compiled hawaii
Jen
Hi, everyone! Since I have been deluged with requests fro hawaiian info,
i have decided to post since i have very little time with papers due and exams
coming up. this isnt all of it, but all that the system can handle at the
present time. I received many mail messages, other compilations, etc, so
if one posts on the net, the other very nice, great people on the net would
also probably send info.
btw, this is theeonly version i have. its all edited and i dont have any info
on where i got it from. i hope thats ok. im not very good with computers, and
i hope i did this right.
have a happy day
jen
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My pre-Christmas vacation consisted of seven nights on 3 islands: 3 on
Oahu (The Gathering Place), 2 on Hawaii (The Big Island) and 2 on Kauai (The
Garden Island). My friend and I flew into Honolulu on Oahu Saturday
afternoon. Oahu contains 80% of Hawaii's population and has most of the
nightlife. Honolulu's Waikiki District is packed with hotels. Pearl Harbor
and Diamond Head are easily accessible by bus (which only costs $.60). A
few other cool facts about Hawaii is that there are no snakes on the islands
(except in zoos) and billboards are illegal. Having just returned, I have to
say that Hawaii is easily the most beautiful place I have ever visited. It
blows Florida and the Bahamas away by oh, say, a lot. They're not kidding
when they say, "Welcome to Paradise."
The first thing that struck me was the wonderfully scented air. This was
no surprise since we had just flown in from Chicago. We were welcomed with
a traditional lei greeting. Afterwards, a shuttle took us to our hotel, the
Outrigger Hobron. After checking in, we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe
which was within walking distance. I had a Hurricane for the glass (I have
one from London's Hard Rock Cafe). We then took a stroll along Waikiki
beach. It started to rain lightly, but it wasn't uncomfortable and it didn't
last long. We found out at our welcome breakfast the next day some people
call rain in Hawaii liquid sunshine!
Also, at our welcome breakfast we made reservations for a Pear Harbor and
City Tour, a Polynesian Dinner/Show and a helicopter tour on Kauai. We
learned that the water temperature varies from 70 to 72 degrees during the
year and were encouraged not to just stick around the Waikiki District which
is only about a 1 mile by two miles in size. We took a complimentary tour
of a jewelry design center (Maui Divers) and an all-you-need-in-one store
(Hilo Hattie). Even though my friend bought some jewelry and I bought a
T-shirt, I don't recommend these tours. They seemed to be designed to get
you to start spending right away. For example, in the design center you
were encouraged to get your own pearl for $5. You pick an oyster, you tap it
3 times for luck, everyone around you says "Aloha!" and your pearl is
removed. Now, you've been drawn in. They quickly put a hole in it and try
to get you to buy the necessary material to make it an item of jewelry -- you
may even need another pearl! They tell you you need to do something with it
and that you're going to spend money in Hawaii anyway. They are good (pushy)
salespeople. My friend and I both got pearls for the hell of it before we
noticed the web around us. We fended off the salespeople, but not before
they put holes in our pearls. Jeez!
Anyway, we then took the bus to Diamond Head (#58 -- which also takes you
back). We made the climb and the view was beautiful. We ended up walking
back instead of taking the bus, taking in the sights along Waikiki beach.
That evening we went to the Honolulu Comedy Club ($12 with a one drink
minimum). It was hilarious. We felt that most things cost about as much as
they do in Chicago (gas was more expensive -- about $1.50 per gallon for
regular unleaded). It seemed that you really didn't need a rental car to get
around on Oahu.
The next morning we walked to the hotel where we were picked up for our
tour. The bus took us to Pearl Harbor where we saw a film and took the naval
ferry to the Arizona Memorial. The tour then took us to Punchbowl National
Cemetery where one of the Challenger astronauts is buried. We saw a number
of other sites including a huge Santa Claus figure that was introduced as the
only barefoot Santa Claus in the 50 states. We also learned that Waikiki is
sinking at the rate of 1 inch per 25 years due to the weight of the hotels.
The afternoon was spent on beautiful Waikiki beach. We had cocktails at a
rotating restaurant that overlooked Waikiki beach before going to the
Polynesian dinner/show at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel.
The dinner was okay, but the show was pretty commercialized -- they had a
magician perform and a fashion show for lava lava wear that you could buy in
the lobby before they got to the traditional Hawaiian hulas and chants which
were very entertaining. The fire dance was especially impressive.
The next day we flew Aloha airlines to Hawaii where our rental car awaited.
It was a red Geo Metro, an extraordinarily loud car for one with such poor
acceleration. They won't let you drive rental cars on all roads on Hawaii,
so if you want to go to the summit of Mauna Kea, you have to take a tour.
The tour only cost $75, but they need at least 4 people to be on it for it to
go. They didn't have 4 people when we called, so it didn't happen. BTW, the
tour leaves at 9:00 AM. We couldn't check into our hotel (Kona Seaside)
until after 3:00, so we drove to Volcanoes National Park ($5).
Hawaii is the biggest and youngest of the 8 major Hawaiian islands. It has
5 volcanoes -- a couple of which are still active, the highest peak of all
the islands (Mauna Kea), the southernmost piece of land in the 50 states
(which also requires that you take a forbidden road for rental cars) and a
population of about 118,000.
We drove around Kilauea, stopping at the visitor center, the observatory,
the caldera rim and the rim of Halemaumau Crater. The sights were amazing.
There was no real activity at the time apart from the toxic sulfuric gases
and steam rising around around us, but to see what a volcano could do very
much impressed this Chicagoan. We walked through a lava tube and drove past
a chain of craters before finally making out way to a huge lava field that
extended for miles. We drove by the famous black sand beach.
Unfortunately, there was no molten lava flowing that day, but just to walk
over that field at night with only the moonlight for illumination and the
sound of the ocean's waves hitting the end of the waves was incredible. I
suggest you bring a flashlight if you go at night. My friend tripped and
turned back while I continued on.
We decided to continue going around the island. We ate at a diner in Hilo
and then continued around the island until we got back to Kona.
The next day we tour the ruins of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (known to many as
the Place of Refuge). We took in the Painted Church, a coffee company and a
macadamia nut factory before hitting the beach. That evening we just walked
around Kona's beachfront.
The next day we took in Hapuna Beach, easily our favorite beach of the ones
we went to on all three islands. The waves were huge. You could be standing
in knee-deep water when all of a sudden a wall of water will send you flying.
It was a blast.
We checked out and flew to Kauai that afternoon. Kauai is the oldest
island. It is only 33 by 25 miles in size. In fact, it is sinking at the
rate of 1 inch per 25,000 years. It was pretty cool when we got there. The
island was just recovering from rain storms that had caused some flooding.
This time we had a blue Chevy Cavalier. After checking in at the Kauai
Beachboy, we made reservations for a luau at Smith's Tropical Paradise.
There are only two luaus on the island (so we were told). Someone on the
net recommended the one at the Sheraton, but we went with the advice of the
the woman who made the reservations for us. That night we went to the Kauai
Comedy Club. It was pretty dead there that night, but we had been told that
it sells out every night.
The next day, we were picked up for our helicopter tour. It was fantastic!
I highly recommend such a tour ($129). The windows were open and my camera
got sucked out when I tried to take my first picture. It's a good thing it
was still attached to my wrist, so I just had to reel it back inside. We
then drove up the shoreline taking in the many sights (e.g., dry and wet
caves, beaches, waterfalls, etc.). The luau was okay. Food doesn't usually
do a lot for me -- it's mostly just a means to stay alive for me. The show
was good. They repeated many of the dances we had seen on Oahu, but it'll be
a long time before I tire of seeing young women with swaying hips in grass
skirts. ;-)
We visited Spouting Horn and Poipu beach the next day before flying home.
As a final treat, we got to see Charo seeing someone off at Kauai's airport
before we boarded our flight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kauai
<> - places to eat
Fun and least expensive
Jimmy's Grill
1354 Kuhio Hwy
Good hamburgers, great place
(spent many hours there)
Paradise Hot Dogs
Kiahuna Shopping Village
Great hot dogs cooked in beer
Interesting - moderate costs
Brennecke's Beach Broiler
At Poipu Beach Park
Good food and great view of beach
Plantation Gardens Restaurant
2253 Poipu Rd
Poipu
Casual - delicious seafood
JJ's Broiler
Nawiliwili Bay
Good steaks, lunch menu and view
Expensive (but I've heard very nice)
Tamarind
Stoufer Waiohai Beach Resort
Poipu
Far eastern cuisine
(requires long sleeve shirts or jackets for men, women(?).
Inn on The Cliffs
Westin-Kauai
Charo's (cuchi-cuchi)
Nice drive - between Wainiha and Haena
Great sunsets - food good
There is always the good old standbys
McDonalds
Buger King
Sizzler
Pizza Hut
Jolly Roger
Must!!!
Lappert's Aloha Ice Cream (yummmmmmmm!)
<> - things to do
So much to do - So little time
An absolute MUST- rental car!!
South Sea Helicopter Tour (expensive but worth it!!)
Na Pali Coast sea tour (great)
Luau at Sheraton Coconut Beach Hotel (I'll go back)
Wailua River tour to the fern grotto (must see once)
Waimea Canyon (grand canyon of the pacific) (a photographers dream)
Wailua Falls (filmed for the opening shot of Fantasy Island)
Lumahai Beach (movie South Pacific filmed here - beautiful beach)
<> - things to not do....
Lay out in the sun for long periods of time especially between 11:00 a.m
and 2:00 p.m. - other times for short periods until a good tan base is built.
If you must, use a minimum number 15 sun lotion - 25 0r 30 even better.
<> - etc.
Check out -
Niihau shell leis
at Kauai Gold
Market Place Coconut Plantation
They are beautiful - Some are reasoable
Most are expensive
All are beautiful
Ask the salesperson about the history of the leis and the island of Niihau.
I've just touched the tip of the iceburg as far as Kauai goes. We we get is
approx 100 yds from the beach. There are beautiful sights all over the
island. Just when you thought you saw them all, a new one pops up.
Maui
Check out Haleakala on Maui. If there is one thing in my 22 years here that
I would recommend, that's the one. It is far the most "awesome" place I've
ever been to. You MUST, absolutely MUST see it at sunrise!!!!!! You will
have to get up verrrrry early, and it is about a 2-3 hour drive from Lahaina,
but you will NEVER forget it!!! And it is cold in the morning. Yes, COLD.
