Hawaii Travel - Know Hawaii Before You Go

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There are a few ways to be sure that the higher gas prices in Hawaii doesn't empty your wallet.

1. When renting a car, try to get a car with the best mileage possible. Sure having an H2 or a large convertible can be fun cruising around the Islands but when you fill up, you may find yourself spending all your dinner money on gas.

2. Fill up earlier in the morning. When the air is cooler, the gas is more dense. When you purchase gas the density affects how much gas you get per gallon. So cooler air means more gas per gallon. Yes, this is also a tip that you can use at home for your regular full ups.

3. Try to purchase gas away from "touristy" areas. Check gas prices before you at a Hawaii gas prices. If you have access to a computer while your on vacation give it a quick look the night before you going to get gas.

4. The Big Island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu all have Costco stores. If your a Costco member, you'll save money by purchasing your gas at Costco.

Most people who plan a trip to Hawaii focus on the more well-known islands. Oahu has long been known as the central island, because it has the capital, the infrastructure, and the surfing.
Maui is also a popular destination, with its white sands.
The big island lures those travelers interested in outdoor adventures.
However, Kauai can be the perfect place for your vacation - it is often considered Hawaii's secret island.

Like the other islands, Kauai has breathtaking views and offers plenty of opportunities to leave your stress on the mainland. Often, people who lead stressful workday lives need to return to nature to rejuvenate themselves, and regain a sense of peace.

The eating and exercise patterns often associated with mainland life can fill the body with toxins and can fill the mind with stress. The peaceful vistas on Kauai can take all of that stress and all of that negative energy, and wash it from your mind.

Kauai is a place with rolling hills and chiseled mountains on all sides, surrounded by clear, blue sea. Just about every hill or mountain has a waterfall that can create the mental aura conducive to peace and harmony.

While Kauai may appear small, it has an abundance of tiny sights to see and unique landscapes that can hold your interest for hours at a time. The north shore of Kauai features the Na Pali Kauai coast, perhaps most famous for being the place where South Pacific was filmed. In the center of this shore is Hanalei Bay, that takes the water flow from almost 30 square miles of hills.

The south shore of Kauai has the breathtaking National Tropical Garden, established by Congress to make a permanent preserve for Hawaii's natural beauty. Spouting Horn is a natural lava formation, also on the shore of south Kauai. All of these areas are surrounded by amazing beaches and beautiful waterfalls.

West Kauai is the place to go if you want to learn about Kauai's culture and history. The Captain Cook Monument can be found here, and is placed at the sight where Captain James Cook became the first British explorer to set foot on Hawaii, in 1778.

The Polihale Heiau shrine is said to be the place where Kauai's dead souls go, and it is also in western Kauai. Eastern Kauai is also known as the Coconut Coast - definitely a unique place for any interested tourist to visit. The beaches on eastern Kauai are a favorite for anyone interested in surfing, or other water sports involving high adventure.

Just like on the other islands, Kauai has a variety of resorts that will give you the very best as far as hospitality and service.
Kauai has the same spectrum of lodging options as the other islands, and also has a variety of rates to fit the budget of just about every traveler.
The northern shore is where most of the rental homes are found, where you can stay right on the shore. The rental units are furnished and contain all of the appliances and amenities of home, and are located near all of the shops and grocery stores that you will need.

Kauai is definitely one of the best of Hawaii's secrets!

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Wailua Falls, Kauai (Fantasy Island Falls)
Sunset at Hanalei Bay, Kauai

If you are looking for a vacation not easy to forget, plan on taking yours on the Hawaiian Island of Maui.

From breathtaking ocean views to panoramic sunrises high atop Mount Haleakala, Maui is diverse.

And whether you are enjoying luscious treks through bamboo forests or coasting your bicycle down 10,000 feet of volcano, there is almost nothing you cannot do on Maui.
If there is a heaven, Maui is the road that gets you there.

Some History...

Maui is the second largest island in the chain of eight known as the Hawaiian Islands.

Captain James Cook discovered the islands in 1778 while on his third expedition to Alaska. His search for the Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans would forever change Hawaii, its culture and its people.

In 1894, as Sanford Dole was the President of the Republic of Hawaii, the United States recognized the Republic of Hawaii and made it an official territory in 1900.

Over the next century, sugar established itself as the leading industry and the heavy farming of pineapples a close second.

