Blue Hawaii, blue ocean, blue sky, blue moon

Blue Hawaii, in Elvis’s footsteps

Blue Hawaii was the title of the super corny and very romantic movie from 1961. Elvis Presley simply loved Hawaii, just like Barack Obama and many other celebrities did and do.

Among the celebrities who frequently vacation or film(ed) movies in Hawaii are Adam Sandler and Emma Stone. Then there are the ones who own homes there: Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, Roseanne Barr, and President Barack Obama.

There have been few celebrities who have had such a love affair with Hawaii – or had the kind of star power (well, maybe Oprah) – as Elvis Presley.

And no wonder! Let´s hop to Hawaii and get a first impression.

Best ways to flying to Hawaii

The innocent days of blue Hawaii

We are way back in time. Blue Hawaii gave a very romanticized picture of a beautiful and untouched island paradise in an innocent time zone. For many at the time, it was the first view of an island in Oceania/Polynesia, which they learned about from Mr. Presley himself. The Hawaii islands in the 1960s were very exotic for all people and unattainable for most people. Times change.

Elvis charmer sig igennem Hawii i 1961. Blue Hawaii blev optaget på en måned.

Elvis crooning his way through Hawaii, 1961. The film was shot in 1 month.

The American islands of Oceania have been visited over the years by a sea of other well-known celebrities, foremost actors, and politicians, not least of all former President Barack Obama. What’s so appealing about the place? It is American soil, a state in rapid development and that means there are resources for investment in the tourism sector, so you literally find everything worth mentioning. It is not your Robinson Crusoe trip to an almost undiscovered tropical island. It’s US-like comfortable and relaxed and not that cheap, but the good things in life, rarely are, right?

Can you visit Pearl Harbour?

Yes, you can and should. Pearl Harbour is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Hawaii. A reminder of a grim inclusion in World War 2. Every year, millions of people visit the site to see the USS Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the 2,403 American servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In addition to the memorial, there are a number of other Pearl Harbor highlights that visitors can enjoy.

Pearl Harbour Memorial Center. Hawaii.

These include the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the National Park Service Visitor Center. Visitors can also take a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial Museum, which houses artifacts and exhibits related to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This is a great way to learn more about this historic event and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.

U.S.S. Bowfin, uboat, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii

U.S.S. Bowfin, submarine, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii

Intro to Hawaii, travel facts, and links

Ready to surf in Blue Hawaii?

For a more active approach to the Hawaii experience than the private beach of your hotel, you will find a famous surfing paradise here, and the islands contain everything in terms of activities: sailing along the coast, diving, and golf. tennis, best hotels, and excellent food, trekking on mountain paths, horse riding, hang gliding, cycling, and the perfect wedding scene if you guys are in that mood.

Kauai is the garden island and 4th largest of the islands

Kauai is the Hawaiian Islands’ fourth largest island and Kauai is also called “Garden Island” which is actually a very precise description. Kauai, the oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain, is blessed with beautiful valleys, rugged cliffs, and gorges shaped by the time of wind and weather. The fertile surface soil on the “Garden Island” is dressed in a breathtaking mantle of emerald green vegetation.

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Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai boasts tropical rainforests, undulating rivers and spectacular waterfalls

Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, carved rivers and created waterfalls! Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or by small plane and reveal vistas you can’t imagine. More than just dramatic beauty, the island is also home to a variety of outdoor activities. You can kayak on the Wailua River, snorkel off Poipu Beach, hike the trails of Kokee State Park, or go ziplining over Kauai’s lush valleys. But it’s the island’s relaxed atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns that make it truly timeless. Explore the regions of Kauai and take your excursions to discover the island’s undeniable beauty.

Honolulu, visit the island of Oʻahu and the capital of blueHawaii

Sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu certainly lives up to its name. The third largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures rooted in Native American values and traditions. It’s this fundamental contrast between the old and the modern that makes Oahu so enjoyable to discover – from the bustling city life to laid-back surf towns. You’ll find plenty of different opportunities to explore Oahu’s different regions, the island’s many activities, its eclectic restaurants and accommodations.

Honolulu is definitely on the travel list

If Oahu is the heart of Hawaii, then Honolulu is the pulse. In this cosmopolitan capital, you’ll find everything from historic landmarks to fine dining to world-class shopping. Home to the majority of Oahu’s population, Honolulu stretches across the island’s southeast coast, from Pearl Harbor to Makapuu Point, and includes the world-famous Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu-downtown-female surfer

Diamond Head is a Must-See in Honolulu

Aerial view of Diamondhead, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Natatorium,

Diamond Head is an extinct volcano southeast of Honolulu near the neighborhoods of Kahala and Kaimuki. The iconic cone is popular with hikers and photographers who get views of the entire coast of Oahu. You’ll find the white sands of Waikiki Beach inviting and its calm waters perfect for surfing lessons. Beach kiosks offer equipment and lessons of varying lengths, as do many hotels.

