My trip to Hawaii last fall was motivated by a desire for some rest and relaxation, some warm weather, and an overall escape from my gray Seattle life.  I was longing for time spent on a balcony, watching the sunset or sunrise, listening to the waves, and having a slow-paced week ahead of me.

In fact, that type of vacation is one of the reasons people love Hawaii – sun, sand, surf, and stepping on the treadmill of ordinary life.

But at some point, you’re going to want to do something else.  I had a handful of ideas of those “other things” and one of the top of my list was whale watching.  Only problem — I was there on the very early end of the season, and the whales weren’t in town.

It didn’t take but a heartbeat to come up with another idea – if I couldn’t see whale, how about some dolphins?!  I remember watching these graceful and playful creatures as they’d swim alongside a cruise ship.  They’d play in the water, jumping about, almost like they were mocking us.

But I’m also sensitive to not disturbing marine habitat.  They were there first, after all, and I was just interested in viewing, not disrupting them.  Find a tour that appreciated the delicate and important balance between man and nature was important.

The Hoku Nai’a Wild Dolphin Watch Cruise offered by Star of Honolulu seemed to offer a good choice.

The day started off with an early morning pick up (a little after 7 am) at my Waikiki hotel.  "Pick up" meant transportation to west Oahu (our cruise departure location), and was in a comfortable air-conditioned motor coach.  There were a couple of guests from my hotel booked on the cruise, and we picked up a additional guests at stops at other Waikiki hotels.  If you have a car and want to drive, you can meet directly at the harbor, but it was easy and comfortable to just leave the driving and timing to someone else.

The morning ride occurred during morning commute traffic — yes, such a thing exists even in the islands!  The time passed easily as people napped. chatted, or watched an island video played on the motor coach player.   I appreciated that our hosts were available to point out a few sights along the way, answer questions, but did not barrage us with silly puns and inane patter.  Silence is golden at that time of morning.

We were all awake and ready to board by the time we reached Wai’anae Boat Harbor in west Oahu. 

The Hoku Nai’a is a new two-deck catamaran (in photo above), and was custom built to allow for viewing marine life without disturbing them.  On the day of my cruise, there were only about 25-30 passengers (it was off-season), but the boat will hold 149 passengers.  I’d expect it to be much busier during peak season.

As we all wandered around checking out the boat, and locating a spot to sit for departure, we were briefed in some safety information, told a little bit about where we would be going and what to expect, and served some beverages.  Once our crew had everything in order, we were on our way.

But did we see dolphins?  Keep reading. . . .

Riding out to the spot where dolphins had been sighted allowed us a great chance to relax, enjoy the weather, and look for all sorts of other wildlife.  We were given a handout showing a variety of marine life that we might encounter.  We saw a variety of seabirds and fish, but the schools of flying fish were a favorite of all of the guests.

The boat skipper had a general idea of where we were going, and as he was in radio contact with scouts who could point him to the right area with a little more precision.  The crew continued to interact with all the guests, answering questions, pointing out things, and generally making us feel like welcome guests rather than annoying tourists.

When we approached the sighting area, the boat slowed and everyone gathered at the railing to watch.  It wasn’t long before we saw Spinner dolphins swimming, jumping, and playing.  We could see them in the distance, watching as they swam closer, seemingly as curious about us as we were about them.  The crew was great about continuing to point out where we could see them, but it didn’t take must looking at all — they were all over the place.

We did not encroach upon the dolphins’ area, stopping far short.  The crew was very clear that we would only go so close, and that was a matter of protecting them.  Some companies give a sly wink and a nod to environmental rules about man meeting marine life, but this cruise makes clear its commitment to an eco-friendly encounter.

Although we had quite awhile to watch the dolphins, if you love these guys, it could never be long enough.

On the sail back to the harbor, we had lunch (included in the price of the cruise).  The crew fired up the barbecue, grilling burgers for guests.  You picked up your burger and then continued to a table with all the fixings you could want.  I opted for the Hawaiian approach, choosing a Taro bun, and adding grilled pineapple, along with the more standard choices.  Add some chips (there were a variety) and a brownie for dessert, and it was a perfect shipboard lunch.  A refreshing punch was always available, and additional beverages are available for purchased.  (NOTE:  vegetarian option available with 24-hour notice.)

We had no young children on the cruise, but when there are, a keiki program is offered for the young ones.  I took a brief look at some of the activities, and it was almost enough to make me wish I was six years old again.  The Hawaiian culture honors family and children, and that carries over into many of these activities.

Honolulu Star offers a "Dolphin Check."  If you don’t have a dolphin sighting, you receive a free return sailing. (lunch and transportation optional).

The Wild Dolphin Watch cruise operates year round, with a daily sailing at 9:30 am, returning at 11:30 am.  Cruise price is $65 for adults and $39 for children, and includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.  Hotel pick up can be added for $20 roundtrip from Waikiki hotels.  Hotel pick up starts at 7 am, returning around 1 pm.

Your hotel will be happy to book the cruise, however, I’d recommend making reservations online before your arrival.

I enthusiastically recommend this activity.  The company is reputable and responsible, managing the difficult balance of providing a quality experience for guests and protecting sea life.  Even a somewhat jaded guest, prepared to dislike anything that seemed remotely like a "tour" was overheard to say, "I’d do this again!"  I’m with him!  I’d do it again, too!

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Gas isn’t always sky-high in the islands. Last year, California consumers were paying more than Hawaiians for regular gas.  Here’s hoping the trend in lower prices will continue.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Home prices in Honolulu, although falling, have farther to go, according to the study, and therefore are going to leave owners with negative equity were they to sell in four years.

In a related story at MSNBC, you can also explore real estate on the mainland, and Sixty Six Cities where Buying Makes Sense .

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

If you happened to catch NPR’s piece on heirloom tomatoes,”Heirloom Tomato Farmer Finds Beauty in the Ugly,” you’ll be glad to know that you’ll be able to find a little piece of that kind of wonderful ugliness right there on Oahu.North Shore Farms is the home of homegrown tomatoes and the big wave of flavors that go with them. Drop by, call, or just check out some of their recipes online.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by jackie-dee

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

More from the Alohaween files: If you and your little ones are interested in some pumpkin carving activities for this season, here are a few starter ideas to get you going wikki wikki.

First Check Architects Hawaii LTD  or give them a call.  They usually hold an annual pumpkin carving that’s top notch.

Look at Kuhuku Public Library.  It’s Halloween Extravaganza is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Keep looking at the Honolulu Advertiser  or the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for current events and announcements as Halloween time draws near.

Hanapepe Spook Night is an annual event that takes place on or near Halloween night every year in Kauai’s Hanapepe Town Park. Contact the Hanapepe Town Association for more information.

If all else fails, there’s always the underwater pumpkin carving contest at Maui Ocean Center, but I don’t recommend you try this at home (unless you’re in the bathtub.)

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

What is It?
Music Together is a series of musical-oriented sessions that teaches children from infancy to age 6 about the simple intricacies of music.  Children learn in developmentally appropriate ways how to sing in tune, keep a beat, and appreciate the gifts of the music of our cultures.

What You Get
Each class includes a CD with songs you’ll work on in class, and a songbook with lyrics, music and more.   You’ll also have plenty of fun with other children and their parents or caregivers.

Ohana Music Together currently only operates on Oahu, but if you were interested in starting your own Music Together classes, contact the national headquarters.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

If you’re wondering if Hawaiians hand out pineapple instead of candy on Halloween, there’s only one way to find out: Come on out, wearing your best Elvis costume, of course.And while you’re here, don’t miss Hallowbaloo, Oahu’s most totally awesome art and music festival that takes place on October 31. (Coincidence? I think not.)

