Hawaii

One would be hard-pressed to imagine a tropical paradise more blessed with natural beauty, more enriched in cultural diversity, more advanced in modern business and more committed to maintaining its authenticity. Set among a landscape of exquisite beaches (white, black and green in color), breathtaking waterfalls, active volcanoes, rainforests, lava fields, streams and lush vegetation, this exotic destination is nothing short of Shangri-La.

Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the Island of Hawaii (or The Big Island) are the six populated islands in a string of seven that make up the U.S. state of Hawaii. With more than 1.2 million full-time residents, 70 percent of which reside in or near Honolulu, Hawaii is a multicultural haven that traces its roots to the ancient influences of Polynesia, the Orient and centuries later to those of Europe and America.

While the capital city of Honolulu is very much a modern business and tourist hub, the legends and traditions - the connection between man, nature and the gods - are all still extremely central to the spirit of the state. This is nowhere more obvious than in Hawaii's colorful collection of annual culture festivals.

First, it's the Chinese New Year, celebrated on the lunar New Year that generally falls in late January or early February. In March, locals toast Hawaii's ties with Japan during the Honolulu Festival. Then comes May's weeklong We Are Samoa Festival featuring demonstrations, performances and a high school arts fair (topped off with the Annual World Fire Knife Dance Competition). And every year in September is the statewide Aloha Festival - a month-long cultural celebration of traditional Hawaiian heritage, including food, arts, crafts, music and dance. From hula competitions to parades and block parties, the Aloha Festival offers more than 300 individual events on six islands.