Kauai

Although Kauai, located about 90 miles from Oahu, is considered more remote than the other main islands, many people may experience a sense of déjà vu when they explore its shores. That's because the island's rainforests, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, rainbows and beaches have been used as the backdrop for scores of films, from "South Pacific" to "Jurassic Park."

Known as the "Garden Isle" for its spectacular vegetation, Kauai also has several botanic gardens open to visitors. Plant and garden aficionados may want to visit the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, including the formal Allerton Gardens, The Lawai Gardens, featuring many rare and endangered plants, and the Limahuli Garden on the island's north shore. The Fern Grotto, a fernfilled cave on the Wailua River, is another popular attraction.

At the mile-wide Waimea Canyon, visitors discover a 3,400-foot-deep gorge often compared to the Grand Canyon. And at Kukuiula Bay at high tide, the Spouting Horn, a geyser of water created when waves crashing to shore send water through a blowhole, has been likened to Old Faithful.

The wildest side of Kauai can be found at Na Pali Coast State Park. No roads lead to this untamed section of coast accessible only by boat, kayak, helicopter or putting one foot in front of the other for the rugged 11-mile hike into the Kalalau Valley.

Other places to visit on Kauai include the Kilauea Lighthouse and Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge; the Menehune Ditch and Fish Pond, an ancient aqueduct and pond supposedly built by the island's mythical little people; the Grove Farm Homestead Plantation Museum, a preserved farmhouse near Lihue; and the Kilohana Plantation, a restored mansion now filled with shops and galleries.

A trip to Kauai isn't complete without some beach time. Travelers should check out the oft-photographed Lumahai Beach made famous in "South Pacific." Some of the many beaches to choose from include Poipu Beach, Hanalei Beach and Mahaulepa Beach where whales are often visible from December to April.

Oahu

With the capital city of Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor, many people often think of the island of Oahu when they hear about Hawaii. In addition to those often-cited attractions, visitors to will find much to see and do on this popular island.

In Honolulu, visitors may enjoy a stroll through Chinatown. After a jaunt along the famous Waikiki beach, visitors can hike to the top of Diamond Head, an extinct volcano that offers a stunning view of the coast and nearby areas. Snorkeling and swimming at nearby Hanauma Bay is another popular stop. For visitors who want to experience more of the area's sea life, Sea Life Park features a large aquarium, dolphin shows, sea lions and other indigenous sea life.

At the Hawaii Maritime Center, visitors will find the Falls of Clyde, an ironhulled ship that once transported sugarcane and passengers, and they'll find a variety of maritime artifacts.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore, travelers can explore the lifestyles and habitats of the seven Pacific cultures as they tour native villages representing those in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, The Marquesas and Hawaii.

The Iolani Palace, home to Hawaii's last two monarchs, offers tourists another glimpse at the area's history.

On the north shore, visitors will find the town of Haleiwa, a popular spot for sampling Hawaiian shave ice. Nearby beaches, such as Haleiwa Alii Beach Park, Waimea Bay Beach Park and Sunset Beach are famous for their winter surfing events. Travelers will discover cliff divers, botanical gardens and waterfalls at the Waimea Valley Adventure Park.

On the island's windward coast, visitors will find the Byodo-in Temple, a replica of Japan's 900-year-old Byodo-in Temple. Located in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the site also includes an Oriental garden, teahouse and a carp pool.

Maui

As with the other Hawaiian islands, outdoor activities top vacationers to-do lists on Maui. They include swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing and golfing - just to name a few.

At the Iao Valley State Park, tourists can experience a rainforest and often its tropical cloudbursts in this 10-mile valley near Kahului.

Travelers can have a whale of a time at the Whale Center of the Pacific in Whaler's Village and the nearby Hale Kohola, a museum with loads of whale lore.

In the historic port of Lahaina, the first capital of the islands, tourists will find the Baldwin House Museum, the largest Banyan Tree in Hawaii at the Courthouse Building and The Brig Carthaginian II, a restored brigantine.

At Haleakala National Park, known as "house of the sun," visitors can gaze into the world's largest dormant volcano - the Haleakala crater. The trip to the summit traverses 10,000 feet in altitude, 33 switchbacks and 37 miles through all types of weather conditions.

Hawaii (The Big Island)

A visit to The Big Island wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Kona Coast, one of the island's many treasures. From the popular Kahaluu Beach Park, with its black-and-white sand, protected pools and tropical fish to the Kaupulehu Petroglyphs, Kona offers visitors a lot of choices.

Petroglyphs depicting people and animals can be found at the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District on the Kohala Coast. Tourists can encounter life in a 14th-century fishing village at Lapakahi State Historical Park, where a mile-long trail takes them past the remnants of this village.

In Hilo, Big Island travelers will experience the country's wettest town and a beautiful tropical city, with a view of Mauna Loa. In Hilo, they'll also discover Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot waterfall, Nani Mau Gardens, with more than 2,000 plant varieties, and the Naha Stone, the 2.5-ton stone reportedly moved by King Kamehameha. At Akaka Falls, north of Hilo, the water falls more than 400 feet.

A trip to the Big Island isn't complete without a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where travelers will discover a rainforest, an active volcano with steaming craters and a volcanological museum.

Molokai and Lanai

For a different glimpse of Hawaii, travelers can visit the smaller islands of Molokai and Lanai. Considered a bit off the beaten track, Lanai offers visitors the Garden of the Gods, a captivating collection of vividly colored, odd-shaped rocks; the ruins at Kaunolu Village; and the tide pools and beautiful sands of Hulopoe Beach - in addition to the island's tropical beaches and beautiful scenery.

On Molokai, slowing down is the name of the game. There, travelers won't find the resorts and tourist attractions so common on the other islands. But, they will find plenty to see and do, including Kalaupapa, the famous leper colony; Papahuku Beach; Palaau State Park, with its panoramic views; as well as countless other opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Most Americans can name the date in 1941, when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. fleet in Pearl Harbor. Just a few hours later, 21 U.S. ships had been damaged or sunk, more than 300 aircraft were damaged or destroyed, almost 2,500 Americans were dead, with nearly 2,000 more wounded. Japan's surprise morning attack on American soil served to unite the country in its WWII effort.

Sixty years later, travelers visit Pearl Harbor to pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives on that memorable day Ñ as well as those who went on to help secure victory in WWII.

Sites to visit include the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which spans the remains of the sunken hull of the 608- foot battleship. Nearby at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, visitors can experience one of the few remaining WWII submarines, as well as many related artifacts. The USS Missouri battleship, also known as "Mighty Mo," is open for tours on nearby Ford Island. And the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater serves as the final resting place for 35,000 Americans who fought in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.