Hawaii's equivalent in Continental USA for cheaper vacation

If you are planning for a vacation in tropical Hawaii, you can chose and book your vacation accommodation online via Hawaii vacation rentals. Hawaii is a great place for a vacation, but according to the AAA Annual Vacation Cost survey in 2006, it is also the most expensive place for a vacation in the United States of America. AAA said a family of two adults and two children will pay $559 a day for food and lodging in Hawaii, more than twice the national average of $261. And that is not counting the travelling cost.

If you are budget conscious, you may want to look for cheaper vacation equivalent on Continental USA. You may want to consider Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach has some 23 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches for you to enjoy. However, because Daytona is closely associated to cars, motorised vehicles are allowed on most of the beach. For those who do not want to share the beach with motorised vehicles, there is a stretch of 5 miles of beaches are reserved for them. A

nd the NASCAR track that hosts the annual Daytona 500 as well as other racing related events plus the Daytona Bike week plus the Biketoberfest which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world has made Daytona synomous with speed. There is also the Daytona USA, an interactive motor sports theme park with an antique car museum. The traditional Spring Break Daytona Beach which takes place on miles of sandy beaches with various activities, pool deck parties, hot Daytona Beach Clubs like the Ocean Deck, Razzles, and 600 North also draw visitors from all over the States. Daytona vacation rentals can help you find accommodation in Daytona.

The other alternative is Myrtle Beach in South Carolina with a 60-mile crescent of beach called Grand Strand. Grand Strand has with clean, wide beaches and a great variety of recreation, entertainment, dining and shopping places. Get your Myrtle Beach vacation accommodation from Myrtle vacation rentals.

If all these 3 vacation destination doesn't appeal to you, there are thousand of nice vacation destination for you to chose from and vacation rentals can help you make your choice.

Makena, Maui

Makena is located on Maui, bordered in the north by the posh Wailea Resort area and in the south by the 'Ahihi Kinn'u Natural Area Reserve. Makena beach is a beautiful beach with golden sand where you can take beautiful walk through trees, watch sea turtles off to the far right side of the beach. Interested in snorkeling? Ahihi Bay, just south of Makena is a great snorkling spot.

In the vicinity is the Makena State Park, a scenic wildland beach park characterized by prominent cinder cone and large white sand beach. Activities you can participate in include swimming during calm seas, bodysurfing, board surfing, shore fishing, and beach- related activities. However, there is no drinking water. There is a popular beach is called "Big Beach" which is over one-half mile long and more than 100 feet wide. There is a lifeguard on duty but be careful as the waves can be quite big and intimidating. A visit to Makena is like a return to nature.

Tourism to Makena is often touted as ecotourism as you will see nature at its best there, but travelling involves burning of fossil fuel and CO2 emission. However, there are sites that offer carbon offset to offset the CO2 emission resulting from your travel. You can find a list of such sites at Environmental Directory.

If you plan to travel to Makena, you will need to book accommodation, and this you can do conveniently online at Information for Makena, Maui, Hawaii. At Wailea makena condos, you can chose from a list of 18 condominiums. If condominiums are not what you seek, you can also find hotels at Makena hotels

Hawaii Sport Fishing

Hawaii Sport Fishing
by: Keith Thompson

If you're coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you have one heck of an adventure awaiting you! Anglers from all over the world journey to these deep blues waters teeming with trophy fish. This is where you come to get the big ones. In fact the biggest fish ever caught on rod and reel was a blue marlin caught just off Oahu, weighing in at a hefty 1805 lbs.! Hawaii is so legendary among sport fishing enthusiasts that several "big-game" tournaments are held here every year, including the granddaddy of them all, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, luring fishermen from all over the globe.

Hawaii sport fishing is the home of big-game fish. Some of the species you'll encounter here are three types of marlin; blue, black and striped. It's entirely possible to hook yourself a "grander", meaning a monster fish weighing at least 1000 lbs.! Other top game fish include Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Ono (Wahoo), Mahimahi (Dolphin fish), and Skipjack Tuna. All of these babies can give you a reel-spinning run for your money, and an experience you'll not soon forget! In fact the tuna are among the fiercest, most tireless fighters of the bunch! Only the striped marlin is a sometimes resident, showing up only in winter. All of the others can be found year-round. Some of the best fishing spots you'll want to try would include Kona; long regarded as the best big-game fishing in the world. Oahu's North Shore is more famous for it's surfing, but it's just under the surface here where the real action begins! Actually, there's pretty much not a bad place for Hawaii sport fishing: some are just more excellent than others!

Booking your Hawaii sport fishing adventure is easy. There are literally hundreds of charter fishing boats operating here, offering you a ton of choices. Some things to keep in mind would be to consider how long you'll want to be out. Most offer half or full day trips, but also know that of you want the best chance at hooking a big-game fish, a longer trip may be called for to give yourself time to get to the best fishing grounds and keep your line in the water awhile. No experience or fishing license is required, and should you hook a trophy fish, taxidermy can be arranged. Come and experience Hawaii sport fishing and come home with a little something for that bare wall!

Copyright 2006 Keith Thompson

About The Author

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Hawaii Vacation Directory, a top resource for your Hawaiian holiday adventure!

Hawaii Spas: Healing Mind & Body with Aloha

Hawaii Spas: Healing Mind & Body with Aloha
by: Don Carter

With an incredible amount of choices for those who are into the active lifestyle, Hawaii vacation packages are nirvana for the sports-minded. But Hawaii also satisfies the flip side of pushing your body to the limit. Here, extreme sport meets extreme relaxation at the greatest collection of spas on the planet.

Hawaii resorts have raised the art of the spa to a glorious new level, offering exotic treatments such as rehydrating aloe body wraps, Hawaiian revitalizer wraps, “wisdom of roses” facials, fango mud wraps, Lomi Pohaku, the original stone therapy, Lomi Lomi massage, mango salt glow scrubs, Ayurvedic oil massage, Maluha (peace) and Uhane (spirit) Hawaiian aromatherapy, Reiki holding technique, limu exfoliation and detoxification therapy, cranio-sacral sessions, Maui sugar scrub & body wraps, and for you Starbucks lovers, the Ka’anapali coffee full body treatment.

More than 24 resort hotels, on five islands, offer luxurious, state-of-the-art spa treatments with a Hawaiian flair. Take a look at my favorite spots for customized Hawaii spa vacation packages:

Oahu:
• SpaHalekulani – Halekulani
• Kahala Mandarin Oriental Spa Suites (voted “Best New Hotel Spa” by Departures Magazine)
• The Mandara Spa at Hilton Hawaiian Village (featuring advanced holistic health programs)
• JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko’Olina
• Na Hoola Spa at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Maui:
• Four Seasons Resort Maui (Rated #1 Hotel Spa in the U.S. by readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine)
• The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
• Spa Moana at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
• Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (Home to the world-renowned Spa Grande)

Hawaii’s Big Island:
• Four Seasons Hualalai
• Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Mauna Lani Spa at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel
• Fairmont Orchid (famed for its innovative “Spa Without Walls”)
• Hapuna Prince Beach Resort
• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Kauai:
• Princeville Resort & Spa
• Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa

Lanai:
• Four Seasons Manele Bay

You say you’d love a spa vacation, but your other half is a golfing addict who wouldn’t be caught dead getting a papaya-pineapple body scrub? Remember – there are fantastic Hawaii vacation packages for golfers on just about every island. So while he’s knocking a Titleist around, you can indulge in Hawaiian-style treatments that will leave you glowing and gorgeous!

A Hawaii spa vacation with golf on the side, or a golf holiday with spa visits on the side – either way it works. All you have to do is sell it to him and it could be the most relaxing and rejuvenating vacation you’ve ever had!

About The Author
Don Carter is a freelance travel writer and amateur golfer who, in his spare time, acts as a consultant for travel companies that create and sell vacation packages, giving them tips on improving their client offerings and rating the hotels and sites featured in their vacation packages. He also contributes to several travel guides. Carter recently planned a golf vacation for himself and his new bride (but he sold it to her as a spa vacation with golf on the side) at Pleasant Holidays.

Hawaii Whale Watching Tips For An Unforgettable Adventure

Hawaii Whale Watching Tips For An Unforgettable Adventure
by: Justin Britt

Each year, the Humpback Whales migrate around 4,000 miles, from summer feeding grounds in Alaska, to mate in Hawaii's warm waters.

During mating season, Humpback Whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity which makes Hawaii a popular destination for whale watching. This exciting surface behavior, such as breaching and tail slaps, make for exciting whale watching in Hawaii.

As a Hawaii local and avid waterman, I have 5 simple tips that will help you get the most out of your Hawaii whale watching adventure. So before planning your next Hawaii vacation, follow these tips and you might just have an unforgettable whale encounter!

