Tag Archives: Big Island Hawaii

Maui Wailea
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Plan

Hawaii Celebrates Earth Day

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The islands are all about to need to preserve and renew and this April the Aloha State will be hosting several activities, events, and exchanges in honor of Mother Earth.

 

Island-wide Earth Month

More than just a day, Hawaii celebrates Earth Month. The entire month of April is now on the calendars as a volunteer month. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Ige in 2022, the campaign is now in its second year. The organization Kanu Hawaii is the largest state-level celebration in the United States. Sign up at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/volunteer-month-hawaii/ You can search for needs on the island of your choice at: https://www.kanuhawaii.org/needs/ There are beach cleanups, forest plantings, wildlife rescue and care, gardening insights, and galas.

Maui

Kiai Collier of Hawaii Land Trust and volunteers walk out of the water in west Maui after a clean-up. Photo: Heather Goodman/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts, Island of Hawaii

Stop by the resort to swap your harmful sunscreen for reef-safe products. To honor Earth Day, Honua Hawaiian Skincare is partnering with Mauna Lani’s Kainalu Ocean Sports team to host the SPF Swap on April 22. Residents and visitors are invited to stop by the resort that day to exchange sunscreens containing harmful chemicals such as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate for Honua Hawaiian Skincare’s reef-safe MALU Day Cream, broad spectrum SPF 30. A percentage of proceeds from MALU sales benefits Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping our oceans clean and inspiring communities to practice coastal stewardship. For more information, call (855) 550-5008.

Mauna Lani Hawaii Island

Mauna Lani Beach along the Kohala Coast on the Big Island is the location of the Mauna Lani Resort. Photo: ekash/iStock

Haleakala National Park, Maui

National Park Week kicks off on Earth Day on April 22 with no entrance fees to Haleakala National Park for all visitors. Sunrise reservations are still required to enter the Summit District from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Contact recreation.gov. There’s a volunteer clean-up from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Help clean up the House of the Sun and participate in a drop-in trash clean up at the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet. Join a park ranger for a special Earth Day program at Hosmer Grove to learn about your role in protecting the planet. The program starts at 2 p.m. If you can’t make it to any outings then you can explore the park online with Earth Day everyday activities, and learn more about endangered forest birds in the short film The Heart of Maui.

Haleakala Crater Maui

The rare and sacred landscape from the Haleakala National Park in Maui. Photo: iStock

Waikiki Aquarium, Oahu

The Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo takes place on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance, the Hawaii State Department of Health Clean Water Branch, and the Waikiki Aquarium will promote the importance of keeping Hawaii clean and free of pollution, from the mountaintops to the ocean. It’s a free, family-friendly event. For info: https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/interact/annual- events/mauka-to-makai-earth-day/

Butterfly Fish Waikiki Aquarium

A beautiful Copper Band Butterflyfish swimming in the Waikiki Aquarium in Oahu. Photo: Wirestock/iStock

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Oahu

Join the Bishop Museum of Science & Sustainability Festival which brings together museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners to highlight the ongoing work needed to protect biodiversity and build a sustainable future in Hawaii. For more info: https://bishopscience.org/

Oahu Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum on Oahu has exhibits on the cultures of the Pacific region of Hawaii and Polynesia. Photo: 7maru/iStock

 

Oahu Hawaii Rainbow
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Plan, Trip Ideas

Which Hawai’ian Island is Best for You

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Exotic yet close, alluring, and mystical; you’ll never be disappointed with any of the six islands open to visitors. Each is fascinating, full of history and culture while offering plenty of outdoor excursions on the water and land, there is exceptional flora and fauna, many species endemic to Hawai’i, and when it comes to dining there’s an array of culinary delights built on an ethnic collision of flavors from Portugal, China, Japan, and the Philippines.

Over-tourism has become a concern in many beautiful places around the world. Hawai’i is no exception. Locals have a profound connection to nature and their land. Today’s visitors should abide by the same values and attitudes; respect for Mother Nature and local customs is essential to being a good guest.

Island Of Hawai’i

The original Hawai’ian homeland where stories and legends were born and the gods and goddesses reside, the Big Island is as diverse as its climate zones. Where else can you swim with giant sea turtles and see a snow-capped mountain in the distance? Mauna Kea is where visitors come to ski, star gaze, and hike. Sister volcano Mauna Loa dominates offering hikes that vary from challenging day jaunts to serious backpack treks of several days requiring permits. On this island of extremes, you’ll find whatever you might be looking for.

