Andy Mahr
Oahu's Waikiki beach glitters at night
The islands make up our very own tropical paradise, a startlingly beautiful mix of lush tropical forest, velvety sand beaches, and serrate volcanic peaks. The rich, distinctive culture blends customs of the Polynesians who arrived about 1,500 years ago, the American and European missionaries and whalers of the 19th century, and subsequent Portuguese and Asian plantation and ranch workers. The world’s most isolated archipelago, Hawaii is just about as exotic as this country gets. Yet in 2009, on its 50th birthday, the 50th state is more accessible than ever.
For the first time in years, airfares to Hawaii are affordable. Luxury resorts are pitching not just free nights but also resort and airline credits and perks ranging from complimentary rental cars and spa treatments to green fee credits on famous courses.
The state of Hawaii includes eight volcanic islands and hundreds of unoccupied atolls, but the main tourist islands are Oahu, home of the capital, Honolulu; Kauai; Maui; and Hawaii, always called the Big Island. Each island is unique, with its own tenor and look, though all offer the chance to listen to slack key guitar, learn to paddleboard (all the rage), chase rainbows, and eat fresh fish with unpronounceable names. These days, new resorts are springing up, and most of the classic hotels have just undergone cutting-edge remodelings. Add to that a rising restaurant scene, and Hawaii is downright irresistible.
View our Hawaii slideshow by photographer Andy Mahr for a closer look at the rich, enticing beauty of the 50th state.
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$799+: Oahu & Maui 6-nt combo w/airfare & hotels BeachDestinations.com
$775+: 6-nt Oahu & Kauai vacation w/all flights & hotels BeachDestinations.com
$1429+: Lanai & Oahu 6-nt getaway /all flights & hotels BeachDestinations.com
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Hawaii Getaways from $139/Night Editors' Review
$592+: Relaxing Oahu 4-nt beach trip w/flight from LA Castle Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki
$695+: Hawaii 7-nt beach vacation w/air from San Francisco Delta Vacations
$818+: Hawaii 5-nt beach getaway w/air from St. Paul Delta Vacations
$821+: Kid-friendly Kauai resort w/tennis 4 nts & air Aston Aloha Beach Hotel
$769+: Hip Honolulu getaway on beach 4 nts w/air Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
$823+: Kid-friendly Hawaii resort & spa 4 nts w/flight Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
$769+: Centrally located Waikiki hotel nr zoo 4 nts w/flight Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
$807+: Hawaii 4-nt escape at resort & spa w/golf (air incl.) Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
$713+: Kona Coast condominium beach resort 4 nts w/air Castle Kona Bali Kai
$755+: Oahu 4nts w/air at 4-star beach resort & spa Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
$597+: Kauai 4-nts at budget beach hotel w/air from LA Kauai Sands Hotel
$583+: Oahu 4-nt golf getaway w/ free nt & flight from LA Makaha Resort Golf Club
$668+: Hilo Seaside Hotel Expedia
$729+: 3-star Royal Kona Resort Expedia
$599+: Hawaii 7-night cruise on Norwegian Pride of America Norwegian
$699+: Balcony cabin 7-nt romantic Hawaii cruise w/credit CruisesOnly
$1144+: 14-nt Hawaii cruise to/from LA w/Mexico this Jan CruiseDealership.com
$1144+: 14 nt discounted Hawaii cruise on Golden Princess CruiseDealership.com
Early-Booking Hawaii Cruise from $919 Editors' Review
Last-Minute Hawaii Cruise from $499 Editors' Review
NCL 10-Day Hawaii Package from $999 Editors' Review
$849+: 10-nt Hawaii cruise to Vancouver w/Kona next Sept Royal Caribbean
$1199+: Hawaiian 12-nt cruise from Vancouver Royal Caribbean
$849+: Hawaii 12-nt cruise from Vancouver w/Maui & more Expedia
$1199+: Hawaii 7-nt cruise in balcony plus 2-nt hotel stay Norwegian Cruise Line
$69/nt+: Waikiki Beach boutique hotel w/spa & fitness center Travelocity
$339/nt+: Beachfront Hawaii resort w/3rd night free Perfect Escapes
$339/nt+: Oceanfront resort by golf & shops w/upgrade in Maui Perfect Escapes
$299/nt+: Lush spa resort w/brkfst buffet & upgrades in Kauai Perfect Escapes
$179/nt+: Oceanfront Hawaii resort for $100 off Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
$124/nt+: Waikiki 4-nt stay at beautiful boutique hotel Perfect Escapes
$165/nt+: Luxury Waikiki Beach resort & spa w/free upgrade Perfect Escapes
$499/nt+: Luxurious oceanfront resort on Big Island The Fairmont Orchid
Up to 50% off: Save big on condos in FL, Hawaii, Cali & more Hotels.com
$131/nt+: Oceanfront resort in Hawaii nr shopping & dining Royal Kona Resort
$225/nt+: Four-star ocean resort nr Hideaway beach Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
$99/nt+: Oceanfront condo resort on Hawaii's Kona Coast Castle Kona Bali Kai
$82/nt+: Budget Hilo hotel nr downtown Hilo Seaside Hotel
$100/nt+: Budget Maui hotel w/volleyball & tennis courts Aston Maui Lu
$199/nt+: Upscale Maui hotel w/golf, tennis & gardens Makena Beach and Golf Resort
$199/nt+: Gorgeous Hawaii resort with pool & spa Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
$172/nt+: Honolulu hotel nr shopping & Waikiki beach Waikiki Parc Hotel
$119/nt+: Condo resort w/ pool & tennis nr beach Outrigger Aina Nalu
$499/nt+: 4-star The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Expedia