The Hawaii Traveler

We missed the boat the last time we stayed in Kona, on the Big Island. Literally. We were living it up in the Waikoloa Beach area, just yards from the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where there are over 60 acres of Kohala Coast made just for families like ours.The boat we missed is a little mahogany canoe that transports guests along on-resort canals, to more kid-friendly activities than you can shake a rainstick at.
Camp Menehune is the Hilton’s own day and night camps for little ones aged 5-12; for guests of the Hilton, or non-guests, as availability allows.
Dolphin Quest …read more

Comments Off

One of your fellow campers in Hawai’i: a Jackson’s chameleon

With over forty public campgrounds and a few private ones, staying in Hawai’i for next to nothing is, well, easy. Outdoor options range from if-you-don’t-bring-it-you-don’t-get-it to lean-to, to little grass shack, to an honest to goodness cabin/cabana by the sea. The views are gorgeous however you slice it, and compared to the wildlife I’ve seen in my native Colorado (maybe a few deer but hopefully not a bear), the sights are always exotic.
Since the weather remains relatively constant in the islands, year-round camping is a …read more

8 Comments

If you’re one of the 43 million U.S. travelers who is ecologically concerned, you’re probably looking for ways to minimize your impact on the environment when traveling. This is an important consideration for Hawai’i vacationers, since the islands are such a far-flung destination for just about everyone who doesn’t already live on-island.
For starters, the average cross-country commercial flight burns about 100 gallons of fossil fuel and creates nearly 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per passenger, according to Expedia Travel Trendwatch.
To help offset that kind of an ecological impact, you may want to buy carbon credits when purchasing your tickets. …read more

2 Comments

I was recently discussing accommodations in Hawai’i, and we both decided that if you’re from the school that says there are no bad accommodations, only bad bank accounts, you’ll agree: Whether you’re in a beach front mansion or camping out, you’re still in Hawai’i. As the kids say, it’s all good. This is especially true if you’re lucky enough to bag a night or six on Ka’anapali Beach, the queen mother of Maui beaches.
Ka’anapali has been crowned America’s Best Beach, and I’m in full agreement. It’s not so crowded that a couple can’t share a romantic moment …read more

1 Comment