1. Plan Your Trip During Peak Months

Humpback Whales begin arriving in Hawaii in November and head back to Alaska in late May. If you have planned a Hawaii vacation during this time, you should have no problem spotting whales. However, peak Hawaii whale watching season occurs during February and March. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months.

2. Visit Islands Known For Whale Watching

Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are the most popular islands for Hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. If you are visiting Oahu, you can see whales there too, they just won't be as abundant.

3. Plan A Boat Tour

Hawaii whale watching tours are ideal for seeing these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. Not only will you be in the whale's environment, but because humpback whales are curious about their surrounding, they will sometimes approach your boat. Plan a Hawaii boat tour to truly get the most out of your whale watching adventure.

Boat tours are available departing from Lahaina Harbor many times throughout the day during whale season. On the Big Island and the island of Kauai, whale-watching opportunities abound with a full schedule of tours provided by seasoned, knowledgeable guides.

Humpback whales may also be observed from land if you prefer solid ground to the deck of a boat. On Kauai the Kilauea Lighthouse, Kealia Lookout and various high-points of land in coastal areas are good places to start. Once you're in the right place, spotting the whales is easy: just look for the majestic plumes of water ("blows") rising in the air and the playful splashes made by these gigantic creatures.

4. Respect their space

In Hawaii, whale watching is an avid activity, and like with most outdoors activities, there are rules. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale (known as the 100-yard minimum rule). However, there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. Experienced leaders of Hawaii whale watching tours know how to gently approach these animals and encourage them to come closer.

5. Preserve the Humpback Whale

The humpback whale almost came to extinction in 1966 after mass commercial whaling during the early 20th century. Today there are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 humpbacks worldwide. Federal laws protect them, but there are things we can all do to help preserve this amazing animal for future whale watching generation.

* Keep beaches and waters clean and debris-free
* Participate only in responsible whale watching activities
* Support efforts to stop illegal whaling
* Support legislation, research and preservation programs
* Patronize eco-friendly companies and organizations

You can read books about whales, but with so many opportunities to see them up-close and personal, there's no reason why you shouldn't start thinking now about your next Hawaii whale watching tour. It's fun, it's easy and it's a great experience for the whole family.

About The Author
Hawaii resident and adventure traveler, Justin Britt, invites you to learn more about Humpback Whales in this Hawaii Whale Watching. And If you're planning a trip to Kauai, learn more about www.napali.com.

Favorite Maui Luaus

Favorite Maui Luaus
by: Andrew Crawford

For any visitor to Maui, taking in a luau is an absolute must. Luaus are the most popular activity in Maui, attracting several hundred thousand visitors every year. If you are traveling as a couple, as a group, as a family or as an individual, a Maui luau offers something for everyone to enjoy. A luau offers a full evening of fun, food, drinks and entertainment, all rolled into one fun activity.

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast, typically featuring kalua pork, poi, haupia and other local favorites. Historically, a luau celebrated special occasions such as a king’s birthday, visits from foreign dignitaries or to honor an important chieftain. These parties often lasted for three days featuring dancing, drinking, eating and singing. Today there are many commercial luaus to choose from, where you can be treated like a king yourself.

There is not a bad luau on Maui, so whatever luau you choose, you will have a good time. That said, there are three Maui luaus, which will be reviewed here. They are The Old Lahaina Luau, The Feast at Lele and The Ka’anapali Beach Luau. These three luaus represent the best a luau can offer, depending on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a traditional Hawaiian experience, The Old Lahaina Luau is the way to go. Featuring only music and dance from Hawaii, this luau will take you on a tour of Hawaii from the times of mythology to the present. The goal of The Old Lahaina Luau is to provide the most authentic Hawaiian luau available on Maui. They achieve this without sacrificing any of the other great things you might expect from a luau. The food is abundant and very tasty as well. Sample from kalua pork, lau laus (steamed pork wrapped in tea leafs), poi (taro root pounded to a paste), ahi poke (marinated ahi tossed with seaweed and vegetables), sweet potato, steak, mahi mahi and much more. Be sure to try some of the excellent tropical drinks provided with your dinner or order your favorite standards from the bar. The Old Lahaina Luau is one of Maui’s most popular luaus and is often sold out up to a month or more in advance so it is best to book as soon as you know you will be coming to Maui. You can book this luau through Maui Luau Guide, which also provides more info at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/oldlahainaluau.html.

For the honeymooning couple or any couple looking for a more private and romantic evening, consider the Feast at Lele. The feast is the only Maui luau offering table service for dinner. The approach here is much different from any other Maui luau. A premium bar is featured, and the food is served in courses, and offers some of the finest food you may eat during your entire vacation. The meals are prepared by award winning I’o restaurant and each course represents a different culture of Polynesia. Dinner begins in Hawaii with kalua pork, fresh fish and a heart of palm salad. The second course is from New Zealand and features Maori fishcake, while the third course represents Tahiti and features steamed chicken in coconut milk. Closing out the night, is an amazing fire knife dance from Samoa performed right before you, as you are served Samoan steak with a bread fruit, shrimp and avocado accompaniment. You will be entertained as each course is served, by the dances and songs of the island culture the dish hails from. This luau is often booked to capacity as well, and it would be suggested to book as early as possible. Tickets and more info about The Feast at Lele Maui luau are available at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/feastatlele.html.

Families visiting Maui may find that the Ka’anapali Beach Luau is the perfect fit. In addition to the traditional luau buffet which serves kalua pork, mahi mahi, lomi lomi salmon, poi, island style chicken, sweet potato and much more, there is a children’s buffet featuring comfort foods such as chicken fingers, hot dogs and pizza for the finicky eater. The Kaanapali Beach Luau will feature all the dances you would expect, taking a tour through Polynesia, featuring Hawaiian hula, Maori stick fight dances, Tahitian war dances, a little Elvis and a little Don Ho, and of course a death defying fire knife dance to end out the nigh! This luau comes recommended not only based on the great food, drink and show, but also on value. At www.mauihawaiiluau.com/kaanapalibeachluau.html you can book this luau for $49.95 per adult with one free child (12 or under) per paying adult. This luau is also located very conveniently, right in the heart of Ka’anapali!

You can expect to pay between $50 and $110 per person depending on what luau you choose, but no matter which you choose you will be treated to a wonderful evening with plenty of food, an open bar and a great show to entertain you. Be sure to bring your camera or video to preserve the memories, as a Maui luau is an experience you will never forget. For more information on any of these luaus as well as every other luau on Maui, check out www.mauihawaiiluau.com a complete guide to luaus on Maui.

About The Author

Andrew Crawford has lived in Maui for about 7 years, working in and around the Maui Activities field. He currently manages several websites, including www.mauihawaiiluau.com. He invites you to come see the magic that is Hawaii.

View their website at: Maui Hawaii Luau.

frogmanandy@yahoo.com

Marital Bliss - Honeymoon Cruise

Marital Bliss - Honeymoon Cruise
by: Colin Hartness

A Honeymoon Cruise as the name suggests offers a gateway to paradise for honeymooners away from the pressures of daily life and enjoy the bliss of togetherness. This provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of togetherness by exploring the unknown and enjoying nature and life.

The Honeymoon cruise offers the comforts of a five star luxury and provides a period of unending excitement, adventure, the opportunity to get to know each other and enjoying life as nature had wanted it to be.

This is an ideal way to start a life of togetherness for fulfillment of one’s desires and daresay this is a golden getaway. The excitement of togetherness under the moonlit sky with the stars twinkling and the rustle of the water and the gentle breeze flowing from the sea is an experience, which will be etched in your memory for life.

The honeymoon cruise package usually includes:

1. Champagne and Strawberries in the Stateroom on embarkment
2. Canapés delivered to your cabin on the evening of your choice.
3. A special Honeymooner’s party
4. Honeymoon Photographs.
5. Champagne breakfast in bed

The following Honeymoon cruises satisfy the forever romantics and provide luxury unheard of:-

1. A Silver Sea Cruise is a love nest and provides Bed-breakfast, pre-dinner cocktails, a private verandah with canapés, complimentary Champagne and wine, a mini-bar stocked with the choicest of drinks to enhance your mood, delicious cuisine are the attractions of this Honeymoon Cruise.

2. Crystal Cruises are midsize luxury liners which provides all the above . Penthouses with personal butlers are also available at a nominal extra cost at this Honeymoon Cruise.

3. Wind Star Cruises offers everything you would have dreamt. This Honeymoon Cruise offers boats with which you sail away from ports at sunset and feel the exhilaration of cruising under white billowing sails. The spirited can go for scuba diving, kayaking, Windsailing, snorkeling etc.

