Hawaiian Holidays: Elvis and the Islands of Oahu and Kauai

The Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Kauai are a true paradise for holidaymakers in search of sun, white sandy beaches, surfing, and the simple beauty of nature.

The legendary Elvis Presley loved Hawaii and made three films there – on both Oahu and Kauai – in addition to his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert which was broadcast world-wide from the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu, on Oahu Island.

Hawaiian holidaymakers tend to fall in love with the beauty of the islands and enjoy the unrivalled hospitality of the Hawaiian people.

The Islands of Oahu and Kauai are of course a delight for Elvis fans as they follow in the footsteps of the great man, but for those that are less celebrity orientated there is still much to enjoy.

Kauai is the oldest and fourth of the main Hawaiian Islands. There are eight in all: Maui, Molokai, Niihau, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii, the ‘big island.’ Known also as the ‘Garden Isle’, Kauai’s landscape is rugged and sharp. Tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls provide visitors with views that simply have to be seen to be believed.

In addition to the alluring beauty of its landscapes, Kauai’s outdoor activities are varied and engaging: Kayaking the Wailua River, Snorkelling on Poipou Beach, Ziplining above Kauai’s valleys, and hitting the trails of Kokee State Park.

And not forgetting fans of the King, the 1966 Elvis classic, Paradise, Hawaiian Style, was filmed at various locations on Kauai.

Equally attractive is the Island of Oahu. Often referred to as ‘The Gathering Place’ due to it being the most populous of the islands, it is also the third largest and the 20th largest in the United States.

Home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, Oahu is a harmonious fusion of east and west cultures but with its roots in the traditions of Native Hawaiians.

Over five million visitors travel to Oahu Island every year to enjoy the rich variety on offer such as the clear blue waters of Kailua Beach, the hedonism of Honolulu, the historic architecture of Iolani Palace, and the memorials of Pearl Harbor.

Again, for the benefit of Elvis fans, much of Blue Hawaii was filmed on Oahu in 1961.

For the quintessential island holiday experience, a visit to the Islands of Kauai and Oahu is nothing less than a paradise on earth for non-Elvis and Elvis fans alike.