With winter nearly in full swing, many are starting to plan their wintertime getaways. One good option no matter what time of year is Hawaii.
Here are eight reasons why.
-
The Weather
This might be one of the most obvious reasons, particularly if you happen to live in any of the colder U.S. cities.
It takes no more than a look at the numbers to under stand this. In January and February, the average high temperature in Honolulu is 80 degrees. In January the city averages a full 227 hours of sunshine.
Compare that to, say, Chicago. In January the average high in that city is 32 degrees, and it averages 126 hours of sunshine that month. To most, the choice is obvious and clear.
-
The Beaches
Beach vacations aren’t for everybody–some prefer to be more active, while others prefer to check out city sites. But if you do happen to be a beach lover, you can’t go wrong in Hawaii.
The state is home to a number of world-class beaches, one of the most notable being Waikiki Beach in Oahu. Others include Lahaina Beach in Maui, and Poipu Beach in Kauai.
-
The Food
Trying new and unique types of cuisine is a highlight of any vacation, and that’s certainly no different in Hawaii. The islands feature a wide variety of foods, including traditional Hawaiian cuisine, along with other dishes influenced by immigrants that have made their way through Hawaii over the years.
One of the most famous Hawaiian dishes is poke, and perhaps one of the most unique is Spam musubi: rice balls wrapped in seaweed that at first glance resembles sushi, but stuffed with a slice of glazed, grilled Spam.
-
To Propose
Anyone who has seen photos of Hawaii knows about its beauty. With that in mind, Hawaii is a very romantic place to propose.
Not only is it romantic, but Hawaii also gives you lots of potential proposal options. You could propose at sunrise or sunset near the beach, or you could find a secluded natural and romantic area to pop the question.
-
Pearl Harbor
There is an abundance of natural beauty readily available in Hawaii. However, the islands are also home to one of the most infamous moments in U.S. history.
The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor recently passed, making it a good time to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives during the event that thrust the United States into World War II.
There are a wide variety of Pearl Harbor tour packages available, including a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, or a tour of the battleships of WWII at Pearl Harbor.
-
The Familiarity
Perhaps the one negative about visiting Hawaii–especially for those not too keen on air travel–is that there will most likely be a long airplane ride involved. That said, the long ride gives visitors to the islands a feeling that they’re in a far-off place.
On the flip side, however, is that while you may be physically distant from the continental U.S., you are, after all, still in the States. That means you’re likely to find all of the U.S. conveniences that you might miss out on in foreign countries, such as U.S. currency and cell phone connectivity just about everywhere you go.
-
The Culture
While Hawaii is of course a part of the U.S., it’s also very culturally unique in its own beautiful way.
There are a number of festivals throughout the year that celebrate the cultures of Hawaii, including the Ka Molokai Makahiki Festival in January. Other winter events and festivals include the Maui Whale Festival, the Honolulu Chocolate Festival and the Sand Island Bike Festival.
-
The Hiking
For those looking for a bit of physical activity during their vacation, Hawaii has you covered. In fact, Maui alone features at least 10 great hikes, including ‘Iao Valley State Park, the Waihou Spring Trail Loop and the Haleakala-Sliding Sands Trail.
There are many good reasons to visit Hawaii at any time of the year, but these are just eight why you should consider taking your trip this winter.
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