Big Island Of Hawaii

There are over a dozen waterfalls on the east coast of Hawai’i near Hilo. Three-tiered falls at Umauma is now privately owned and reachable via Umauma Experience. Photo: Wasif Malik/Flickr

At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park see the active volcano, take a journey via the Crater Rim Drive and continue to Thurston Lava Tube, an incredible underground passage created by lava flows. Upcountry pastures of North Kohala include farmland and horse ranches. The scenic drive to Waimea a thriving community leads to Pololu Valley Lookout revealing coastline vistas of the Hamakua Coast. The island is laced with lush greenery leading to waterfalls, ringed with black sand beaches and winding roads with amazing lookouts.

Kauai

So big and packed full of nature that you’ll be amiss if you don’t get out and explore and experience the Garden Island. The topography is lush and rugged, offering jagged cliffs, verdant valleys, countless canyons, and plummeting waterfalls. Days are filled with snorkeling Ke’e Reef, kayaking the Wailua River, and swimming at Po’ipu Beach. This enormous island has the most beaches of all the Hawaiian Islands, boasting 28 strands of black, tan, and white sands along its 11 miles of coastline.

Kauai

Trails along the coast of Kaua’i’s North Shore at Napali reveal emerald cliffs with stunning sand beaches below. Photo: kdvandeventer/Pixaby

Hard-core adventurous types might explore the trail of Waimea Canyon on foot but a slow and easy drive up to the top unveils plenty of lookouts along the way. A portion of the towering cliffs of Napali Coast can be reached via an 11-mile rugged trail but these cliffs seen from the water and air captivate everyone and, there’s always a rainbow on the horizon at the double-tiered Wailua Falls.

Lana’i

Explorers, serenity seekers, and fans of remote luxury find this isle a perfect fit. Once home to pineapple plantations, Lana’i now hosts two ultra-luxurious Four Seasons resorts. In contrast to the pockets of pampering, most of the island is rough and rugged and open for exploration. Ribboned with 400 miles of roads and pathways, only 30 miles are paved, leaving the rest of the island ready for off-road adventures.

Lanai

Just a short hike from the Four Seasons Resort on Lana’i offers the best views of Pu’upehe a natural landmark steeped in folklore. Photo: Dana Edmunds/Hawaii Tourism Authority

The Munro Trail, a long dusty route leads to Lana’i’s highest peak at Mount Lana’ihale, the peak unveils views of the neighboring islands of Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu. Hikers will find 20-minute easy paths and day-long challenging trails crisscrossing the interior along with parks where Garden of the Gods, best seen at dawn, showcases surreal lunar topography. Observe some of the rarest plants and birds in the world at Kanepu’u Preserve. The iconic heart-shaped sea stack at Pu’upehe is now a seabird sanctuary and is an easy walk between Manele and Hulopo’e Bays, best seen at sunrise.

Maui

Honeymooners, fitness fanatics, and rock stars gravitate toward Maui. Family-friendly and ultra-luxe resorts front some of the best beaches on the south and west coasts. Water-centric enthusiasts find sports from snorkeling to windsurfing and wellness seekers engage in yoga workshops and healing rituals. From funky hippie towns like Paia to the hustling cosmopolitan Kahului there’s a spot for everyone.

Maui Road To Hana

Hana Highway’s scenic drive showcases the rugged coastline of eastern Maui with 620 curves and crosses 59 bridges over streams and waterfalls. Photo: Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority

Wai’anapanapa State Park, just one of several parks on the island is the place for black sand beaches, tidal pools, and blow holes. The historic whaling village of Lahaina offers a quaint look into the past and a chance to hear authentic Hawai’ian music and take in a hula or local art fair. There’s a good chance to see whales here between November and May. A trip to Haleakala via bike or car is a sunrise event and an excursion from Kahului to Hana where the narrow winding road unveils bamboo forests and waterfalls that flow into black sand beaches creates lasting memories.

Moloka’i

Moloka’i is an untouched slice of Hawaiian delight where residents remain true to their roots and strive to preserve the land and bucolic lifestyle. Visit the central island town of Kaunakakai and mingle with the residents at the general store and small shops, walk to the harbor to glimpse the daily catch, and don’t pass up a loaf of freshly baked sweet or savory bread. Steeped in island legends, and packed with breathtaking landmarks and natural beauty you’ll want to hire a local guide to impart the lure and soul of this remote crescent.

