When most people imagine a tropical island, they envision a Castaway-sized island with Tom Hanks roaming around picking up FedEx boxes.

The Hawaiian islands are probably much larger than you think, and they’re not going to be building 50-mile bridges between them any time soon. Hawaii is not like the Florida Keys or the Bahamas. The Big Island is particularly large (hence the name), which is not the most populated island. It’s actually one of the least developed islands and is roughly the same size as Jamaica or Puerto Rico. That’s as big as an entire country! Here are some more quick facts about the islands:

The islands are bigger than you think. Okay, so I already mentioned this. But I’m saying it again… Don’t plan on seeing an entire island in one day. This isn’t Disney World. Take your time to explore. Visitors often try to cram too much in to one day, and there’s no need to stress yourself out rushing from coast to coast.

The Big Island has the state’s only active volcanoes, Kilauea (The most active volcano in the world) and Mauna Loa. So, unless you’re house resides within the Volcanoes National Park, you’re in no real danger of death by volcanic eruption.

Hawaii contains 11 of the 13 climate zones found on Earth. Depending on the island, you could travel through tropical rain forest, desert and snow covered mountain peaks within a few hours — it’s kind of like Never Neverland. Hawaii is more than just palm trees and pineapples. There’s more cacti, pine trees and eucalyptus than you can shake a stick at — pun intended.

There are a lot farms and open land. Hawaii is home to thousands of acres of pineapple fields, coffee groves and horse ranches. On any given weekend you can find a rodeo — many areas of Hawaii have more in common with Texas than tiki torches.

A pineapple growing at the Dole Plantation on the North Shore of Oahu

The only public transportation between the islands is by plane — at least until the Superferry begins operation again. However, you can take a cruise or private charter if you’ve got the coins to spare.

Oahu is the most populated island with almost 1 million residents — not including the millions of tourists. The island is appropriately referred to as “The Gathering Place.” Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the largest city among the islands.

Modern conveniences do exist! There’s more on Oahu and Maui than other islands, but we’re not living in the Stone Age here. There are Costco’s, Whole Foods, Target, a Starbucks on every corner and all the lovely chain and fast food restaurants you’re accustomed to on the mainland (with the exception of a few).

You don’t have to be rich to live in Hawaii — only if you plan on purchasing a house on the beach. Billionaires and the homeless alike share the natural beauty, recreation and resources of the islands. In many cases the homeless actually have the better view.

Kauai is the oldest island; the Big Island is the newest — in geological terms. The Big Island is so new that it’s still being created.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state to grow coffee, and it’s fantastic! Give Kona Coffee a try and see what you think.

Every island of Hawaii has beautifully unique features. It’s said the lifestyle of each island relates to a particular era in recent history. In effect, by choosing an island, you can travel back to a different period of time. Oahu is the most metropolitan and current in the way of trends, business and technology. Even still, it’s said Oahu is 10 years behind the mainland. Maui has most the modern conveniences of Oahu, but without the crowds. It’s like traveling back in time to the ’80s. Kauai and the Big Island have a lifestyle similar to the ’50s or ’60s with lots of farm land and not as many modern conveniences. If the ancient Hawaiian lifestyle is more your taste, your best bet is the island of Molokai. I’ve compiled a list of the four most populated islands and a few distinct points of interest on each island.

Waimea Canyon on Kauai

Kauai

Waimea Canyon — “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” This thing is massive! If you didn’t know any better you may just mistake it for a slightly more green version of The Grand Canyon. The canyon is located on the dry, southwest side of Kauai. The drive can take a while (especially from the north shore) and it can get a little chilly.

Na Pali Coast — A sixteen-mile stretch of breathtaking cliffs along the northwest coastline reaching 4,000 feet high. The cliffs are inaccessible by car and can only be viewed by boat, helicopter or hiking the Kalalau Trail. The rugged coastline could easily be considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hanalei — In my opinion, heaven on Earth. When I die, I want my afterlife to be spent in this small town on the north shore of Kauai. While visiting you may even run in to Pierce Brosnan and his family — we did.

The Fern Grotto — A little overrated and commercialized in my opinion, but a peaceful journey through one of Hawaii’s few navigable rivers nonetheless, the Wailua River. I found the trip up river more enjoyable than the grotto itself. The boat travels near the film locations of several Hollywood movies such as “Indiana Jones,” “Jurassic Park” and “Outbreak.” Huge fans of Elvis Presley may find the grotto particularly exciting since it was glorified in the King’s film “South Pacific.” The grotto is also a popular wedding destination.

Oahu

The North Shore — Referred to by surfers as the 7-mile-miracle. During the winter months, “Country” is packed with pro surfers, contests and fans enjoying the best waves the planet has to offer. During the summer the North Shore is a quiet stretch of beautiful coastline.