4. Norwegian Cruise Line - The Norwegian Star is a specialty for romantic couples. Resort casual dining offers an alternative following a formal wedding at this Honeymoon Cruise. The destination is Hawaii (world’s most romantic destination) departing every Sunday and has a Wedding Chapel for intimate ceremonies and vow renewals.

The destination shall be of your choice depending upon your taste – be it the romantic hills, historical monuments, beaches, tropical rain forests etc. All the cruise ships offering a Honeymoon Cruise have exquisitely done suites, gyms, swimming pools, beauty parlors and casinos to pamper the cruiser and energize the mind, body and spirit.

About The Author

Looking for information about cruises?
Go to: What Cruises
'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Cruises!
Check out more cruise articles at: What Cruises Archives.

History of the Hawaiian Hula Dance

History of the Hawaiian Hula Dance
by: Bill McKenzie

The Hula dance is associated with Hawaii and luaus and while everyone knows what the hula is very few people are actually knowledgeable of its origin, not even the Hawaiians. According to Hawaiian history there is no information available as to who performed the first hula dance or why, however it is a common agreement that the original hula dance was performed by a god or goddess, making the dance sacred to Hawaiians. And this dance is sacred to men and women in Hawaii because the hula was danced by both sexes despite some information stating only men danced the hula. This information is incorrect and actually men and women both were involved in the sacred hula dance.

There are many types of Polynesian dances; however the hula is one of a kind and completely different than other dances in this area of the world. The origination of the hula was used for rituals and ceremonies, however this changed over time and eventually the hula was a dance used strictly for entertainment.

When dancing the hula individuals truly must become one with the dance and the actions, objects, or images they are imitating in their hula dance. The hula is a very meaningful dance and every movement of the body represents something. In addition to this, the hands are very important in the hula dance as well. When the individual is dancing the hula they may be imitating a palm tree, war, plants, and even animals. Because of this when the individual is dancing they are transforming themselves mentally into the object they are portraying through dance. Basically, the hula dancer is telling a story through the movements of the body and hands and as a result it is very important to watch. Chants also accompany the hula dance and while they used to be the most important part of the dance to portray what was happening they are no longer so and the movements are most important. You will notice the difference if you see a portrayal of old style hula dancing compared to new style hula dancing. While both are still hula dancing and fun to watch, the first is more ritualistic and the second more entertaining.

The hula dancers wear a costume in order to perform the hula dance. This consists of leis made of flowers around the neck or even the shoulders. A grass skirt is also used and is made of tapa and known as a pau. The dancers also wear anklets made of whale bone or even dog teeth. The whole ensemble makes up the vision of the hula dancer the whole world is aware of.

In the past, when hula was danced as a religious ritual rather than simply for entertainment the rules regarding the hula dance were very strict and individuals involved in hula dancing school were required to follow them while they were learning how to dance. Generally, students were required to follow all rules and behave properly while obeying their hula teacher in all requests. Some of the rules stated that hula students could not cut their fingernails or even their hair. Other rules stated hula students could not engage in sex nor could they eat certain foods that were forbidden. As a result, the life of the hula dancer in hula school was very strict, yet all of the rules were for a purpose that believed the students would learn to dance the hula better if they did not engage in the forbidden activities.

Today there are two types of hula, hula kahiko and hula auana. Hula hahiko is the old style that was described above and generally includes percussion, chanting, and the traditional costumes. Hula kahiko is traditional and ritualistic and the chanting tells the story more than the dance moves. However, for the more entertaining hula auna there is music, guitars, entertaining costumes to enhance the dance, ukuleles and even songs. This type of hula uses body movements and the hands to really tell the story because it is easier for tourists to understand.

While the hula dance has been around for thousands of years and always been popular it almost disappeared in the 1800s when missionaries arrived in Hawaii. The missionaries believed that hula dancing was devilish and against God and tried to convince the dancers of their wrongdoing by dancing the hula. However, King Kalakaua did not want the traditional dance of the islands to disappear simply because the missionaries did not understand what the hula was all about in the first place so he took action.

As a result, King Kalakaua developed his own group of hula dancers and encouraged them to learn the hula dance, the old style hula, and fortunately the hula did not disappear and still remains a very important dance of the islands and even today there are hundreds of hula schools on all the Hawaiian islands that teach the hula dance, old style, to the students. Even today many of the hula schools have strict rules like the old hula schools implemented.

There are even hula schools and groups that teach old style hula dancing to people on the mainland so while hula remains an important part of Hawaiian culture the culture is spreading and many people show an interest in learning how to hula dance.

When you visit Hawaii, no matter what island you visit, you will certainly see plenty of hula dancing from old style to the newer and more entertaining hula and regardless which one you like the most you should definitely attend festivals or dances that exhibit both styles so you can see the performing arts of the island and learn about the culture, history and the people of Hawaii. You never know, you may learn a few hula moves yourself.

About The Author

Bill McKenzie is reservation manager for Wailua Bay View, oceanfront Kauai Vacation Rentals. He has personally researched and experienced many of the Hawaiian activities and destinations as described above. Please visit Wailua Bay.

webmaster@wailuabay.com

Maui and Molokai by Air

Maui and Molokai by Air
by: Andrew Crawford

Maui is one of my favorite places in the world. I have been lucky enough to live here for about seven years, and have explored the island extensively. Recently, I was given the opportunity to take a ride on an a-star helicopter and see Maui and Molokai from the air. It was completely amazing to see the areas of both islands that I had never seen before. The only way to see many of these places is by helicopter, since dense foliage and steep mountains protect them, and they were certainly some of the most beautiful areas I have experienced in Maui.

The day started early, at about 6:30 am with a trip to Bad Ass coffee for the necessary wake-up ingredients. I love the coffee there, especially the 100% Kona dark roast, which is rich in flavor and not a bit bitter. An early morning start meant I would avoid the possibility of tradewinds making my flight bumpy, and avoid heavy morning traffic on the trip from Lahaina to Kahului. The drive went well, taking about forty minutes to arrive at the heliport, and we were lucky enough to see a couple of whales along the way.

Upon arrival at the heliport, I was shown to a waiting room where a video helped prep me for some of the sights I would see and some of the security procedures to expect. After about five minutes one of the crew came in and gathered our group for a quick safety briefing. The briefing covered all of the important things to know, interspersed with a bit of humor to keep things rolling along. I was pleased to learn that we would be outfitted with headphones which reduce the helicopter noise and give us an opportunity to talk with our pilot guide.

I have to admit I was a little nervous boarding the helicopter. I have never ridden a helicopter before and did not know what to expect. Lift off was a breeze and I hardly even noticed as we left the ground just how quickly we were gaining altitude. The first sights you notice are the airport, heliport and Kahului harbor. A large cruise ship was docked at the harbor, and it was really interesting to see how big those things actually are, as it dwarfed the cars and trucks parked in the harbor area.

Passing over Wailuku Town and Waiehu golf course, we headed into the mountains and valleys behind Iao valley. I have hiked through Iao many times, and the views are amazing, but they never could have prepared me for what I was about to see. We buzzed through a narrow valley with our pilot pointing out different plants and telling us stories about the history of the area. Passing over a mountain ridge, the next valley opened up ahead of us, revealing an amazing number of small and large waterfalls as we approached an area referred to as “the Wall of Tears”. This is a 4,000 foot tall wall that is literally covered with small waterfalls of every type and height imaginable.

Flying out of the West Maui mountains, the helicopter crosses over Honokahau Valley giving a magnificent view of Honolua and the Northern West Maui resorts. Crossing the ocean, the dark outlines of humpback whales could be seen just below the weater. On this trip I was not lucky enough to see any whales breaching or right on the surface, but I am sure it is not uncommon. The first area we visited on Molokai after crossing the channel were the towering sea cliffs along the north eastern coast. The pilot informed us that these were some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world, and showed us a couple of secluded homes built in the mountains, which were mostly only accessible by helicopter, what a way to live, at least you don’t have to worry about unexpected visitors.

After viewing the sea cliffs, we moved over to Kalaupapa where Father Damien once oversaw a community taking care of the victims of leprosy. The pilot was well versed in the history of this area and offered many interesting facts and stories. Molokai is not a highly populated island, and it was nice to see the vast wide-open spaces of this area. Leaving Kalaupapa, we flew up through another area, and just as we passed over the ridge, it looked like the bottom had dropped out of the world. It took my stomach away for a second, but once I regained my balance the view was gorgeous. Right below us, there was a pack of axis deer, which we startled and were now running across a great open field. It immediately reminded me of those old Marlin Perkins’ Mutual of Omaha shows I watched when I was a kid. I felt like I should be hanging out the window talking about the migratory habits of antelope in the Serengheti or something. It was pretty neat at any rate!

With the trip almost over, we headed back over the channel for a brief look at Lahaina town, and the West Maui mountains where we saw a few mountain goats grazing along the sheer cliffs that shifted from brown to a lush green the further in we went. It was time for my nerves to take over again as we made our approach to the heliport for landing. Again, I was amazed as the landing was featherlight, and offered absolutely no drama. Overall, I would have to say, I don’t remember a really bumpy moment on this trip at all.

I would have to say, that this trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I have hiked and traveled all over Maui through my years living here, and I saw areas and sights that I had no idea existed. Some visitors may think that this is a really expensive activity, but at www.hawaiidiscountactivities.com I found trips starting at less than $100 per person. To pay a hundred dollars for a memory that will last a lifetime that doesn’t seem so bad at all. If you want to see the unexplored Maui that many will never have an opportunity to see, a helicopter tour is definitely the way to go.

To view specific Maui Helicopter Tours try: http://www.hawaiidiscountactivities.com/reservationrequest/activitylistings.asp?catkey=10

About The Author

Andrew Crawford has lived in Maui for about 7 years, working in and around the Maui Activities field. He currently manages several websites, including www.mauihawaiiluau.com. He invites you to come see the magic that is Hawaii.

View their website at: Maui Hawaii Luau

frogmanandy@yahoo.com

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Hot Shopping Spots

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Hot Shopping Spots
by: Donna Monday

If you love to shop, here’s some “must see” places to visit while you’re in Hawaii.

Hilo Hattie’s – World famous Hawaiian store where you can buy high quality clothing and souvenirs--to keep Hawaii close to you always.

Ala Moana Center – This mall has over 200 shops and is the largest open air shopping center in the U.S. This place has everything and you’ll find very beautiful merchandise. The food court is big and offers a wide variety of great eats.

Aloha Stadium Swap Meet – This is the best bargain in Hawaii. For an entrance fee of 50 cents, you can find tons of bargains on all kinds of goods. It’s open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Also, it can get a bit hot, so dress appropriately.

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center – This shopping center is right in front of the Pink Palace Hotel. You’ll find boutiques, places to buy t-shirts and souvenirs, restaurants, and a post office.

DFS Galleries (DFS Galleria) – This is a great place to shop for U.S. and foreign tourists. You can find designer goods and cosmetics with no sales tax. While it’s designed mainly for overseas visitors, U.S. visitors can shop on the first couple of floors.

Chinatown – Here’s a place where you can find inexpensive goods and foodstuffs like pastries, exotic fruits and fresh fish. The Hing Mau Store is highly recommended. The area also has a Costco and Sam’s Club.

Maui Divers Jewelry Design Center – They offer a free tour where you can learn about the history of this company and how they make coral jewelry. Of course, you can also buy beautiful jewelry there as well.

About The Author

© Donna Monday

Cruise the beautiful Hawaiian Islands – even if you’re on a budget

Last Minute Hawaii Cruise

Hawaii Vacations: 10 Great Adventures

Hawaii Vacations: 10 Great Adventures
by: Donna Monday

Here’s some Hawaiian vacation activities that are sure to create great memories for a life time.

What: Hawaii Snorkeling
Where: Ohahu – Waikiki Beach
Who: Paradise Cruises
Description: If you’d love to get up close and personal with beautiful tropical fish, then a snorkeling cruise is something you can’t miss. You’ll climb onboard The Starlet and head out to the Kewalo Reef, with the famous Diamond Head as your backdrop. The fish have been hand fed, so they’re plenty friendly. This is a very nice excursion if you are a snorkeling novice. Other activities include windsurfing, kayaking, a floating trampoline, and a water slide. Relax on deck while sunbathing. A BBQ lunch is included.

What: Hawaii Luau
Where: Ohahu
Who: Germaines Luau
Description: Imagine being a guest at a grand Hawaiian luau. As you sit comfortably amongst new friends and old, you watch the royal procession enter with fanfare, and witness the imu ceremony—see a roasted pig raised up from the ground. Then you dine on traditional Hawaiian dishes like poi and haupia, as well as, Mainland favorites like fried chicken and tossed salad. After your scrumptious meal you sit back and enjoy the wonderful Polynesian entertainers featuring dancers from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji and Samoa. Many consider this the best luau in all of Hawaii.

What: Swim with the Dolphins
Where: Ohahu
Who: Dolphin Excursions
Description: You’ve fantasized about it. Now it’s time to do it. You’ll be taken out on a boat with about twenty or so other dolphin lovers off of Ohahu’s western shore. There you’ll see plenty of spinner dolphins frolicking in the early morning seas. You’ll be given expert snorkeling instruction so that even beginners can slip into the water and swim amongst the sea’s friendliest inhabitants. As a bonus, you may get to see whales, sea turtles and other exotic sea life.

What: Experience Polynesian Culture
Where: Ohahu
Who: Polynesian Cultural Center
Description: Learn about the rich history of Polynesian cultural traditions at this popular Hawaiian attraction. See live demonstrations of carving tiki statues, dancing with fire knives, barefoot tree climbing, and the IMAX™ presentation of: “Coral Reef Adventure”. In the afternoon enjoy the spectacular Pageant of the Long Canoes, a live reenactment of Polynesian cultural history on floating platforms. Top it all off with a Polynesian review show featuring dancers and native drummers.

What: Horseback and ATV Tours
Where: Ohahu
Who: Kualoa Ranch
Description: Tour the beautiful island of Ohahu on horseback. They have three types of horseback tours: 1) One Hour Ride: Explore the southern half of the ranch surrounded by an 800 year-old fishpond; 2) Two hour ride: Explore the northern part of the ranch and see WWII bunkers, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean; 3) Cowboy Experience: A crash course on how to herd cattle. ATV Tours: Explore the countryside on an ATV.

What: Hawaii Submarine Tour
Where: Ohahu, Maui, Kona
Who: Atlantis Submarines
Description: Explore the ocean depths and learn about the Pacific’s beautiful and exotic sea creatures on a U.S. Coast Guard approved submarine tour. See tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, eels, shipwrecks and more up close. A unique and educational experience the whole family can enjoy. The subs are spacious and air conditioned, and go down to a maximum depth of about 125 ft.

What: Hawaii Military History Tour
Where: Pearl Harbor and Other Sites
Who: Home of the Brave
Description: Honor the brave service of U.S. military members in Hawaii. This tour begins at historic Pearl Harbor. Other stops include: Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Army Barracks, Fort Shafter, Punchbowl National Memorial, Downtown Honolulu, Home of the Brave Museum and Gift Shop.

What: Hawaii Day Hike
Where: Honolulu
Who: Department of Land and Natural Resources
Description: Put on your walking shoes, grab some water and head on over to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Here you can find free hiking trail maps. Decide on what trails you’d like to see and spend the day exploring some of Hawaii’s most beautiful places. Some popular destinations are: Manoa Falls Trail, Waikiki Historic Trail, Koko Crater, Makapuu Lighthouse, and Kaena Point.

What: Learn How to Surf
Where: Ohahu
Who: Hans Hedemann Surf School
Description: Learn to Hang 10 on Hawaii’s most scenic beaches. Discover the techniques of surfing in a safe environment from trained professionals. They offer private, semi-private, or group lessons. In a couple of hours, you’ll be standing up on a surfboard and riding your first wave!

What: Volcano Hiking Excursion
Where: Honolulu - Diamond Head
Description: Diamond Head is a dormant volcanic crater that is very popular with tourists. Hiking up Diamond Head will take you about 45-60 minutes and will lead you along a changing and challenging terrain that ends in a long, steep set of stairs. Once you get to the top, the view is magnificent. Keep in mind that you must be in shape to attempt the full hike up. There are places to rest, but no facilities. The trail can be hot, so go very early in the morning—and bring water.

About The Author

© Donna Monday

Cruise the beautiful Hawaiian Islands – even if you’re on a budget

Last Minute Hawaii Cruise

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Great 4-Star Hotels

Hawaii Vacations: 7 Great 4-Star Hotels
by: Donna Monday

Here’s several 4-Star Hawaiian hotels that offer first-class accommodations and beach front views.

Sheraton Moana Surfrider – This historic hotel has been lovingly restored and maintains it’s circa 1901 charm. Located on Waikiki beach, it offers high tea and sunset buffets.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa – Located right across the street from Waikiki beach. It’s also within walking distance to attractions such as: Diamond Head, Kapiolani Park, Honolulu Zoo, and Waikiki Aquarium. Features a restaurant with live Hawaiian music and a health spa.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach – Right in the middle of Waikiki Beach, it’s close to restaurants, shops, and entertainment activities. Has high-speed Internet access and art by Hawaiian artists.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa – Beachfront hotel featuring lush tropical gardens, ponds, waterfalls, health spa, restaurants, an underwater exploration submarine, Friday fireworks, and a variety of nightly entertainment.

Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki – Features rooms with floor to ceiling windows and overlooks the boats of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. Stroll to Ala Moana Beach Park. Shuttle to 27 hole championship golf course.

Royal Hawaiian – This hotel’s nickname is the Pink Palace of the Pacific for it’s pink color scheme. Enjoy a private beach and the Royal Hawaiian shopping center nearby. Features boating, surfing and an oceanfront luau.

Kahala Mandarin Oriental – Tucked away on a secluded beach, this resort is popular with celebrities. Features spa rooms, soaking baths, private gardens and lots of pampering.

About The Author

© Donna Monday

Cruise the beautiful Hawaiian Islands – even if you’re on a budget

Last Minute Hawaii Cruise

My Experiences with the Hawaii Earthquake and What I Should Tell You

My Experiences with the Hawaii Earthquake and What I Should Tell You
by: Sensei J. Richard Kirkham B.Sc.

Aloha everyone from Oahu

My family is safe and sound. On Sunday October 15th 2006 at 7:08 AM I was lying in bed when I felt a vibration. For some reason I recall thinking there must be something wrong with the washer and dryer downstairs from our apartment. One minute later another vibration occurred and I sat up. My wife came into the bedroom and asked me if I felt that. I replied yeah and she said she thought it was an earthquake. Less than two minutes later our power went out.

Jan said she saw lights in the other building so I continued with our plans to take the family to breakfast as Pagoda Restaurant near downtown Honolulu. Then I started seeing something very dangerous when one knows what idiots drivers can be. The traffic lights were out. I only saw one light out so I continued until getting stuck on several major intersections with no traffic lights. What a bunch of morons, and yes we can include me in that group for not turning around and going home at the first light, people were driving through the blacked out light as though they had a free pass instead of treating it like a stop sign.

Lesson: Stay home

Finally making it to Pagoda restaurant, wondering if they were even open by now, my family and I parked to assess the situation. It seemed a bus driver had dropped a bunch of tourists off at the restaurant which turned out to be closed. My compliments to the restaurant. The provided free coffee and danishes to everyone. Pagoda Restaurant really shined during such a dark time.

We worked our way back home. Other drivers had woken up to what they were supposed to do at a blacked out signal light and just a few of them were playing chicken with all the good drivers. My wife changed the batteries in our portable radio

Lesson: Have plenty of batteries on hand

KSSK radio did a great job keeping people informed so the city officials contacted KSSK along with using the Civil Defense announcements. All in all the information from KSSK radio was essential.

Lesson: Get a radio with batteries

According to our Governor, she was on the big island (Hawaii) when the 6.5 earthquake hit. She stood in her door frame and watched her TV set get tossed across the room. Upon the second quake the hotel she was staying at was evacuated.

Lesson: Get in the door frame which is well supported if you can't get out away from falling debris.

Although the phone lines were working via radio city officials suggested not using the phones except for emergencies. I was staying off my cell phone in case I need to keep it charged. Most people have cordless phones now. My wife's cell phone was almost dead.

Lesson: Get one of those cheap phones that plugs into the wall.

On Oahu we found out power had to be restored slowly over the entire island and most of the state. We were told the water ran to us via gravity and to refill they had to use electric pumps. Some pumps didn't have electric generators to pump the water. We were told via KSSK to use water sparingly and use bottled water if possible. Now, I had a problem with that. I told my family don't do dishes don't shower, but for cooking and drinking I wasn't going to use up all our bottled water and then run out of city water. So we used the city water for cooking and drinking and saved our bottled water in case we lost the city water.

Lesson: Keep a good supply of bottled water

Getting dark now. My wife decided to fix dinner. We have an electric stove, but she had a propane driven stove used for camping. So she fixed spam, pees and rice. Spam is s staple here. Being an old Illinois boy I was surprised to see it on menus at restaurants. Our neighbors were cooking out on their drill.

Lesson: Make sure you have an alternative means to cook meals for your family

We turned on the high powered flashlights we had so we could see. The radio advised against using candles and I agreed. My son seven year old son Hunter played with the flashlight in all kinds of ways I'd have never thought of before. From hand puppets, which he was quite good at to telling us to close our eyes then covering the flashlight with a towel so he “magically” disappeared.

Lesson: Keep high powered flashlights. Keep working batteries in them since it's hard to change batteries in the dark.

KKSK reported power coming on a little at a time. 20,000 homes out of over 800,000 had power in them. This was going to take all night. For some reason, though almost all businesses were closed, there were people lined up three blocks down to buy gas at the one station that was open. Whey they thought they needed to buy gas when their safest place to be was home I'll never figure out.

Lesson: It costs just as much to fill the top of the gas tank as it does the bottom.

Another huge line was for a place selling huli huli (flip flip) chicken. The traffic got so jammed up one motorcycle officer told the people to stop selling chicken or he'd arrest them. This according to KSSK caller at the place selling the chicken. That was straightened out and hungry people were still allowed to buy chicken.

Lesson: Keep a good supply of canned goods and other staples.

Our own power came back on about 11:00 PM. We were all actually asleep when the power came back on. The city officials had recommended turning off the water heater to help keep the circuits from overloading so we turned that back on in the morning.

Not everything, as of the next morning (this morning) was completed by the city. There were still some traffic lights flashing and a few were still out. Police were directing traffic on some places but the morons who didn't care for other people managed to find the other lights and risk everyone else's lives' by not being courteous drivers. Most people tried to be courteous towards other however and Hawaii drivers do seem to be more courteous than other states I've vistied. I recall my first day here being surprised when someone let on the highway and I got on it from the short on ramp.

This really could have gone a lot worse. Imagine the same morons with no signal lights during rush hour traffic on a Friday. Imagine people during rush hour traffic and no signal lights trying to get to the stores and gas stations and hospitals not thinking about the traffic but concerned for their families. One broken arm, according to reports I heard, was all that happened during this whole thing. We were lucky.

Now I have a question for you, since I know most of this is going in one ear and out the other. What is the difference between those unprepared people and you? They didn't think it would ever happen to them either. They kept meaning to prepare, but had more important things to do.

Lesson: Prepare for an emergency before the emergency

About The Author
J. Richard Kirkham is a dual certified teacher and martial arts instructor. He's a writer currently residing in Honolulu with his wife Jan and son Hunter. Please visit his website at KirkhamsEbooks.com.

Hawaii Cruise - Travel by Land or Sea?

Hawaii Cruise - Travel by Land or Sea?
by: Jeremy Thompson

So, you want to plan a trip to Hawaii. There are lots of options to consider when planning your vacation and they may seem overwhelming. A good starting point might be to think about how you are planning to arrive in this tropical paradise. Since Hawaii is, after all, an island there are only two ways to get there: by sea or by air. When calculating time from California, your choice is between five hours in the air or five days by sea. Now, I know there's a big difference in time, but a Hawaii cruise might be just the excitement and relaxation you're looking for.

Depending on your preference of travel, a Hawaii cruise might sound much more appealing to you than traveling by plane. It is inevitable that every time you step onto an airplane, even if you did pay top dollar for first class, you find yourself in an overcrowded area, in close quarters with several hundred people, many who are possibly ill.

You probably do everything you can, short of jump off the plane, to pass the grueling five hours. Then once you're off the plane you spend another hour or more enduring airport security and looking for your luggage before you even begin the trip to your hotel. Wow, doesn't sound like a great way to start a relaxing vacation. And just think, you get to do it all over again at the end of your trip, too.

Now, visualize yourself heading to your departure point and arriving right at your hotel. No long security lines, no crowded planes. When you travel by ship on a Hawaii cruise it's just like checking into your hotel and relaxing while you head to your destination. You can put your luggage in your room and head straight to the pool deck, enjoy a cocktail, and spend the first five hours of your vacation basking in the tropical sun rather than dodging someone else's germs.

When it comes down to it there's really no comparison. I know I would much rather spend my vacation to Hawaii relaxing on a cruise ship than wasting it in an airport. You will return home relaxed and calm from a week of pampering and luxury instead of stressed to the max from a long flight. The choice is yours, spend you days and nights in a luxurious room, enjoying delicious meals on a cruise ship of your preference, and you will truly enjoy your getaway to the paradise of the Hawaiian islands.

About The Author
Jeremy Thompson is the author of CruiseHawaiiVacations.com your online guide to Hawaii vacations and Hawaii cruises. His fun filled site is filled with great information about Hawaii vacations and cruises. Check it out at Cruise Hawaii Vacations.

