The name alone can be quite intimidating: Halema’uma’u Crater. Containing many vowels, 2 apostrophe’s, and no clear direction on how to pronounce the word. The beauty that comes from the Halema’uma’u crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and from actually saying the word, creates a lasting memory of Hawaii.

Halema'uma'u Crater, from the Crater's Lookout

How exactly do you say that word? As with most words in the Hawaiian language, break it into syllables. Hale (pronounced Ha-lay) ma’u (ma-oo; long sounding ‘u’) ma’u (ma-oo). Say it fast: Ha-lay-ma-oo-ma-oo Crater. Easy right?

The best way to view the crater is from the lookout near the steam vents just past the Visitor Center of the National Park and from the lookout next to the Jaggar Museum. One of the best highlights from our Volcano Evening Eco Tour is when you are overlooking the crater, and you realize, “This is an active volcano!”

Be sure you book your seats well in advance. Tours sell out fast and you can’t miss the Halema’uma’u Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, or the Kilauea Steam Vents when you visit Hawaii. Tours are available from Maui, Kauai, and Oahu,and the Big Island. The flight is short and the sites are amazing. See you on tour!

Read more: Halema’uma’u Crater at Volcanoes National Park

What is a Hawaiian vacation without visiting a magnificent waterfall? It is incomplete!

Hawaii is blessed with some of the most amazing waterfalls in the world. One of Discover Hawaii Tours favorite waterfalls is found on the Big Island of Hawaii, Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is Fantastic!

Rainbow Falls is an 80-foot tall waterfall found just outside of Hilo on the eastern side of the Big Island. Named for the rainbow that appears during misty mornings on the windward coast, this waterfall is an amazing sight to behold after a healthy rain. Its Hawaiian name is Waianuenue (rainbow water), and the large cave below the falls was believed to have been home to Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess.

Discover Hawaii Tours stops at Rainbow Falls every day during our Big Island Volcano Evening Tour.

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Waimea Bay has long been one of the most popular beaches on Oahu. During the summer months, the calm water and gorgeous sand makes this one of the greatest beaches to spend a day at and go for long, leisurely swims. During the winter months, this is one of the best beaches to watch kamikaze surfers risk bodily harm by surfing the towering waves that break in this Bay.

Waimea Bay

Waimea (which means sacred water or red water), has seen a lot of history. The valley was a huge settlement for the Hawaiian people due to its fresh water and abundant supply of fish. Captain Cook’s ships, the Discovery and Resolution, anchored in Waimea Bay in 1779 after Captain Cook had been killed at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island.

Treasure is found in Waimea Bay

During the 1800s Waimea Bay became a huge port of call for sandalwood traders, even earning the unofficial title of “Sandalwood Capital.” The giant surf has further cemented the legendary status of the bay.

Discover Hawaii Tours stops at Waimea Bay on our Discover the North Shore tour.

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Every week we get asked the same question, what is the one tour we would take if we could only take one tour in Hawaii. And every week the answer is the same, swim with wild dolphins!

Wild spinner dolphins

Our dolphin tour is located out on the gorgeous westside of Oahu. Home to breathtaking beaches and the bluest water you have ever seen, a day spent on the leeward coastline of Oahu is a chance to see an underwater paradise.

Just seeing the dolphins swim next to the boat is such a thrill, but to jump in the water and swim next to them feels like a dream come true. You can actually see the unique, playful personalities that these creatures possess.

The Best Experience

Swimming with spinner dolphins is an experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. You won’t be able to wipe the smile off of your face, long after you’ve returned home from your vacation to Hawaii.

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A great thing about traveling is seeing unique places. While Hawaii is known for its gorgeous beaches and roaring waterfalls, not much mention is generally given to some of the unique stores here in the islands. And they don’t get much more unique than the Kaupo Store on Maui.

Kaupo Store of Maui painting by Donald A. Jusko

Located past the town of Hana, this old general store is set right on Highway 31 as you circle around Haleakala. Built back in the 1925 by Nicholas Soon, the store is situated just outside of the town of Kaupo.

Walking into the store evokes a by-gone era. The shelves are filled with a variety of antique and vintage cameras. You might be led to think the store is a vintage camera outpost, however the cameras are not even for sale. The assorted cameras were all collected by Mr. Soon and used for portrait photography that he practiced as a hobby.

So what does the Maui Kaupo Store sell?

The Kaupo Store sells cold beer, sodas and ice cream to travelers. Nothing is better than sitting on the front porch of the Kaupo Store and enjoying a cold beverage or ice cream. Located right past Mile Marker 35, Discover Hawaii Tours outstanding Road to Hana tour stops here every weekday.

Read more: Visit the Kaupo Store in Maui