The island of Lanai was bought for the sole purpose of growing pineapples.

Towards the end of the 20th century with land prices on the increase and competition from other parts of the world, sugar and pineapples became less profitable.

And while the sugar industry is all but dead on the islands, pineapples are still grown commercially on Maui and Kauai.

Tourism would become Hawaii's most popular industry and getaway location.

Getting There...

Unless you live on Maui, the only way to get there is by plane or boat. Cruises are great if you have the time, but if you want to get there quick, hop on a jet.

When planning your trip a travel agent can be helpful.

However, the Internet has become the preferred choice of shopping some great deals. You will want your hotel and transportation lined up before you get to the island.

Travel agents are also great resources for researching activity packages.

Depending on your departure location, expect flight time to be a minimum of about six hours.

Do not worry; you will have a few in-flight movies and a little pillow time to make your flight tolerable and comfortable. Here's a short list of some stuff you will want to bring. Obviously, you will not bring everything on this list, but you can use it as a guideline when planning your unforgettable Maui vacation.

* A hat or cap for sun protection
* Large insulated water jug to keep in the car
* Waterproof sunblock, SPF 15 or higher
* Bathing suits for plenty of swimming opportunities
* Shoes, thongs or throwaway sneakers, reef shoes, hiking shoes
* A light rain jacket
* Camera with lots of film, or megabytes for the digital crowd
* Mask, snorkel and fins
* Warm clothes (for the top - Haleakala trip)
* Shorts and other cool cotton clothing (for the bottom)
* Mosquito repellent for hiking (lotions with Deet, rather than liquids, seem to work the best and last the longest)
* A fanny pack

Since many airlines charge extra for baggage bring just enough for your trip and assume that you'll probably purchase t-shirts to wear while your there.

Iao Valley

A Little Geography...

The island of Maui is made up of two volcanoes. The largest mountain on the east side of the island is known as Haleakala, or "house of the sun".

The other great mountain on the west side was originally called Pu'u Kuku'i, or "hill of the candlenut tree". That was later changed to West Maui Mountain.

Of the two, West Maui Mountain is the oldest. Streams cut deep into its slopes, which cascade into majestic waterfalls.

Hiking is treacherous here but there are plenty of helicopter tours, complete with music and song, to enjoy them. Take plenty of film for this ride.

Haleakala is the youngest mountain. At just over 10,000 feet, the view from the top is breathtaking.

The drive will take a little over two hours, barring any stops or side trips. Bring some warm clothing because it gets cold!

And make sure you leave early enough to catch the sunrise. Nothing else beats it. Be sure to snap a few pictures of the "Silver Sword" before you leave.

Silver Swords are native to the island and you will not find this plant anywhere else in the world.

Hot Spots...

Maui is full of places to see and explore. Here are a few to add to your must see list.

Haleakala

Start your Haleakala trip early in the morning. You will want to catch this sunrise to start your day. Bring some warm clothing and hiking equipment.

There are 27 miles of trails on Haleakala so bring plenty of film to capture the incredible views from inside the crater.

There is "Sliding Sands Trail" which descends 2,400 feet and the hike around 3 8/10ths miles each way. The "Halemau'u Trail" is about four miles each way at 1,400 feet. And for the professional hikers, there is "Kaupo Trail" which descends all the way down the mountain.

But you can only access this trail if you are camping, so plan accordingly.

Road To Hanna

Road to Hana

The Road to Hana has been dubbed the Crown Jewel of Hawaii and the most desired drive of all the islands.
This two-lane highway with many one-way bridges has been compared to the Garden of Eden.

All told, there are about 600 turns on this winding road filled with lush forests and beautiful waterfalls.

Speed limit on Hana road is a whopping 35 miles per hour, so do not expect getting anywhere fast. As the Chinese say, "Fulfillment is in the journey, not the destination".

Banyan Tree Park

Located in Lahaina, this park is a must see. As you look into the park, it appears as though there are many trees, but in reality, it is one tree.

This tree is so big it encompasses the entire park! Some other sites around the park include the old courthouse, Baldwin House (reported to be the oldest house on the island), and the old prison.

Dragon's Teeth at Kapalua

Located near Kapalua, this lava formation resembling dragon's teeth owe its creation to the wind and sea.