Get Started Planning Your Hawaii Vacation

Get Started Planning Your Hawaii Vacation
by: Jeremy Thompson

Hawaii is by far one of the most popular tourist destinations around. If you're dreaming of a Hawaii vacation or already starting to plan one you'll need to do your research to find out all of the available options for fun in the sun. There are a variety of Hawaii vacations available to suit the needs of everyone's style, budget and preferences, and length of stay in the beautiful island state.

When going on a Hawaii vacation many tourists choose vacations focused on the beach. After all, Hawaii boasts its stunning, white-sand beaches. The island of Maui alone has 80 beautiful beaches along 120 miles of coastline while Oahu has 130 beaches. Whether you want to relax in the sand soaking up some sun, swim, or even go snorkeling, Hawaii offers many opportunities for underwater and above-water activities.

Snorkeling is one of the must-do activities on any Hawaii vacation. Hawaiian snorkeling is great for swimmers of any level and gives you a glorious fish's-eye view of the numerous unique, colorful fish and exotic underwater sea life. Rental shops on the beaches have snorkeling equipment available for a small fee per day, while many resorts offer equipment free of charge.

There are a variety of other fun Hawaii vacation activities to choose from after you are done snorkeling. As you plan your days in paradise you will want to plan ahead and decide which sound most appealing to you. Other water activities include surfing, parasailing, and sailing. Many tourists surf for their very first time off the coast of one of Hawaii's beaches. Skilled surfers often come back to Hawaii time after time to catch some of the world's best waves and highest surfs.

If you're not into water activities you may want to consider adding some of Hawaii's other amazing attractions to your itinerary. Nature lovers will enjoy Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. As you drive or even hike through the park you'll catch breathtaking views of Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Steaming Bluff, and Devastation Trail. Majestic waterfalls can also be seen on your trek through this popular park.

For a taste of culture on your Hawaii vacation there are some marvelous places you won't want to miss. Learn about Hawaii's history at the Polynesian Culture Center or experience some American history at Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. You won't want to miss a traditional Hawaiian luau complete with Hawaiian food, music, and dancing.

About The Author
Jeremy Thompson is the author of CruiseHawaiiVacations.com your online guide to Hawaii vacations and Hawaii cruises. His fun filled site is filled with great information about Hawaii vacations and cruises. Check it out at Cruise Hawaii Vacations.

Be Assured of an Insured Aloha

Be Assured of an Insured Aloha
by: Steve Cogger

As a U.S. citizen, Hawaii travel insurance is not going to involve concerns about health insurance. If you're already covered with health insurance on your home turf, you will likely be covered in Hawaii. What you're going to want to look for in Hawaii travel insurance plans is what you'd look for in just about any travel vacation insurance - protection against the unexpected travel tragedy excluding medical emergency.

Hawaii travel insurance would be great to have in a number of instances. For example, if you booked a cruise and the cruise line went out of business. If they went belly up, bankrupt, shut down, and can't take their cruise ships out of port you would be there holding your bags quite literally and an expensive but useless ticket for your cruise.

You are only going to get your money back in one of two ways. If you don’t have travel insurance coverage, you would have to go to bankruptcy court. In this instance often only the first few creditors, if any, are reimbursed. If you were one of them you would get your money back. Don't count on it! The other reimbursement alternative for reimbursement of that ticket for your cancelled trip is Hawaii travel insurance. You would simply file and claim and voila, money back to you without a problem.

Another protection you would want coverage for by your Hawaii travel insurance is if your trip should be delayed. Perhaps your flight is cancelled or delayed for bad weather and you're not home but instead at an airport where you need to change planes on a connection, or you might still be in Hawaii and trying to get back home. Often in these occurrences there is no immediate remedy and you might be stuck at your location a day or two. You would need a hotel stay, food and transportation to and from the airport to the hotel. In this day and age, the airlines rarely cover this, the right Hawaii travel insurance would.

What if your luggage is delayed, or worse yet lost or stolen? What are you going to wear? Who is going to give you the money to buy it? Again, this is what Hawaii travel insurance could cover.

What if you or another member of your travel party are in Hawaii and taken ill and require the care of your own physician? What if someone back home is gravely ill or passes away and you must return immediately? If you've purchase a restricted or non-refundable ticket you're not going to be able to change your return schedule. It would be very expensive to fly home last minute. Where would this money come from? Hawaii travel insurance can cover for such emergencies.

Clearly, Hawaii travel insurance could be a financial and stress-related lifesaver in time of vacation emergency. If considering a trip to the beautiful islands, remember a small investment in such trip insurance coverage could pay off big in the long run.

About The Author

Steve Cogger, an active traveler, has developed 1 Happy Traveller a website for your convenience. Visit today for all of your travel insurance needs.

Mauna Kea in Hawaii - Driving to the Summit of this Grand Volcano

Mauna Kea in Hawaii - Driving to the Summit of this Grand Volcano
by: Steven Anderson

The summit of Mauna Kea is called Puu Wekiu and it is at an elevation of 13,796 feet. This is the highest point of land in the Pacific Basin. An interesting fact about Mauna Kea is that if measured from the bottom of the ocean floor, it reaches nearly 30,000 feet which would make it the tallest peak on earth.

Visitors flock to Mauna Kea for a variety of reasons. There are 11 domes and 13 telescopes at the peak of Mauna Kea which attracts professional and amateur astronomers alike. Others come for the amazing viewpoints, unique bird watching and rugged hiking. Others come to Mauna Kea just to say they did so.

The drive up Mauna Kea takes about an hour. At the start, the driver will see typical Hawaiian tropical vegetation. As you pass sea level, the landscape changes to grass pastures and then into raggedy looking forests of koa and ohia trees. These thin out at 6,000 feet and the landscape becomes dominated by barren lava flows. The sub alpine regions found after the 6,500 foot level still support a few koa and ohia trees and even the rare mamane tree. All vegetation beyond 8,500 feet becomes very scarce.

The mountain is home to some excellent bird watching. The rare, yellow-crowned palila bird can be seen here. The endangered Hawaiian honey-creeper can be seen here as well. This bird only feeds on the seed pods from the scarce mamane tree. Less rare, but still interesting birds such as the uau (Hawaiian petrels), nene (Hawaiian geese), io (Hawaiian hawks) can also be seen on Mauna Kea.

The first step to reaching Mauna Kea is to drive Saddle Road (Route 200). This road is listed as off-limits by many of the car rental agencies. Thrifty will allow its rental cars on saddle road but advises against this practice. The roads are narrow with little or no shoulders and there are no emergency phones on this route should you encounter a problem.

You take the turn off from Saddle Road to Hale Pohaku and the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station. This leg lasts 7 miles and takes the traveler to 9,300 feet. This section can be driven by a normal car but it does feature very steep and windy roads. If you are driving a Thrifty rental car, the Visitor Center is as far as you are allowed to go. Harper's Car and Truck Rental (harpershawaii.com) does rent vehicles for the exact purpose of getting from the Visitor Center to the observatory.

Please remember to bring warm clothing on this journey. Even in the summer temperatures can reach the low 40s. Also make sure to fill up the gas tank before you go. The steep grade and thin air pushes the car into very poor gas mileage and there is nowhere to fill up at the top.

About The Author

Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals, specialists in Maui car rentals. He has personally driven to the top of Mauna Kea and rates it as one of the most panoramic views in his travels to Hawaii. Please visit Hawaii Drive O.

webmaster@hawaiidrive-o.com

Best of Hawaii: Itinerary Ideas for the Traveler

Best of Hawaii: Itinerary Ideas for the Traveler
by: Anitra Pickett

Want to do specific activities in Hawaii but have no idea which island has the best of the best? Use these lists to get ideas and helpful tips about the best surfing, scuba diving, exotic beaches, and much more!

This article is designed to help you choose which Hawaiian islands to visit if you have a particular activity in mind. Granted, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that all the 6 major islands of Hawaii have all of these activities in one shape or form. We have used a mixture of popular opinion and our own personal research and experiences for compiling these lists. An “(s)” indicates it may only be available during certain seasons. Remember to always check conditions & availability, especially for water activities.