The air is thin. TAKE FOOD with you in case there isn't any being sold there.
There's good hiking there, too. There are some official trails through the
crater, but unfortunately you won't have time (this trip). One thing I used
to do that not many people do is just hike around the rim. Not *all* the way
around, though. It's big. The trouble with hiking is that you park the car
somewhere, hike off, and then have to hike back to the car again. Rewind.
If youre real tough, you can take off down into the crater at sunrise, and
a.) have somebody drive your car to the >8500 ft level where there is a trail
head, and meet you there. The trail (I forget the name) at 8500 ft is a very
nice switchback up/down the crater wall. Go down sliding sands trail from the
summit and head for Holua cabin and up and out. Half-day minimum. b.) Down
sliding sands trail and out the kaupo gap to the kaupo store, and from there
to seven sacred pools (seven sacred falls, as some call it, seven sacred
fools) That's a 2-3 day hike. After spending one or two days inside the
crater (an island within an island), when you come down the gap, you start
to see signs of life. Like coming back from the moon.
All the islands have beautiful vegetation, waterfalls, etc. But there is
nothing like Haleakala. Except perhaps Mauna Loa, but thats on the Big
Island. And Mauna Loa can kill you. Haleakala will just blow your mind.
Haleakala is pronounced "Ha-lay-ah-kah-LAW"
We also stayed at the Royal Lahaini. We only had three days in Maui, which
was not even long enough. Our trip up to Haleakala was in a tour bus. It
picked us up in front of the RL at 2:00 a.m., stopped half way up at a
convience store so we could buy coffee and whatever and dropped us at the
top. It was the most breath taking view we have ever seen. We have some of
the most fantastic still and video shots that you can imagine. One nice
thing about the tour bus was the history of the island that we received from
the driver. He was born there and has lived no where else. Real interesting.
Also to reiterate what LongJohn said, *****DRESS WARM*****. If possible,
sneak a blanket from the hotel. We did - its neat to snuggle under a blanket
watching that beauty unfold.
When we got back, we exchanged our subcompact for a convertible and rented
a tape and headed up the Hana Hwy. Both in one day is not for the faint of
heart but it is very doable.
I highly recommend the Sunday brunch at the Waiohai.
Helicoptor tour is a must. Take it early in the trip to get ideas on things
to do. The different helicopter tour places use different vehicles with
different seating arrangements. You may want to check it out.
Maui
Two musts:
Sunrise on Haleakala.
Drive up the Hana Highway (don't forget to rent a cassette tour tape).
I am planning to go to Kauai in October and have bought the Frommer's
travel guide. I've found it to be very helpful and informative. It also
contains many details about various restaurants in the areas.
My family and I did a "snorkel-lunch" cruise off the Big Island out of Kona
into Kealakeakua (sp?) Bay - it's where Cook's monument is located. It had
to be one of the best things we did during our 2-week stay! We were there at
Christmas-time and I felt that the water was a little cool, but I'm from
Florida originally.
When you are in Waikiki there are stands all along the main drag, Kalakaua
Ave., with little tourist brochures. In those brochures are advertisements
for one day or longer trips to the other islands, some including, for
example, a local excursion in a helicopter. I have never gone on one of
these private charters, but I think they must not use Hawaiian Airlines
planes. (Probably they use small planes.)
Highly prejudiced opinions based on a three week trip last fall:
Oahu - OUTSIDE Honolullu about 3 days, Hono. about 20 min. (its a big, busy
city). I count Waikiki as Honolulu. BTW.
Unless you are LDS (Mormon) don't bother with the "Polynesian Cultural
Center". IMHO its a rip off, the only "polynesian" part is the student
workers.
Big Island - 4-5 days. Depends how you like volcanos, lava flows and
picturesque beaches.
I definitly reccomend Nanapua from ANY grungy looking street vendor or
"greasy spoon". THey sell the genuine article which GREAT, the "fancy"
version cost around 10X more and was awful!
My wife and I just returned from two weeks in Hawai'i (courtesy of TWA
Frequent Flyer's bonus miles). Here are a few QUICK observations:
The Big Island (Hawai'i): Except for the volcano (definitely worth
seeing --- there are active lava flows now!), climbing Mauna Loa or Mauna
Kea, visiting coffee, macadamia, or guava plantations, there isn't a lot that
isn't better enjoyed on other islands. The Hilo area is depressing; it
doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the state.
Maui: We stayed in the Lahaina area. It's a bit touristy, but
relaxing nonetheless. Haleakala is worth a visit (it is a dormant volcano
(last activity in the late 1920's) with unusual landscape and flora). The
northwest shore provides some good snorkeling and diving. If you enjoy
snorkeling and/or diving, a trip to Molokini is worth the time and money.
Molokini is the remains of a 5 million year old cinder cone. About half of
it is above water, so it forms a crescent shaped island, about 6 km offshore.
Snorkeling there, I saw a shark! (albeit only a white tipped reef shark, a
scavenger, not a predator.... but it looks just like the "big guys"!)
Oahu: Developed. We enjoyed the cultural diversity of Oahu, though.
