Island Resort Location Maps

Kauai, The Garden Isle

Click Here to view 2008 Kauai Map

Kauai is lush, tropical and wild. With cascading waterfalls and towering green mountains, this island is what most people imagine Hawaii to be like.

From the spectacular views at Waimea Canyon to the verdant vistas along the Napali Coast, Kauai can take your breath away. More and more people are coming to Kauai because they are attracted to its natural beauty and laidback atmosphere. Visitors are also drawn to Kauai for its gorgeous tropical rainforests, some of which can only be accessed by helicopter. These aerial tours take you into the heart of the island and offer spectacular scenic views that will remain with you long after your vacation ends.

Facts: Population 58,303, Area 552 sq. miles

The "Garden Island" offers magnificent scenery and lush vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, the spectacular Waimea Canyon, the great "hidden" valley of Kalalau, colorful tropical plants and flowers. Landmarks: Hanalei Bay, Wailua River, Nawiliwili Bay, Poipu Beach.

Flower: Mokihana (Green Berry)

Island Color: Purple

Family Fun: The traditions of the many cultures that make up life on Kauai center around ohana (family). Here, children are not only welcomed; they’re celebrated. This unique corner of the tropics is a virtual playground for children. Family-oriented accommodations, activities and restaurants make family trips safe, easy, fun and economical.
The Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum in Kapaa isn’t just for children. Interactive exhibits, virtual reality games, and hands-on science and art activities will delight adults as well. On Saturdays, the Starlight Planetarium Program tells how the Polynesian voyagers used the stars, winds and ocean to navigate their canoes across the Pacific.
Most of the major resorts on Kauai have programs for kids that include fun, educational activities like Hawaiian crafts and cultural activities, fishing, beach games, nature walks, surfing lessons, sand sculpture contests, coconut frond weaving, tide pool explorations, tours of historic sites, and fieldtrips led by local naturalists and other experts.

Adventures: Kauai’s spectacular natural environment and easy accessibility make it a perfect destination for today’s adventure-seeker.
Take an invigorating mountain bike ride down Waimea Canyon Road, an interpretive nature ride through the native forests of Kokee State Park, or just a leisurely cruise on the beach. You can rent mountain bikes and take guided tours on the Island’s north, south and east shores.
Kauai is also a hiker’s paradise. The rewards are unparalleled views, tropical vegetation, streams, waterfalls, swimming holes and most of all, exquisite isolation. The Napali Coast/Waimea Canyon/Kokee region has the most extensive network of trails, and there are a few others near the Wailua River.
Kauai’s mountainous interior is also accessible by helicopter. Ride the skies into the waterfall-lined crater of Mt. Waialeale or skim through a twisting valley of the Napali coastline. Helicopter flight-seeing tours are available from Lihue, Port Allen and Princeville.
By land, by sea, or by air, Kauai is a refreshing fantasy full of adventure and discovery.

Golf: Like the Hollywood filmmakers who shoot here, golfers go on location to Kauai for the spectacular scenic backdrops. Of course, they also enjoy a good challenge. Here, the courses are crafted by nature and helped along by some of the game’s most talented architects. The views could be considered an obstacle, as your mind may wander onto seaside cliffs, into forested hills, or smack-dab into the ocean. Just don’t let your ball do the same. Each of Kauai’s courses has its own definition of “breathtaking” and there’s always one nearby no matter where you stay. Whichever one you choose, you can count on breathtaking views and demanding play hole after hole.

Photo courtesy: Princeville Resort, Grand Hyatt Kauai, HVCB/Robert Coello, Kauai Sea Tours & Aloha Tee Times
Text & Facts courtesy: HVCB

Lanai - The Pineapple Island

Click Here to view 2008 Lanai Map

Like the other islands, Lanai has its own special unique flavor and feel. It’s one of the smallest islands, but don’t let its small size fool you – you’ll be surprised at how much Lanai has to offer.

