Written by Jaden Parker
Aloha! Happy National Hawaii Day!
Started in 2015 to honor Hawaii becoming the 50th state, National Hawaii Day is celebrated across its eight islands: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. Located 2,000 miles from the U.S. mainland, Hawaii was a U.S. Naval base during Pearl Harbor before it became a proper state. It has its own time zone, is the most diverse state in the United States, and is the only state located outside North America. It is also the only state that’s an archipelago, or group of islands, with its own language called Ōlelo Hawaiʻi.
The first Hawaiians came to the islands by navigating the stars. Paradise can never be untouched; so—as is common in history—colonizers came. In 1778, European Captain James Cook arrived in Kauai. When he returned, he was killed by the Polynesians inhabiting the island. This defeat allowed the beloved King Kamehameha to rule over all the islands starting in 1795. Despite his death in 1819, Hawaiians celebrate him every June 11th with parades. A year following his death, Western civilizations brought diseases that killed roughly 200,000 Hawaiians.
King Kalākaua replaced Kamehameha in 1874 and would become the first ever monarch to travel around the world. He toured the globe in 1881 for diplomatic purposes. The last ruler of Hawaii was Queen Lili’uokalani who was imprisoned in the 1890s. She penned Hawaii’s song “Aloha Oe.” The Kingdom of Hawaii was soon overthrown by Americans and Europeans in 1893. Having control of the economy, they made it the Republic of Hawaii.
Eating in Hawaii is such a cultural and exquisitely culinary experience. The top five dishes to try in Hawaii are the following:
- Poi (steamed/baked taro root paste)
- Laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves cooked in an underground rock oven)
- Kalua pig (slow-roasted pork similar to American pulled pork)
- Poke (Hawaiian version of Japanese sashimi; instead of sliced raw fish, it is cubed)
- Lomi Salmon (salted raw salmon with diced tomatoes, onions, and chilis)
And of course, no article on Hawaii can leave out the beautiful sights to be seen and excursions to enjoy while visiting. We’ve collected some of our favorites for you!
- Take a kayak tour to see whales and snorkel with green sea turtles
- Zipline through the trees of Halawa and swim under a private waterfall
- Take a helicopter tour and get aerial photos of the Kilauea volcano
- Channel your inner mermaid and get mermaid swim lessons
- Raft along the coastline created from Mount Haleakala’s most recent eruption
- Visit the Maui Ocean Center and enjoy the 3D Sphere Experience
- Take a PacWhale Eco-Adventures cruise owned by the Pacific Whale Foundation nonprofit
- Enjoy Waikiki’s only oceanfront dinner show at the Aha’aina Luau
- Visit the Lydgate Farms for a tour and chocolate tasting
- Visit Kapalua’s historic Cliff House that gives you great views of the Pacific Ocean
- Go to the Polynesian Cultural Center to see Ha: Breath of Life
- Go on a farm tour where you can see a beehive demonstration and learn about Hawaii’s honey
- Visit the world’s largest plant maze and ride on the Pineapple Express train in Wahiawa
- Take a gyroplane flight lesson
- See HUKI: A Canoe Celebration at the Polynesian Cultural Center
- Tour Hawaii’s numerous volcanoes and take an overnight trip to stargaze
A hui hou, and mahalo nui loa!
Want to take your own little trip to Hawaii? ALLMYNE has everything you could need for an effortless and relaxing vacation. Our services include getting you connected with local guides, giving you a personalized itinerary, and granting access to your very own travel journal!