One evening, quite by accident, we stumbled on a Bon Festival at a Japanese
Buddhist temple in Moana, a suburb of Honolulu, not far from the University
of Hawai'i. By far, the very best snorkeling/diving I have ever seen (and
I've been diving in the Red Sea) is to be had at Hanauma Bay, about 20
minutes drive west of Honolulu on Interstate H-1. (I still don't understand
how Hawai'i can have interstate highways ;-) You don't even need a snorkel,
and could enjoy the fish without even wearing a mask. Imagine standing in a
3 foot deep aquarium. When you walk, you have to push the fish out of the
way. There is a State Underwater Park/Preserve there, and the fish know it,
so they are extraordinarily friendly. Kaua'i: Spectacular scenery.
Follow the Waimea Canyon Road to the very end. Within a few kilometers, you
see what looks like the Grand Canyon and Kaua'i's Na Pali Coast, incredible
valleys and ridges falling a kilometer to the sea. There is nothing like it
anywhere else. The northeast coast was the setting for "South Pacific". It
isn't at all difficult to imagine Bali Hai sitting on the horizon.
I read your suggestions regarding the Hawaiian Iislands... Well, I would
rather say that on the Big Island (Hawaii) there are many opportunities to
walk around without meeting so many tourists. Especially if you keep away
from the Kona sida where all the big tourist hotels are located. In Hilo
there are a genuine and a very friendly atmosphere ! Otherwise, I agree about
Maui and Oahu but even on Kauai there are possibilities to find places of the
tourist road.
I second the motion for The Big Island of Hawai'i. Unless you are looking
for the sanitized little bit o'home away from home. The opportunities to get
away and be completely alone, on a beach, on a volcano, near a waterfall, in
the classic tropical flora of Hawai'i are multitude on this most beautiful
island.
Hilo may not have its tourist facade up to elegant standards, but it is the
only city I've found on the islands that feels authentic. Try the Farmer's
Market between 6 and 7 am on Saturday morning. Bring single dollars,
because everything is packaged to cost a dollah.
The Bishop Museum in Honolulu is worth a full day and a trip around Oahu by
car or bus can take two days.
Here's an extra tidbit for you: Volcanic ash from Kiluea causes a haze/fog
which locals call "vog" on the Kona side of the Big Island (the Hilo side
isn't affected due to wind direction) . My sister, who has lived in Kona for
six years now, had never mentioned "vog" before my visit to the islands last
year. Needless to say, I wasn't pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the
airport. The locals don't think twice about it anymore, but you may want to
go mentally prepared to see a Los Angeles-like sky (if Kiluea's been super
active lately).
And if you're looking for more quietness, you should plan a few days (two
is enough) on Kauai. Although more populated and more visited by tourists
than Molokai, it is still a very beautifull island on which you can find
(among many things) the Waimea Canyon: Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
On the Big Island, fly (if you have the money) with a helicopter over the
active volcano. It's awesome. Hike one of the many trails in Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park.
And last but not least: See Haleakala Crater on Maui.
Two days to see Kauai is absurd. We have been there eight times, one for
one week, six for two weeks and one for a month and still don't feel we
really know everything we want to know. I should point out that we are not
hikers or back-packers, but have learned to keep our eyes and minds open.
Ate dinner at Hotel Hana Mauii. Great experience and worth the money. The
hotel is expensive also.
I have been to 3 islands - Oahu, Kauai, and the big island of Hawaii.
Both Kauai and Hawaii were both fairly "quiet" compared to Oahu, with Kauai
being the most "sedate". Hawaii however, is much bigger than all of the
other islands put together, so there are plenty of places to go to get away
from it all.
In Kauai, I would highly recommend hiking the Na Pali coast trail if you
like to hike. It is gorgeous! It's about 11 miles long if I remember
correctly, and traverses the north coast of Kauai. This coast is unreachable
except by foot, boat or helicopter, and thus, is unspoiled. You may also
enjoy taking a Zodiac raft tour of the Na Pali coast which is great, too.
These are huge, sturdy, inflatable raft-boats which are driven by guides to
the Na Pali coast. They will stop for group snorkeling and lunch on a
secluded beach. I've heard that these raft tours are a lot of fun! I took a
helicopter tour of Na Pali and really enjoyed it. If you go in a helicopter
be sure to ask for the front seat, next to the pilot for the best view.
However, in hindsight, I would have preferred to take the Zodiac raft trip
on Kauai, and taken the helicopter ride on Hawaii to see the volcano
flow....
Snorkeling is great at Salt Pond Beach Park on Kauai, and many other areas.
Pick up a copy of "Hidden Hawaii" for a good guide. Also, Barking Sands
Beach on the west coast is great for body surfing, as is Brennecke's Beach on
the south coast in Poipu. Barking Sands is a super place to get a tan, too -
it gets *extremely* hot, so take some sunscreen, just in case.
For a wonderful luau, make reservations at Tahiti Nui on the northeast
coast of Kauai. This restaurant holds luaus 3 nights per week, and has the
best food on the island, I think. It's a much more intimate luau than the
ones held at the big hotels. Hawaiian entertainment (music & hula) is offered
after dinner, and an old Hawaiian woman sits on the front porch making fresh
flower leis all night long. Be sure to buy one -they're cheap and fill the
air with a wonderful scent.
HAWAII ------
I got back from the big island in September after spending 2 weeks there.
