Archive for February, 2008
Kauai's Farmers Markets
My three favorite parts of Hawaii are the beautiful beaches, the Aloha Spirit and the delicious and bountiful amounts of tropical produce and flowers. When I think of a Hawaiian vacation, my mind goes immediately to sweet succulent papayas, fresh mangoes and tree-ripened bananas. Luckily, these tropical treats are not only easy to find in plenty, but are also affordably priced thanks to the many farmers markets throughout the islands.
On the island of Kauai there are a variety of both public and private markets tourists can enjoy. The county of Kauai sponsors weekly Sunshine Markets throughout the island, which sell a full-range of fresh, local produce and flowers at low prices. These markets are often packed, however, and sell out fast, usually within the first hour the market is open. There are also a variety of Green Markets, which sell organic, local produce. At these markets, you will find local Hawaiian farmers selling Kauai sunrise papayas (the sweeter, juicer and deeper red cousins of regular papayas), mangoes and avocados in the summer, wingbeans and longbeans (Filipino vegetables), exotic squashes, melons, bananas, fresh pineapple and a variety of other exotic fruits and vegetables. With the low prices and tree-ripened fruit (sometimes you can find several papayas for only $1), you’ll find yourself quickly filling your bag and later stuffing your face with the sweet, delicious fruits from the markets.
My favorite markets are on the North Shore of the island, further removed from the more tourist and resort centers near Lihue. Kilauea (on the north shore) is also the agricultural heart of the island and has two weekly green markets and a Sunshine Market. Come early; bring your own bag and plenty of one-dollar bills.
Date: February 28th, 2008 |
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Maui Ocean Center
When you’re visiting Maui and you’re looking for an up-close-and-personal view of marine life that doesn’t involve you actually getting in the water, you want to make a trip to the Maui Ocean Center. The center, which calls itself “The Hawaiian Aquarium,” is the largest tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, covering more than three acres.
Located at Ma’alaea Harbor, the Maui Ocean Center is a great stop on any tour of Maui. You’ll find all kinds of sea life that lives right around the Hawaiian Islands, including tropical reef fish, octopus, moray eels, …
Date: February 26th, 2008 |
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Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai
If you’ve already visited the southernmost point in the U.S. on the Big Island, then perhaps you might want to hop over to Kauai and visit that island’s northernmost point. Okay, so it’s not quite as dramatic-sounding, but it’s a heck of a lot prettier.
The Kilauea Lighthouse sits on a piece of lava rock that juts out into the ocean at the most northern point of Hawaii’s main islands, and it has stood there since 1913. The land it stands on was originally purchased from the Kilauea Sugar Plantation Company in 1909, but it was so remote and difficult to access that it took quite awhile for them to figure out a reasonable way to transport construction materials and personnel to the site. In the end, the method they settled on was to transport everything by sea.
Date: February 22nd, 2008 |
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Waimea Canyon on Kauai
Easily one of the biggest attractions on the island of Kauai is Waimea Canyon - it’s been called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and when you see it you’ll understand why. It’s more than 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and 3,000 feet deep - and the rosy, warm colors are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon on the mainland. But Waimea Canyon has one big thing that its mainland counterpart could never boast - proximity to world-class surfing.
Like the Grand Canyon in the American Southwest, Waimea Canyon was formed by a river - the Waimea River - over millennia. But unique to Waimea Canyon, the whole process was aided by a major collapse in the earth during a massive volcanic eruption. The same volcano which created the island of Kauai itself also helped create the rift which became the Waimea River bed. And because the island’s highest peak, Mount Wai’ale’ale, holds the distinction of being one of the wettest places on earth, the river was fed by a steady - and heavy - diet of rainfall, which helped further cut into the earth and create Waimea Canyon.
Date: February 18th, 2008 |
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Maui's Winery - Tedeschi Vineyards
When you think of Hawaiian foods and beverages, you might think automatically of things like pineapple and poi, and probably Kona coffee. But what do you think of when you hear the words “Hawaiian wine?” If you’re raising your eyebrow in curiosity, I don’t blame you. So let me introduce you to one of Hawaii’s wineries, Tedeschi Vineyards on Maui.
Tedeschi is one of only three commercial wineries in all of Hawaii, and the only one on Maui. The winery is located on ‘Ulupalakua Ranch, which covers roughly 20,000 acres. The land was once a sugar plantation, and then a cattle ranch. In fact, much of the acreage remains a cattle ranch even to this day. Tedeschi Vineyards was established in 1974, and the first wines were released three years later.
Date: February 12th, 2008 |
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Koke'e State Park on Kauai
Kauai isn’t called “The Garden Island” for nothing - much of it is covered with lush vegetation and wonderful wilderness. The island is home to the largest canyon in the Pacific, and right next door to that massive state park is another - Koke’e State Park - which means that after you visit the canyon you can spend even more time communing with nature.