Oahu skyline, Hawaii

Honolulu’s Historic Landmarks

Plan to tour Iolani Palace, the only royal residence on American soil. The castle served as the home of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Cross the street to see the bronze King Kamehameha statue, commemorating the monarch who united the Hawaiian Islands.

Pearl Harbor, the joint military base west of Honolulu, is an emotional site and a National Historic Landmark. Daily tours are given of the USS Arizona Memorial, a battleship sunk in the 1941 attack. The 10-story Aloha Tower was erected in 1926 to welcome passenger ships to Honolulu Harbor. Shop at Aloha Tower Marketplace, a waterfront complex of shops and restaurants. Greeting you with open arms on Waikiki Beach, the Duke Kahanamoku statue commemorates the Olympic medal-winning swimmer and surfer who popularized the sport worldwide.

Local taste in Honolulu

The neighborhoods of Honolulu are rich with experiences of every kind from local food to cozy cafes and bars. You’ll find almost anything you could want at the hotels and resorts in the Waikiki Beach area, but if you want to venture further afield, try the bustling and diverse neighborhood of Kalihi. Look for markets that serve the very Hawaiian poké, cubes of spicy, raw fish served with pickled vegetables.

Downtown Honolulu’s Chinatown has become the up-and-coming nightlife district. The many restaurant offerings, such as dim sum and grilled ribs, are popular during the day. At night, the 20-block neighborhood comes alive with a host of bars and entertainment venues.

Honolulu meaning a sheltered place is rooted in authentic Hawaiian tradition and home to a melting pot of ethnicities. You find this the biggest city in Hawaii on Oʻahu which is the 3rd largest island with a population of ca. 1 mill. Honolulu with a population of close to 400.000 people is a modern city with a unique blend of cultures that serves as the state capital and a gateway to the Hawaiian Islands. You can tour the historic downtown area, surf world-famous Waikiki Beach, shop in world-class stores, hike breathtaking coastal cliffs and dine at five-star restaurants. Best of all, you can do all of this on the same day.

Honolulu Coastline

Maui is often considered the most beautiful of them all

There are countless reasons why Maui is repeatedly voted The Best Hawaii Island to visit. A typical first view when you arrive is the sun standing over a sea of clouds on top of Haleakala. See the humpback whales breaking the ocean surface off the coast at Lahaina. Feel ‘The Mana’ from the Haleakala National Park and enjoy the scenic ‘Road to Hana’. As you stroll through the streets of the coastal town of Lahaina and along the beautiful beaches of Kaanapali, you will quickly find your very own reasons for falling in love with Maui. Just like Elvis and his blue Hawaii.

Humpback Whale Tail out of the water with Mountains, Clouds and Sunset in Maui Hawaii

Maui, also known as “The Valley Isle”, is the second-largest Hawaiian island. The island is loved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales (during the winter months), a “farm to table” food philosophy and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala.

Welcome the sun atop Haleakala on Maui.

Welcome the sun as you stand above a sea of clouds atop Haleakala. Watch the humpback whales break the surface off the coast of Lahaina. Feel ‘The Mana’ (power) of Haleakala National Park and enjoy the scenic ‘Road to Hana’. As you stroll through the streets of the seaside town of Lahaina and along the lovely beaches of Kaanapali, you’ll quickly find your very own reasons to love Maui.

For more whale watching, look no further

Aerial of rocky coast on Pacific ocean with mountains in background in Maui, Hawaii.

Aerial of rocky coast on Pacific ocean with mountains in the background in Maui, Hawaii.

The Island of Hawaii, known as the Big Island is the largest of the bunch

The island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian chain of islands. Almost twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined (hence its nickname “Big Island”), its sheer size is impressive. You can travel through all but four of the world’s different climate zones here, and see the stunning massive volcanoes Maunakea and Maunaloa.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii

From the many geological features of Hawaii like Volcanoes National Park to the snowy heights of Maunakea; from the lush valleys of the Hilo and Hamakua coasts to the jet-black sands of Punaluu Beach, the Island of Hawaii is an unparalleled expression of nature’s power. However you decide to experience the island, it will surely leave you humbled by the magnificence of nature.

Volcano Mauna Kea, Big Island Hawaii

Volcano Mauna Kea, Big Island Hawaii. The trip to Hawaii shows incredibly varied nature

Be inspired to visit the Island of Hawaii. The Big Island isn’t just big. It is an island that is still growing. The island is the youngest in the island chain and also by far the largest, which means that there are extra opportunities to discover the unique wonders that nature has created here.

More about destinations in Polynesia in Oceania and similar tropical islands

Intro to Hawaii, travel facts, and links

Whale watching from Hawaii to Norway

Palau, a gem that has the purest eco-stamp of all in the Pacific

In Oceania is also Palau, which is undoubtedly the most ambitious country in the Pacific in terms of striking a balance between tourism and the environment. Read about Palau as a travel destination and the 300 islands here

Cape Verde is another wonderful destination with several islands to visit