This charming island is home to just over 3,000 people, making it the perfect place for rest relaxation, rejuvenation, rediscovery and romance. From beautiful Manele Bay to the bumpy road and scenic views of the Munro Trail, you'll find a wide range of activities to please just about everyone. Golf on two challenging courses or go snorkeling in crystal clear waters at Hulopoe Beach. The resorts also offer excellent services for your indulgence.

Facts: Population 3,193, Area 140 sq. miles

"Hawaii's Most Enticing Island." Formerly known as the "Pineapple Island," almost the entire island was, until recently, a Dole Company pineapple plantation but is now phasing in tourism, and is home to two world class resorts.

Flower: Kaunaoa (Yellow and Orange Air Plant)

Island Color: Orange

Family Fun: A 141-square mile playground for children of all ages, Lanai abounds with opportunity for new discoveries. Here you can take your family on a thrilling 4x4 excursion into remote Keahikawelo or along the sands of Kaiolohia Bay to marvel at the rusting Liberty Ship grounded just offshore. Or spend a day peering into tide pools while keeping an eye out for spinner dolphins and humpbacks at play in the turquoise waters just beyond. Or learn an ancient art like hula or lei-making from a local resident eager to share in the island’s rich traditions.
Yet with all the things to do here, Lanai is perhaps most attractive to families for what it doesn’t offer: crowds and traffic. With hardly any crowds and practically no traffic, what more could a parent ask for?

Adventures: More often than not, you will have an entire stretch of sand all to yourself. It’s no wonder Lanai is known as Hawaii’s “Most Exclusive Island.” While most visitors seem to enjoy just sitting and soaking it all in, you can also choose among popular water sports including snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing. One of the island’s most prized attractions is glorious Hulopoe Bay, a marine conservation area prized by divers and snorkelers for its vivid tropical reef fish. Here you can spend days splashing in the warm waters, where spinner dolphins are just as likely to frolic.

Golf: The Experience at Koele is an 18-hole championship course designed by legends Greg Norman and Ted Robinson. Here each and every hole is graced with awe-inspiring vistas, from mountain ravines to Pacific expanses to the neighboring Maui and Molokai across the channel. This dramatic course is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience. Along the southern coast, Jack Nicklaus created one of his most famous masterpieces, The Challenge at Manele golf course. Set on the cliffs above Hulopoe Bay, this target-style course roams across several hundred acres of natural lava outcroppings, using plunging ravines, native kiawe, and trees as natural hazards. Both courses consistently rank among the best in the world by leading publications and travel guides.

Photo courtesy: Four Seasons Resort Lanai (surfing photo by John C. Russell), HVCB/Ron Dahlquist (golf course photo)
Text & Facts courtesy: HVCB

Maui, The Valley Isle

Click Here to view 2008 Maui Map

Ah, the magic of Maui… is it any wonder that the humpback whales choose Maui as part of their annual migratory route?

With white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Maui is ideal for sunbathing, snorkeling and snoozing! But once you’ve gotten enough sun, Maui’s also a great place for shopping and sightseeing. The old whaling town of Lahaina is home to many quaint shops and eclectic art galleries. On the opposite side of the island, the long road to Hana will lead you to the waterfall fed pools at Oheo Gulch, a perfect place to stretch your legs and take in the view. After touring the island, you may need to unwind in Wailea with a pampering spa treatment. It’s no wonder visitors return here year after year.

Facts: Population 117,644, Area 727 sq. miles

The "Magic Isle" produces sugar, pineapple, cattle and horses. The 10,023-foot Haleakala is the largest dormant volcano crater in the world. Lahaina was Hawaii's capital before 1845, and still has some of the atmosphere of an old whaling town. Nearby are the Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas and golf courses. Hana and Iao Valley draw many visitors.

Flower: Lokelani (Pink Cottage Rose)

Island Color: Pink

Be careful or you'll be hooked. As the natives say, "Maui no ka oi" - Maui is the best!