Other Halloween celebrations around the islands:

• Halloween in Lahaina, Maui is always fun, and draws a big crowd. Sounds like this year, there’s going to be an effort to curb the “Mardi Gras” atmosphere and make things a little more  family-friendly. Find other kid-friendly Halloween activities at About.com
• The Big Island’s Outrigger Hotel does a lot of things right, including hosting “Spooky Tales” each year. Ask about this year’s schedule.
• Kaimuki Halloween Costume Contest is scheduled for October 24th in Honolulu. See the special events calendar for more information.
• Check with the Hawaiian Human Society to see if they’re sponsoring another doggie costume contest this year.

Photo by –Creative Commons, by nayrb7

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

In an attempt to alleviate some of the pain associated with the lack of rail-based public transportation on Oahu, the city and county of Honolulu launched TheBus in the ’70s. It has since become the 20^th most utilized transit system in the country and the 13^th most utilized bus fleet.

A ferry linked to TheBus began service in September 2007 known as TheBoat. Fare for TheBoat is $2.00, and it runs from Barber’s Point to Aloha Tower Marketplace daily. (Check often for cancellations.)  It is hoped that linking to TheBus and delivering commuters from Leeward to Honolulu will change some of the dynamics between commuters, tourists, and part-time residents.

A light rail system in Honolulu is currently in its design phase.

Photo by –Creative Commons, by Skyseeker

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Arguably none of them stayed and savored the islands like Mark Twain, however,  who has been touted as penning some of the best travel writing about Hawaii that’s ever been written. Not to ignore the greats, however, Jack London wrote a glorious piece on his island experiences in the late 1800s.  And then James Michener wrote the novel Hawaii in the late ’50s.  Wow.

Not as in, “Wow, that’s a great book,” but as in, “Wow, James Michener’s blue pencil must be broken.”  Just as a hint, he covers about 4 bazillion years of Hawaii’s history, starting with the first volcanic eruption that mothered the islands themselves, and ending with a discussion of what Tom Selleck’s favorite hair care products were while filming Magnum P.I. episodes. I joke.

And now you can sleep where they slept and hang out where they hung out. (The famous authors, not Tom Selleck.)

Volcano House hotel  Back when Twain stayed here, it was a primitive hostel, not the grand structure it is today. Crater-view rooms start at about $200/night. Call ahead, however, and ask about the vog before you go. The volcanoes area on the Big Island has been evacuated this year due to active lava flow reducing air quality to dangerous levels.

The Namakani Paio campground is three miles away in a grove of towering koa, ohia and eucalyptus trees. The Volcano House runs cabins there that you can get for about $50 a night. (Bathrooms and hot showers are separate there.)

See the monkeypod tree in Waiohinu (look for the sign), planted by Twain himself.  You’ll find the Shirakawa Motel (808-929-7462) just down Highway 11.

He’s not a best-selling author, but he was the king. (Long before Elvis came.) And he slept on the grounds of the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel (800-367-6060)  It was, after all, his capital.

Elvis really did sleep at The Cocoa Palms Hotel on Kaua’i, along with lots of other celebs from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.  (And I’ve slept there too. Tell your friends!)  Unfortunately, you can’t sleep there anymore.  Hurricane Iniki wiped the place out in the ’90s, and it was never restored to its previous splendor.  Ask your resort concierge or ask around about taking a walking tour through the property.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Do you love Hawai’i, rainbows, drive in restaurants, and good red chili? Me too.  That’s why whenever I’m in Honolulu, I set up camp at the Rainbow Drive In.  The Rainbow’s been around since 1961, when a former Army cook and restranteur joined forces to provide working folks and the Waikiki crowd with good food at good prices. (And did I mention the chili?) If you’re the no-frills type, you’ll love it, too.  Try the mixed plate!

Rainbow Drive In
Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave
Honolulu
Phone: 808-737-0177

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by bobster1985

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler