Hawaii treasures numerous attractions that emanate mainly from the exuberant nature that unfolds generously throughout this volcanic archipelago that emerges in the middle of the Pacific, 4,000 kilometers from the west coast of the United States and 6,000 from Japan. Its islands are famous for their impressive landscapes, with steep cliffs, waterfalls, tropical jungles, beautiful beaches and, of course, volcanoes, three of which are currently active. Golf, with more than 70 courses, could not be missing in Hawaii.
It is therefore no wonder the popularity of this exotic tourist destination, which in 2018 surpassed the barrier of ten million annual visitors for the first time.
The eight main of the hundreds of islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago are located in the extreme southeast, with Hawaii being the largest, also known as The Big Island. On the island of Oahu is Honolulu, the capital of the State of Hawaii, also known as the Aloha State.
Golf is another of the great attractions of this American archipelago that attracts players from all over the world. There are golf facilities on six of the islands, totaling more than 70 golf courses, many of them designed by some of the world’s most prestigious golf designers. Whether immersed in spectacular landscapes, surrounded by dark volcanic nature, on the edge of the beach or on impressive cliffs, the variety and quality of the courses satisfy the tastes of all types of golfers.
Hawaii Island
Although it does not have the most courses, the Big Island is considered the “Golf Capital of Hawaii”. Along the Kohala Coast there are splendid golf courses such as the Hualalai Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Francis H. Ii Brown North and South championship courses of the Mauna Lani Resort and those created by Robert Trent Jones Sr., among which Mauna Kea stands out, considered by many the best course in Hawaii and which the designer himself estimated as one of the five best of the more than 400 he devised. This legendary designer is also the author of the two Waikoloa Beach Resort courses. There are many other hidden gems throughout the island of Hawaii where you can delight in the striking contrasts of verdant fairways, white sand bunkers, jet-black lava rivers and the turquoise waters of the Pacific. If you hit a bad shot, you can always blame it on the scenery, and views like those offered by Hawaii’s courses warrant a second chance.
Oahu
With the impressive Koolau Mountains as a backdrop, Oahu is the most populated island (one million inhabitants) and the one with the largest number of golf courses, more than 40 between public and private, all of them offering views of a spectacular landscape. And if you want to enjoy watching the best professionals of the American Tour, the PGA Tour, in action, every January Oahu hosts the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club.
The golfer landing on the archipelago may have to make some adjustments to his game on the islands. In particular, Hawaii’s trade winds can accentuate errors in your swing during a windy day. Fortunately, most of Oahu’s courses have wide, forgiving fairways, although the Bermuda greens are more difficult to read than the traditional Bentgrass greens.
Maui
The island of Maui has 14 golf courses (some reflected in the lists of the best in the world) designed by prominent golf architects and celebrated players, such as Arnold Palmer and Ben Crenshaw. The PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions is played here each year on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort, designed by Crenshaw and Bill Cooreque and widely considered the best course in Hawaii. The resort also features the Bay Course, home to some 20 major international tournaments. It is hard to imagine a more stunning setting for these 18-hole masterpieces, with fairways bordering ancient lava rivers, tees surrounded by palm groves and rainbow greens formed in the ocean mist. From Kapalua to Wailea, the views are intoxicating.
Kauai
The island of Kauai has nine golf courses. Visitors can play magnificent resort courses or inexpensive stand-alone courses, where the scrub is outlined by lava rocks and the greens are bordered by mountain ranges and seascapes.
Princeville, on the north coast, offers a challenging option with its Makai Golf Club. In addition, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed unique courses in this resort area.
Lanai
Only 3,000 people live on the small island of Lanai, which is nevertheless home to two golf courses of extraordinary prestige. On the south coast, Jack Nicklaus created one of his most beautiful masterpieces, the Manele Golf Course. With three holes built on the cliffs of Hulopoe Bay, this course is dotted with natural lava outcrops, with steep ravines and towering trees as natural hazards. Manele Golf Course is one of the most famous courses in the state of Hawaii. The other course on the island is the Cavendish Public Golf Course.
Molokai
The nine-hole Ironwood Hills is the only golf course on the island of Molokai. Due to the high elevation of the layout, the player enjoys expansive views from many of the holes, including those of the towering cliffs of Oahu and Molokai.
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CURIOSITIES
Formerly known as the Sandwich Islands, the Hawaiian archipelago spans the distance of about 2,500 kilometers from the Big Island of Hawaii in the southeast to Kure Atoll in the northwest. This makes Hawaii the longest island chain in the world.
Aloha is the most Hawaiian word. In Hawaiian language it can mean “hello” or “goodbye”. It also means “love” and “affection”. … Thanks to the unique meaning and popularity of aloha, Hawaii is called “The Aloha State”.
Hawaii is the 50th and so far the last state of the United States, which it joined in 1959. Measured from east to west, Hawaii is the largest state in the United States and the one with the largest number of inhabitants. population density.
Hawaii is the only North American state that harvests coffee. The coffee plantations in Hawaii occupy 6,200 acres. In 2003, 8.5 million pounds of coffee were produced. Hawaii produces almost 320,000 tons of pineapples each year.
The state of Hawaii has the highest life expectancy rate in the United States. It is 75 years for men and 80 years for women.
Hawaii has the lowest number of obese people in the United States. Approximately 19.7% of Hawaii residents are overweight, while on the mainland the percentage is estimated to be 30%.
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