Family Fun: While famous around the world as an unforgettable honeymoon destination, Maui also offers an abundance of family-friendly attractions too. Take a trek through a bamboo forest and scout for rare tropical birds. Spend each day on a different beach. Hike down an ancient path, or straight up a volcano. Take a road trip to the other side of the island, or take a glass-bottom boat ride to a whole new world. And be sure to check out the wonderful Maui Ocean Center, featuring a 750,000-gallon, open-ocean tank with a walk-through acrylic tube.
Several of the larger resort hotels provide supervised activity programs for young guests, giving them a unique opportunity to experience Hawaii’s culture. And many hotels and resorts offer special family rates that often include free accommodations and meals for children under twelve.

Adventures: From brilliant pearl white, to stark volcanic black, the sands of Maui beaches are as varied as the people who come from around the world to enjoy them. And here you will definitely find a beach that suits you perfectly. Some beaches are so small and tucked away you’ll need an experienced guide to help you find them, while others — like famous Kaanapali or Wailea — are ranked among the best beaches in the country. And when you’ve had enough fun in the sand, a world of water activities awaits you. Snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, skim boarding, jet-skiing, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing and charters of every kind can be found on Maui.

Golf: For many of the sport’s most avid fans, the words “golf” and “Maui” are virtually synonymous. Nowhere else is the Pacific quite so blue, the fairways so green, and the sunlight so perfectly golden. Maui boasts over 15 golf courses, several of which are ranked at or near the top of the “world’s best” lists. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a more dramatic setting for these 18-hole masterpieces, with fairways abutting ancient lava flows, tees surrounded by palm groves, and greens arched by rainbows created in the ocean mist. The island is home to several public and resort courses, and is the setting for many of the world’s most famous professional tournaments (you never know when you might bump into a legend in the clubhouse).

Photo courtesy: Kapalua Villas, Old Lahaina Luau, HVCB, Sheraton Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
Text & Facts courtesy: HVCB

Molokai - The Friendly Isle

Click Here to view 2008 Molokai Map

Ready for some peace and quiet? You’ll find it on the island of Molokai, where the most noise you’ll probably hear is at the bakery in Kaunakakai with folks lined-up for steaming hot cinnamon rolls and freshly baked breads.

Molokai offers the perfect place for ultimate relaxation, though you can always find some interesting things to do. Try your hand at fishing with the locals or be adventurous and go sportfishing out in the open ocean. Intimate hiking and breathtaking bicycle tours are also available. For a truly unique experience, visitors aged 16 years and older can take a mule ride down the steep cliff to Kalaupapa National Historical Park, the isolated and historic settlement of those inflicted with Hansen’s Disease.

Facts: Population 7,404, Area 260 sq. miles

The "Friendly Isle" has diversified agriculture, ranching, tourism and the world's highest sea cliffs along its northern coast. On a 13-square-mile peninsula below high cliffs is Kalaupapa, the Hansen's Disease settlement, officially called Kalawao County, a National Historical Park.

Flower: White Kukui Blossom

Island Color: Green

Family Fun: Kids love Molokai! And why wouldn’t they – they’re free to run wild over miles of open wilderness, explore tide pools teeming with exotic sea creatures, comb untracked beaches for treasures carried in by the sea, or learn to rope cattle with a real island ranch hand. And for junior astronomers, a trip to Molokai is truly an eye-opening experience – cloudless nights open to a brilliant blanket of stars unmarred by the glow of city lights.
On Molokai, as is true throughout the Islands of Aloha, keiki (children) are treated with an extra measure of hospitality. The gentle nature of Molokai residents makes a one-on-one hula demonstration or lei-making lesson all the more unforgettable.

