The Hawaii Traveler

At the Makalei Country Club on the Big Island, you’ll find more than just the run-of-the-mill water hazards and sand traps. And you’ll most likely hear them before you see them. They’re peacocks, of course, Makalei’s most vocal, and in-the-way guests. The shrieking they do is their way of saying “Fore!” I guess, which they do with great enthusiasm. Take that while you’re working on your back swing.
Apart from the peacocks, Makalei is one of the quieter clubs (people-wise), probably since it’s up a few thousand feet from sea level. North of Kona on 190, it’s cooler and …read more

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Some of the compounds found in sunscreens are harming coral reefs, scientists say. So, what’s a water baby to do? For one, cover up with something else, like a rash guard or other SPF fabric clothing, and save the sunblock for the few exposed areas that remain. I like surf shirts because they make me look super sporty, but as it turns out, they contribute to keeping Hawai’i green. (Not to mention that muffin top outbreaks during vacations are common, and the rash guard style is a very forgiving one, thank goodness.) SPF suits for …read more

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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

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