Exploring America: Rhode Island
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by Melissa TerrisAre you looking to visit a place with pristine beaches, beautiful sunsets, and tropical weather, all while still in the United States of America? If so, then Hawaii is the perfect destination for you.
Recently, Hawaii has invited tourists back to the island state without the requirement of 14 days of quarantine. In lieu of the quarantine period, tourists are required to take an FDA approved COVID 19 test at least 72 hours prior to traveling.
Hawaii is made up of eight main islands, seven of which are permanently inhabited. During my visit to Hawaii, I stayed on the island of O’ahu (nicknamed the gathering island). It’s the third largest island and most populated. The island has a lot to offer including Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach.
My first recommendation would be to rent a car. Public transportation is available but limited. We stayed at Embassy Suites By Hilton Oahu Kapolei. The hotel was clean, rooms were large, the pool was well maintained, and the gym was modern. We wanted to stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, but there were no rooms available. The Embassy Suites was nearby, so driving there for the Disney character breakfast and amenities was still feasible and highly recommended.
A trip to Oahu cannot be complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor’s National Memorial. This is the location of a significant part of United States history. The USS Arizona offer free visitors program to the museum and visitors center. Since it’s free and a great part of history, I’d say it’s worth a visit.
Oahu is 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. Its shoreline is 227 miles (365 km) long. The best way to see some of the island sights in a short period of time is on a tour. As usual I booked a tour of the island specifically, the Aloha Circle Island tour (https://alohacircleisland.com/activities/).
The tour began with a Hawaiian treat, Taro Donuts (yummy) they’re made of Poi, which is a starchy Polynesian paste made of Taro root. The tour included stops at Diamond Head Lookout, Macadamia Nut Tropical Farm, and Dole Pineapple Plantation, these are just a few sights.
A luau party is also among must-do things while in Hawaii. If this is something you’d be interested in, then I’d recommend a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Polynesian Cultural Center takes you on a guided journey through 6 island villages representing the unique island cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. It’s a spectacular day and night filled with activities, shows, and Luau.
I’d highly recommend a visit to Hawaii, with the uncertainty of international travel, Hawaii would be a great getaway.
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