PICTURE PERFECT!
That's what comes to mind when you think of the Hawaiian Islands.
With fresh ocean breezes, rich cultural heritage and mouth-watering culinary traditions, you'll be spellbound by Hawai'i.
WHY HAWAII IS SO ROMANTIC
Mesmerizing Sunsets. The most romantic thing you can do in Hawai'i is watch a gorgeous sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: Hawaian Stunning Sunsets are daily events
Heard of the "Green Flash Phenomenon'? It's the moment the sun fades from view, submerged into the ocean, and an ephemeral flash of intense emeralg greenish/bluish light is seen in its wake.
Not only does 'Aloha' mean hello and goodbye, it also means LOVE. The Aloha Spirit in Hawai'i is the spirit of LOVE. And let's not forget about the Hula - ooh la la - or Aloha!
Beautiful beaches. Breathtaking beaches. Imagine the ideal backdrop of majestic mountains, lush greenery and sky-blue waters.
Photo: Just you and a beach in Hawai'i
Exclusivity. It's easy to find a secluded beach or hiking trail in Hawai'i, making you feel it's only for you.
HAWAIIAN CULTURE
The Spirit of Aloha lives in Hawai'i. It means to treat each other with love and respect.
Always remove your shoes if you're invited into someone's home.
It's common for younger people to address you as an elder 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'.
A "lei" is given as a gift upon arriving or leaving and symbolizes affection. Representing a wreath of nature's gifts (flowers, leaves, seeds, nuts, etc), it's improper to refuse a lei or even remove it in front of the person who presented it.
Photo: A Hawai'i Lei is a gift
Not to be casually thrown away, it should be returned to the earth by hanging it as a decoration or through burying or burning.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Food in Hawai'i is a combo of American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and other immigrants from the 19th and 20th century.
Its food strongly represents geography, history, and the traditional beliefs of its settlers.
Photo: Hawai'i and its food influences - Poke Bowl
Traditional land divisions provided the communities with access to critical resources - i'a (fish) and pa'akai (salt from the ocean) as agricultural land for 'kalo' (taro) farming and upcountry forests for timber.
Plantation workers and later on surfers, wanted something nutritious as the main meal of the day, which led to the famous 'lunch plate'.
Eventually, SPAM became a signature food in Hawai'i when the American servicemen came to inhabit the area.
Now, outstanding farmers markets are commonplace on all of the islands, with local products.
'Poke bowls' (pronounced poh-kay, not poh-kee) are a favourite comfort food throughout the islands, consisting of fish cubes, finely chopped nuts, sea salt and seaweed. They eventually morphed into being served over rice with additions of seasame oil and soy sauce, due to the arrival of Asian immigrants.
These days, some of the most innovative meals are being served up regularly at food trucks across the island.
Did you know that Hawai'i is the only state in the US that grows cacao - the beloved bean native to South America from which chocolate is made?
Every island is unique in its own right. Check in next week, as I give you a rundown on each of the most popular islands to visit.
Meanwhile - CHECK OUT TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN HAWAI'I HERE
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