Molokai

Moloka’i is etched in 88 miles of coastline, the most picturesque are the sea cliffs along the North Shore Pali. Photo: Tor Johnson/ Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hike the historic Halawa Valley where ancient Polynesians settled and home to towering waterfalls, sink your toes in the pure white sands of Papohaku Beach, one of the largest white sand beaches of Hawai’i, take a helicopter tour to the Kalaupapa Peninsula to see the world’s highest sea cliffs. Here you can snorkel the longest continuous reef in the United States; this 28-mile-long fringing reef on the southern shore is home to finger coral and reef fish; the natural beauty of Moloka’i captivates effortlessly. Taste local beans at coffee plantations, send home bags of macadamia nuts, and explore rare plants at Nature Conservancy’s 2,774-acre Kamakou Preserve. An island without commercial signage, a single traffic light, or big hotels, the isle is all about the way things used to be throughout the island chain.

O’ahu

Home to the capital, the most visited and typically the first stop on any trip to Hawaii this isle is aptly named the gathering place. This island has both city and country lifestyles, plenty of beaches, epic surfing, high-end shopping, and a bounty of Pacific Rim cuisine. Fascinating and multicultural, the virtual melting pot of heritages, ideas, customs and cuisine forge together here on O’ahu. After plenty of improvements and updates, Waikiki Beach is a posh, global town with swanky resorts and 5-star restaurants. There’s vibrant street activity as pedestrians drift in and out of upscale boutiques, bars, and restaurants. O’ahu has a thriving farmers market and swap meet and there is always a social gathering that brings in art, music, film, theater, and food. No doubt that O’ahu is the most social with energy that of any cosmopolitan city.

Oahu Diamond Head

View of Waikiki and Honolulu from atop Le’ahi, the summit of Diamond Head. Hawai’i’s most familiar landmark, the state park covers 475 acres. Photo: Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority

But the ocean lures here too; snorkeling, body surfing, and paddleboarding are for everyone. And, while out you may spot spinner dolphins and sea turtles. A drive along the west coast to North Shore tempts stops at epic surf beaches like Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Inspired? Take a lesson on easy, gentle rollers at Waikiki. Diamond Head trail trekked early in the morning for views of Honolulu and the Pacific, is a must on every trip. And, kayakers will want to explore the Mokulua Islands from Kailua Beach.

Vieques Playa Negra
Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Europe, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Islands, Maui, Oceania, Plan, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Tahiti

10 Beautiful Black Sand Beaches of the World

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They are sexy, silky and mysterious. Some are hidden and hard to find while others are well known and favored by beach lovers. Images of dark, dramatic black sand beaches elicit the idea of exotic locales but many are found on nearby shorelines. As you travel the world make sure you add a couple of these intriguing coasts to your bucket list. Here, Playa Negra on Vieques is a favorite when visiting the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Hawaii Maui Kayaking
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Kayak and Snorkel Tours

 

The clear waters that wash the shores of Hawaii can seem very enticing when you are gliding across the surface in a kayak. So go ahead, jump in. But first, grab a mask and snorkel so you can fully appreciate the colors of the corals and follow the meanderings of the brilliantly hued tropical fish. If this sounds like your idea of a great day on the water, check out these seven combo trips that showcase the full beauty and diversity of the islands.

Visiting the Mokes

One of the most popular kayaking destinations in Oahu is a pair of small, deserted rock islands known as Na Mokulua, which locals refer to as “The Mokes.” The most popular starting point for the three-quarter-mile paddle to the site is Lanikai Beach, where there is no shore break to contend with. The smaller island, Moku Iki, remains off limits, and all landings happen on a beach on the larger island, Moku Nui. Snorkelers will find coral formations that begin in clear water right off the beach. Several tour companies run guided trips to the Mokes, and more paddlers make their own way in rented or personal kayaks, which means the place can get pretty busy on weekends and holidays.

Moku Iki Oahu

Moku Iki is one of a pair of small islands that lie off the east coast of Oahu. It remains off limits, but kayakers can paddle to a beach on nearby Moku Nui. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Where’s Gilligan?

Fans of vintage television may be thrilled to hear that a trip to Coconut Island lands them on the location once used in the show Gilligan’s Island. But the castaways wouldn’t recognize the island these days, as it is now home to a research center operated by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Trips begin at Heeia State Park, and make a half-mile crossing of Kaneohe Bay, which is fully sheltered from offshore waves. After touring the research facilities, the next stop is Horseshoe Reef, where snorkelers can explore the coral formations of Oahu’s only true barrier reef. This area is often home to sea turtles and eagle rays.

Heeia Oahu Fish Pond

Kayak tours that begin at Heeia State Park pass by a historic fishpond before crossing the bay to Coconut Island and the snorkeling sites of Horseshoe Reef. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui’s Fishiest Place

The fish sanctuary at Maui’s Honolua Bay is one of the island’s best snorkeling venues. Due to limited and unsecured roadside parking and a lack of shore facilities, the site is best reached by water. As an alternative to big tour boats, several companies launch paddle trips from the nearby beaches at Kapalua, and head west along a shoreline of low cliffs and hidden bays. Tours usually include a stop on a small beach, and then head to the shallow western side of the bay where the best snorkel reefs are located. Summer is the best time for this excursion, as winter waves turn the outer reaches of the bay into a popular surf break.

Honolua Bay Maui

A paddle around the headlands of Maui’s north coast leads to the marine preserve at Honolua Bay, which is home to some of the island’s best coral reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Touring Turtle Town

The section of Maui’s south coast between Makena and Wailea has earned the nickname “turtle town” for the large number of sea turtles that are seen year-round on coral formations close to shore. There are more than a dozen reefs in the area that are visited by tour boats, which can put dozens of snorkelers in the water at one time. To avoid the crowds, savvy paddlers go early and join a small group tour led by guides who know the area, and are able to seek out sites away from the crowds. As a bonus, the trip to and from turtle snorkels takes in big views of Mount Haleakala and the offshore profiles of Molokini and Lanai.

Hawaii Sea Turtle

Sea turtles can be found on coral reefs all around the islands of Hawaii, but tend to gather in greater numbers on the reefs along Maui’s south coast known as Turtle Town. Photo: iStock

History and Coral Reefs

The Big Island’s signature kayak and snorkel combo takes place in a marine preserve on the island’s west coast. History buffs will note that Kealakekua Bay is the site where the first westerner, lead by Captain James Cook, landed on Hawaii Island. The shores are also the site of the sacred temple, Hikiau Heiau, dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono. The bay is a favorite with both divers and snorkelers, as it is filled with vibrant coral reefs that are a home to a diverse range tropical fish, and often visited by schools of spinner dolphins. Permits are required for snorkeling or landing on the shores of the Captain Cook Monument, so it is best to book a trip with one of the several tour companies licensed to operate in the preserve.

Big Island Hawaii Kealakekua Snorkeling

A snorkeler begins a free diving plunge into the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay, which is known for its abundant fish life and colorful coral formations. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Cliffs and Caves

Just outside the village of Kailua, paddlers can launch into Keauhou Bay, which is rimmed in sea cliffs riddled with blowholes, arches and lava tubes. On guided tours, kayakers can play follow the leader as they make their way through narrow rock-lined channels and into sea caves. A highlight of many tours is a float into a large cavern where mineral stained pink walls are reflected in the clear water. After touring the cliffs and caves, paddlers beach their boats in a calm cove and spend time snorkeling on nearby coral formations, exploring tidal pools or—for the adventurous—leaping into the water from surrounding cliffs.

Keauhou Bay Big Island Hawaii

The shores of Keauhou Bay are lined with rugged lava formations riddled with caves and tidal pools. These waters are ideal for exploration by kayak. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

From River to Reef

A favorite paddling trip on the island of Kauai begins on the banks of the Hanalei River. A short downstream paddle leads to the expansive semi- circular sweep of Hanalei Bay, which is surrounded by green mountain slopes and ringed by more than two miles of the island’s best beaches. If snorkeling is part of the plan, kayakers head toward Waikoko Reef, which lies on the northwestern edge of the bay. The entire reef can be explored during the calm conditions common in summer, but when winter swells roll in, the outer portion of the reef becomes a popular surf break, limiting snorkeling to areas closer to shore.

Kauai Hanalei River

Kayak trips that begin in the Hanalei River lead into the expansive bay of the same name. The eastern end of the bay holds excellent snorkeling reefs. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

 

Hawaii Big Island Waiopae
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Plan, Trip Ideas

Hawaii Road Trips: Big Island Volcano Adventure

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Any visit to the Big Island should include at least a day spent discovering the island’s fiery origins, and nature’s amazing transformation of ash wastelands into verdant rainforest. All of this and more can be seen with a day of road tripping along the island’s southeastern coast, with plenty of interesting stops, short hikes and maybe even a swim along the way.

Volcano Big Island

A night scene of molten lava seeping from underground fissures to meet the cooling waters of the Pacific. The hot flow will solidify to create new land. Photo: iStock

The trip begins in Hilo, where Highway 11 leads into the area known as the Puna District. A right turn onto Highway 130 takes you through an orchid farm to historic village of Pahoa, where you can stock up on fresh fruits grown in the region’s rich volcanic soil. Follow route 132 to begin the 12- mile scenic drive along the coast that offers many reasons to stop.

A favorite stop is the lighthouse at Cape Kumukahi, which is Hawaii’s easternmost point. A scientific monitoring station located on the point has shown that the easterly winds that wash the point are the cleanest air in the world.

