Hawaii remains a popular vacation option, with great weather, festivals, cuisine | columnists

A Certified Travel Advisor, ASTA Approved Travel Advisor and CLIA Master Cruise Counselor, Zac Wilson is the owner of Daydream Vacations travel agency in Granbury, www.DaydreamVacations.com.

Natural beauty, great weather, exotic culture, fascinating history, delicious cuisine, exciting festivals, and awe-inspiring wildlife experiences are why Hawaii has long been a top travel destination for Americans. Over the years, studies have shown that more than 90% of Americans have Hawaii on their travel bucket list, and visitors to Hawaii say they always want to return. Hawaii truly has something for everyone.

Hawaii’s natural beauty is a key reason for visitors to make the trip. Enjoy a sunrise and hike at Waimea Canyon State Park, ski Mauna Kea, see the stars at Mauna Kea Observatory, visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, experience whale watching, snorkel with turtles, enjoy some the best dive sites, or learn to surf the waves. There is so much more than just sitting on the most beautiful beaches.

Hawaii has incredible history and rich culture. Visit ‘Ionlani Palace, home to Hawaii’s last reigning monarch. Pay your respects with a tour of Pearl Harbor. Experience history and culture at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Join in the celebrations at Hawaii’s annual festivals. The King Kamehameha Celebration is a nationwide celebration in June. Maui hosts the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, featuring world-class chefs, winemakers and master sommeliers. Kaua’i hosts the Chocolate & Coffee Festival in October. O’ahu hosts the Prince Lot Hula Contest in July. Visit GoHawaii.com for a full schedule of events.

Although the weather is wonderful all year round, there are a few main seasons to visit. There are only two seasons in Hawaii: summer (Kau) May-October with an average temperature of 85 degrees and winter (Ho’oilo) November-April with an average temperature of 78 degrees. It is possible to encounter a hurricane during the high season from July to September. The best times to visit are April, May, September, October, avoiding strong trade winds or the rainy season. However, February is peak whale watching season.

My favorite reason to visit Hawaii is for the food. Shrimp trucks, food trucks, small restaurants, family owned restaurants, fine dining and cultural delights are everywhere. Local Hawaiian cuisine, farmers markets, farm to table, it doesn’t get any better than this. Be sure to visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation. And yes, they can even make spam a treat.

Hawaii is an easy vacation for Americans. First, it’s a US state, so you don’t need a passport to visit. Second, it’s easy to rent a car and drive. I recommend renting a fun jeep in Hawaii. There are many places where you want to spontaneously stop at the side of the road.

There are no all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii. But who wants one? Hawaii is a destination to be discovered. It’s a place to go, see and do. There’s so much more to it than just hanging out at a resort for a week. And with so many unique islands to choose from, let your travel advisor guide you to the right island for your travel needs. Or just visit a different island every year!