This island contains many historical sites offering a wealth of information
about Hawaii's heritage. My favorite historical visit was to the City of
Refuge, located south of Kona. This is where non- combatants and vanquished
warriors went to received absolution during and after civil wars. Anyone
violating the sacred laws of "kapu" (forbidden behavior), also had to find
their way to the City of Refuge, and after spending a certain amount of time
there, were allowed to rejoin society. Otherwise, they were outcasts.
Also, along the southwest side of Hawaii, we found a number of super areas
for snorkelling and body surfing. The best snorkeling spot was at Kahaluu'
Beach Park, a marine conservation district. The water is fairly clear, and
entry is easy. Best body surfing was at an unamed beach located across from
a mini-mart store, on Ali'i Drive, about 1 mile south of the Kona Tiki Motel.
Oh yeah, don't forget to bring food for the fish when you snorkel - frozen
peas are best since they don't disintegrate like bread, or the fish food
pellets you can get when you rent snorkel equipment.
The best beaches on Hawaii are located on the Kohala (northwest) coast. The
best beach is Hapuna, a large public beach which is about a half hour car
ride from Kona. Hapuna has some nice shaded picnic tables, and restrooms.
Body surfing is usually good, although there is no lifeguard, so beware of
the currents. Next up the road is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Access to the
beach which fronts the hotel is limited to hotel guests, and 10 non-guests.
They hand out 10 parking permits a day, which I've heard are heard to come
by. When we got there at about 10:30am on a weekday, we got the last permit
available. Mauna Kea Beach is smaller and calmer than Hapuna, with an open-
air bar on the beach. Chaise lounges are provided for hotel guests, but you
can snag a couple for yourself, probably no one will hassle you.
Volcanos National Park is nice to visit, but wasn't really our cup of tea.
Steam and sulfur are continuously vented into the air all over the park,
which may be irritating for people with breathing problems. When we were
there, Kileaua was erupting, and it was possible to see the hot lava flow if
you chose to hike over a couple miles of razor sharp lava to get to the point
where it as flowing into the ocean. We settled for post cards of this, as
we'd had our fill of "vog" (volcanic fog). The visitors center is a neat
place ot visit and has some unusual gifts. To tour the whole park including
Chain of Crater Road would take more than a day. If you're interested in
seeing the whole thing, you may want to drive from Kona to the park, spend
the day there, and then drive to nearby Hilo, and stay the night. It takes
about 2 hours to drive from Kona to Volcanos.
In Hilo, expect the weather to be misty and cool. Be sure to check out the
Japanese Gardens in the downtown area, Akaka Falls, and some of the tropical
gardens in the area. You can have flowers (orchids, heliconia, birds of
paradise, etc.) shipped back to the mainland for fairly reasonable prices
from Hilo Tropical Gardens and other nurseries. I'd recommend taking a tour
of Hawaii Tropical Gardens. The admission is $10, but is tax deductible and
goes to a good cause. There are many Japanese people living in Hilo, and if
you like it, Japanese food is a good bet. I'd recommend KK Tei very highly -
very fresh food, good portions at reasonable prices. Fuji's is also supposed
to be good.
The Saddle Road which bisects the island from east to west was fine when we
were there despite warnings we'd received about its horrible condition. A
rental car can handle it with no problem.
You lucky thing, you. I spent 5 nights on The Big Island of Hawaii last
June (second visit there). Here's some ideas:
1. Even if you don't stay there, you MUST check out the Hyatt at Waikoloa
(that's north of Kona in the resort area of Waikoloa). Drive in, park like
you owned the joint, walk through the lobby and get into the passenger boats
which will tour you around the place and bring you back to the lobby. This
is open to the public (room rates start at around $300). You won't believe
what they've done to a place that was bare lava beds just 6 years ago. And,
depending on your sensitivity to massive outlays of money, you'll love
it/hate it. But don't miss it!
2. The active lava flow on the south edge of the island is particularly
spectacular at dusk. It's a hefty walk from the parking lot, and there are
impressively daunting signs saying don't undertake this walk unless you have
water, flashlight, good lungs, etc.
But to see 3000 degree molten lava trickle down the mountainside and splash
into the ocean in a huge gush of steam is to be at the point of creation, to
witness the birth of earth. Here's a point where fire, air, earth and water
meet in one place. For me, it was awe-inspiring. And they weren't kidding
about the water. Even after dark, when it's not hot, you're walking over
lava tubes and heat rises through the crust from the molten lava below. Good
place to have a camera. This particular flow has added 13 acres to the
island in the last several years.
3. There's a drive on the outer edge of the island (southeast corner)
called the "red road". Beautiful drive, nice beaches (not much sand). Stop
off at the town of Pahoa and have brunch in the coffee shop (insane
macadamia nut pancakes and a great place to people watch).
What to do in Maui: Don't miss the spectacular sunrise over Haleakala!
You have to get up very early in order make the drive up there, but it's
definitely worth it (my now-fiance proposed to me there, as we watched the
sun peek over the crater). I also would suggest you stop by Blackie's, a
great dive bar in Lahaina that features juicy burgers and live jazz bands.
Kauai id the islnad for scenery: they call it the Garden Isle.
