The Hawaii Traveler

BIG ISLAND
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE PACIFIC
Hilo’s annual celebration of all things Hawaiian. For more information call the Japanese Chamber of Commerce at (808) 934-0177.
KAUA’I
GARDEN ISLAND ORCHID SHOW
An orchid show of hundreds of varieties for those who want to buy, or those who want to learn about orchid culture or cultivating them. In Lihue at Vidinha Stadium. For more information call (808) 742-0333.
MAUI
WHALERS VILLAGE MAUI ONION FESTIVAL
Enjoy the fun and the food based on this world-famous vegetable. Activities include cooking demos and an onion eating contest. Includes farmer’s market and music. At Whalers Village in the Kaanapali Resort. For more …read more

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A Japanese Garden at the Manoa Campus
 
This just in:  According to Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i), the U.S. Department of Education will present a grant of $682,982 to the Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.The University of Hawai’i at Hilo will use the money to establish the Center for Pacific Islander Education and Retention by renovating an existing campus facility.
Read More at the Honolulu Advertiser.  
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by mote

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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 …read more

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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 …read more

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On the Big Island, there are many a fragrance to be sniffed.  The flowers, the ocean air. The coffee.
If you’re a coffee lover–and even if you aren’t, you’ve probably heard that Kona Coffee is some of the best in the world. Personally, I agree, but beware: Not all “Kona Coffee” is the real deal. Look for the labels that say 100% Kona Coffee. Yes, you’ll pay a premium for it, but you might as well stay home with Mrs. Olson for the quality you’ll find in the brands that fill their bags with a high percentage of other …read more

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A few years ago, before we had to worry about keeping regular hours and feeding a little one before the witching hour, we followed our friends to a beach in Princeville, where their friends played their ukuleles nightly, at sunset. They played a lot of mainstream faves, including Puff the Magic Dragon, which I learned to play on my own ukulele the year I turned 12. This kind of setting isn’t the only way to take in a show on the islands, though. All year-round, there are events of all sizes, flavors, and settings.

The …read more

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This week–and every Tuesday–it’s time to ask yourself, “How Knowledgeable am I about Hawaii?” Really, the answer is, “Who cares?” No one’s keeping score. But just for fun, here’s this week’s pop quiz about everyone’s favorite South Pacific destination. Answers revealed tomorrow. Here we go…

1. What Hawaiian island will someday be two islands?
2. What Hawaiian island is getting bigger?
3. What is the state fish?
4. What is the highest mountain in the world, measured from its base to its peak?
5. How many varieties of snake are there in Hawaii?
6. Which island boasts 10 of the 13 climate zones?
7. What …read more

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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

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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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Photo by Flickr-Creative Commons by eye of einstein

If you want to crack up about the difference between the Hawai’i of the ’60s and the Hawai’i of today, watching the movie Riding Giants ought to do it for you. It’s not only a kicking surfing film that’s interesting to surfers and non-surfers alike, it documents the dramatic contrast between Hawai’i then and now.In case you didn’t know it, old Oahu is not your grandmother’s vacation anymore. It’s a major hub of business, culture, entertainment, and excitement. What is there to do on Oahu at night? Everything! And, …read more

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