Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Gay Holiday to Hawaii

By Howie Holben

The Pacific paradise of Hawaii has long held an exotic allure that draws travelers from all corners of the globe to its picturesque shores. With a population that is warm and welcoming and comprised of a remarkable blend of white European, Polynesian and Asian cultures, Hawaii is a popular vacation spot for both straight and gay vacations. Hawaiis LGBT community is low-key and not necessarily highly visible, but those who that go to Hawaii as a gay travel destination will find a higher level of acceptance than many places in the U.S., due in large part to an overall welcoming and accepting atmosphere created from generations of several cultures living together without one dominant culture or religion imposing its will.

Seventy percent of Hawaiis population resides on Oahu, the third largest island in the chain, which is also home to the state capitol of Honolulu and the popular tourist destination, Waikiki. When traveling to Oahu on gay holidays, the Mexican caf La Cucaracha is a must-see and offers authentic cuisine, music and margaritas. Oahus LGBT community can also be found at the community book, novelty and clothing store, 80% Straight Inc., located in the Waikiki Grand, or one of the LGBT bars and clubs, including Fusion Waikiki, Angles Waikiki, Hulas Bar & Lei Stand and In-Between. For those who want to head to the beach, a warm welcome will be waiting at Queens Surf and below the lighthouse at the world-famous Diamond Head beach.

Those who make their gay tour on Maui will not find much of a scene other than an area of Little Beach in Makena, but watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala, exploring waterfalls and shopping in quaint villages make Maui an enticing gay travel retreats spot in its own right. If you wish to explore what most consider the most scenic and tropical island in the chain, Kauai is a must-see stop. With a few LGBT-friendly places, including a clothing optional bed and breakfast and an LGBT-owned Japanese-style villa with a clothing optional lagoon pool, Kauai is the island for exploring waterfalls, canyons and imposing cliffs.

The Big Island is another friendly option with plenty of LGBT-friendly lodging options, as well as several businesses and restaurants and one bar. Gay vacations on the Big Island include everything from visiting an active volcano or strolling on black sand beaches to exploring a rain forest and gazing in wonderment at the snow on Mauna Kea.

Hawaii is the most remote chain of islands anywhere in the world and is a tropical paradise that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. In a single trip to Hawaii you can snorkel or scuba dive around coral reefs, tour a pineapple farm, visit a volcano, learn the hula, participate in a luau and ride on horseback along black sand beaches. To take full advantage of all that Hawaii offers, consider visiting Hawaii with gay vacation tours, or arranging your trip through a travel agency accustomed to organizing Hawaii gay travel.

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