During the great lava flows, turbulent winds and ocean waves pushed shards of cooling lava upwards toward the sky, giving the formation its unique dragon teeth shape.

These are just some of the wonderful sites you will experience on your unforgettable Maui vacation. There are plenty of vacation guides covering every aspect, nook and cranny of Maui, so plan wisely and plan it now.

Mahalo...

Are you planning a getaway with that very special person after marriage? How does a nice holiday in one of the most exotic locales in the world; complete with the glorious blue sea, breathtaking beaches, water sports, loads of lip-smacking food, music and dance sound to you? If it spells everything you want from your honeymoon then fetch your straw hats and suntan oil you are heading to Hawaii!

Hawaii is a God sent gift to the American traveler, being free from the hassles of passports, currency exchanges and alien languages that one has to encounter when planning to visit other exotic holiday destinations.

Not only is it his own country but also an eclectic amalgamation of great beaches, rain forests, volcanoes, sea cliffs and warm hospitable people. A flight to Hawaii takes approximately 6 hours from most parts of the west coast of USA, but the memories you gather from the visit will last you a lifetime.

And it isn't just us advocating the exotic island, your favorite stars can't get enough of it's warm tropical weather and spellbinding natural beauty either. Take Microsoft CEO Bill Gates for example who swept away newly wed wife Melinda French to honeymoon at Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay or 'Leaving Las Vegas' star Nicholas Cage who exchanged vows with pop princess Lisa Marie Presley at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. Even popular Friend's star Matt Le Blanc is a regular at the island, no matter who he is there with. His hotel of choice? The Princeville Resort on Kauai.

If you want to splurge on your romantic escapade on the lines of these stars head to one of the smaller luxury hotels at offer.
The Whalers Cove on Kauai fits in the bill perfectly, it is a small condominium resort with spacious units and a cove that is perfect for water sports like snorkeling and diving, to add to that it is secluded, and has an oceanfront hideaway located in the divinely sunny Poipu area of the island.

The Hotel Hana Maui is another option. A small, luxurious hotel in a remote town on the island of Maui, Hotel Hana Maui offers, amongst other things, sea ranch plantation style cottages complete with their personal private deck hot tub. While you are their you can also keep yourself occupied with their various other attractions including yoga classes, horseback riding along the Hana Coast, and their fabulous spa.

The Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay Resort on the private island of Lanai is perfect for the lovestruck couple who desires some privacy, apart from being completely secluded it is also a retreat of pristine natural beauty. The resort itself is perched on a pearl white beach which borders a protected marine preserve and features outstanding views of the ocean and Lanai's dramatic coastline. Apart from housing some great luxury guest rooms the resort also provides an exclusive spa and fine dining opportunities.

If your budget however strains under the requirements of these luxurious options however, don't fret, a number of less expensive hotels prove equally lucrative.
Take The Outrigger Royal Kahana on Maui, for instance, located just north of the more expensive hotels on Kaanapali Beach,it is a connoisseurs delight being a condominium equipped with a full kitchen in all the units, conveniently located and is definitely a good value for money.

The Miramar at Waikiki on the island of Oahu is another good option. Moderately priced, well located, being only a few blocks from the beach right in the middle of Wakiki surrounded by shopping destinations eateries and public transportation, it guarantees you a well spent holiday.

The Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort on The Big Island of Hawaii is a moderate hotel with a great location. Built on the lines of King David Kalakaua's beach cottage the resort includes the remains of three heiau, ancient Hawaiian temples, and if that does not keep you occupied then check out the coral formations in the tide pools, great snorkeling locations, top it with the turtles and fish that paddle around and you have one brilliant exotic hide out .

Hawaii also has a large variety of cheap accommodations for tourists with tighter budgets including bed & breakfasts, hotels, and condominiums. Wakiki has more hotels than condominiums and if you aren't fussy about being next to the beach you can find yourself a number of moderate hotels just a few blocks from it.

The city of Maui, on the other hand, offers more condominiums than hotels. If you are heading for Kihei move down south for the moderate fairs, not only will you find plenty of options here most of them are also located directly opposite the public beaches keeping you close at hand to sink into the sun, sea and the sand at the drop of a hat.

Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii have, comparatively lesser options when it comes to cheaper hotels and condominiums however if in the latter check out Kailua Kona area on the western side of the island for a handful of places.
Those in Kauai are easy to locate up north of the airport in Lihue along the coconut coast of Kapaa.

