is world-famous for its incredible surfing, pristine beaches, and thrilling helicopter tours—but its history starts long before the arrival of tourists in the 1860s.

For millions of years, the breathtaking biodiversity along the Hawaiian archipelago thrived in the absence of humans. Heck, the volcanoes that formed Hawaii first emerged more than 70 million years ago! When people think of Hawaii, they probably think of tropical shirts and luaus—but trust us, there’s way more to the Aloha State than that.

Jerry

, the

super app

that saves folks money on

car insurance

, is here to give you the ultimate tour. We can’t take you up in a helicopter, but we’ll do our best to cover Hawaii’s most impressive features—and fascinating stories—from here on the ground.

What is Hawaii famous for?

Astonishing biodiversity

From its warm coastal waters to its towering mountains, Hawaii is brimming with endangered and endemic species. In fact, Hawaii is home to nearly 9,000 endemic species—creatures that are found nowhere else in the world. Among them are the Nene (Hawaii’s goose-like state bird) and the Hawaiian Monk Seal, one of the most vulnerable species on the planet.

Whether you’re planning a summer getaway to one of Hawaii’s islands or you’re simply admiring the ecosystem, you can help protect the native wildlife by donating to the

Hawai’i Wildlife Fund

. You can even

adopt a sea creature

(symbolically, of course) for less than $50!

Whichever island you’re staying on, here’s where you can find some fantastic state parks:

MORE: How high is the cost of living in Hawaii?

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Earth’s most active volcanoes

Of course, it would be impossible to talk about Hawaii without mentioning its

array of spectacular volcanoes

. Most people know that Hawaii was formed by volcanic activity—but did you know that Hawaii is home to the most active volcano on Earth (

Kīlauea

) and the largest active volcano on earth (

Mauna Loa

Since the late 1800s, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa have erupted nearly 100 times—and volcanic activity at Kīlauea is

still ongoing

! During the most intense eruptions, the massive volcanoes spew molten lava at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, engulfing foliage, houses, and

even entire highways

If you want to make your trip to the tropics unforgettable—and get a taste of some of Hawaii’s ancient history—schedule an eruption viewing at the

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Pro Tip The Volcanoes National Park is busiest during holidays between 10 am and 7 pm. If you want a peaceful visit, try to arrive early in the morning, before 7 am!

A rich musical history

If you’re one of the 1.2 billion people who have watched Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s

beautiful cover

of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” you probably associate Hawaiian music mainly with one instrument: the ukulele. Since its introduction in 1879, the bright and warm timbre of the uke has been crucial to Hawaiian music—but that’s just one piece of the story!

Early Hawaiians didn’t use writing to record their memories, myths, and legends. Instead, they immortalized stories in song—specifically, in a chant called a mele. The earliest

mele chants

, rarely accompanied by instruments other than drums, were closer to spoken poetry than modern music.

When Western stringed instruments and Christian hymns were introduced to Hawaii in the 1800s, Hawaiian music began to evolve. Today, music on the archipelago is a rich and diverse mosaic of different sounds, styles, and influences. At the heart of it all, though, are the percussive and poetic mele chants created by early Hawaiians.

MORE:

9 best road trip destinations for music lovers in the US

What is Maui famous for?

Nickname: “The Valley Isle”

One of the best places in the world for: Snorkeling and hiking

Beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water

With over 30 miles of

paradisiacal beaches

, few places in the world have a coastline as picturesque as Maui’s.

If you’re interested in a white sand beach with plenty of space to play, run, or simply relax, check out MakenaBeach (also known as the “Big Beach”). Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, pay a visit to Maui’s most famous black sand beach, Honokalani. It’s an isolated and idyllic coastline in the

Wai’ānapanapa State Park

, and it’s the perfect place for a once-in-a-lifetime seaside experience.

While you’re on the beach, don’t forget to schedule a snorkeling tour! Maui is chock-full of amazing snorkeling destinations, including the marine sanctuary

Molokini Crater

. If you’re having trouble securing a reservation, don’t panic! There are tons of excellent alternatives:

Black Rock Beach

La Perouse Bay

Honolua Bay

Coral Gardens

Ahihi Bay

MORE:

What is the best time to travel to Maui?

The humpback whale migration

If you’re in Maui between January and March, thank your lucky stars—because it’s

peak whale-watching season

! Early in the year, North Pacific Humpback Whales arrive in Hawaii after a 3,000-mile journey from Alaska. They travel at a modest three to seven mph, but the whales rarely take breaks, allowing them to complete the migration in four to six weeks.

Whether you’re a brave soul who’s willing to whale-watch from a kayak or you’re content to stay firmly on the boat, be sure to have a life jacket nearby. Adult humpbacks weigh up to 80,000 pounds—that’s as much as six elephants! When they come to the surface, they’ll displace an enormous amount of water, stirring up large waves in the nearby ocean.

For the naturalists among us, here’s some good news: though humpback whales were once on the verge of extinction, their

population has rebounded

in recent years, thanks to global conservation efforts.

Pro Tip Want the best chance of spotting a whale? Head to Maui in February, when whale sightings are at a peak.

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The sacred Iao Valley

A gorgeous 4,000-acre state park,

Iao Valley

is home to one of Maui’s most notable landmarks, the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. Though the lush tropical park makes for wonderful hiking and sightseeing, it’s also a location of historical importance.

In 1790, as part of his mission to unite the Hawaiian islands,

King Kamehameha I

waged battle with Maui’s army in the sacred Iao Valley. Despite their familiarity with the territory (and their use of the Iao Needle as a lookout point!), Maui’s defenders eventually fell to the forces of Kamehameha.

For an activity that’s full of both cultural significance and natural beauty, look no further than the

Iao Valley State Monument

hike.

What is O’ahu famous for?

Nickname: “The Gathering Place”

One of the best places in the world for: Surfing and coastal cuisine

Surfing on the North Shore

O’ahu’s North Shore

plays host to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for good reason—it offers some of the greatest surfing on the planet.

The glassy waves on the North Shore swell to heights of over 30 feet, inaccessible to all but the most experienced of surfers. If you’re an adrenaline junkie who’s looking for some gigantic waves, head to O’ahu between November and February for top-notch surfing.

If, on the other hand, you’re more of a “boogie boarding in the shallows” kind of person, no worries! The North Shore has tons of space for you to stroll, sunbathe, and savor some of the island’s

delicious shaved ice

Dining in Honolulu

After a sun-filled day of hiking, surfing, or snorkeling, most tourists in O’ahu—and folks who call the island home—are feeling a bit peckish. Fortunately,

Honolulu

boasts some of the finest oceanside dining in the world!

While you’re in town, don’t miss these renowned restaurants:

House Without a Key

—Sunsets, mai tais, and live music

MW Restaurant

—Daring Hawaiian fare made from local ingredients

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

—Affordable traditional Hawaiian cuisine

StripSteak Waikiki

—High-class modern American dining

MORE:

Everything you need to know about driving in Honolulu

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor, originally known for the surplus of pearls in its shallow waters, has become one of the most famous sites from World War II and

one of Hawaii’s most popular tourist destinations

On December 7, 1941—“a date which will live in infamy,” in the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt—Japanese planes ambushed the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, inflicting serious damage on each of Pearl Harbor’s nine battleships. When the smoke cleared from the attack, 2,403 U.S. personnel had perished. In the following days, unified by the ambush, the American military officially entered World War II, bolstered by widespread public support—the rest, as they say, is history.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor marks a crucial chapter in America’s history and the harbor remains an active military base today. You can visit the historic location and pay respects to those who gave their lives in the war by planning a trip to the

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

in Hawaii.

What is Kaua’i famous for?

Nickname: “The Garden Isle”

One of the best places in the world for: Helicopter tours

Historic Kaua’i

Formed five million years ago, Kaua’i is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands—and the people of Kaua’i take great pride in their culture. Legend has it that the hula dance was born on the shores of the Nā Pali Coast, a sacred spot that is steeped in dancing tradition.

Along with its historic roots, Kaua’i is famous for its notable small towns:

Waimea Town

: The site of British explorer Captain James Cook’s 1778 landing

Hanapepe Town

: The art capital of Kaua’i

Old Koloa Town

: Home to the first sugar mill in Kaua’i

MORE:

What is the best time to travel to Key West?

Helicopter tours

For an unbeatable view of Kaua’i’s cascading waterfalls, lush valleys, and jagged cliffs, you can

book a helicopter tour

for $150 to $500 per person. That might sound like quite a bit—but trust us, when you’re floating through the air above

Waimea Canyon

or the

Coconut Coast

, you’ll thank yourself for making the trip!

Whether you’ve just landed on the island or you’re trying to find a memorable way to spend your final day, you can’t go wrong with a high-flying, jaw-dropping helicopter trip around Kaua’i.

How to find unbeatable savings on car insurance

Whether you call Hawaii home year-round or you’re saving up for a summer getaway, we’ve got the perfect way for you to save some extra cash each month. Best of all, it comes with world-class car insurance!

Check this out: if you download

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Best of all, our talented insurance team walks you through the entire switching process. With no paperwork, no unwanted phone calls, and no hassle, finding a new rate with Jerry is as stress-free as an evening on one of Hawaii’s fabulous beaches. Plus, the average Jerry user saves over $800 on car insurance!

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