Hawaii may be best known for shady palms, bright coral reefs & fascinating volcanoes, but if you're looking for something a little different for your upcoming vacation to Hawaii, there are plenty of unconventional activities to try. To shake up your trip to Hawaii luxury vacations, here's a few unique attractions and activities worth checking out:
Stargaze from the mountaintops Hawaii is home to the highest sea mountain in the world, Mauna Kea, & atop this volcano, there's one of the most renowned astronomical sites. The volcanic mountain, which towers 13,796 feet above sea level, has 13 telescopes representing 11 countries that watch the skies. When you visit the Big Island, you can see some of what these telescopes take in when you sign up for a star show on the mountain. There's minimal light pollution in the clear air of this spot, so you can see millions of sparkling stars in the night sky. Tours generally include transportation, dinner, access to the summit & detailed stories of the historical & cultural significance of the volcano.
Ride a tram through the garden Visiting the small, unspoiled island of Kaua'i? This park boasts plenty of conventional activities like swimming, snorkeling & hiking in its stunning state parks, but one unconventional attraction you shouldn't miss is the Allerton Garden, where Hawaiian & European styles blend harmoniously in Poipu's Lāwa`i Valley. When you sign up for one of the daily tours of this garden, you're lead around partially on a tram & partially on foot, where you'll see golden bamboo, flowering vines & plenty of native flora. Tropical trees form outdoor rooms in this oasis, which also features plenty of waterfalls, pools & fountains.
Meet ancient gods on the beach You probably expect to see soft sand, blue waters & maybe even some green sea turtles on the beaches of Hawaii, but ancient chiefs & gods? Perhaps not. At the Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, you can come face to face with these figures of a time gone by. Massive carved wooden figures, known as "ki'i," tower above as you enter this spiritual site, which once served as a place of refuge for native Hawaiians in ancient times, & is still a sacred site where many ceremonies & other events are held. Visitors may stop by to experience life the way it was when Europeans first arrived there.
