July 5th, 2008
If you’re ever looking for great stories with authentic local flavor, check out one of my favorite feature blogs at the Honolulu Advertiser, “The Daily Dish,” by Catherine E. Toth — “a.k.a. Cat.”
I actually have to hand it to the Advertiser. Not only do they offer some great blogs, such as Lost in Hawaii, and The Hot Seat, but they also Twitter their headlines. Way to embrace new technology, Honolulu Advertiser!
Tags: blogs, Hawaii locals, Hawaii news, Honolulu AdvertiserShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
July 4th, 2008
It’s Independence Day, and nothing says freedom like strapping on a snorkel and taking off for the day. If you’re up for a sea faring adventure on Maui, the Molokini Crater is a rite of passage that’s been tourist-tested and resident approved.
The facts:
- Molokini Crater is an extinct volcano located 2 1/2 miles off Maui’s south shore. Only part of the top ring is visible above the water; from the air it appears as a crescent.
- The snorkeling is generally great, although if you’re out on a particularly rough day, it’s not so much…if you’re allowed to go out at all.
- If you’re not into snorkeling so much, you can always try your luck getting into the water with a boogie board or a noodle and simply looking around, or, for the immersion-friendly types, sometimes there’s Snuba.
Since it’s such a popular destination, most of the charters take trips there daily. If you’re not so good at smaller boats, try the Pride of Maui, the largest craft that goes there. Smaller operations include Aqua Adventure, Kai Kanani, Four Winds, Maui Dive Shop, and others. Most operators take an early morning trip that lasts most of the day, and make a stop at “Turtle town.”
Booking a cruise to the crater is easy, although deciding which company to use isn’t always such a no-brainer. Read a few review sites to get an idea of which kind of ride is for you. Above all, know thyself. If you know you’ll want to head below deck to escape the sun for a few, take a bigger boat. If you like taking your own lunch, choose a no-frills carrier. Do sales offers make you uncomfortable? Ask if there’s an on-board photographer, for example. If there is one, you’re going to hear a sales pitch for pictures.
Have you been to the Molokini Crater? Tell us about it in the comments; I’m always interested to hear what’s up with the island’s hottest snorkel spot. Happy 4th of July, everybody.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by vonlohmann
Tags: Hawaii, Maui, Molokini Crater, snorkeling in HawaiiShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
July 3rd, 2008
Mary Jo over at Flyaway Cafe and The Seattle Traveler posted recently a bit about “nakations,” or, vacations one can enjoy in the nude.
Although Hawai’i isn’t known for its nude beaches, the thing that is most likely to designate one beach or another as such is its inaccessibility.
Red Sand Beach in Hana, or Kaihalulu Beach, is most definitely clothing optional–if it isn’t, all the naked people I’ve seen there never got the memo. It’s a stunning beach, with red sand and sparkling blue waters. The contrast is more of a draw than the other bodies there, in my opinion. It’s a tricky walk there, however. Don’t take the path through the Japanese cemetery, however, even though some suggest doing just that. Instead, take the trail to the right; it’s easier, even if there’s a sign nearby that says there’s no trail. (There is, of course.) Bring your hiking shoes; it’s a very unforgiving trail with loose cinders and steep drop-offs. Don’t hike it when it’s muddy, and just like your mother would say, “Be careful and don’t fall!”
Little Beach at Makena (Pu’u Ola’i Beach)
Again, you can’t reach Little Beach by car, so to get there, take a drive to Big Beach (Makena Beach) , which is on Maken Ala Nui Road, just past the Maui Prince Hotel. Walk to the northwest end of Big Beach, and look for a path up the lava, and eventually, the nude sunbathers. The difference between Little Beach and Red Sand is that the swimming and snorkeling here are good. Hopefully, the water isn’t too cold, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
Tags: Big Beach, Hana, Little Beach, Makena, Maui, Nude beaches in Hawaii, Red Sand BeachShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
July 2nd, 2008
This week we turned our attention to volcanoes on Hawai’i, which is saying a mouthful. That’s because the entire state of Hawai’i owes its very existence to the volcano. Each island consists of at least one primary volcano, although many islands are composites of two or more–even tiny little Ni’ihau has its own volcano. The Big Island is the volcanic showoff, with five volcanoes dotting the landscape. They are: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Kohala. While Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth, Kilauea produces the most lava each year.1. Name three volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands.
A: See above, or check out this cool volcano map and legend.
2. What is the elevation at the top of Haleakala on Maui?
A: At its summit, 10,023 feet. It’s so high that, from here, you can see The Big Island.
3. Describe the “grafitti” written on the black lava rock along the highways on The Big Island.
A: When pieces of white coral and rocks are strategically placed on the ubiquitous black lava rock of The Big Island, the result is perhaps the nicest, kindest type of grafitti possible. You’ll find these carefully arranged messages everywhere on the island where there’s a blank spot in the black rock. But be careful–make sure to drive carefully while you gaze, especially when the wild goats are out and grazing by the road.
4. What is “vog?”
A: Check the Vog Blog entry and find out.
5. Are there any anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands?
There’s still one active lava lake, “a large volume of molten lava pooled in a vent, crater, or broad depression,” on The Big Island. It’s Kupaianaha Lava Lake .
