Debi Bishop is the managing director of Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, which encompasses 2,860 guest rooms.
Q. Which are the two best islands for first-time visitors to Hawaii?
A. A first-time visitor should definitely plan on spending several days on the island of Oahu, where the capital city of Honolulu is located. Honolulu has a plethora of experiences, from historical sites to museums, beaches, shopping, culture, and the culinary scene is amazing. Foodies can enjoy everything from tiny hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries to the finest Pacific Rim cuisine. Honolulu has the world's largest shopping mall, Ala Moana Shopping Centre, plus an outlet mall, Waikele Premium Outlets, a hit for Aussie visitors. Oahu has more than 100 beaches, where you can sun on the sand, or take a surfing lesson where the sport originated. The second island we love to recommend is the island of Hawaii, one of the few places where you can watch lava flowing into the ocean. The Volcanoes National Park is a must-see with its steam vents, lava tubes and ancient lava flows. Hawaii Island proudly boasts 11 of the 13 world climates. On this one island you can see snow-capped mountains, tropical rain forests, sandy beaches and so much more. Both islands are extremely diverse and offer so very much for first-timers.