Adventures: Much like everything else on Molokai, there is nothing pre-fabricated or pre-packaged about any of the myriad choices of activities you’ll enjoy here. It is truly a natural playground where you are free to walk, run, hike, kayak, swim, or bike your way through an unforgettable vacation. Among Molokai’s biggest attractions are the world’s tallest sea cliffs, plunging an astounding 3,000 feet to meet the crashing surf. This awesome coast is a must-see, and there are several ways to experience it. You might charter a sightseeing boat, hike, bike, horseback ride, or take a thrilling mule train trip down the very face of the cliffs.

Golf: Golfing on Molokai is as unassuming as you might expect it to be. At the lovely Ironwood Hills Golf Course, there are no tee times. No golf pros. Not even a clubhouse. Talk about a relaxing round! Just take your time and enjoy the cool, upcountry air and splendid views from this unique course, originally created for Del Monte executives. You'll enjoy the true essence of golf at Ironwood Hills Golf Course.

Photo courtesy: HVCB / Ron Dahlquist, Molokai Ranch
Text & Facts courtesy: HVCB

Oahu - The Gathering Place

Click Here to view 2008 Oahu Map
Oahu is the most popular of the Hawaiian Islands and it’s easy to understand why – there’s so much to do on Oahu!

With Waikiki as a central hub, you can explore the legendary North Shore of Oahu one day, and spend the next day on the east side snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a protected marine sanctuary with tons of colorful fish. It’s clear that Oahu offers just the right amount of diversity for the adventurous as well as the cautious visitor. Thrill seekers can skydive at Mokuleia while daydreamers can relax peacefully on the beach. Exquisite dining and exciting nightlife also entice people to Oahu again and again.

Facts: Population 876,156, Area 597 sq. miles

The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. Oahu is the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor.

Flower: Ilima

Island Color: Yellow

Family Fun: In Hawaii, it’s evident that caring for keiki (children) is very important. On Oahu, there are a variety of exciting activities designed specifically with kids and families in mind. Take a submarine ride and witness sunken ships, airliners and reef structures. Ride the thrilling waterslides at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Get up close and personal with dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and moray eels at Sea Life Park. Spend the day at the Honolulu Zoo or Waikiki Aquarium and see animal and marine life like you’ve never seen anywhere else. Or explore 4,000-acres of fun at Kualoa Ranch by horse, ATV, helicopter, jet ski or kayak.
There are also plenty of other educational and cultural excursions for kids and families year-round, including nature walks, hikes, wildlife feedings, fishing, catamaran sails and more. Many hotels and condominiums also offer programs for kids that include activities such as lei and kite making, lauhala weaving, and sandcastle building. This is one family vacation where boredom is never a problem!

Adventures: The lure of adventure is strong, and nowhere in the world does it find greater expression than here in the Hawaiian Islands. Is hang-gliding your thing? Do you long to leap from the heights at Makapuu, and soaring high above the beach, make lazy circles for an afternoon? Perhaps you'd like the heart-pounding intensity of the big winter surf at Waimea. The beaches here offer far more than sunbathing and people watching. They’re ideal for all kinds of water sports including swimming, surfing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling and fishing. Whether you’re looking for high adventure on the waves, a romantic spot to watch the sunset, or a protected swimming area for the kids, it’s sure to be nearby.

Golf: Great golf is one of the main reasons Oahu is a favorite destination. There are more golf courses on Oahu than any other island. You can choose from more than forty public and private courses, ranging from casual municipal links to elegant resort courses. They offer not only superb challenges, but also spectacular vistas. The backdrop for a shot here might be forested mountains, desert-like terrain or the impressive sweep of the Pacific. There are even courses built on former ranch lands, fields of sugar cane, and seaside layouts that resemble British links. Constant sunshine makes for long hours of dependable golfing weather, and the spectacular surrounding scenery quiets the mind and stirs the heart. So relax and enjoy some of the most pleasant golf in the world. It’s all right here.

Photo courtesy: Sheraton Waikiki, HVCB, Polynesian Cultural Center, Sheraton Waikiki & Turtle Bay
Text & Facts courtesy: HVCB