It doesn’t appear at the 10 best list, probably because it’s relatively inaccessible, but if you get a chance to snorkel off the island of Ni’ihau, take it.  Not only is the snorkeling unforgettable, but you’ll be captivated by the story of this tiny, very private island.

Looking to go a little deeper, without all the equipment and technical hoo-ha of SCUBA? Try Snuba, a dive system for adults and children that’s just as easy as snorkeling, but with most of the scenic benefits and opportunities of SCUBA.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Franklin_Dattein

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Although Hawai’i is not a world destination for diving, as are other ocean destinations, such as Cozumel and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, there is still great diving to be had.  Although I’ve only personally experienced a few dive expeditions in Hawai’i, they’ve been  memorable ones.You might be able to spot all kinds of sea life at Mexico’s Palancar Reef, from giant parrot fish to lobsters, but you aren’t as likely to see the number of monk seals and other rare and endangered creatures that you will off the coast of Kaua’i and Ni’ihau.

Bubbles Below is one of Hawaii’s best dive operators, and with them you can see the best of what the Kaua’i seas have to offer, in the safest possible way, and with a consciousness for the coral and environment. The staff is friendly and exceptionally knowledgable, and the owner and operator, Linda Marsh, is a real hoot. “This is a woman’s boat,” she said, offering me a bottle of conditioner for my hair, “I keep women’s stuff on it.”

You can reach Bubbles Below at (808)332-REEF.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Lazlo-photo

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Every year in Kona, Hawai’i, the Ironman triathlon world championship basically takes over the city.  This year, on October 11, 2008, over a thousand athletes run, bike, and swim the grueling course that has made Ironman–and Kona–famous.While I don’t know many triathletes (they always seem to be training instead of combing the beach for that perfect shell), my favorite Ironman story is about Major Bill Connor, who won a lottery spot in this year’s triathlon, and is training for it in Iraq.   Now THAT’S multi-tasking.  Way to go, Bill, we’re rooting for you.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

• Hawaii TV Bowling features tournament play. A member of the Oahu Bowling Association. You’ll find them in Kaneohe. Phone/Fax: (808) 239-5415.
• Here’s a directory of bowling centers in Hawaii.  Call to make sure that centers are open. An alarming number of centers have closed in recent months.
• Aiea Bowl mixes up the wholesomeness of bowling with drinks, DJ-mixed music, and cosmic lighting.
• In the news: A city councilwoman, after noticing the dwindling numbers of bowling alleys on Oahu, proposed the idea of municipal lanes.  See the article at KHNL, the NBC affiliate on channel 8.

Remember, it’s not how good you are, it’s how many lines you can quote from the movie.  Mark it eight, Dude.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by cote

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

While I’m not sure whether or not that’s still a rule that’s even still applicable to today’s wardrobe, the longer answer is: Even if it were a hard-and-fast fashion rule, nobody will care what you’re wearing.  And also: Don’t wear it if you want to bring it home as white and bright as when you brought it.  The red and black sands, as well as the reddish mud and dirt that seems to cover most surfaces on the islands, are bound to stain your nice, bright whites.  If that doesn’t bother you, have at it with your whites the day after Labor Day and beyond. As a general rule, if there is a place on earth that couldn’t care less about fashion faux pas, it’s the Hawaiian Islands.

Sandals with socks, however, are still OUT!

And now, a message about cool things to do in Hawai’i on Labor Day, whatever color you’re wearing:

The 37th Annual Queen Lili’uokalani 2008
World’s Largest Long Distance Canoe Races

Held each year on Oahu during Labor Day Weekend, the fun includes a torchlight parade and dance on Saturday night, and an awards luau on Sunday.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by midiman

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

The recent resurgence of stand-up paddle surfing is in part due to the celebrity status it’s received by the likes of Archie Kalepa, who paddled the channel between Moloka’i and O’ahu, and Laird Hamilton, who took on the infamous Jaws on a stand up paddle board. Is it just for experts, though?

The good news is no, it’s for mere mortals, too. In my opinion, paddle surfing is easier and more comfortable to learn than traditional surfing, and other exciting, but less forgiving water sports such as kiteboarding.

Another bonus: You don’t need waves to play along. And in fact, I say it’s better if there arent any. It’s a self-paced sport that allows you to go as fast or as slow as you want, and you don’t have to learn how to stand while the water shoots you across the beach. Good times.

And if Denise Richards can do it, you can too!

You can read more about stand-up paddle surfing at these fine Web sites, or you could, as they say at Nike, just do it.

• Paddle surf Hawaii
• Paddle surfing blog

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Mike Baird

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

The initiative is part of “Take Your Daughter to the Course Week,” and includes free play, and in some cases, free clinics and instruction with a PGA pro.  Take Your Daughter to the Course is happening at the following locations:

• Princeville’s Makai Course and Prince Course
• Kaua’i Lagoons Golf Club 
• Kiahuna Golf Club
• Puakea Golf Course
• Poipu Bay Golf Course

Fore!

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

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

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

If you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll no doubt be amazed and impressed with the sights you’ll see off the Hawai’i coast.First: Hit a place such as Snorkel Bob’s for equipment, maps, and a fish card, for identifying the scaly creatures that await. (Or just look and appreciate.) Wear your rash guard for protecting your back from the rays while you’re looking below. It’s easy to sunburn unnoticed, since the water can keep you feeling cool, even when you’re burning up.

You might be interested to know that more than 20 percent of Hawaiian reef fishes are found nowhere else in the world. You’re also likely to see plenty of the state fish, the very common humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or trigger fish.

The Trigger fish, named for its defense mechanism of swimming to the nearest hole and erecting its first dorsal when threatened, was used in ancient times as fire fuel. The Hawaiians dried the fish and used the carcases to start fires for cooking more tastier fish.

Wherever you snorkel in the islands, you’re bound to find an eyeful of fish on which to figuratively feast. Enjoy!

Post from: 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 is the on-site “pet-a-dolphin” program that includes swimming with, and feeding your new finned friends. Make your reservations at least a month in advance if it’s a make-or-break activity. In fact, Dolphin Days are comoing June 19-22, 2008!

Other amenities include wildlife tours, lagoon pools, shuttles to very family-fun A Bay Beach, and a tram railway system for gliding along the grounds.

If you go, write in and tell me your experience so that we can kick ourselves again for missing it the first time. And give those fish-breathed dolphins a kiss from us.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler