Hawaii: The 50th State Turns 50
Hawaii is not only one of the world’s youngest geological formations, it’s also the youngest of all 50 U.S. states. Officially granted statehood in 1959, Hawaii boasts a fascinating history that goes back well beyond its entry into the union.
Not surprisingly, the very first visitors to, and residents of, Hawaii, were seafarers — Polynesian explorers who navigated by the stars, sailing more than 2,000 miles in ocean-going canoes from the Marquesas Islands to Hawaii’s Big Island more than 1,500 years ago. Tahitian settlers came ashore 500 years later, bringing their own unique influences to Hawaii’s developing culture. Still later, British explorer Captain James Cook was the first Westerner to “discover” Hawaii when he sailed into Waimea Bay in 1778.
As Hawaii approaches its 50th birthday, it continues to be “discovered” by travelers. Our 50th state, of course, is well-known for its beaches, and Hawaii’s waters attract legions of surfers and scuba divers alike. The Islands’ balmy climate is remarkably steady, fluctuating just 4 to 8 degrees from winter to summer and making Hawaii a great year-round destination. The local geography is also awe-inspiring, from the world’s tallest sea cliffs, on Molokai, to Waimea Canyon, 10 miles long and one mile wide, to both the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea, and the world’s largest dormant volcano, Mount Haleakala, which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Overshadowed somewhat by Hawaii’s natural attractions is the Islands’ remarkable culture. A unique blend of Polynesian and Western influences, shaped by centuries-old traditions and more- recent developments, Hawaiian culture is a complex tapestry. The state’s Polynesian heritage and its natural history are celebrated at the wonderful Bishop Museum in Honolulu, home to 24.7 million items collected over 112 years. Commerce and agriculture have also shaped Hawaiian culture, including whaling, cattle ranching, and the cultivation of coffee, pineapples, and sugar. And, of course, Pearl Harbor is etched forever in Hawaiian and U.S. history.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy a vacation exploring both the natural and cultural sides of Hawaii is to enlist a reputable tour operator. Tauck World Discovery, for example, offers a “Best of Hawaii” package that visits the most popular sites on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii. The 12-day itinerary also goes “off the beaten path” to reveal the Islands’ culture, including private, guided tours of a working coffee farm and a restored sugar plantation, a visit to the former whaling village of Lahaina, and even an exclusive “after-hours” evening inside the celebrated Bishop Museum.
Travelers can also upgrade to a select number of “Royal Departures” Tauck packages. Following the same itinerary as “The Best of Hawaii,” the “Royal Departures” trips include private limousine airport transfers in Hawaii, upgraded hotel stays, and a maximum of just 26 travelers. Both Tauck packages include all accommodations, most meals, ground transportation, gratuities to restaurant and hotel staff, admission to attractions, and the services of a trained, professional Tauck Director throughout the journey.
For more information about Tauck World Discovery and its packages to Hawaii, contact your local AAA Travel professional.