Lighthouse Big Island Hawaii

The lighthouse at Cape Kumukahi sits at the easternmost point in the Hawaiian Islands, with sea breezes that bring what is said to be the freshest air in the world. Photo: iStock

After taking in the big view of sea, sky and breaking surf, stop by the nearby beach to watch body surfers challenge the breakers. Leave the big waves to the experts, as you have two excellent chances to get wet just down the road. First up are the Waiopae Tidepools, which offer clear, fish filled shallows, sheltered from the waves. A half-mile down the road is the thermal pools at Ahalanui Park, where sulphur water heated by volcanic vents provides a relaxing soak.

Surf Big Island Hawaii

A body boarder challenges breaking surf in a rock-bound cove near Cape Kumukahi, which is the easternmost point in the Hawaiian Islands. Photo: iStock

The highway hugs the shore, passing two more beach parks and the site of Kalapana. This coastal hamlet was partially covered by a lava flow in 1990, and at a coastal overlook you can still see steam rising from an active vent where hot magma meets the cooling waters of the Pacific. If time permits, Lava Tree State Park offers a short hike through unique formations formed when lava flowed over trees, creating enduring stone replicas of their trunks.

Tree Lava Big Island Hawaii

Trees grow in black lava at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Over time, their roots will begin to break down the rock to create fertile topsoil. Photo: iStock

A return to Highway 11 will bring you to the artists’ community of Volcano Village, an oasis of rainforest green just outside the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s a good place to grab a bite and top off the tank before heading into the park. At first, the park’s Crater Rim road remains cloaked in greenery. The scenery changes as you pull off at Kilauea Overlook, and survey the vast tracts of cinder and blackened rock that drop into Kilauea Iki Crater. There is a four- mile trail that descends into the Crater, then climbs the opposite rim, but you’d need study shoes, plenty of water and sun protection to take that on.

Iki Crater Hawaii

The green-clad upper rim of Kilauea Iki Crater provides a stark contract to the interior, which is a realm of cinder and ash, with steaming phosphorous vents. Photo: iStock

Instead, take a relaxing walk along the crater rim, and then make a short drive to another overlook that gives access to the Thurston Lava Tube. A lava tube is the solidified remains of what was once a flowing underground river of molten rock. Some stretch for miles, but the Thurston cave is relatively short, and has lighting and walkways that make exploration easy.

Lava Tube Hawaii

A walkway leads to the entrance of the Thurston Lava Tubes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Inside, stairs lead down to a lit passage where lava once flowed. Photo: iStock

By now, it’s probably getting on toward late afternoon, but there’s still time to take in one more sight. Continue southward onto the Chain of Craters Road, which winds through a barren landscape of black lava rock. But even here, there are signs of life. Grasses and ferns grow through cracks in the lava. Lone Aalii and Ohi’a Lehua trees stand like solitary sentinels, their roots probing crevices in the rock for pockets of water, and slowly but inexorably turning rock into gravel, then soil.

Chain Of Craters Grass

Tufts of grass sprout from fields of black volcanic ash along the shoulders of the Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Photo: iStock

Over the years, this road has been repeatedly covered by lava flows. It is once again open, and leads to the sea. Before it was covered in flowing lava, this coast was once rich farmland, and the site of sacred temples. Today, it provides a dramatic lesson of how this island chain was formed. Visitors who make it to the coast are standing on some of the youngest land in the world.

Lava to Coast Big Island Hawaii

The Chain of Craters Road leads across desolate lava flows to end of the coast, where surf crashes against some of the youngest land in the world. Photo: iStock

Oahu Chinatown
Eat, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Trip Ideas

Hawaii’s Best Street Parties

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Forget hotel floorshows and tourist-centric luaus. For an authentic take on Hawaii, do what the locals do and take to the streets. Street parties are a thing on each of the major Hawaiian Islands, and they happen on Friday nights. Stores and galleries put on special showings, food trucks and craft stands show up and live music is often in the mix. Here are the places to be if you want to party like a local.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Chinatown district comes alive on First Fridays, as thousands converge on the 12-block area around the Hawaii Theatre. This district is home to an eclectic mix of galleries, clothing boutiques and wine shops, many of which stay open late to host exhibitions, tastings and live entertainment. Some sweeten the offering with special deals. The mixing and mingling goes on from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m., then the parties continue at nearby restaurants and clubs.

Two weeks later, the action switches to Third Saturday and the Honolulu Night Market. This monthly happening is an indoor-outdoor event that takes place at the Cooke Street Warehouse in the Kaka’ako district. The program varies, but usually includes showings by local clothing designers and a mix of arts and crafts booths. To ramp up the vibe, there’s a skate ramp, live music, food trucks, drink service and a kid’s zone. The action starts around 6 p.m.