It is not the island for night life and lots of great
restaurants. There are three areas that have great scenery:
1. Waimea Canoyon/Kokee State Park
2. the North shore from Hanalei to Kee Park
3. The Na Pali (Hawaiian for "The Cliffs")
(1) and (2) are accessible by car. Na Pali is not. If you
are hikers, you probably already know about the 11.5 mile
trail from Kee beach to the Kalalau Valley. If you're not
hikers, forget it. (It's a cliffside trail that rises several
times from sea level to 2000 feet. You have to carry all of
your food and water, and most people take at least two days.
One to go to the valley and one to return to Kee beach.)
Otherwise, You can "tour" Na Pali by helicopter and/or a boat
trip.
I really like the down-home style luau at the Tahiti Nui in
Hanalei.
Snorkelling is ggod at Poipu (sputh shore) and Kee beach
(north shore). A little place in Kapaa (Sea Scape?) has an
outing that includes snorkelling gear and instruction and a
picknic lunch. They go to Poipu.
On Kauai, you need a car. I have always rented from Alamo at
a weekly rate. It actually costs more to rent for six days at
the daily rate than for seven at the weekly rate. Maybe you
can get a better deal from someone else.
I am a semi-pro photographer, so my list is slanted toward
photogenic places. My primary interest is scenic/landscape
photography.
Hawaii (the Big Island) is my favorite island, and when I move
to Hawaii, I will live there. These are my favorite things on
the Big Island. The major items are in my order of
preference, with minor (nearby) items listed with the major
ones.
1. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (City of
Refuge)
This is probably my favorite place in all of the
islands. It is a restoration of a pre-Christianity
temple site (Heiau) and the surrounding grounds. As I
tour the grounds, I always have the feeling that someone
is watching what I do. This "watcher" is benevolent -
far from malevolent. I find it very peaceful there -
very much like a Church. Lots of great pictures to be
had here.
Nearby spots are:
a) The Painted Church
b) The Kona Coffee Mill. Even if you don't like
coffee, they have a lot of interesting things in
their informal museum. They also have a huge urn
of their coffee for you to sample free!! It's the
REAL KONA COFFEE!!! And they sell it at the best
prices you'll ever see for KONA.
c) The Macademia Nut "Factory". It's really a small
nut processing facility with a small display of
relevant processing antiques and GREAT nut prices.
2. Hawaii Volcanos National Park. This can be a full day
(multi-day?) place to visit. Don't miss the Thurston
Tube or Devastation Trail. I have always been very
impressed by the lava flow fields that are all over the
island. Hawaii is the youngest island, so the flow
fields there are very easy to see. Those on the older
islands have been worn down to soil be the action of
plants and water over the millions of years.
3. The Hilo Area
a) Akaka Falls State Park. Two giant (400 ft.)
waterfalls in a park full of giant tropical
plants.
b) Take the scenic drive that runs parallel to State
Route 19 North of Hilo and on the way to Akaka
Falls park. You leave 19 at Papa'ikou.
c) Rainbow Falls: right in Hilo.
d) Hilo City Park. Laid out like a Japanese garden.
e) Ting Hao restaurant: my favorite in all the
islands. It's a down home style Chinese
restaurant where you pay low prices for the great
food instead of high prices for the pretty
wallpaper. Don't miss the Flan!!! ("vanilla"
pudding with carmelized sugar sauce).
4. Waipio Valley overlook.
5. North Kohala mountains. Take the high road out of
Waimea and go all the way to the end: the Pololu Valley
lookout. Notice how fast the vegetation changes from
large trees that need lots of water to Arizona-style
desert as you go through Waimea. Climatologists have
defined 24 different climatic regions types on earth.
The Big Island has 23 of them on it. (I guess "Artic is
the missing one.) Notice the cactus growing in the
fields full of the greenest grass you're likely to see
anywhere!
a) Kamehameha I statue in Kapa'au.
b) Keokea Beach County Park.
c) There are lots of nice beaches near/at the large
hotel sites in South Kohala (along State Route
19).
6. The Kailua (Kona) area.
a) The Kailua Kandy Kompany: a mom-and-pop CHOCOLATE
candy company in the little industrial park at the
North edge of town. Don't miss their free tour
with the free samples. They make the best
Chocolate candy I've ever had. They use NO
ARTICIFIAL ingredients or preservatives. It's not
cheap, but it's great!
b) The luau at the King Kamehameha Hotel. Pretty
good for a "hotel" luau, but not nearly as nice as
the down home style one at the Tahiti Nui (in
Hanalei on Kauai).
c) Take a look at "souvenir row" along Alii Drive in
Kailua.
I've been to Maui and in the past few weeks to Kauai.
Maui has some *wonderful* restaurants.
The place they must go to is Avalon, on the main drag in Lahaina. It is in
a mall off the main street, right below a bar. It looks like an indoor
patio, but the food is *outstanding*. The Asian pasta is tremendous, the
maui onion strings are great, and the desserts are worth the trip.
Also in Maui is Hakone in the Maui Prince Hotel (near Makena beach past
Wailea). Wonderful traditional Kaiseki dinner. Costly, though ($50 pp for
Kaiseki, but served artfully in a beautiful setting). Other dinners include
tableside sukiyaki. MMMMM!
Island Fish House and Mama's are also good for fish.
I highly recommend the book Maui: A Paradise Guide (I think from Ten Speed
Press). The only bad suggestion it had was Chuck's Steak House--ack!
Kauai doesn't have that great food, and it's expensive! At the Kauai
Lagoons (Westin Hotel), the Japanese restaurant is supposed to be good. One
of the best kaiseki dinners in the US, according to informed sources. But too
expensive for my blood ($70 pp).
One hole in the wall, wonderful place is the Hanamura Saimin Stand in
Lihue. Japanes noodle soup, filled with wonderful meats and vegetables to
order. Great for a good, filling lunch at about $4 per person. Decor is very
poor, but food is great. Also have them try the shave ice at Hanamura's
(weekdays only). Authentic Japanese shave ice (like snow cones, only better)
unlike other places on the island that used crushed ice. The Halo Halo
shave ice comes with fruit and jello on the bottom, topped with shave ice
sweetened with condensed milk and can be topped with strawberry syrup.
A place that was recommended to me was A Pacific Cafe (or something to that
effect). Never did get the chance to eat there.
Eggbert's for breakfast is supposed to be good, but I thought the food
stunk. Also, a flaming homosexual host greets you (not that I have anything
against homosexuals, but he was annoying any way around) and gives you a
speech in monotone falsity that makes your skin crawl. A popular place, but
not worth it.
Sharky's at the Westing Kauai Lagoons (can you telll where I stayed?) is
okay, but I was a bit disappointed (my fish was overcooked). It was very
nice though, overlooking the 14th tee on their championship ($118 per round)
golf course. They also have three live sharks in a tank--3 ft sharks, but
neat anyway.
That's about it. Hope your folks have fun.
On Maui you have to drive (or stay) in Hana. It is very green and
beautiful. If they hate rain, then don't go. Stop at the fruit stand on the
drive out, it's great... I've only spent time on the Big Island (a total of
three weeks in the past year). Volcanos national park without question is
worth as much time as they can spend there. I'd recommend taking a
helicopter ride to get a good look at the current eruption activity, as well
as to get an idea of what has happened in the park. You can take a
helicopter tour out of Hilo or from the park itself. The former gives you
less time in the park (time lost traveling between Hilo and the park), but
has better helicopters with headsets so you can talk to the pilot. The latter
gives you a more park oriented experience.
Another great time is taking Paradise Safaris' stargazing trip to the top
of Mauna Kea. They drive you to the top as sunset approaches; you watch the
sunset, and wander around looking at all the observatories up there, then
head down to the 10000ft level to look through a reflector telescope.
I've been to Hawaii three times. Twice for business to Pearl Harbor,
Oahu,
and once on my honeymoon to Oahu & Maui. I won't go into great detail
because I'm not exactly sure what your parents enjoy(for me it was water
sports mostly). I'll just point out a few items that some might not
mention.
On Oahu:
Everyone on the net puts Oahu down because it's built up.
It's a city on the beach, at least at Waikiki, but a lot of fun!
Here's a couple of things I enjoyed:
o Hiking up to the Diamond Head look out (bring a flashlight
ther's a long concrete tunnel with a rail but no lights)
o Seeing the rural part of the island - the North side is full
a fairly desolate beaches and beautiful scenery. There's
Haunama Bay for snorkelling(crowded), Sunset Beach to watch
the famous Banzai pipeline(during summer it's a bay though),
etc...
o I didn't go because it wasn't there yet, but they have small
submarine(Atlantis) sails off of Waikiki and allows you to
see the fish without getting wet - if your not into snorkelling.
o Pearl Harbor if they are interested in WWII memorial
o Bishops Museum for a little history on Hawaiian culture and
the Ioana Palace where Hawaiian royalty lived. Both in
Honolulu.
I didn't enjoy:
o Polynesian Cultural Center - a real touristy type place
the museum was better for a glance at Hawaiian culture.
On Maui:
Liked:
o I loved the beaches everywhere - stayed on Kaanapali Beach.
o Lahaina - old whaling town close to Kaanapali that has some
shops, bars, dining, and also is a port for fishing and
boating excursions
o Snorkelling was great everywhere.
o Seeing the island was fun, didn't go to the crater but heard
A. Lani Teshima
>
> Sizzler
The Sizzler's in Waikiki is the most busiest Sizzler in the
whole country, and also nets the most income of them all. It is open
24 hours a day and there are lines practically all day lone. Food is
consistent and reasonable for Waikiki.
> Lay out in the sun for long periods of time especially between 11:00 a.m
>and 2:00 p.m. - other times for short periods until a good tan base is built.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! You are promoting the development of
skin cancer! Never lay out from 11am to 2pm, when the sun is strongest
here! The sun is physically closer to us because we are only 21
degrees from the equator. You will suffer sunburn and increase your
chances of skin cancer! Please limit your sun worshipping to morning
hours or later in the afternoon. Remember--there is no such thing as a
"healthy" tan.
>If you must, use a minimum number 15 sun lotion - 25 0r 30 even better.
> Check out Haleakala on Maui. If there is one thing in my 22 years here that
>I would recommend, that's the one. It is far the most "awesome" place I've
>ever been to. You MUST, absolutely MUST see it at sunrise!!!!!! You will
>have to get up verrrrry early, and it is about a 2-3 hour drive from Lahaina,
>but you will NEVER forget it!!! And it is cold in the morning. Yes, COLD.
>The air is thin. TAKE FOOD with you in case there isn't any being sold there.
