Fun in the sun during your Hawaii vacation rental stay
Pack your muumuus and flowery shirts, and say "aloha" to Hawaii, USA! Tens of thousands of vacation rentals await you in the Aloha State, and they're rarely far from the beach. With a huge range of chic condos and spacious houses, it's the perfect travel destination for couples and larger groups alike. That milk-warm water will beckon as soon as you're on the Hawaiian Islands, and the possibilities are endless: from snorkelling in a partially submerged volcanic crater to chasing waves with the locals or sunbathing at Makena's Big Beach.
Hawaii's heritage sites offer a deep dive into the state's long and colourful history. Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park marks the spot where Captain James Cook landed on Hawaii and contact between Hawaiians and Westerners began. Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site features a heiau (temple) built by Kamehameha the Great, founder of the Kingdom of Hawaii. If you're in Hilo, stop by the Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum for exhibits on Hawaii's volcanic origins, ancient Polynesian settlements, immigrant groups, and more.
Sink your teeth into Hawaii's local specialties
Eat like the locals do and have a plate lunch, which consists of an entree, a side of macaroni salad, and 2 scoops of white rice. One variation, loco moco, features a fried egg and a hamburger patty topped with brown gravy. For a lighter meal, munch on Spam musubi – rice and a slice of Spam, wrapped in nori – or poke, a salad made with cubed raw fish, chopped onions, and seasoning. Have some shave ice for dessert, then buy sweet, salty, or sour Chinese-style crack seed candy to bring back home.
Essential facts for your vacation rental stay in Hawaii
An archipelago situated in Oceania – as opposed to North America – Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. Its population numbers around 1.4 million, and Honolulu – the state capital and largest city – lies on O'ahu island. Hawaiian and English are the official languages, and there are a few points of etiquette for travellers to keep in mind. You'll want to remove your shoes when entering somebody's home, and it's not cool to take rocks from national parks, or to help yourself to fruits or flowers without permission.