Hawaii is one of the most iconic vacation destinations on the planet. More than 9 million people visit the islands each year— many more people than actually live in the state, which has a population a bit shy of 1.5 million.

It's not hard to see what draws all of these visitors to Hawaii. The beautiful Hawaiian islands blend pristine beaches with stunning natural wonders, modern cities, and a culture unlike any other on Earth. You will find lots to love in Hawaii if you choose to vacation there. But before you book your hotel and buy your plane ticket, there are a few things that you should ask yourself. Here are the questions you need to answer in order to plan the perfect Hawaiian vacation.

Which island(s) will you see?

Hawaii is more than one island. The state covers a small archipelago, and each of Hawaii's islands offers something different to visitors. So which one is right for you?

O'ahu is Hawaii's capital island. It's an exciting place, full of people and culture. It's where you'll find Honolulu, Hawaii's capital and largest city. If you'd prefer scenic beaches and surfing, then Maui may be more your style. There's a lot to see on Maui, but it holds a special appeal for those who are in Hawaii in search of beaches. Luxurious resorts populate Lana'i, rural life dominates Moloka'i, and Mother Nature shapes new volcanoes on the Big Island.

When in doubt, limit your trip to just one or two islands. If you spend all of your time hopping between islands, you'll never get to appreciate even a fraction of what any of them have to offer. First-time visitors will most likely visit O'ahu or Maui, but there is plenty to see on every Hawaiian island.

Do you want to relax, try new experiences, or both?

If you want to spend an entire week or two on the beach, then you could certainly find worse places to do that than Hawaii. Maui, in particular, is home to the relaxing and picturesque beaches that make doing nothing feel like the highest form of self-love.

But, of course, you may also want to experience Hawaii's vibrant culture. Who wouldn't want to experience a luau in Maui while on vacation? Plan ahead to balance your schedule and make sure that you get into all of the events and access to all of the sights that you are determined to see.

What time of year should you go?

Hawaii is a beautiful place all year round, but there is definitely a tourist season. The worse the weather gets elsewhere, the more crowded you can expect Hawaii to get — and the more expensive you can expect attractions to be! Winters in Hawaii are a bit cooler and rainer than other seasons, but they are also prime time to see humpback whales. And Hawaii is certainly an incredible experience at any time of year. The considerations to weigh here are the mild changes in weather, the availability of hotels, airfare, and other tourist necessities, and, of course, your own availability.

When will you go back?

If you ask the right questions, you can craft the ultimate Hawaiian vacation. But make no mistake: you won't want your Hawaiian vacation to be a once-in-a-lifetime affair. If you can, you should come back to Hawaii again and again. There is always more to see, especially if you try a new island or shift your focus between relaxation and sightseeing. Hawaii has so much to offer, it's just waiting for you to pay it a visit.