday in Los Angeles. But on the Hawaiian Islands you can sunbathe on the beach and swim in the ocean as much as you like - the water is warm, and the reefs and lagoons in the coves protect you from the big waves of the Pacific Ocean.

In this article I will tell you how to arrange the best one for yourself vacation in Hawaii: how to fly to Hawaii Honolulu airport how to organize transfer to your hotel on Waikiki Beach. I will also give examples of the best beaches on Oahu and Maui so that you can choose.

1. Buy a ticket for a flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL), see cheap air tickets on the website Aviasales.ru →
2. Choose a beach on the island of Oahu and book a good hotel near it on the website Booking.com →
3. If necessary, book a car rental on the website Rentalcars.com →
4. Get there from international airport Honolulu to hotel
5. Relax on best beaches Hawaii

Now let's talk in more detail about each of these five points.

Flight to Hawaii in the USA

Hawaii and their capital, Honolulu, is in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, a six-hour flight from Los Angeles. Many airlines fly here, so you just need to choose a flight that suits the time and price. When I bought a ticket from Los Angeles to Honolulu, I flew with Delta, and I will say that it was a very comfortable flight. Six hours passed almost unnoticed.

By the way, from Moscow to Honolulu You can only fly with transfers - through Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle or New York. See cheap flights.

Recommendation: in my opinion, combining a trip to California and a vacation in Hawaii (which I managed to do without any problems) is much more interesting than traveling there separately. Therefore, it is worth buying tickets in advance in the USA both to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to Hawaii. Why in advance? Yes, because summer in the States is a period of mass vacations for Americans (much like in Russia, only on a larger scale). And since North Americans are accustomed to planning their vacations in advance, they can snag tickets on all the best flights while you put off deciding on your airline tickets.

Honolulu Airport in Hawaii

IN Honolulu airport(Honolulu International Airport, HNL) on the island of Oahu you immediately understand that you are in a completely different world: it is still the USA, but there is already a Polynesian sky above your head. There is a pleasant humidity in the air, which almost never happens in Los Angeles. In addition, at the airport in Hawaii everything is very convenient: you can immediately rent a car and go to your hotel, or take a taxi or even take a bus to tourist centre— Waikiki. If you come on a tour to Hawaii, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about anything,

Good to know:

• Honolulu Airport is located near the city center (only 7 km) and almost next to the mecca of beach life - Waikiki (12 km).
• Good news for travelers from Russia: you don’t need a separate visa for Hawaii, like for the islands French Polynesia(Tahiti and Bora Bora). Since Hawaii is one of the 50 states of America, a US visa is valid here.

Honolulu Airport on the map

How to get from Honolulu Airport to downtown Oahu

• On Waikiki Express(Airport Waikiki Express) can be sent directly to your hotel for just $16. This service is usually booked in advance, so you will be met at the airport with a sign. You can easily recognize company representatives by their yellow traditional Hawaiian shirts. However, it is worth remembering that this is not personal transport, and it will travel to Waikiki with all stops at each hotel. The east of the airport your hotel is located, the longer this trip will be.
• Buses numbers 19 and 20 depart every half hour from stops 913, 914, 915 in front of the airport and go to the center of Waikiki. The bus fare is only $2.5 per person. This option is only available to those who have little luggage.
• By rented car. Parking at Waikiki hotels usually costs $20-35 per day. The cost of car rental and conditions can be found on the car rental website Rentalcars.com (follow the link).
• On Taxi. The cost of a trip to the city center will be $30-40 plus tip. Traveling with three of us is more profitable than taking an express bus, and it’s faster in terms of time.

Waikiki - Oahu's tourist center

Waikiki(Waikiki) is a large, bustling beach 2.5 km long, located in the southern part of the island of Oahu and is a huge tourist center with all the necessary infrastructure. There are high-rise first-class hotels right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, many shops and fashion boutiques are located nearby. There are always a lot of people here, because this is the most comfortable spot for those who want to relax in Hawaii, but do not want to travel far from the airport.

If you want to live in the thick of things, then you should definitely choose Waikiki beach. I also lived in Waikiki, because first I wanted to go trekking to the Diamond Head volcano, and then see the rather interesting Honolulu Zoo. And the best shopping in Hawaii is also on the streets of Waikiki.

My impressions of Waikiki: Despite the fact that I arrived in the summer, it was the beginning of June, and there weren’t very many people on the beach yet, so I was able to relax to the fullest! I would especially like to note that the quality of your holiday in Hawaii is significantly influenced by the hotel; you should not skimp on comfort here.

• Two of Waikiki's finest hotels are four-star hotels right on Waikiki Beach with their own oceanfront pool and beachfront boardwalk that needs no further introduction:
• 3* hotel near the beach and ocean view - Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel >>
• Waikiki apartment with full kitchen close to Ala Moana Park and Beach. This great option for those who want to be in the center, but also have access to... crowded beach. Look Waikiki Studio >>

Maui Airport called Kahului(Kahului Airport, OGG) and is the second major tourist hub in Hawaii after Oahu. You can fly here not only from Honolulu, but also by direct flight from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anchorage and other cities in the USA and Canada.

How to get from Maui Airport to your hotel:

• By car. Most of the hotels are located in Lahaina, Wailea and Kaanapali. Renting a car in Hawaii is not very expensive; prices can be found on this website.
• By shuttle. The Express Shuttle provides a service to transport guests to their hotel on Maui. The cost of the trip is from 24 to 44 dollars one way (depending on the chosen beach).
• By taxi. average price Taxi rides on the island of Maui range from $72 to $85.
• By bus. With transfers from the Pick Up Zone #3 stop, you can travel directly from the airport to popular beaches on Maui. Bus tickets in Hawaii are only $2 per trip.

It is better to stay on the island of Maui in Hawaii in one of the most good hotels close to the beach. You can use our recommendation, or choose the most suitable one for yourself in terms of comfort and price.

Here best hotels on Maui:

• In Wailea and near Wailea Beach - Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea >>
• In Kaanapali - a traditional tourist town like Waikiki - Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas >>