For yesterday’s test, we turned our attention to the history and geography of Hawai’i. Here are the answers, and if you answered them all correctly, write in or comment to receive an extra-special something.

Q: What’s a former name for the Hawaiian Islands?

A: Unlike Prince, Hawaii’s former name was not a symbol. It was once called The Sandwich Islands.

Q: How Many Hawaiian Islands are there? (Hint: It’s more than eight.)

A: The entire collection of Hawaiian Islands comes to a sum of around 137 islands, islets, atolls, and shoals.

Q: True or False: the Hawaiian Island archipelago is the most isolated grouping of islands on Earth.

A: True, according to Macdonald, Abbott, and Peterson, 1984.

Q: How did the landmark known as Diamond Head get its name?

A: From the deceiving, fool’s diamond-like calcite crystals found in the crater by western explorers during the 18th century. (Despite the absence of diamonds, however, Diamond Head is still a gem.)

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Aloha, and say “welcome back” to the Tuesday Test. This week, we turn our attention to the history and geography of Hawai’i. Even if you don’t know the answers–especially if you don’t know the answers–take heart: Answers are revealed tomorrow, at which time you’ll be able to impress your friends with your knowledge and insights.

1. What’s a former name for the Hawaiian Islands?
2. How Many Hawaiian Islands are there? (Hint: It’s more than eight.)
3. True or False: the Hawaiian Island archipelago is the most isolated grouping of islands on Earth.
4. How did the landmark known as Diamond Head get its name?
5. True or False: Even though the Big Island is the baby of the family, it’s almost as big as the state of Connecticut.

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

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 lava lakes anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands?

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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

This week, we’ll take a break from our island focus theme, and challenge our Hawai’i knowledge all over the map, so to speak. Here we go, answers are revealed tomorrow.

1. Which Hawaiian island is the one least visited by tourists?

2. What is the computer operating system of choice among Hawaiian residents?

3. How many campuses are there in the University of Hawai’i system?

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

5. Name Kauai’s semi-famous falls known for its rope swings?

Weigh in or tune in on Wednesday for Tuesday Test–Answers Revealed. See you then.

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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.

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Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

We point our focus on Maui this week for everyone’s favorite theme: the Tuesday Test. As always, answers are revealed tomorrow. Here we go:

1. What are the two sides, or main sections of Maui called?

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

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

4. Is there public transportation on Maui?

5. What kinds of festivals can you find on Maui?

Get your thinking caps on, and we’ll see you tomorrow for the Maui edition of Test Tuesday: Answers revealed.

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Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Yesterday, you tested your Kaua’i know-how, and today, we’re going to explore one of my favorite parts of Kaua’i by answering question 5: What is the largest canyon in the Pacific?

Answer: That would be Waimea Canyon, of course! It’s not as big as the Grand Canyon; however, it’s arguably just as grand. At 3,500 feet deep, it’s a natural wonder to behold. Use the 45 miles of trails available, or make a drive-by. (One caveat: there aren’t any gas stations along the 40-mile canyon road, so gas up before you go.) Hiking anywhere into the canyon is like looking back into time, as the canyon walls are like a living log of volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. During certain seasons, you’re likely to hear gunshots; not to worry, as boar and goat hunting in the area is common.

Now on to the rest of our answers:

True or False: Kaua’i is home to the wettest place on Earth.

True. Mt. Wai’ale’ale averages over 472 inches or 39 feet (12 meters) of precipitation each year, making it the rainiest and wettest spot on the planet on a continuous basis. It’s so wet, in fact, that access to the area on foot is very difficult.

Name some movies that have showcased some of Kauai’s best outdoor scenery?

Blue Hawaii, South Pacific, Pagan Love Song, as well as the TV series Fantasy Island (which isn’t actually a movie, I know) were filmed on Kaua’i. Coincidentally, they all made use of the oldie-but-goodie resort Coco Palms, a place that evokes in most people illegal amounts of nostalgia. Jurassic Park made use of the Kaua’i scenery, as did Honeymoon in Vegas, Raiders of the Lost Arc, and many, many more. Hawaii Movie Tours can tell you more, and, more importantly, show you more.

What is Bali Hai?

You could say it’s a restaurant, and you’d be right. You could say it was the island fictionalized in the movie South Pacific, and you’d be right again. You could say it’s the collection of craggy peaks along the north shore of Kaua’i, and you’d win the prize–if there was one. Take in the view from the water or a golf course; there’s no wrong way to see it.

Why are there so many chickens on Kauai?

Chickens are largely left to breed at will because the mongoose was never introduced to Kaua’i. Right now, the chicken’s only predator is the cat, the dog, and the car. Yowch.

Bonus question: Where can you find the only river boat trip in Hawai’i?

On the Wailua River, avenue to the famed Fern Grotto. The Wailua is somewhat of a major waterway, but you can also find an intimate route to waterfalls and spectacular, quieter scenery by kayak. Kayak Wailua can take you.

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Today’s test, in the spirit of Kaua’i Week, is all about–what else?–the island of Kaua’i, that little round island at the top of the chain of islands known for their beauty and tranquility. Here we go; answers are revealed tomorrow.

1. True or False: Kaua’i is home to the wettest place on Earth.
2. Name some movies that have showcased some of Kauai’s best outdoor scenery?
3. What is Bali Hai?
4. Why are there so many chickens on Kauai?
5. Name the largest canyon in the Pacific.
6. Bonus question: Where can you find the only river boat trip in Hawai’i?
   

Until tomorrow, friends, aloha!

Image by Jody Reale

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler