Few of us are fortunate enough to own a vacation property, let alone one in Hawaii. There are, however, quite a few celebrities who have chosen to invest in these areas, and with good reason — there’s no limit to the number of events, attractions, adventures, restaurants, and more available to visitors! Here are just a few of the amazing parts of the Hawaiian Islands that you could find yourself:
Kailua Bay Beach
While many celebrities might call their Hawaiian retreats “home,” there’s one famous person who can truly make that claim. 44th President of the United States Barack Obama and his family spent the winter between 2008 and 2011 vacationing at a private estate in Kailua Bay. The estate is available for rent now (for a hefty price tag), but if you’d rather spend that money at Kailua Beach Park, no one would blame you. With its white sand beaches and a range of activities, from surfing to scuba diving, you’ll be able to enjoy the same ocean breezes as the former president.
Makawao
You might be surprised to find out that Willie Nelson’s a fan of the Hawaiian town of Makawao – so much so that he owns both a house and a bar in the area. And after visiting the quaint, old town with its small shops, souvenir stores, and its thriving art community, how could you not love it? If you’re lucky, you might run into him playing at his bar, but even better, you might be able to see the town’s glassblowers or painters at work.
Mount Haleakala
Oprah’s home on Mount Haleakala apparently has a perfect view of the Maui valley, a gorgeous wraparound porch, and thousands of other small, beautiful details. Maybe you’ll catch her driving around in her convertible Volkswagen Beetle. But the real beauty is Haleakala itself. Home to Haleakala National Park, it’s a great location for camping, hiking, and essentially any outdoor adventure. Chances are you won’t run into Oprah, but there is a chance you’ll make friends with some of the area’s cyclists, stargazers, or horseback riders.
Big Island
Perhaps the most famous of Hawaii’s islands and the largest, the Big Island was once home to the reclusive Neil Young. Though he has since sold his estate there, there’s still a lot of love, for him, the island’s natural beauty, and the resident’s amicability. The Big Island has all the same amenities in the way of beaches, golfing, and gardens, but take advantage of the Big Island’s fantastic zip lines, hula performances, and hot ponds too.
If you’re going to visit Hawaii at all, be sure to stop at the Big Island and witness a Hawaiian sunrise, courtesy of Neil Young.
Oahu
Rihanna’s put a lot of work into her career, and it has paid off. So well, in fact, she’s been able to vacation at Paul Mitchell’s Oahu estate and experience the warm night breezes blowing across the sea and sand. While you can visit Oahi’s official tourism site and find all the great places to stay and fine dining establishments, skip all the waiting and hemming by visiting one of the numerous events held on the Island or looking for local art to purchase for your new home.
Hanalei Bay
Willie’s not alone in his love for Maui. Numerous celebrities, including Julia Roberts, find the area, especially Hanalei Bay to the perfect spots for vacationing. Not only is Hanalei Bay a picturesque example of what most people think Hawaii looks like, but it’s also the largest bay of Kauau’I Island. Outside of looking into owning your own property here, you’ll be able to take kayaking and snorkeling tours, enjoy the amazingly delicious dishes at Pink’s Creamery, or just relax with a book and enjoy the area’s scenery.
Hana
Part of the celebrity-beloved Maui, Hana is a bit more secluded than some other parts of Hawaii. Beach-shy visitors can take refuge at the Travaasa Spa, lunch at Ka’uiki Restaurant, and stroll through the Hana Cultural Center & Museum before or after dinner. While you’re out and about, see if you can see the home of Kris Kristofferson.
North Shore
Location on Hawaii’s Garden Island, Kauai, you’ll find the former home of NBA star, Kareem Abdul-Jabber. But he didn’t choose to live here because the ceiling was high enough that he wouldn’t have to duck; aside from North Shore’s beaches, sea cliffs and lush greenery, it has a century-old lighthouse at the island’s northernmost end, a “soulful surfer town,” and 17-miles of coastline that’s inaccessible by car and perfect for hiking. Owen Wilson also has a home on North Shore, somewhere near the town of Paia.
You don’t have to be a celebrity or own vacation property to enjoy these attractions, restaurants, and activities, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