Best Nightlife
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona

Best Hiking
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast (s)
2. Kauai - Waimea Canyon
3. Big Island - Mt. Kilauea

Best Surfing (Advanced) (s)
1. Oahu - North Shore
2. Kauai - Hanalei Bay
3. Maui - Honolua Bay

Best Surfing (Beginner) (s)
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Kauai - Kalapaki Beach
3. Maui - Launiupoko Park

Best Scuba Diving
1. Maui - Molokini
2. Maui or Lanai - Lanai Coast
3. Big Island - West Coast

Best Windsurfing / Kite Surfing (s)
1. Maui - Hookipa Beach Park (advanced)
2. Maui - Kanaha Beach (beginner)
3. Oahu - Kailua Beach

Best Snorkeling
1. Oahu - Haunama Bay
2. Maui - Kaanapali (Black Rock)
3. Kauai - Lydgate Beach & Tunnels

Best Shopping
1. Oahu - Aloha Market & Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona

Best Nude Sunbathing
1. Maui - Little Beach in Makena
2. Big Island - many locations
3. Kauai - Secret Beach in Kilauea

Best Exotic Beaches
1. Maui - Red Sand Beach (Hana)
2. Big Island - Punaluu Black Sand Beach
3. Big Island - Mahana Green Sand (s)

Best Nature Experiences
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast
2. Big Island - Kilauea Volcano
3. Maui or Lanai - whale watching (s)

For even more “Best of Hawaii” lists, visit: http://www.gladtravel.com/HI-info/bestofhawaii.aspx.

About The Author

Anitra Pickett is CEO of GLAD Travel. Gladtravel.com (http://www.gladtravel.com) is an advanced online search and booking engine for accommodation in the Hawaiian Islands. The website features 1000+ budget lodging options, all for $99 or less per night. GLAD Travel encourages authentic, adventurous, and responsible travel for the independent and budget-oriented traveler.

Favorite Maui Luaus

Favorite Maui Luaus
by: Andrew Crawford

For any visitor to Maui, taking in a luau is an absolute must. Luaus are the most popular activity in Maui, attracting several hundred thousand visitors every year. If you are traveling as a couple, as a group, as a family or as an individual, a Maui luau offers something for everyone to enjoy. A luau offers a full evening of fun, food, drinks and entertainment, all rolled into one fun activity.

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast, typically featuring kalua pork, poi, haupia and other local favorites. Historically, a luau celebrated special occasions such as a king’s birthday, visits from foreign dignitaries or to honor an important chieftain. These parties often lasted for three days featuring dancing, drinking, eating and singing. Today there are many commercial luaus to choose from, where you can be treated like a king yourself.

There is not a bad luau on Maui, so whatever luau you choose, you will have a good time. That said, there are three Maui luaus, which will be reviewed here. They are The Old Lahaina Luau, The Feast at Lele and The Ka’anapali Beach Luau. These three luaus represent the best a luau can offer, depending on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a traditional Hawaiian experience, The Old Lahaina Luau is the way to go. Featuring only music and dance from Hawaii, this luau will take you on a tour of Hawaii from the times of mythology to the present. The goal of The Old Lahaina Luau is to provide the most authentic Hawaiian luau available on Maui. They achieve this without sacrificing any of the other great things you might expect from a luau. The food is abundant and very tasty as well. Sample from kalua pork, lau laus (steamed pork wrapped in tea leafs), poi (taro root pounded to a paste), ahi poke (marinated ahi tossed with seaweed and vegetables), sweet potato, steak, mahi mahi and much more. Be sure to try some of the excellent tropical drinks provided with your dinner or order your favorite standards from the bar. The Old Lahaina Luau is one of Maui’s most popular luaus and is often sold out up to a month or more in advance so it is best to book as soon as you know you will be coming to Maui. You can book this luau through Maui Luau Guide, which also provides more info at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/oldlahainaluau.html.

For the honeymooning couple or any couple looking for a more private and romantic evening, consider the Feast at Lele. The feast is the only Maui luau offering table service for dinner. The approach here is much different from any other Maui luau. A premium bar is featured, and the food is served in courses, and offers some of the finest food you may eat during your entire vacation. The meals are prepared by award winning I’o restaurant and each course represents a different culture of Polynesia. Dinner begins in Hawaii with kalua pork, fresh fish and a heart of palm salad. The second course is from New Zealand and features Maori fishcake, while the third course represents Tahiti and features steamed chicken in coconut milk. Closing out the night, is an amazing fire knife dance from Samoa performed right before you, as you are served Samoan steak with a bread fruit, shrimp and avocado accompaniment. You will be entertained as each course is served, by the dances and songs of the island culture the dish hails from. This luau is often booked to capacity as well, and it would be suggested to book as early as possible. Tickets and more info about The Feast at Lele Maui luau are available at www.mauihawaiiluau.com/feastatlele.html.

Families visiting Maui may find that the Ka’anapali Beach Luau is the perfect fit. In addition to the traditional luau buffet which serves kalua pork, mahi mahi, lomi lomi salmon, poi, island style chicken, sweet potato and much more, there is a children’s buffet featuring comfort foods such as chicken fingers, hot dogs and pizza for the finicky eater. The Kaanapali Beach Luau will feature all the dances you would expect, taking a tour through Polynesia, featuring Hawaiian hula, Maori stick fight dances, Tahitian war dances, a little Elvis and a little Don Ho, and of course a death defying fire knife dance to end out the nigh! This luau comes recommended not only based on the great food, drink and show, but also on value. At www.mauihawaiiluau.com/kaanapalibeachluau.html you can book this luau for $49.95 per adult with one free child (12 or under) per paying adult. This luau is also located very conveniently, right in the heart of Ka’anapali!

You can expect to pay between $50 and $110 per person depending on what luau you choose, but no matter which you choose you will be treated to a wonderful evening with plenty of food, an open bar and a great show to entertain you. Be sure to bring your camera or video to preserve the memories, as a Maui luau is an experience you will never forget. For more information on any of these luaus as well as every other luau on Maui, check out www.mauihawaiiluau.com a complete guide to luaus on Maui.

About The Author

Andrew Crawford has lived in Maui for about 7 years, working in and around the Maui Activities field. He currently manages several websites, including www.mauihawaiiluau.com. He invites you to come see the magic that is Hawaii.

View their website at: Maui Hawaii Luau.

frogmanandy@yahoo.com

Hawaii (The Big Island) - A City Guide

Hawaii (The Big Island) - A City Guide
by: Nivedita Balamurugan

Introduction

There's no place on earth quite like this handful of sun-drenched, mid-Pacific islands. The Hawaii of South Seas literature and Hollywood films really does exist. Here one will find palm-fringed blue lagoons, lush rainforests, hidden gardens, cascading waterfalls, wild rivers running through rugged canyons, and soaring volcanoes. And those beaches -- gold, red, black, and even green sands caressed by endless surf - a perfect place for spending holidays.

History

After a series of battles that ended in 1795 and peaceful cession of the island of Kauai in 1810, the Hawaiian Islands were united for the first time under a single ruler who would become known as King Kamehameha the Great. He established the House of Kamehameha, a dynasty that ruled over the kingdom until 1872. One of the most important events during those years was the suppression of the Hawaii Catholic Church. The Newlands Resolution was passed on July 7, 1898, formally annexing Hawaii as a United States territory. In 1900, it was granted self-governance and retained Iolani Palace as the territorial capitol building. In March 1959, both houses of Congress passed the Admission Act and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law. On June 27 of that year, a plebiscite was held asking residents of Hawaii to vote on accepting the statehood bill. After statehood, Hawaii quickly became a modern state with a construction boom and rapidly growing economy.

Place of interest

It will not be a small list if anyone tries to make a list of all tourist attractions. The partial list should be look like this:

" Akaka Falls,
" Captain Dan McSweeney's Year-Round Whale-Watching Adventures
" Captain Zodiac,
" Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center,
" Fair Wind Snorkeling and Diving Adventures,
" Hapuna Golf Course,
" Mauna Lani Frances I'i Brown Championship Courses,
" Pololu Valley Lookout,
" Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park,
" World Botanical Garden.

Museums & Art Galleries

Some of the major museums are

" East Hawaii Cultural Center
" Hulihee Palace Museum
" Jaggar Museum
" Kamuela Museum
" Kona Historical Society
" Lyman House Memorial Museum
" Mokupapapa: Discovery Center For Hawaii's Remote Coral Reefs
" Pacific Tsunami Museum
" Parker Ranch Museum

are some of the museums in Big Island.

Hawaii's Big Island has a number of art gallery and cultural centers. Among them:

" Hawaiian Art Network
" Dreams Of Paradise
" Gallery Of Great Things
" Holualoa Gallery
" Spirit Art Studio
" Volcano Garden Arts

are some to mention about.

Shopping

Hawaii Big Island hosts open market places with hundreds of merchants selling their hand crafted items under the open sky. These market places are one of the main tourist attractions here. Alii Gardens Marketplace, Long Ears Coffee Company, Kuaiwi Farm, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, Anthuriums Of Hawaii, Hawaii Greenhouse Inc., Panaewa Hawaiian Homelands Farmers Market, Volcano Farmers Market are some of the famous marketplaces.