The final Friday of the month is the time to Eat the Street. Starting at 4 p.m., more than 40 of the island’s most popular food trucks gather on South Street. It’s best to come early if you don’t want to wait in line, because crowds of up to 7,000 show up to chow down. After sampling some of the unique culinary choices, diners linger for live performances and check out the offerings of street vendors.

Oahu Chinatown

Galleries in Honolulu’s Chinatown district often stage special events, showings and wine for First Fridays, which bring thousands downtown to mix and mingle. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Maui

Pau hana is the Hawaiian expression for the end of the workday spent relaxing with family and friends. The island of Maui enjoys some pau hana time each week with Friday Town Parties. Held in one of four different historic downtowns each week, these gatherings combine live musical performances with featured artists, food and drink, children’s activities and a bit of strolling, shopping and conversation. The party rotates around the island, with Wailuku First Friday, Lahaina Second Friday, Makawao Third Friday and Kihei Fourth Friday. Months that have a fifth Friday provide an excuse to carry the festivities to the ferry for a trip to the nearby island of Lanai. The evening gathering centers around Dole Park, and spreads to the streets of downtown Lanai City to include live performers, food vendors and special discounts and prizes at local merchants.

Lahaina Maui

The historic seaside village of Lahaina is one of four towns on the island of Maui that hosts a revolving series of Friday evening festivals throughout the year. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Kauai

The normally quiet town of Hanapepe turns lively for Art Night, which takes place every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Maui Street. A dozen of the town’s galleries stay open late for showings, and local artists and artisans set up in curbside kiosks. Food trucks provide refreshment, while street musicians perform both contemporary and traditional Hawaii tunes. It’s a family friendly affair with the sort of small town vibe not found on other islands.

Kauai Hanapepe

Galleries and shops in the town of Hanapepe stay open late for the town’s Friday Night Festival and Art Walk, which is one of the favorite gatherings on the island of Kauai. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii Island

The Big Island’s take on Friday parties happens on the east coast town of Hilo. Aloha First Friday delivers the requisite combination of arts and crafts displays, live music, food and family activities. This gathering often has a local vibe, as townsfolk come to mix and mingle. But visitors are always welcome, and vacationers staying at west coast resorts will sometimes make the cross-island drive to join in the festivities.

For west coast residents and visitors wanting to stay closer to home base, the seaside town of Kailua stages the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll one Sunday each month. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., a portion of Ali’i Drive is blocked off for the gathering, and more than 100 vendors set up shop on the street and sidewalks, offering everything from tie-dyed t-shirts and handmade jewelry to fine works of art. There’s plenty of food and a concert that often features native Hawaiian music.

Hilo Old Town Big Island Hawaii

Hilo’s historic downtown district is the setting for the monthly First Friday gathering, which brings locals and visitors into the streets for food, music and fun. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Hawaii Oahu Sheraton Holidays
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Oahu, Stay, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Resorts With Holiday Traditions

 

So staying home for the holidays isn’t your thing… but you do enjoy celebrating the Christmas spirit. You can have it both ways at several of Hawaii’s premier resorts, where traditions of the season unfold against a backdrop of sunny skies, surf-washed beaches and the blue ocean.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu

Hula dancers and island-style holiday music welcome Santa to the shores of the Outrigger Waikiki. On December 10, children can greet Santa as he makes his first visit, where he will arrive by outrigger canoe. A chat with Old Saint Nick and a photo session takes place in the resort’s main lobby, which is the site of more family holiday festivities through the month of December. The resort is decked in traditional Hawaiian Christmas decorations, gingerbread houses and edible Christmas trees. Eggnog is at Friday evening receptions on the 16 and 23 of December, and festivities staged throughout the month give guests the opportunity to learn about Hawaiian Christmas culture and celebrate the holidays with island style. http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaii/oahu/outrigger- waikiki-beach-resort

Outrigger Oahu Santa Surfing

When Santa makes his yearly visit to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, he leaves the sleigh up north and makes his entrance to the beach by riding a canoe through the surf. Photo: Outrigger Waikiki

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kona, Big Island

From December 19, 2016 until January 3, 2017, in-house resort guests and homeowners at the Four Seasons can look forward to an array of special activities to celebrate the holidays. Premier events are the luaus and Polynesian shows that take place on December 20 and 27, adding a touch of the islands to the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, families gather at the resort’s Hualalai ballroom for arts and crafts, face painting and a special appearance from Santa. The following day, Christmas dinner takes the form of a buffet at the ULU Ocean Grill with sushi, seafood cold bar, carving board selections, and seasonal-inspired favorites. New Year’s Eve kicks off with a buffet under the stars, and afterward guests are encouraged to kick off their shoes and head to the sand for dancing and a dessert buffet. As the year comes to a close the fireworks begin. http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai

Big Island Four Seasons Hawaii Kona

Beachfront dining and a midnight fireworks show on New Year’s Eve are just two of the memorable holiday traditions enjoyed by guests of the Four Seasons Hualalai resort in Kona. Photo: Four Seasons

Sheraton Waikiki, Oahu

Each December for nearly a decade, guests heading into the lobby of this Waikiki oceanfront resort are greeted by holiday images in the form of sand sculptures. Every year the hotel ships in several tons of sand and invites skilled sand sculptors to create unique wonders. The first creation of the 2016 holiday season is a family of four ready to surf, snorkel and hit the beach. The most iconic creation of 2015 was a tableau of Santa Claus playing the ukulele and singing to Mrs. Claus. These sculptures bring people in from all over the islands and returning guests come back year after year to participate in this unique tradition. On Christmas Day, guests enjoy a special dinner buffet masterfully prepared by Executive Chef Darren Demaya and his team, served at Kai Market overlooking the infinite edge pool and Waikiki Beach. http://www.sheraton-waikiki.com

Sheraton Waikiki Sand Castle Holiday

Each year since 2007, the Sheraton Waikiki has invited talented sand sculptors to create unique works for the holiday season; this work known as “Santa’s Selfie” was created in 2015. Photo: Sheraton Waikiki

 

Kilauea Crater Hawaii
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Hikes: Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The boiling lava lake at the summit is best observed from a safe distance, but hikers can trek right across another once-boiling lava lake that showcases the fascinating aftermath of a major eruption.

The Kilauea Iki Trail is a four-mile loop that follows the rim of Little Kilauea Crater, and then drops into its interior, which was the site of a major eruption in 1959. That eruption sent fiery plumes 1,900 feet in the air, and filled the crater with molten lava. Today, the crater can be reached by an easy drive along Crater Rim Road. The trail is a loop that can be walked in either direction, but the preferred route runs counter-clockwise, where the trail winds through a rain forest where lush tropical growth thrive sin the rich volcanic soil.

Kilauea Trail Hawaii

Ohi’a lehua plants sprout from volcanic ash in Kilauea Crater. These plants are uniquely adapted to withstand the sulfurous atmosphere of the crater. Photo: George Burba/iStock

At the 1.5-mile point, walkers will begin a descent into the crater, and the trail then leads across the lava lake, which, though hardened and safe to traverse, is still pocked with crevices that vent steaming sulfurous gases. Yet even this barren terrain shows signs of life in the form of ohi’a lehua plants, which are uniquely adapted to tolerate the noxious fumes. After crossing the lava lake, the trail begins a 400-foot climb back to the rim. At the summit, hikers can recover from the climb while admiring sweeping views of the crater, and consider making a short side trip to the Thurston Lava Tube, or complete the loop with a quarter-mile trek back to the trailhead.

Thurston Lava Tube

Molten rock once flowed through the Thurston Lava Tube. Today, a lighted trial through its interior provides a fascinating glimpse into volcanic geology. Photo: Shutterstock

Shade and breezes can make for a refreshing trek along upper portions of the hike, but its advisable to bring plenty of water and some form of sun protection for the crater crossing. Those looking for a shorter route to the crater floor can park near the Thurston Lava Tube and make a one-mile down-and-back foray into the crater.

Kauai Aerial
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaii by Helicopter

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Few other places in the world can match the scenic beauty and diversity of the Hawaiian Islands. From towering sea cliffs and thundering surf to waterfalls, rainforests and active volcanoes, it’s all here. And one of the best ways to experience this enticing visual smorgasbord is by air. Helicopter tours of the islands rank high on most visitors’ bucket lists, and can be booked at each of the four major islands. Here’s what to expect.

Hawaii by helicopter

Tour companies such as Blue Hawaii carry passengers in fast, turbine- powered helicopters that can reach all corners of the islands in comfort and safety. Photo: Marek Sluzarczyk/iStock

Oahu

An aerial view of Oahu takes in famous landmarks and also reveals a very different side of the island. Tours may begin with an overflight of Pearl Harbor for a bird’s eye view of the Arizona Memorial, the battleship Missouri and the historic Aloha Tower. Next comes bustling downtown Honolulu and overflights of the iconic beaches of Waikiki, Diamond Head and the glittering shallows of Hanauma Bay. Then, as the pilot heads farther east, a very different side of Oahu is revealed. The island’s interior is a realm of towering mountains, lush rainforests and hidden valleys. A soaring flight over the Pali cliffs leads to a windward coastline lined with spectacular beaches and colorful coral reefs, all set against sea cliffs where waterfalls spill from the heights. In winter months, passengers have a grandstand seat for the North Shore’s surf scene, where the best wave riders in the world gather to challenge monster swells.

Oahu Aerial

A birds-eye view of Oahu’s eastern shore, where the Kamehameha Highway runs beachside. Nearby Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park offers camping and hiking trails. Photo: Slobo Mitic/ iStock

Kauai

More than half of the Garden Isle can’t be reached by road, and there’s a lot to see on this greenest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai’s deep canyons, towering sea cliffs and majestic waterfalls deliver cinematic grandeur, and have been a favorite of filmmakers from South Pacific to King Kong and Jurassic Park. A typical tour route will swoop through the expansive Hanapepe Valley en route to the cascading waters of Manawaiapuna, aka Jurassic Falls. Anywhere else, the razor-thin ridges and deep clefts of Olokele Canyon would be the main attraction, but on Kauai, this remote valley is just a warm up for the even grander vistas of Waimea Canyon, the so-called “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Next up are the sculpted sea cliffs of the NaPali Coast, and the pristine blue waters of Hanalei Bay. For a spectacular finish, pilots head for Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on Earth, where 3,000-foot waterfalls spill down the towering mile-high walls of an ancient crater.

Kauai Napali Coast Aerial

There are no roads on the rugged sea cliffs of Kauai’s Napali Coast. Hikers follow demanding cliffside trails to hidden valleys, but helicopter flights provide much easier access. Photo: Andrea Izzotti/iStock

Maui

An aerial tour of Maui begins with a decision: east, west or both. A flight over the West Maui Mountains takes in views of one of the wettest places on earth, with plenty of waterfalls and greenery. Also on the route are the isolated beaches of the north shore, expansive sugarcane and pineapple fields, the historic town of Lahaina and the scenic shores and resorts of Kaanapali and Kapalua. Some tours take to the sea to reach the world’s highest sea cliffs on neighboring Molokai Island. In winter and spring, there is a chance of seeing breaching humpback whales during the crossing. A circumnavigation of east Maui begins with a climb to the lunar-like landscape Haleakala Crater, Hawaii’s largest dormant volcano. Descending eastward, flights then follow a lush coastline where waterfalls sparkle amidst rainforest greens. After passing the village of Hana, the scenery changes once more to the open plains of the island’s seldom-visited southern shore. For the ultimate Maui tour, some operators offer an all- island route that showcases the full spectrum of the Valley Isle’s scenic treasures.

Maui Aerial

Maui’s surf-washed northwestern coast is flanked by tall sea cliffs. The only land access to this sparsely populated region is via a narrow, one-lane road that often hugs the cliffs. Photo: iStock

Hawaii

The Big Island is a land of contrasts and extremes. In winter, the soaring peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are often covered in snow. A few miles to the south, the smoke and fire of Kilauea are proof that this is a young volcanic island, still rising from the sea. Overflights of this active volcano are a staple of helicopter tours originating on the east coast town of Hilo, providing passengers with a rare opportunity to witness active lava flows and massive steam clouds created when the molten rock meets the sea. These same routes also take in black sand beaches and the island’s oldest landscapes: the deep valleys and rain forests of the Kohala mountains. Longer flights originating on the island’s western shore provide a dramatic look at up to eight distinct climate-zones, included the arid coastal plains of Kohala, the ranches of the Waimea highlands and the verdant coastal landscapes of the Waipio valley and the Hamakua Coast.

Big Island Hawaii Aerial

On the south coast of the big island of Hawaii, helicopter flights provide a rare chance to witness the steam clouds created when lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano meet the sea. Photo: iStock

Hawaii Big Island Pololu Valley
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Plan

Hawaii Snapshots: Pololu Valley Lookout, Hawaii

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When you reach the Pololu Valley scenic overlook, you are literally at the end of the road. Here, on the northeastern corner of the Big Island of Hawaii, Highway 270 leads to the rugged and spectacularly scenic wilderness of the Kohala Coast. This is a land of deep, wild valleys and towering sea cliffs.

Most who make the drive to this remote corner of the island are content to snap some panoramic photos of the valley and turn around. An ambitious few follow a steep hiking trail that winds downward through lush tropical foliage to the valley floor. The fertile alluvial soils of the Pololu Valley once grew taro, a staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet. Today, the valley has completely returned to nature, with fast-running streams and groves of ironwood trees that line a black sand beach.