More About Hawaii From Author Joyce Hauoli Carter February 12, 2010
Posted by Bryan Connelly in : Timeshare Resource , trackbackPart I WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO:
A good tour book will provide the visitor with everything visitors need in order to enjoy a fun-filled and informative vacation. What I can provide are personal recommendations, providing highlights for the islands of Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Lana’i, and the Big Island. I have been staying on the island of Maui since 1989 and visiting the other islands from that home base; therefore, I can provide the most personal recommendations for this island.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Flight Advice:
There are three major airlines that offer flights to Honolulu from the east coast: American, United, and Delta. I frequent American and a direct flight to Kahului, Maui. From the east coast, it takes about ten and a half flying hours from Hartford to Kahului. Let a travel agency book your flight to find the quickest and cheapest route, book directly with the airline, if you’re conversant, try the Internet. Currently, a round-trip ticket from Bradley International Airport costs in the vicinity of $1,200.00 per person round trip. Make your reservations early to ensure good seating, and if you can, print out boarding passes 24 hours before departure. Aisle seats provide the most convenience and space and window seats offer the view. Go on the Internet to find special deals.
Helpful Hints:
Hawaiian weather is rarely bad, but there is a rainy season. December through March can be wet. My first trip was in February, and out of fourteen days, only two were rainy and five were cloudy. The weather never interfered with plans. In September and October, the temperatures are likely to be in the humid 90s. The rest of the year the weather fluctuates between 75 and 85 degrees during the day, and 65 to 75 at night, with refreshing trade winds breezing from October through June.
WHAT TO BRING
Suitcases:
Try to limit each vacationer to one bag and one carry-on; it will make traveling much easier. In the carry-on bag, make certain that you packthing you may need for the first day. It’s not uncommon for bags to get lost, but airlines deliver to your door within twenty four hours. I also recommend that you invest in luggage with wheels or a luggage carrier that is inexpensive and light weight. That alone can save you time and trouble when moving luggage through airports, to cars, and to accommodations.
Clothes:
Everyone in the islands dresses casually. Bring shorts and perhaps one pair of slacks. A mu‘umu‘u for the ladies and a Hawaiian shirt for the guys passes for formal wear. My husband never wore a jacket or tie. Make certain to bring comfortable shoes; you’ll probably walk a lot.
Spending:
Carry some cash, but most shops, tours, and restaurants accept plastic. Smaller business and special trips take cash only; check when you make reservations. Bring plenty of money, but don’t spend what you haven’t got.
Where to Stay:
There are many wonderful hotels on all the islands, but I strongly recommend the condominium vacationing experience because of the space and ease. You can also save on meals and laundry. Beaches abound on all islands, so most anywhere you stay offers the finest of white sand beaches nearby.
HELPFUL HINTS
You’ll probably experience jet lag. It’s not unusual to see vacationers walking the beach at 3:00 a.m. on the first morning. We suggest that you try to stay awake until 9:00 p.m. Pacifici time on the night you arrive. If you are lucky, you may then awaken at a decent hour the following morning and hang loose for the first two vacation days.
The purpose of these helpful hints is to aid you in planning your vacation time to include all the things you want to see and do, and still find time to relax. I recommend that every third day you take time to “smell the pikake.” Hanging loose now and then adds to the enjoyment of the remainder of your vacation.
Van and bus tours abound, but I recommend a rental car and a good map. This way your are in control of where you go and for how long. Besides, it’s more fun!
A DESCRIPTIVE TRIP AROUND KAUA‘I
Where to Visit:
Kaua‘i is one of the smaller islands an can be covered in a couple of days. It is also one of the wettest; a little rain falls almost every day. A most beautiful spot, “The Garden Isle” is a good place to stay a while, relax, and hang loose.
The largest town on Kaua‘i, Lehue, is noted for its fine hotels, resorts, shopping areas, and restaurants. It is located on the east coast of the island. The two main resort areas are Poipu and Princeville on opposite sides of the island. Hotel dining rooms offer excellent, though expensive fare.
Beaches:
All the major islands have beautiful beaches. Poipu and Princeville are noted for their white- sand beaches.
Water sports, Surfboarding, wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing and Jet skiing is offered in some areas, but only when there are no whales in the area.
Sports, Land:
Golf, tennis, are offered on all the major islands have
Scenic Vistas.
The Fern Grotto:
Heading north from Lehue first, Al and I enjoyed this trip, but mostly because of the river ride. Rafts take you up the fresh- water Wailua River, guides pushing it along like a Venice gondola, pointing out interesting areas along the way. Ancient heiau (temples) and Petroglyphs (rock carvings) are but a few.
The grotto itself is fascinating, an opening in the cliff face with tropical vegetation hanging over it like a Chinese beaded curtain, but it’s so well known as a tourist stop and a place to hold weddings that it often takes thirty minutes of waiting in line to get up to its heights. The ride back is lovely, shaded, and cool. A stop along the way allows the more adventuress souls to
stop and swim.
Kilauea Light House:
I loved this spot with its light house closely resembling those of the New England Coast, first seen from a cliff side far above the water. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of red-footed boobies nest here, flying to and fro like tiny gliders, then dive bombing for squid in the ocean with raucous squawkings. Below at the light, several banded rescued, treated, or capture bred nene geese walk the grounds. Still an endangered species, this state bird said to be cousin to the Canada goose, is being bred in captivity to increase their numbers.
Hanalei:
To me, the loveliest area, just beyond Princeville, is Hanalei with its abundant tropical growth and working taro fields. Some of the nicest, quietest, and safe beaches are located just beyond the town. For the more adventuresome folk, a hike down the Kalalau Trail to the base of the Na Pali Cliffs on the east side is an experience beyond compare. Many movies, including Jurassic Park, have been filmed here.
Waimea Canyon:
Heading south from Lehue and west, the atmosphere changes and the roadway and roadside become busier.
Past Poipu, you come to Waimea and its canyon. The first time my husband and I visited Waimea Canyon, we didn’t know what to expect. As we traveled up the winding road to the top of the mountain, I caught glimpses of walls bathed in sunshine, but the view from Kalalau Overlook and down jagged ledges eroded over millions of years by the ever-present wind, rain, and river 4,000 feet below, was breathtaking. Picture a Grand Canyon in miniature.
Na Pali Cliffs:
From the canyon, we continued up the road to the west side of the Napali Cliffs. Again, we forgot to expect the unexpected. At 4,000 feet above sea level, they are known as the largest sea cliffs in the world, and the view took our breath away. The day was cloudless, and we could see O’ahu clearly and a glimpse of Moloka‘i to the south.
Magnificent views can be enjoyed from either the top of the bluffs or from the ocean below on an inflatable raft trip.
CONTACT THE AUTHOR AT: Info@angelbook.net, placing the words “book information” in the subject line.
CHECK IN with JOYCE next month to learn more about the island of O’ahu.
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[...] Aloha fellow travelers. It’s time to continue our trip, this time moving on to the Hawaiian Island of O‘ahu. Check my last blog on Kaua‘i to get general traveling information and helpful hints. [...]