|
THINGS TO DO IN HAWAII…
You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Hawaii. Here’s a few
of the free attractions not to be missed:
Oahu’s world-famous USS Arizona Memorial is built over the
hull of the battleship Arizona, sunk during Japan’s attack of Pearl
Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The 90-minute tour includes a ride aboard a
Navy-operated launch.
Along Front Street in Maui’s Lahaina, Friday nights feature
art demonstrations, gallery shows and autograph signings by local
artisans. July’s annual block party highlights food, entertainment
and hands-on demonstrations. Halloween is filled with costumed
revelers during the annual Mardi Gras of the Pacific.
On Hawaii’s Big Island, you can stand on the southernmost point in
the United States, in the sleepy little town of Na’alehu,
formed entirely on the island’s massive slopes of the dormant
volcano, Mauna Loa.
Visit turn-of-the-century plantation houses at Kilohana near
Lihue, Kauai. The former estate of sugar magnate Gaylord Wilcox is
now an enchanting attraction with shops, gardens and historical
homes.
Molokai’s Big Wind Kite Factory in Maunaloa offers flying
lessons and a factory tour. Visitors can watch the kite-making
process with no strings attached.
The Lodge at Koele and Manele Bay hotels on Lanai
stage a Visiting Artist Program, where renowned writers, actors,
musicians and artists share their talents.
HONORING HAWAII’S FAMOUS JOCKS…
The Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, a new permanent exhibit, has opened
at Bishop Museum in Honolulu to highlight the skills and legend of
famous Hawaiian athletes such as Buster Crabbe, Duke Kahanamoku,
Alexander Joy Cartwright and others.
ACTIVITY NUMBERS ON OAHU TAKE A BIG SLIDE…
The Aloha State’s newest attraction, Hawaiian Waters, has just
opened on Oahu. The $14 million, family-oriented, year-round water
park features a football field-size wave pool, 65-foot-high free
fall slide, inner-tube slides and water toboggan bullet slides,
floating river, teen pool, adult pool, kids activities area, stages
for concerts, and lots more.
GOING NATURAL IN HAWAII…
Hawaii is an eco-adventurer’s paradise. Twenty-one of the world's 22
climatic zones are found here, from tropical rain forests to
snow-capped peaks. In fact, most of its native flora is unique to
Hawaii. A great way to appreciate the hidden beauty of the Islands
is exploring its many hiking trails. Haleakala National Park on
Maui, for example, is a mix of valleys, rain forests, gulches and
the largest dormant volcano on earth. Its lush areas in the higher
elevations are home to one-third of Hawaii's endangered birds, and
its desolate crater served as a lunar training ground for the first
U.S. astronauts. One of nature's most compelling sites is the
humpback whale breaching from the ocean, viewable from virtually
every coast in the Islands. Hawaii's official state mammal, the
humpback arrives in December from Alaska to find mates and calve.
Whale-watching excursions are available until April, when these
fantastic creatures head north once again. Snorkelers and divers can
explore calm reefs and come face-to-face with angelfish, parrotfish
and manta rays. Favorite locations are Oahu's protected Hanauma Bay,
or more secluded spots like Maui’s Molokini Crater, and sheltered
ocean caves along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Kayaking is another choice
for experiencing the island's lava- lined coasts at sea level.
THE LEGACY OF THE OUTRIGGER CANOE…
The Islands of Hawaii owe much of their history to the outrigger
canoe, which is a Hawaiian innovation. In traditional Hawaiian
culture, the outrigger canoe was a revered object. It was such an
important part of life that if a commoner wanted one, he had to
first make the request of the chief to allow his master builder to
build it. Each canoe was given a name and the construction was
inaugurated with special religious ceremonies. Today, no one has to
go to these kinds of extremes to ride an outrigger. Three waves for
$5!! That's right, at one of the best bargains on Waikiki Beach! You
can flag down a deeply-tanned beach boy, climb aboard a real
outrigger canoe and paddle out past the waves to one of the best
views of Waikiki and Diamond Head. You and your skilled paddling
mates catch and ride three waves in the canoe before you hit the
shore again! It's a truly Hawaiian adventure and a real thrill –
just the kind Hawaii's first visitors, the mighty Polynesian
seafarers, got when they rode their powerful canoes made of wood,
coconut fiber and pandanus leaves into shore.
ART AND ARTIFACTS…
The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club recently completed a
nine-month, $300,000 project that introduced a variety of authentic
Hawaiian artifacts and art for decoration and display throughout the
hotel’s common areas. The works include replicas of early 20th
century paintings and a wall mural of ancient Oceania, created by a
19th-century explorer. Also on display are shark-tooth weapons, hula
instruments and drums, all custom-made using traditional methods.
HAWAIIAN CUISINE: MORE THAN JUST A LUAU…
Luaus, the original backyard barbecue from Hawaii, go far beyond the
pig, poi and pineapple. Hawaiian cuisine today is a mixture of
culinary traditions from the early Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese,
Koreans, Portuguese and Polynesians. The ancient islanders believed
they were descended from taro, a staple food that is cultivated in
over 150 varieties. Today, poi, the sticky purple paste made from
taro root, is featured at every luau. No visit to the islands is
complete without at least one fingerful. Another island favorite
with a history is kalua pig, usually cooked in a centuries-old
manner: the pork is steamed all day in a hot-rock, underground imu
oven and later shredded and served as a tasty main dish at most
luaus. Hawaiian cuisine isn’t just found at luaus. In fact, Hawaii
has become one of the world’s hottest spots for gourmet cuisine.
Influential local chefs, such as Roy Yamaguchi, Peter Merriman and
Sam Choy, serve up recipes that mix Hawaiian ingredients with tastes
from many cultures. The result is a delicious, healthy cuisine
featuring fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh island fish and meats in
unique combinations and light sauces. When visiting Hawaii, don’t
miss the bountiful island harvests.
HAWAII: THE HEALTHY STATE…
It's more than the warm caressing breezes and the natural
aromatherapy of the plumeria blooms that makes you feel good when
visiting our 50th State; in fact, Hawaii has often been called "The
Health State" for a variety of reasons. Not only does the island
state have one of the highest-rated health care systems in the U.S,
but its state capital, Honolulu, has one of the best longevity rates
of any city in the country. The University of Hawaii recently
developed a heart-healthy diet based on what those seven-foot-tall
ancient Hawaiian warriors ate. It's called the Waianae Diet and it
consists mainly of fresh fish and local fruits and vegetables. And
for the utmost in luxurious, preventive care, health spas are found
at leading Hawaiian resorts like the Hyatt Regency Kauai, the Grand
Wailea on Maui, the Four Seasons on the “Big Island” of Hawaii, and
the Ihiliani Resort on Oahu. Those ocean breezes and flower leis
could be just what the doctor ordered!
Book early and save! Email or call 1-800-REN-BOXES for more details.
to top
|
HAWAIIAN TRAVEL TIPS
