Yesterday’s test was a random sampling of five facts that you may or may not have known about Hawai’i. How well did you do? Here we go:

Q: Which Hawaiian island is the one least visited by tourists?
A: Did you read Monday’s post, Mystery Island? If you did, you were ahead of the game, since the answer is Ni’ihau, “the forbidden island.”

Q: What is the computer operating system of choice among Hawaiian residents?

A: According to some guy @ Twitter, more Hawaii folks use Macs than any other operating system. Go figure.

Q: How many campuses are there in the University of Hawai’i system?

A: My, what big campuses you have. Not to be confused with Hawai’i Pacific University, there are now 10 campuses in the UH system; both the big, traditional, book-lined kind (Manoa and Hilo), and the smaller versions that opened for those living away from island hubs. Go Warriors!

Q: Think Hawai’i is all about chillaxin’? Name some of Hawaii’s renowned conferences.

A: Personally, I can’t think about a conference without considering the Maui Writers Conference, the gold standard of “having to” travel to the islands in order to further one’s career. There was also the International Conference on Computational and Experimental Engineering & Sciences that happened in March (say that ten times fast), and upcoming events for the UC Davis Health System, and the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation.

Q: Name Kauai’s semi-famous falls known for its rope swings?

A: The answer to this question is also a question: Do you know of a better rope swing/diving hole than legendary Kipu Falls? Located on the southern end of Kaua’i, Kipu Falls is a lovely respite for both those who love looking at waterfalls, and those who enjoy jumping from them. (Safely, I hope.) To get there: Take Highway 50 west from Lihue. One mile past Puhi, at Mile Marker #3, turn left on Kipu Road. At the Y, bear to the right. Turn left on the dirt road just before the bridge. Park your car by the gate or on the road when conditions and law permit.

See you next week for the Tuesday Test. As always, until then, aloha…

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Yesterday’s Tuesday Test: Maui Edition quizzed you on your knowledge of Maui, the Valley Isle. Today we’ll cover the answers, and then some.Q: What are the two sides, or main sections of Maui called?

A: That depends. Most call the two lobes of the island West Maui and South Maui, others refer to them as West Maui Mountain and the other side, more to the east than the south, Haleakala. Both mountains are actually two large shield volcanoes that formed an isthmus between them, forming the valley fron which Maui takes its moniker, the Valley Isle.

Q: True or false: The Road to Hana is inaccessible by rental car?

A: My own personal experience has been that the rental car story lies on the side of urban myth. Perhaps it was true at one time, but checking my rental car agreement, and having found the whole Hana Highway normally navigable by any regular rental car is proof enough for me that the answer is false.

More on the drive:

On average, about 2,000 cars drive the road to Hana each day, and so the trip can be a slow, crowded one. Leave early so that you can catch the waterfalls and take in as much scenery as possible. Take your time, especially if you’re only taking a day trip, and let cars behind you go by, both so that you can absorb the unbelievable views, and so that you don’t hold up locals trying to get to their destinations.

Q: True or false: Maui sometimes suffers from terrible traffic jams that can take hours to pass.

A: Unfortunately, this is true. With limited highway area, and seemingly an unlimited number of cars, a traffic jam can take hours to untangle itself. Avoid hitting the road especially in the late afternoon, when commuters are leaving work for the day. The road between Lahaina and Kapalua is notorious for pau hana (after work) traffic, as is highway 31.

Q: Is there public transportation on Maui?

A: There are now limited bus routes on the island, the schedules and details of which you can find at Maui County’s Web site. Your best bet for getting around on the island, however, is still rental car.

Q: What kinds of festivals can you find on Maui?

A: All kinds, of course! Just because it’s happening now, the Maui Film Festival comes to mind right off the bat. But there’s also the International Festival of Canoes, Aloha Festival, Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, Taste of Lahaina and Best of Island Music Festival, and Whale Day, just to name a few.

Tune in next week, when we’ll cover more about Maui’s close neighbor, Moloka’i. Until then, aloha.

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler