Hawaii has been a popular tourist destination for a long time and, while these secluded islands may not offer your typical US holiday (if there is such a thing), you are likely to fall in love at first sight. Hawaii offers a new experience each day, whether you plan to visit the cities or stick to the more rural areas, one thing it can promise is good weather during all four seasons.

So, if you are planning to visit one of the main eight islands or a select few smaller ones, here are a few things you should know before travelling to America’s secluded state.

THE WEATHER

As mentioned before, Hawaii has great weather throughout every season. Even though there are still winter and summer periods and you might come in contact with the odd bit of rainfall here and there, you can enjoy the kind of temperatures that you would experience in mid-June. Combine that with the perfect Pacific Ocean breeze and staying cool becomes easier than first thought.

THE PEOPLE

The locals of Hawaii are what makes each island, as they rank amongst the most welcoming people in the world. This is mainly due to the culture that spans across all islands; the people of Hawaii promote the ‘aloha spirit’, a mantra that means treating everybody with love and respect. Make sure you visit local stalls for fresh fruit and a catch up with the locals; they can point you in the right direction for the best spots.

THE CULTURE

Hawaii’s culture dates back around 1,500 years to the Polynesians who adventured to the islands. This is where the world famous Hula dance originated from and now there are two categories – Hula Auana and Hula Kahiko. Hula Auana includes instruments and is the most commonly performed for tourists, while Hula Kahiko is the original dance that has been refined before influence from western societies.

Hawaii’s cuisine is also a large part of the culture. With ingredients like Taro, locals make staple dishes such as Poi. Other dishes like kalua pork, chicken long rice, squid luau, laulau and lomilomi salmon are all must-try, authentic dishes. Manapau, a bun made up of various ingredients depending on what you prefer, is the perfect street food snack and is virtually sold at every stall.

BEACHES AND OCEAN

Hawaii’s shorelines stretch a colossal 750 miles across 400 named beaches on 1,500 islands. There will be plenty of chance for you to lay claim to your own beach and enjoy the tranquillity in the summer sun. You can even find one of the world’s four green sand beaches, but make sure you head to a lifeguard protected area, as Hawaii’s oceans can be unpredictable.

For the more adventurous travellers, the oceans are perfect for surfing, boogie boarding and windsurfing, while wildlife lovers can take snorkelling tours to explore the coral reefs and even swim with the turtles. These are amongst the most magical moments of any Hawaiian trip.