All Inclusive Hawaii Vacations

Planning all inclusive Hawaii vacations by surfing on the internet is an entirely different experience than surfing the waters off the north shore of Oahu. But the vacationer who wants to do both can find numerous resources on a variety of websites to plan the perfect surf-till-you-drop trip. The islands aren't just for daring surfers, however. Travel packages from all inclusive hotels in Hawaii cater to a variety of target groups. The Islands are a popular destination for newlyweds, second honeymoons, families celebrating special events, vacation-of-a-lifetime dreamers, and even budget travelers.

Whether the person planning an exotic trip fits in one of these groups or a totally different one, the all inclusive hotels in Hawaii offer a variety of amenities and services that accommodate a wide range of interests and budgets. Along with a choice in accommodations, travelers can select packages that include specific meals, perhaps a car rental, tickets to particular events or admission to selected tourist attractions, a luau, and maybe even a spa day. Many hotels boast private beaches and their packages may include surfing lessons or fishing expeditions.

Practically everyone knows that Hawaii became the fiftieth state in 1959. But there is so much more to know about this unique place that lies about 2400 miles off the western coast of California. Its rich history dates back to two major migrations from the Polynesian and Tahitian islands in 600-700 A.D. and about 1100 A.D. Over the centuries, the native Hawaiians developed a sophisticated caste system with warring island chieftains depending on "kapu" to keep power. This word connotes the idea of sacredness or of prohibition and was the complex set of rules regulating everything from the behavior of the commoners in the presence of royalty to the making of canoes. The eight main islands are Nihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and, of course, Hawaii, also known as the Big Island.

The famous British explorer James Cook landed on the islands on January 20, 1778. He named them the Sandwich Islands to honor the Earl of Sandwich who financially supported Cook's exploration of the Pacific Ocean. About twenty-five years after Cook's arrival, King Kamehameha I, often remembered as Kamehameha the Great, gained control of the Big Island and then conquered the others. In 1820, the year after the kapu system was abolished, Protestant missionaries arrived, heeding Jesus' final words in the Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20). Until the arrival of Europeans, the Hawaiian language was not a written language, but was rich in an oral heritage of chants and legends. The missionaries formulated the Hawaiian alphabet which consists of the vowels A, E, I, O, and U, and the consonants H, K, L, M, N, P, and W. They also taught the writing of the language, and established schools as well as churches.

The Islands' unique features, as well as its history, should be highlights of the all inclusive Hawaii vacations. After all, Hawaii is the only state that was created by the undersea eruptions of volcanoes. In fact, the Islands are the tops of a gigantic mountain range out in the Pacific Ocean. The large sugar, pineapple, and coffee plantations are important both for their historical and economic significance. During the Civil War, the northern states could not get sugar from the Deep South so they turned to the far distant Hawaiian Islands for this coveted sweetener. The pineapple plantations supply a large percentage of this delicious fruit to the commercial market. The Islands are the only state in which coffee is grown.

While staying at one of the many all inclusive hotels in Hawaii, the tourist can arrange transportation to the only royal residence in the United States, the Iolani Palace. Built in 1882 by King Kalakaua, it is now a National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu. Visitors to Oahu will want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, the tragic tomb for over one thousand crew members who died during the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Adventurous vacationers will want to include a mule ride on the Kalaupapa Peninsula in their all inclusive Hawaii vacations and also explore the active Kilauea volcano, the purported home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess.

None of the all inclusive hotels in Hawaii should let their guests return back home without offering a traditional luau as one of their amenities. The earliest Protestant missionaries despised hula dancing, traditionally a type of religious rite that often celebrated Laka, goddess of the hula. For a time, the dance almost disappeared from the Hawaiian culture. Thankfully, the natives in the rural areas of the Islands continued the tradition until it reappeared in the urban areas. The graceful hula and festive luau are practically synonymous with the Hawaiian mystique.

Whatever the occasion being celebrated or the interests of the traveler, all inclusive Hawaii vacations offer a variety of activities and help to control costs by including specific amenities in their packages. Whether it's spending days laying on the beach, surfing the killer waves, or exploring historical and cultural landmarks, the fiftieth state is a unique American destination. The vacation planner has many options to choose from when comparing the all inclusive hotels in Hawaii and is sure to find the most appropriate choice for a trip that will never be forgotten.

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