Besides these market places shopping malls and individual shops are there in Hawaii Big Island. Hilo Hattie - The Store of Hawaii, Hilo Shopping Center, Keauhou Shopping Center, King's Shops, Kona Coast Shopping Center, Lanihau Center are some shopping centers in Hawaii Big Island.

Food & Drink

So many restaurants, so little time for a traveler when it comes the time to wine and dine in Big Island. The Big Island's delicious dilemma is its daunting size and abundant offerings of its own cuisine. Shaka Restaurant, Anthony's Bistro & Bar, Charley's Bar & Grill, Grand Palace, Ting Hao, Bamboo Restaurant, Hualalai Grille By Alan Wong, Merriman's, Aloha Angel Café, Big Island Grill are some of the great places for wine and dine. Except these restaurants and bars, Hawaii Big Island has a lot to offer to satisfy everyone's taste bud.

Education

Big Island hosts

" More than 37 Public schools,
" More than 15 Private schools,
" University of Hawaii at Hilo
" Hawaii Community College - part of the University of Hawaii System.

Students choosing private education attend Brigham Young University Hawai?i, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University and University of the Nations.

Sports

Hawaii Big Island has lots to offer for the tourists to attend and participate in different sports like Scuba diving, Horse back riding, fishing, Golf, Cycling and hiking.

Hotels & Accommodation

Some budget hotels in Hawai are mentioned bellow.

" Aaah the Views Bed & Breakfast
" Affordable Hawaii at Pomaikai (Lucky) Farm Bed & Breakfast
" Cook's Discoveries Waimea Suite
" Kona Tiki Hotel
" Volcano Bed & Breakfast
" The Bay House
" Manago Hotel

Beside these budget hotels some mid range to hi-end hotels are there:

" Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu
" Kona Village Resort
" The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
" Hilton Waikoloa Village
" Horizon Guest House
" Kanaloa at Kona

Tours and Sightseeing

Organized tours are available in Hawaii Big Island. Beside the beaches these tours cover all the Hawaii Big Island places and activities. Tours' nature is guided or self guided. The tours are rich in contents. It may be walking or hiking tours through Thurston Lava Tube at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or snorkeling Kahaluu Beach Park or it may be a submarine tour into the Underwater World. Different tours are there in offer. The Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, Watching the Volcano is also in the content of the tour.

Transport

Flying is the most common way to get to Hawaii's Big Island. Air travelers are serviced by Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west side of the island, and Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the east. National and international carriers offer both direct and non-stop flights to KOA and ITO.

An alternate method of getting to Hawaii's Big Island is aboard a cruise ship. Several ships make weekly stops in Hilo Harbor on the East side, and also generally visit Kailua Bay on the West side.

Different car rental is available for transportation. These car rentals can be done by the on request to the hotels. The Big Island's public transportation system, called Hele-On, consists of a main route between Hilo and Kailua-Kona that operates once a day in each direction, plus several feeder routes to Volcano, Pahoa and Waikoloa that run two or three times a day.

About The Author

Nivedita Balamurugan
Occupation: Traveler
Website: The Reservation Center

Biography: Nivedita is with The Reservation Center - providers of discounted tours to make your vacations and sightseeing trips in various cities across the world as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

nivedita@thereservationcenter.com

Honolulu Has a Rich Cultural Heritage to Share

Honolulu Has a Rich Cultural Heritage to Share by Jake Orley

Think of Hawaii and what do you see? Definitely paradise with sun-bathed sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters. Clever drinks with cute umbrellas are not far behind. Hawaii gives you ample opportunities for outdoor activities like scuba diving and sailing, and exciting nightlife laced with sophistication. This whole lot of excitement has made Hawaii one of the world's biggest tourist destinations. All these outdoor activities, sandy beaches, and exciting nightlife reflect the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii.



Indeed, Hawaii did not become a state until midway through the twentieth century. Although American influence dates back all the way to the early 18th century, Hawaii did not officially become a state until 1959. Since then, it has steadily grown in popularity as a major tourist destination.



You may want to unveil the wonders of Hawaii much beyond the buzzing tourist guides and fishing trails. Hawaii bestows upon its visitors a gift more intriguing than what they usually see on the surface of this mystical island. Honolulu for example has a number of places worth visiting if you wish to know what Hawaii was like and how was the life here before it became the hub for the tourists world around.



Washington Place was built in 1846 and bears the name of the first president of the United States. It stands as a haven for people wanting to return to the old ways that existed prior to the arrival of the West. After the last Queen was overthrown, she spent the remaining years of her life in Washington Place until her death in 1917.



The husband of the last queen, John Owen Dominis, built the Washington Place. For decades it was the meeting ground of people who wanted the monarchy to reestablish and the Island to return to old ways. This is the reason why Washington place appears coiled up in history and tradition. It has been the focal point of transition of Hawaii from the traditional to what it is now.



Honolulu is also the site of the Kamehameha I statue. Kamehameha is the best known and most popular Hawaiian hero. He is the man who unified all of the islands prior to the arrival of the West. After the influence of Western culture was inevitable, Kamehameha helped to maintain traditional Hawaiian values as his people became acclimated to the West.



If you want to get more in depth knowledge of the way modern Hawaii evolved and learn a few important lessons from the lives of people who emerged from past and faced the new challenges of the modern life, then you certainly need to visit the various museums and libraries that dot Honolulu cityscape.



It’s true that most people go to Hawaii for the absolutely out-of-the-world experience, and would not like to spend time in museums, but you cannot ignore the fact that these places are part of the soul that is Hawaii. If you really want to see what is beautiful about Hawaii, then you should spend some time to learn about its rich history and interesting people.



Jake Orley is the webmaster for F honolulu, the #1 source on the internet for information about honolulu. For more articles on honolulu visit: http://www.fromhonolulu.com/articles

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Hawaii: Aloha and Destination Weddings

Hawaii: Aloha and Destination Weddings by Wally Walklate

The very thought of Hawaii brings to the mind thoughts of fun and frolic amongst the waving palm tress, soft, sandy beaches and the dancing girls. By the way, "aloha" is Hawaiian for love besides having other connotations as well. So if your wedding is on the cards and you are contemplating an ideal destination for the same, just fly off to the beautiful tropical Hawaii Islands for an experience of a lifetime for you and your aloha. And you do not have to celebrate your honeymoon in a different location as well.



Many couples choose Hawaii as their wedding destination so that they can create an intimate atmosphere with close friends and family. A destination wedding is an excellent way to minimize stress and focus on the real meaning of the day: the exchange of solemn vows between you and your beloved. Since weddings in general have become a stressful and costly venture, head to the islands and get a taste of love Hawaiian style!



The weather in Hawaii is beautiful all year long, so you can lounge on the lush sand beaches when the weather is harsh and cold at your home. There is definitely not a bad time to be married in the Aloha state, so you can plan a wedding year round without having to worry about sweltering hot temperatures or inclimate winter weather that can potentially prevent you from getting to the chapel on time!



The cost of Hawaiian destination wedding is quite small as compared to the astronomical costs that wedding entail. More so, there are economical packages offered by many operators. For Hawaii, you have traveling and lodging expenses- and this is quite economical than having a planned wedding in your hometown. Hawaii also allows you merge your wedding and honeymoon cost, thus providing a unique experience and cutting cost. The whole experience is more exotic as only your close and willing family and friends would be around you.



Planning a Hawaiian wedding is a piece of cake! Most hotels and resorts offer special wedding packages for out of town guests, and eliminating the fuss and worry that typical wedding planning entails. These packages include everything from the fresh flower leis to the sensations food to the cake, all you have to do is to bring yourself, your beloved, and your attire. Know the exact cost of the wedding up front and prevent any surprises when it comes time to pay the bill!



Hotels and resorts provide all kinds of professional vendors. So you don't have to worry about caterers, florists, photographers and clergy- they would take care of it. But be very sure that you have the necessary paperwork and certificates for a post-wedding hassle free life, as that would make your wedding legal. Even when this is inclusive in the package, it wouldn't hurt if you double-check before the journey.



If you are concerned about wedding attire, there are tons of shops on the island. Whether you choose to rent a traditional wedding gown and tuxedo or don traditional aloha wear for the ceremony, you can either bring your attire or find it on the island.



Marriage on the beach in traditional Hawaiian style is a rage among couples, but you could marry in a chapel if you like. Whatever you like, choosing a Hawaiian destination allows you a wide range of choices for your wedding plans besides being economical. So say bye-bye to your worries and head for Hawaii to the most exotic experience of your life- and tie the knot to your aloha.



Wally Walklate is the chief editor for F hawaii, a fantastic resource for information about hawaii, For questions or comments about this article why not visit: http://www.uhhawaii.com/articles

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