Actually, combining a visit to Waimea Canyon State Park and Koke’e State Park is a really great idea, especially because the ranger station for Waimea Canyon is actually in Koke’e State Park! Koke’e covers more than 4,300 acres and is absolutely full of excellent hiking trails. The area is known for its many native plants and animal species, which thrive here partly due to the high amounts of annual rainfall. Lush doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Date: February 28th, 2008 |
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Camping in Volcanoes National Park
Want to say you braved camping in the shadow of two of the world’s most active volcanoes? While visitors will be safe from spewing lava (there is no erupting or flowing lava within the park boundaries), you can spend more than just a few hours exploring 70 million years of volcanism and stay the night in Volcanoes National Park. There are several options for visitors who wish to stay in the park, ranging from roughing it on an overnight wilderness hike to drive-in camping to staying in one of the Volcano House Hotel cabins near Volcano Village.
Wilderness Camping
Those interested in exploring the park through a challenging overnight hike must be in top physical condition and be prepared with proper winter gear. Permits are required (but free!) to camp overnight. Permits, maps and trail information can be found at the Kilauea Visitor Center.
If you going to brave the wilderness for the night, make sure you are prepared with all the essential gear, including:
First Aid Kit
Trail Map
Open fires are prohibited in the park, so a cook stove is necessary
Flashlight and batteries
Biodegradable soap and toilet paper
3-4 quarts of water per person per day
Boots
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
Good sleeping bag (temperatures can drop below freezing in some areas of the park).
Rain gear
Tent with rain fly
Also remember that Volcanoes National Park has a delicate ecosystem with many native plant and animal species so remember to pack out whatever you pack in!
Date: February 24th, 2008 |
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Hawaiian Food Sampler Platter on Hawaiian Airlines
There are those (myself included) who believe that an easy way to really get to know a culture is through its food. So what better way to start getting yourself into a Hawaiian frame of mind than with a Hawaiian meal on your flight to the islands? With Hawaiian Airlines’ new Hawaiian tasting menu, you can sample three selections of traditional Hawaiian cuisine and get your Hawaii vacation started as soon as you get on the plane.
When you board your Hawaiian Airlines flight (provided you’re flying first class, of course), you get a menu featuring five different dishes which are typically Hawaiian. You then select three of those five alternatives, and get small portions of each of your choices. The meals have been designed by well-known chef Beverly Gannon, who may not be from Hawaii originally but has mastered the art of Hawaiian cooking!
And, to top it all off, in addition to the Hawaiian Airlines tasting menu that’s available to first class passengers, Hawaiian remains the only airline currently serving the islands of Hawaii that still serves a complimentary hot meal to its coach cabin passengers - and those meals are also created by Chef Gannon.
Date: February 20th, 2008 |
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Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in Maui
You might think you know what Hawaiian culture is, but when you check into your average Hawaii hotel you’ll be greeted with the same boring lobby and standard hotel room that could be just about anywhere on earth. Instead of opting for “the usual,” start getting immersed in all things Hawaiian from the moment you walk into your hotel. With a stay at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel in Maui, that will be no trouble at all.
Named Maui’s “Most Hawaiian Hotel,” Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is the place to experience more than just the island’s famous beaches. In fact, upon your arrival you’ll be greeted by the staff with a Hawaiian song and dance (all staff members are singers!), along with a lei made of dark kukui nuts. Return visitors receive one light-colored kukui nut for each trip back to the hotel, signifying their long relationship with Ka’anapali. And if you didn’t get enough of the staff singing, don’t worry - they’ve got music in their hearts quite often, and may break into song at any moment.
Date: February 14th, 2008 |
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Tandem Zipline Rides in Maui
Picture this - you’re planning your Hawaii honeymoon, and as newlyweds you want to experience everything together. You’re awash in the glow of your recent nuptials and the whole point of this piece of time is to be joined at the hip (sometimes literally), right? So why would you want to do an adventure trip where you each had to go alone and just recap the event over dinner? Instead of watching your newly-betrothed get an adrenaline rush while you wait your turn, give the Kapalua Resort’s side-by-side zip lines a try.
With Kapalua Adventures, you can take part in all kinds of unique activities that might get your blood pumping as much as your wedding night. The resort features traditional sports like kayaking and hiking, a challenging course that’ll have you walking on wires high above the ground (yes, you’re totally strapped in and safe!) and the recently introduced two-person zipline ride. There’s an existing zip-line course that’s a single-seater, if you want a little alone time away from your travel companions, but keep in mind that since gravity is the thing that makes these rides go you’ll get way more speed if you’ve got two people on one line. In fact, with the new side-by-side zipline ride, you can get going up to 60 MPH! Talk about a rush!
Date: February 8th, 2008 |
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