Dole Pineapple Plantation — The plantation boasts the largest maze on Earth, it can even be seen from space — in case you find yourself orbiting the planet. It’s a fun place to bring the kids, taste some pineapple flavored ice cream, check out pineapples from all over the world and it’s on the way to the North Shore, so why not? If you dig pineapples, check out the Dole Plantation.

Pearl Harbor — This shouldn’t require an explanation. The harbor is located on the south shore of Oahu, just west of the Honolulu airport. Bring your tissues.

Waikiki — If you’ve only ever seen one picture of Hawaii, it was probably the view of Diamond Head from Waikiki. Waikiki is packed with tourists and locals alike, and if you’re looking for night life, this is the place to be.

Sea Turtle (Honu) resting on the North Shore in Haleiwa

Waimea — This could be classified under the “North Shore” category, but it’s really an attraction all to itself. Waimea Valley is home to beautiful botanical gardens, Hawaiian cultural sites and the 45-foot high Waimea Falls. The Waimea River winding through the valley empties into the bay. Waimea Bay is the home of big-wave surfing. Most of the time the bay is as calm as a lake, but in giant winter swells Waimea lights up with monster 30- to 40-foot waves. An awesome sight to behold. The bay is also famous for its jumping rock. If you’ve got the kahuna’s, climb to the top of the rock and leap off. Watch your landing though, this isn’t the time and place for belly flops. Oh, and it’s bad luck if you climb the rock and don’t jump.

Hanauma Bay — This beautiful nature preserve on the southeast side of Oahu is home to some of the best snorkeling in the islands. With a little luck, you may even be greeted by a honu (sea turtle).

Maui

The Road To Hana — The Road to Hana is an adventure packed with many scenic locations and activities along the way. There’s practically a waterfall around every corner, and if you manage to survive the four-hour drive to the small town of Hana without driving off a cliff, then you’ll have something to write home about. Hana itself is a peaceful little town with surrounding hiking trails, waterfalls and beaches of every sand color under the sun.

Haleakala — The “House of the Sun” is the massive volcano that makes up over 75 percent of the island of Maui. As a friend said, “When you reach the summit, you’ll see God.” The temperature at the top is often in the 40s, so pack a sweater. At over 10,000 feet, the air is thin and the sky is clear. Haleakala’s crater and surrounding wilderness are popular among locals and tourists alike for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, stargazing and apparently, seeing God.

Lahaina — The historic town was once the “Royal Capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.” Today, Lahaina is home to some of the most famous resorts in Hawaii and a major tourist hot spot. The town is full of ocean side shops, restaurants, art galleries and one of the largest Banyan trees in the world. Lahaina was once a whalers community, and humpback whales are often seen from the shores of Lahaina. Take a boat tour for a more personal encounter with the whales.

Old Lahaina town in Maui

Paia — Hippies and big wave surfers abound! Lucky for us, we blend in quite well in a town like Paia. It’s full of little street shops with herbal remedies, natural and organic foods and tie dye T-shirts. Paia is paradise for the thrill-seeking hippie surfer crowd. It’s home to the surf break “Peahi,” better known as “Jaws.” The waves here can exceed 60 feet in the winter and attract big wave tow-in surfers, such as Laird Hamilton. If you’re not familiar with him, you’ve probably seen Laird surfing this monster wave in an American Express commercial.

Makena Beach (Big Beach) — A large sandy beach on the south shore of Maui. Big Beach is a more “traditional” beach, with plenty of space to spread out in the soft sand, catch sun rays and swim or snorkel in the calm, warm water.

Honolua Bay — The bay is known for it’s epic waves during the winter, but it’s also a great place to snorkel and dive when it’s calm. The beach itself is filled mostly with rocks and isn’t particularly suited for sunbathing. The surrounding area is a very lush jungle environment. On a personal note, I’ve never seen so many skinks (snake-like lizards) in my life. They are everywhere in the underbrush, millions of them. As a reptile lover, this was pretty exciting for me. If you’re not a fan of lizards, don’t worry, they’re small, completely harmless and you probably won’t even notice them if you’re not looking for them.

Big Island (Hawaii)

Volcanoes National Park — Home to the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea. Volcanoes National Park is a must-see when visiting the Big Island. It’s a monumental prehistoric feeling to be present among the birth of new land.

Hilo — If you think it rains a lot in Seattle, think again. Hilo is the wettest city in the United States, and the largest city on the Big Island. Despite the town’s reputation for rain, there is still plenty of sunshine to go around as well. All of that rain and sun creates a rich rain forest environment, beautiful botanical gardens and no shortage of rainbows. Hilo is nestled between  two volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The close proximity to the active volcano of Mauna Loa creates hot springs and bubbling streams within the area. The town has also been subject to Tsunami devastation in the past.

