Why You Should Plan A Trip To Hawaii During Winter
By Hillary Louise Johnson
VACATIONS
While most people visit Hawaii in the summer, winters in the Aloha State are amazing, according to Ilihia Gionson, public affairs officer at the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
On a typical winter's day on the Big Island, you could be snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach in the morning and throwing snowballs atop Mauna Kea in the afternoon.
Gionson also says that winter is a great time to get to know the local culture. "It's a great time, for instance, to sample the islands' farm-to-table dining movement," he remarks.
Hawaii also hosts major wintertime events, like the Maui Invitational Tournament for basketball fans, the Hawai'i Bowl for football lovers, and the Honolulu Marathon in December.
Winter is also a great time to see humpback whales, or koholā. "The best times for whale watching [are] from January to March," Gionson explains.
It's also a good time to island-hop. You can take in the Cherry Blossom Festival on the Big Island, then jet over to Lanai for snorkeling or Kauai to hike the iconic Kalalau Trail.
Gionson's organization also suggests becoming a voluntourist and helping out the whales during the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's annual Sanctuary Open Count.