Plan to leave Lahaina at least 3am or earlier. Wear layers of
clothing, so you can peel off when it gets warmer. It feels
particularly cold because air is so thin. Plan on wearing at least a
thick sweater.
>
> I definitly reccomend Nanapua from ANY grungy looking street vendor or
^^^^^^^ "manapua", pronounced mah-nah-pooh-ah
>"greasy spoon". THey sell the genuine article which GREAT, the "fancy"
>version cost around 10X more and was awful!
Manapua is found only in Hawaii, although many people think it's
Chinese. (It's a local adaptation, like many other foods here). It's a
white roll (steamed) with char siu red meat inside. If you want to try
a good one, go to Patty's Chinese Kitchen in Ala Moana Shopping Center
in Honolulu. They're only like 60 cents, and Patty's doesn't have
those clumps of fat in them like some others do.
>The Hilo area is depressing; it doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the state.
Excuse me--the rest of the state doesn't fit Hilo. It's the oldest,
bustling gathering place for the Big Island. If you think all the
glitzy Hyatt-type hotels on the Big Island are what the island is all
about, go visit with the local people in Hilo. Now THAT's what the Big
Island is all about. All the rest is just touristy stuff.
> Oahu: Developed. We enjoyed the cultural diversity of Oahu, though.
>One evening, quite by accident, we stumbled on a Bon Festival at a Japanese
>Buddhist temple in Moana, a suburb of Honolulu, not far from the University
^^^^^ That's "Manoa," as in "the University of
Hawaii at Manoa." Manoa is a very nice, verdant valley above UHM
campus. Faculty and students hang out up there, so it's tres chic,
coffee shops, etc. Off the beaten track, more educated crowd.
>By far, the very best snorkeling/diving I have ever seen (and
>I've been diving in the Red Sea) is to be had at Hanauma Bay, about 20
>minutes drive west of Honolulu on Interstate H-1. (I still don't understand
>how Hawai'i can have interstate highways ;-) You don't even need a snorkel,
>and could enjoy the fish without even wearing a mask. Imagine standing in a
>3 foot deep aquarium. When you walk, you have to push the fish out of the
>way. There is a State Underwater Park/Preserve there, and the fish know it,
>so they are extraordinarily friendly.
Do not visit H-Bay on Wednesday mornings, as it is closed for cleaning
and maintenance. Avoid H-Bay on Wednesdays, period. By noon when it
opens there is a huge throng of people waiting to mob the bay. Go as
early as you can, the park opens around 7 or 7:30am. Parking lot fills
up by 9 or 10am.
> Here's an extra tidbit for you: Volcanic ash from Kiluea causes a haze/fog
>which locals call "vog" on the Kona side of the Big Island (the Hilo side
>isn't affected due to wind direction) . My sister, who has lived in Kona for
>six years now, had never mentioned "vog" before my visit to the islands last
>year. Needless to say, I wasn't pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the
>airport. The locals don't think twice about it anymore, but you may want to
>go mentally prepared to see a Los Angeles-like sky (if Kiluea's been super
>active lately).
This is important for asthmatics: when vog is up, bring your atomizer
with you.
Another tip regarding atmospheric haze: Although it's not from vog,
the haze left by Mount Pinatubo (Philippines) volcano has left Hawaii
with the most awesome, spectacular, colorful sunsets I've ever seen in
the 16 years I've lived here. Ever see those fake-looking purple or
orange sunset postcards from Hawaii? It looks like that sometimes now.
> Oh yeah, don't forget to bring food for the fish when you snorkel - frozen
>peas are best since they don't disintegrate like bread, or the fish food
>pellets you can get when you rent snorkel equipment.
The frozen peas may be convenient for YOU, but it's not natural food
for the fish. Fish Chow is better from a nutritional standpoint, and
environmental educators are working hard to change this here. Please
do not feed the local fish frozen peas (or bread, or M&Ms or any
number of things I've seen being fed). And IF you DO feed frozen peas,
PLEASE keep your plastic bags until you get to the trash bin. We try
hard to keep our islands clean, but we still collect hundreds of tons
of marine debris in our annual October shoreline clean-up. If the tide
is right, I see hundreds of frozen pea bags wash up in Hanauma Bay. :(
> The Saddle Road which bisects the island from east to west was fine when we
>were there despite warnings we'd received about its horrible condition. A
>rental car can handle it with no problem.
Consider your car rental contract before attempting Saddle Road. Some
agencies will void insurance coverage on your car if you drive on
Saddle road. BEWARE!
Just my $0.02 worth to help make your Hawaii trips more enjoyable.
Aloha--
--
A. Lani Teshima, UH School of Library & Info Studies o | /_/_/ "Sea Hare"
Visit your local information data center and o|<0_0>--------*
access those cellulose ROMs today! \=^-| |____| |
tes...@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.edu \_}B \_}B
Lawrence Leong
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! You are promoting the development of
skin cancer! Never lay out from 11am to 2pm, when the sun is strongest
here! The sun is physically closer to us because we are only 21
degrees from the equator. You will suffer sunburn and increase your
chances of skin cancer! Please limit your sun worshipping to morning
hours or later in the afternoon. Remember--there is no such thing as a
"healthy" tan.
^^^^^^^^
Contrary to popular belief, the "pale" look could be safer.