The best time to land in Hawaii is - well anytime of the year, given that the gloriously balmy weather lasts forever. However rainfall is not uncommon, but it is dependent more on the location than on any particular season.

The western and southern regions of the islands, the leeward side, have the driest and sunniest conditions with the calmest waters The rainy season is technically from November to April. Winter is often marked by stormy weather, but rain is, usually, in short spells during daytime and is followed by rainbows.

The peak travel seasons, which is when the hotel and amusement fares are higher, are between, January and March, June and August and during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.

Honeymooning or planning on getting married on Kauai?
We suggest that you have award winning Bamboo Moon Video shoot your Kauai stay. Although Bamboo Moon Video has won numerous awards including the Videographer, the Telly and the`Olelo TV awards for his work in children's educational television, their specialty is Weddings On Kauai. You will also find that Bamboo Moon Video rates are extremely affordable and is your perfect choice.
To learn more about Kauai Wedding Video visit Bamboo Moon Video. A Wedding dvd sampler is available. Kauai Wedding Video

Kauai Wedding Planning and Hawaiian Wedding Designs by Magenta is your one stop Wedding Planning Shop. Magenta's services as a Kauai Wedding Planner and Kauai Wedding Coordinator is known all throughout the Islands and its her special touches that will make your Kauai Wedding special.
To learn more about Kauai Wedding Planning and Kauai Wedding Designs visit Magenta's website at Kauai Island Destination Weddings. Above photo courtesy of Kauai Island Destination Weddings

Let's face it. Everyone who travels to Hawaii will be using suntan lotion at one time or another. Suntan lotion is a small item and can easily fit into a suitcase using only a small amount of space.

Believe it or not you can purchase the exact kind of suntan lotion you'd want to use in Hawaii at most of your favorite stores right where you live and pay a lot less then you would should you buy it in Hawaii.

The island of Hawaii is a place to head for if you wish to taste true adventure filled with unique memories. Hawaii is an island that is basically formed from hot molten lava and the shifts of the earth's seismic shifts.

Today Hawaii, or the Big Island has cooled down to become a great destination for couples, families and traveling groups.

On your trip to the island of Hawaii, you get to see the natural wonders and exotic flavors that Hawaii offers. There are wonderful sights worth visiting and many activities worth doing during your stay on the island of Hawaii. The activities that keep you most occupied while in Hawaii are visits to beaches, volcano trekking and many spots to enjoy the most of Hawaii.

The adventure loving tourist will love the Kona region of the Big Island where you can go sport fishing in the sea to get some exotic catch. You can also visit the depths of this region with a submarine where you can get some pictures of eels, dolphins and sharks.

If you want first hand adventure, the island of Hawaii offers beautiful snorkeling and scuba diving spots to visit to get as close to the fish of Hawaii as possible. Another way of visiting the beautiful spots of the island of Hawaii is by horseback riding.

If it is natural wonders you are after in the island of Hawaii, you have to make a visit to Kilauea which is the most active volcano found in the world.

This is a volcano that is a part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that is always in a continual state of eruption. However, it is important to first follow the safety tips you will be offered, before actually visiting Kilauea so that you get to enjoy an experience not everyone is lucky enough to experience.

Besides all this thrill and excitement, you can also spend some quiet time with the loads of beautiful art found here. The beautiful environment of sloping hills and valleys, waterfalls and the plant life of Hawaii all have a part to play in the music and art of Hawaii. The best places to visit for your satisfaction in art are the galleries and museums found here.

There are many golf courses on the island of Hawaii for golf lovers. These courses are breathtaking and immaculate that promises you the icing of the cake of your vacation in Hawaii. The people of Hawaii are a friendly lot, being a blend many nationalities.

There are traces of Mexican and Portuguese in the culture of Hawaii. And when you pass the numerous monuments to god and ranches of Hawaii you feel that have stepped into an identity of harmonious relationships.

Of course, a trip to the island of Hawaii is not complete without a visit to its beaches. The sand on the beaches here are of varied colors ranging from snow white to ink black.

You can head for crowded beaches with children or romantic and secluded parts with your partner and spend some wonderful time on the beaches of the island of Hawaii.

