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

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

Ni’ihau is a small island seventeen miles off the Kaua’i coast. It’s spectacular, at least from the boat I was on. So was the snorkeling.

The trip across the Kalakahi Channel is pretty long, but it’s worth it. Even if you don’t snorkel, you’re likely to see dolphins, turtles, and whales (in season) on the way there. You’ll catch an abundant eyeful of fish if you do get into the water just off-shore, and if you’re lucky, the monk seals who live there may give you a swim-by.

Life on the island is reported to be a lot as it was a hundred years ago. Not only are its citizens invited native Hawaiians, but Hawaiian is the everyday language spoken. There are no modern services on the island, and it’s so private that a very large, very serious Hawaiian personally escorts intruders off of the premises–legend has it. Simply because of its mystery, I’m beyond fascinated by what life may be like there. So if you have any sources of information on Ni’ihau, please pass them along. I’m all ears.

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler