How to get there, how to get around, where to find stuff and how to ask for it. These are tips from the local insider to make your stay here a breeze
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - Pure luxury in Maui.
Many people have preconceived notions of what a vacation to Hawaii should be like. They envision elaborate resorts situated on postcard beaches. The want a spectacular hotel staff and a location that is close to it all, but lets them feel a million miles from it. The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is one such hotel that meets and exceeds all of those expectations.
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The only thing more breath taking than going whale watching is to do it somewhere with a beautiful backdrop. There are a number of places around the world where you can go whale watching, but few offer a backdrop as nice as Hawaii. It is this very reason that whale watching in Hawaii is a great way to spend the whole day with the family.
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PART 2
Canoes, near Waikiki, has been a long-time learner’s hot spot on Oahu. Known for its easy-to-ride waves and friendly learner’s vibe, it has the reputation of being the place to try out surfing for the first time. However, it is also almost always crowded and you may find yourself trying harder to avoid other inept surfers as trying to catch the ever-elusive perfect wave. Luckily, there is another great learning spot not very far from Waikiki with a whole lot less bodies and boards.
A great spot about a 40 min drive from downtown Honolulu is White Plains Beach (aka Kalaeloa), which was formerly a part of Barber’s Point Naval Station, but is now open to the public. The break here is nearly identical to Canoes with a lot fewer people. The beach also attracts everything but an eastern swell and has consistent surf year-round. The waves here are notoriously easy to catch for beginners and if you paddle far enough out you may even get lucky enough to catch a 100 yard ride into shore (ok, maybe not on your first day out, but it can be done). Pro surfer Jason Shibata credits White Plains as the place that taught him how to surf.
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Vacationers visiting Hawaii are often on a quest to sample some of the famously delicious fresh island fish and other fresh, tropical ingredients. Hawaii is known for a plethora of gourmet restaurants satiating tourists’ taste buds for fresh island fare. One of these restaurants is Postcards Café on Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore. This vegetarian and seafood restaurant not only provides diners with a picture-perfect view overlooking the bay, it also serves up fresh island fish dishes inspired by the produce and flavors of the tropics.
Postcards is located in a charming, plantation-style building that used to serve as the Hanalei Museum. Now the building provides pleasant ambiance for diners. The menu is healthful and Hawaiian inspired with dishes like grilled or blackened fish with macademia nut butter or peppered pineapple sage sauces. You can also start with a Hawaiian twist on chips and salsa by ordering the taro fritters served with fresh papaya salsa.
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Sun, surf and sand are three things that immediately come to mind when you think about a Hawaiian vacation. For those who want to take the adventurous route and enjoy the surf, there are a few things that you should take into consideration before facing the full fury of the Pacific Ocean—though in my opinion enjoying the sand and the sun is a perfectly acceptable way to go (preferably with a cocktail).
If you want free, good advice, a great place to go is a local surf shop. Stroll in and talk to the local surfers about tips of where to go and where to avoid. Depending on your experience and skill level, they will give probably be more than apt in pointing you the right direction (and outfitting you with proper equipment if you should need it). If you are nice, they may even let you know the overly crowded spots to avoid and the local spots that may not be the friendliest to tourists attempting to catch a wave.
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Many people that come to Hawaii come to either relax on the beaches or to explore the beautiful jungles, mountains, flora, and fauna that make up the islands. Many of these adventure travelers to Hawaii tend to know what they are doing in the backcountry, but others don’t. Regardless of your backcountry experience, you have two options when planning your trip.
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Hulopo’e Beach
Hulopo’e Beach is regarded as the most beautiful beach in the entire United States. The gold sand beaches, towering palm trees, deep blue waters, and unspoiled reefs are just a few of the reasons people make their way to Hulopo’e Beach. The beach is slightly off the beaten path and as such, the area is hardly overcrowded.
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PART 1
Launiupoko State Wayside Park
Located along the Lahaina Coast off of Highway 30 south of Puamana Beach Park and before Kulanaokala’i Beach, near mile marker 18.
Located just south of Lahaina on Maui, Launiupoko is the perfect spot for beginning surfers. It generally has long, rolling waves that are easy to catch and not overwhelming in size. It is also reef protected, which means you have to be a little careful of not cutting yourself on the sharp rocks, but the reef also shields the biggest, scariest waves.
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Looking for the perfect refreshing treat to cool down on a hot Hawaiian day? Shave ice, which is a lot like a snow cone with a finer, more snow-like consistency, is a delightful flavored ice treat that can be found in road side stands and grocery stores throughout the islands. Sometimes, you’ll even find variations that include a scoop of ice cream at the bottom. Enjoy uniquely tropical flavors like pineapple (my favorite), passionfruit and guava. A popular combination is a rainbow, with three flavors lined up side by side. And because shave ice has a fine consistency, the flavors stay better separated for longer.
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While tens of thousands of tourists enjoy The Garden Isle Kauai every year, far fewer get to experience the beautiful and totally inaccessible majority of the island. Hidden in the interior of the older island in the Hawaiian chain are waterfalls, ancient volcanoes and spectacular scenery that can only be experienced from the air. With no roads or hiking trails penetrating the interior beauty of the island, a great way (and the only way) to catch a glimpse of these spectacular sights is on a helicopter tour.
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