Why Hawaii is an awesome place to go on holiday

IN THE eighties it was the place to go, until Aussies found a new favourite destination in Bali. Now Hawaii is back. Here’s why you need to get there.

IN THE eighties it was the place to go.

When skyscrapers on the beach were the epitome of urban sophistication and cheeseburgers counted as exotic holiday fare. But then along came Bali and Jetstar and Aussies became obsessed with a new holiday destination.

In 2014, Hawaii is well and truly back. The number of Australians visiting the island state home to US President Barack Obama and The Rock broke a record in 2013 with more than 305,000 heading there on holiday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

It’s a number that has increased by more than 24 per cent in each of the last three years. But it’s not just sunshine and good vibes driving the trend.

Here are four reasons Hawaii has well and truly got its groove back:

You know it. Honululu born President Obama loves heading home for a holiday.

AWESOME PLACES TO STAY

An air conditioned unit might have been the height of luxury once but these won’t cut it anymore as modern Hawaiian hotels are taking things to the next level.

On Waikiki’s famed strip the Royal Hawaiian holds prime position — a Spanish-style building in blushing pink — that has undergone a $100 million refurbishment to bring back its sense of old school Hollywood glamour. Think Mediterranean arches framing sea views, tropical plants and trade winds breezing through the corridors.

The 1927 Royal Hawaiian has undergone a stunning renovation.

Further along the beach the Moana Surfrider is oldest hotel on the strip and known as the first lady of the Pacific, with an elegant white facade that sees it host dozens of beachside weddings throughout the year.

Beyond these two grand dames each of the major hotel chains are represented, from the Sheraton to Hilton and Holiday Inn, all with large scale resort-style villages home to pools, shops and restaurants.

Sheraton Maui is in the prime spot at Black Rock on Ka’anapali Beach.

The Sheraton Maui was the first resort to open outside the mainland in 1963 and holds prime position at Black Rock on Ka’aanapali beach — a golden strip facing west that is home to a string of luxury hotels, resorts and timeshare accommodation.

Maui has seen a 37 per cent increase in Australian visitors in the last year alone while Kaua’i and Hawaii island have also seen a dramatic uptick with plenty of accommodation options from resorts to B&B style accommodation.

THE FOOD IS OFF THE HOOK

Hawaiian regional cuisine is the delicious love child of diverse influences on the island. Think sushi and sashimi from Japan, tacos and guacamole from Central America, pineapples and macadamias grown locally and some of the freshest ahi tuna in the Pacific.

Add in classic American fare like ribs, cheeseburgers and hot dogs, plus Polynesian favourites like loco moco and the imu (a traditional way of cooking food with hot stones) and you’ve got a vibrant food scene gaining some major attention.

Cheeseburger in Paradise is hard to beat. Pic: Cheeseburger in Paradise Facebook.

Try fine dining on the freshest sashimi caught that morning at Azure, or innovative Japanese at Roy’s or check out local shrimp shacks on the coast. But whatever you do, don’t forget the cocktails. Legend has it the inventor of the Mai Tai came to try one in Hawaii and found his drink had been perfected with fresh tropical juices. Craft beer is also booming on the island with local breweries serving up Bikini Blonde, Coconut Porter or Mana Wheat beers.

IT’S ALL ABOUT ALOHA

In a world where we’re all burnt out and busy who doesn’t need a few days in a place where the main words they insist you learn are aloha (love) and maholo (thanks).

Hawaii is brimming with good vibes. People actually do that little ‘hang loose’ sign at one another and sound like the sea turtles in Finding Nemo. The chilled vibe and epic scenery has seen it become the venue for blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean, 50 First Dates and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Joe Manganiello walks out of the surf.

Legend has it Hawaiians perfected the Mai Tai.

It’s where you’ll find pro-surfers dropping into local bars or celebs sunning themselves on beaches. Outside of Waikiki coastal towns have an old world charm and a Spanish influence that makes it feel like the Pacific meets the wild west in a Disney movie. Think old whaling villages lined with wooden shopfronts and local paniolos (cowboys) in boardshorts and cowboy boots. What’s not to love?

Plus you might run into this guy on the beach.

YOU’LL NEVER GET BORED

Baby. Whales. Breaching. That’s what you’ll see off the coast of Maui between December and February where humpbacks gather to birth and teach their babies some tricks. Try ‘snuba’ at the Sheraton — a cross between snorkelling and scuba diving — where you’ll hear whales calling one another underwater during the northern winter.

The warm oceans around the islands are home to all sorts of tropical reef fish and sea turtles which you can see from stand-up paddle boards. Beaches like Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea Bay crank huge waves that act as a siren call to surfers from all over the world from December to February.

Surfing with whales at Pipeline beach Pic: from Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association Facebook.

Land lubbers can watch lava spew into the ocean from active volcanoes on The Big Island, bike down the world’s tallest mountain (if measured from the bottom of the ocean) on Maui or indulge your inner petrol head and hire a Mustang for the day.

Shoppers can go nuts at Sephora or Macy’s in Waikiki while history buffs can visit Pearl Harbour. Or, just lie down with a good book and don’t do anything at all.

Rent a Mustang and drive to Road to Hana on Maui.

A NOTE ON TIPPING

One thing to remember is that tipping is expected in the US and can prove confusing to begin with. A local in the know advised rates are generally 15 per cent for lunch and 20 per cent for dinner, with a couple of dollars a day for your housekeeper or when you use a porter or valet.

If you’re ordering drinks at a bar a general rule of thumb is $1 per drink, and maybe 15 per cent if you’re getting table service for a large group. For taxis it’s appropriate to add 10 to 15 per cent to the fare. Other service based activities like tours will also accept tips — something to bear in mind if you’re paying cash on the day. Keep a wad of smaller bills close to hand to make things easy for yourself.

Victoria Craw stayed as a guest of Starwood Hotels.