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Aside from this collage of ethnic-inspired festivals, natives can also experience the Pacific Island culture through any number of permanent displays and attractions. On Oahu - home to nine Macy's stores, including the Ala Moana flagship - the Bishop Museum (island cultural and natural history) and the Polynesian Cultural Center (42 acres with seven authentic Pacific Island villages) are two of the most-visited and best-loved destinations. Also on Oahu, you'll find Honolulu's Chinatown, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, the Hawaii Opera Theater and Iolani Palace. And for an outing with a little more adventure, Hanauma Bay (snorkeling, reefs), Kualoa Ranch (horseback riding), the North Shore (home of Sunset Beach), Diamond Head (volcano), Waimea Valley Adventure Park, Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo are delightful distractions. Waikiki beach, home to some of the world's best resorts and beaches, is also located on Oahu. For those whose ambitions are a bit more adventurous than spending an afternoon relaxing on the beach, take a submarine tour of the Pacific, swim and play with dolphins, or even get close to sharks in the waters surrounding Oahu. Three Macy's stores are on Maui, the second-largest island in physical size as well as population. Here Haleakala National Park (high atop Mt. Haleakala) offers a panoramic view of Molokai, Lanai and The Big Island ... in addition to a collection of tropical flora. (If flowers are a passion, you'll find some of the most beautiful and exotic gardens at Kahuna Gardens, Tropical Gardens of Maui and Kula Botanical Gardens.) Mt. Haleakala also offers bicycle tours, as well as horseback riding, spelunking, and lava field visits in the surrounding areas. And for whale-watching, locals head to Maalaea Bay where humpback whales migrate during the winter months to give birth to their calves, or to the Whale Center of the Pacific to browse two museums dedicated to these maritime creatures. Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center is another Maui gem. For observers, the center has revolving contemporary art exhibits. For experimenters, Hui Noeau offers workshops, open studios and child, teen and adult classes. A little further southeast is the island of Hawaii (or The Big Island) where you'll find the world's tallest mountain (Mauna Kea, 33,480 feet from sea floor), the world's biggest mountain (Mauna Loa, 10,200 cubic miles) and 11 of 13 different world climates, not to mention an active volcano (Kilauea). In fact, as one of the only places in the world to see an active volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is popular with residents and visitors alike. Kailua-Kona is another Big Island must-see. A restored historic village, Kailua Kona is home to an early 1800s spiritual site, Hulihe'e Palace, and the first Christian church built in Hawaii. Or, if natural phenomena peak your curiosity, the Pacific Tsunami Museum is an interesting stop. The museum features in-house permanent exhibits, the Pacific Tsunami Warning system, the history of tsunamis in the Pacific Basin and a collection of tsunami tales, myths and legends. Get close to nature with safari kayaking tours on the Pacific, snorkeling adventures, and whale-watching trips. Four Macy's stores serve The Big Island. Circling back to the northern-most tip of the island chain, Kauai has been left a little more "untouched" than some of the others. Green mountains and lush tropical vegetation populate the island, hiding buildings that are restricted to the height of a mature coconut tree. Some of its other natural wonders include Waimea Canyon, Wailua River, Fern Grotto (a large lava-tube cave lined with ferns), Na Pali Coast (extreme hiking adventures and crystal-blue, dolphin-filled waters), Mt. Waialeale (the wettest spot on earth) and Wailua Falls (twin waterfalls). Macy's here caters to tourists and locals alike.
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