Image by Jody Reale. Lava photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by lin padgham
Tags: Big Island, Hawaii, lava, lava lakes, Pele, vog, volcanoesShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
July 1st, 2008
Mary Jo over at b5’s Flyaway Cafe has a nice post up today about an environmentally friendly dolphin-watching cruise she took in Oahu last fall. Read her review of Hoku Nai’a Wild Dolphin Watch and you’ll find yourself there, even if you’re in Omaha or Duluth.
Just a few things to remember when packing up for a day trip tour or cruise:
- If you drive to a marina or pick-up spot, don’t leave valuables in your car. Burglars know that you’re going to be gone for a long time, and tourists often make the mistake of leaving cameras and wallets in the rental. Either take your things with you, or leave them back at home base.
- And bring cash. If the trip is exceptional and beats your expectations, you’ll want to leave a tip.
Tags: boat trips in Hawaii, Dolphin cruises, environmentally friendly tourism, Oahu, spinner dolphins, whale watching boatsShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
July 1st, 2008
It’s believed that Pele is the goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. Her mythos is varied, and complicated, but she’s best known on The Big Island, where some of her best work is still on display. It’s in her honor that we test our Hawai’i knowledge this week. Answers are revealed tomorrow, on Wednesday. Here we go:
1. Name three volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands.
2. What is the elevation at the top of Haleakala on Maui?
3. Describe the “grafitti” written on the black lava rock along the highways on The Big Island.
4. What is “vog?”
5. Are there any lava lakes anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands?
Image by Jody Reale
Tags: Big Island, lava, Pele, Tuesday Test, volcanoesShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
June 30th, 2008
On Makapu’u Beach, not too far from Waikiki on the island of O’ahu, is the theme park and attraction Sea Life Park. It’s a marine-oriented center that’s not as huge as some of the parks you know from back home, but that is still a nice attraction/distraction for those who want to get more up-close and personal with some of Hawaii’s sea creatures without having to go on an expensive or involved expedition. Educational, exciting, and fun, you’ll get your education and interaction on, in an environment with all the convenient amenities and facilities.Now that the park is under new ownership, you’ll see some changes and cosmetic improvements, along with new programs for getting closer to the dolphins than ever before. Call 1-866-393-5158 or make your reservations online.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Just Taken Pics
Tags: Attractions, Hawaii theme parks, Makapuu Beach, Oahu, Sea Life Park, swim with dolphins in Hawaii, WaikikiShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
June 30th, 2008
If you know the social networking site Twitter, you know how easy it is to make new friends. (Come on over and make friends with me at Twitter or FriendFeed to join in the fun.) One of those new friends, who goes by the moniker LaMama Naturale over at her blog Recycle Your Day, is going to Kaua’i soon; it’ll be her first time to the islands, and her little one’s first-ever plane ride.As you can tell by the title, Recycle Your Day is a site that’s dedicated to green living, and in the post Save Kauai, LaMama addresses an important facet of traveling to my favorite place in the world: the environment is important, even while we’re on vacation. She reminds us that even a vacation is the time to reuse, reduce, and recycle, just like Hawaiian Jack Johnson sings. She plans to pack in, pack out when possible; that’s a good and admirable practice for us all.
I’ve written a few posts about green travel, and b5 media’s own Liz Lewis writes the blog Traveling the Green Way.
Here’s wishing LaMama Naturale a great trip to the islands. I know she’ll be hooked.
Image by Jody Reale
Tags: Environment, Green travel, Kauai, vacationing in HawaiiShare This
By Jody Reale -- 3 comments
June 28th, 2008
If you’ve been keeping your eye on the lifestyles of the rich and famous set, you may have heard about a travel trend that’s growing faster than Robin Leach’s waistline: Luxury Destination Clubs.
Destination Clubs provide members with access to extremely luxurious homes and resorts in Hawaii and all over the world, at prices ranging from moderate to unreachable by most mere mortals’ standards.
Some of the more well-known, higher-end destination clubs include Quintess and Solstice.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Neurofibromatosis - Reggie Bibbs
Tags: destination clubs, homes, luxury accomodations, Luxury travel, resortsShare This
By Jody Reale -- 0 comments
June 28th, 2008
From the environmental files: did you know that Hawai’i is the Endangered Species Capital of the World?According to the Hawaii Biological Survey, there are more endangered species per square mile on these islands than any other place on the planet. On the list of endangered living things are:
- Nearly 300 taxa of plants
- The O’ahu tree snail
- The Monk Seal
- The Green Sea Turtle (honu)
- 30 species of bird including the Hawaiian ‘Akepa, the Hawaiian Duck, and Hawaiin Goose (nene)
- And many more.
There are heavy, heavy fines for tangling with endangered species of any kind, which begs the question, “What can I tangle with?” The common sense answer is: Don’t fuss with any of the wildlife or plants on Hawaii. Everyone is better off.
Photo of nene by Flickr–Creative Commons, by eye of einstein
Tags: animals and wildlife, endangered species in Hawaii, Environment, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, OahuShare This
By Jody Reale -- 1 comment
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