Mauna Kea — The northern dormant volcano on the Big Island, Mauna Kea meaning “white mountain”, is named for it’s seasonal snow-covered summit. While the peak rises 13,803 feet above sea level, by measure of the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world measuring 33,476 feet from its base to peak. The summit is recognized as one of the best astronomical sites in the world and home to several leading observatories.

Waipi’o Valley (Valley of the Kings) — The largest valley on the windward side, surrounded by the breathtaking cliffs and waterfalls of the Kohala Mountains. The coast is a black sand beach and the ocean plummets 6 miles in depth off shore. Waipi’o Valley is sacred to the Hawaiians and often referred to as the Valley of the Kings because it was once home to many rulers of Hawaii. Several of the kings were buried within the cliffs surrounding the valley and are said to protect the sacred location. Despite devastation from floods and tsunami’s, no lives have been lost due to natural disasters. Today, only a handful of people premanently reside here, but it’s believed that up 10,000 people once resided within the valley.

These are the horses in your neighborhood. Waimea, Big Island

If you’ve ever driven from Kona to Hilo or Hilo to Kona, you’ve most likely passed through Waimea. It’s a small picturesque town perched 2,500+ ft. up among the alpine trees and grasslands between Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains.

Just ask anyone who’s spent some time here and they’ll tell you Waimea is one of the most beautiful and eclectic places in all of Hawaii. Here are a few things you should know:

It’s Waimea, not Kamuela

The only time we use the name Kamuela is when we write our address on mail. Since there happens to be two other Waimeas in Hawaii — one a valley on O‘ahu and the other a small town in Kaua‘i — the U.S. Post Office forced us to choose another “official” name.

Back then, the naming committee agreed on Kamuela, which is Hawaiian for “Samuel,” after Samuel Parker. He was the godfather of Parker, who owns most of the land beneath Waimea and the surrounding area.

So remember–Kamuela is a postal destination and Waimea is the town. Nobody here ever speaks of “Kamuela” — not even the highway signs.

Two Distinct Seasons

Go ahead and laugh, but Waimea gets downright cold in the winter. Well, relatively cold. I’ve seen it drop into the 40′s many times during the months of December through March.

The chilly temperatures are accompanied by frequent wind and rain. Certain trees shed their leaves and some insects disappear until spring. You’ll even see a few people wearing fur-lined parkas, but this is certainly overboard.

Mauna Kea summit in the winter with observatories

This “cold” is actually refreshing. It gives us a reason to light up our fireplaces and enjoy the crisp, rustic winter days. There’s even snow that blankets the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.

The flipside to Waimea’s cold winters are the warm and mild summers. From May through October, when Kona and Hilo are roasting and balmy, Waimea is sunny and, well, perfect.

World Class This, World Class That

Waimea may be a small town (about 7,500 population), but we make up for it in the quality and diversity of our people and facilities.

For starters, we have Parker Ranch and its cowboys (known ’round here as paniolo). The Ranch was founded in 1847 and is one of the largest in the United States. Horses, cattle and rodeos are more common here than coconuts trees and surfing contests.

Waimea is also home to two world-class astronomy facilities: Canada France Hawaii Telescope and Keck Observatories. Both have giant telescopes atop Mauna Kea that account for some of the most cutting edge research in the universe – literally.

And if that wasn’t enough, Waimea also boasts two college-preparatory private schools, some of Hawaii’s most prominent hula halaus and musicians and beautiful fresh-grown produce you won’t see anywhere else.

And yes, Waimea has a Starbucks, too.

Beaches are Closer Than You Think

One moment you’re frolicking in an alpine-like meadow, the next you’re sipping Mai Tais on a warm tropical beach. It’s tough, I know, but that’s the beauty of Waimea.

Within less than 15 minutes, you can drive from the center of town to the nearest beaches — Mauna Kea or Hapuna. These aren’t your typical Big Island black lava, scary jagged shoreline beaches, either. We’re talking golden sand, sparkling blue water in the sunniest spot in the entire state of Hawaii (this is true).

And if that wasn’t enough, the entire South Kohala coastline contains some of the most killer surf break on the Island during the winter. And here’s a secret: Try bodysurfing at Hapuna at daybreak. The waves are absolutely phenomenal, plus you’ll practically have the entire beach to yourself.

A Great Place to Visit, An Even Better Place to Live

I always marvel how little time it takes to drive from one end of Waimea to the other. Most people passing through stop to get gas or a bite to eat and then they’re back on the road to marvel at the volcano or snorkel in Kona.

For the average tourist, there isn’t much tourism here. We don’t have torch-lit luaus, plastic leis or sunset dinner cruises. The things we do have take time to know, appreciate and love.

So if you’re willing to stick around for awhile — maybe even for good — Waimea may indeed be the Hawaiian paradise for you.

View of Waimea town from surrounding pu‘u.