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Situated in the North Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the youngest American State (becoming the 50th American state in 1959).
Being first inhabited by the Polynesian people at around 1000 AD, it came to be called Sandwich Islands from the late 18th to late 19th century.

Besides Alaska, it is the only other state of USA that lies outside the Contiguous United States.
Today Hawaii enjoys worldwide fame for its tourism and uniqueness of a blended culture. Hence the cry for useful information about Hawaii

Climate of Hawaii

Like any other area, useful information about Hawaii first touches on its climate. For any spot of attraction, tourists always need to know beforehand what kind of weather lies in stick for them, so that they can plan their travel accordingly. Being an island surrounded by ocean on all sides,
Temperature and humidity levels in Hawaii are moderate compared to other continental locations on similar latitudinal positions. T
he Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island receive some snow in winter. Since the leward coasts are sunny, they are cherished by tourists.

Languages

If you know English, you will do perfect in Hawaii. Nearly all the sources of useful information about Hawaii use English which is spoken by over 70 % of population.
Other languages spoken in Hawaii include Hawaiian, Tagalog, and Japanese. A minor part of the population speaks Chinese.

Major Cities

Honolulu, the capital city, remains the largest city of Hawaii. It is a coastal city southeast of Oahu Island. For tourists, useful information about Hawaii frequently includes names of other cities like Hilu, Pearl City, Kailua Kona, Kailua, and Kihei, Hanalei and Poipu Beach.

Transportation in Hawaii

Three interstate highways, located on Oahu, run across Hawaii. These have been named H1, H2, and H3. State highways run through the other islands.
One point of useful information about Hawaii is that the roads are mostly narrow and winding, adventurous certainly, but slower to travel. Roads cannot run between individual islands so tourists (and locals) have to take either a plane or a private boat to move from one island to another. Establishing a ferry system is part of the transportation plans for future.

Symbols

One of the interesting themes in any set of useful information about Hawaii is its set of official symbols. We know the black-headed Hawaiian Goose as the state bird of Hawai; Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Reef Triggerfish) being the state fish; Kukui as the state tree; Hawaiian hibiscus for the state flower; humpback whale as the state mammal; and Father Damien Statue as the state capitol.
Above all, of course, is the state flag Ka Hae Hawaii which exhibits the British influence by inclusion of the British flag as part of its design.

Food

You can learn from any useful information about Hawaii the variety of cuisine cherished in Hawaii. Tourists enjoy unique Hawaiian foods as luau, Kalua pork, and teriyaki steak etc. and American food available at a number of restaurants including the revolving restaurant Top of Waikiki. Among Asian cuisines, Japanese lead the way, followed by Korean food. You will also find Mexican, Italian, and other types of foods in Hawaii.

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So, you've got an expensive camera and would really like to keep it in great condition.

You don't need to trash your good camera either with moisture from the forest, on a boat, or sand on a beach. Here's an alternative.

Long's Drug Store located throughout all of Hawaii sells a great disposable digital camera from $12 up to $20 taking some 25 photos or more. Long's will print your pictures and even give you a CD with them on it.

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If you ride a motorcycle you'll probably miss it while on your stay in the Islands. What a perfect opportunity to rent one while on Kauai. You get a wide variety of Harley Davidson's to choose from at Harley Davidson of Kauai.

Check it out at this website: Kauai Harley Davidson

On Maui

On Oahu

Or all of the Islands

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Ok. You know you're going to be away and you know you're going to want to share your Hawaiian adventure with friends and family back home.

Why not print out address lables from your computer to those you want to send cards to and also bring along with you some postage stamps to save yourself from having to not only write out the names and addresses on the cards but also having to make a trek to the post office.

If your looking for personailzed Hawaiian jewelry but didn't get a chance to purchase while you were in Hawaii, well youv'e been given a second chance. Find incredible jewelry deals from some of the best Hawaiian jewelry designers at ultra low factory direct to you prices. Just click on the Hawaiian Jewelry banner below.

While in Hawaii you'll notice that almost every dish you order will be accompanied with rice.

White rice is usually what you get and you're going to notice that it comes in what looks like a round ball. That's because it's given out by way of an ice scream scoop.

And it's sticky rice, unlike the fluffy rice you get at home. Put some soy sauce on it with some black pepper and you'll really enjoy it. I found that sticky rice complimented every meal.