Hawaii Things to Do

Best Beginner Surf Spots: Part 3

When I had heard of surfing Hanalei on the North Shore of Kauai, it had always been as a spot for world class surfers riding the biggest and badest waves. It was never place I thought I could actually learn how to surf. However, there are a variety of breaks in the bay from those of world champions to beginners. And, when you go home and tell people you surfed at Hanalei all of your friends will be really impressed, imagining you out there cruising the big waves you see in surf magazines. The surf here is best from early winter-late spring and can be a little too flat in the summer.

If you want to try it out on your own, go near the Hanalei pier. This is where veteran big wave surfer Titus Kinimaka holds his surf classes and can be a great starting place for beginners. The break here is not too big, not to small and perfect for people out surfing for the first time.

Date: June 24th, 2008 | No Comments

Kayaking Kauai

Does spending a day on a calm Hawaiian river exploring the Garden Isle sound appealing? Kayaking Kauai can be a great way to see the more remote interior of the island and get some exercise. If you are staying on the North Shore, Kayak Kauai has several different rental packages for the adventurous looking to spend a day on the water. From the Hanalei Kayak’s dock, you can paddle 2 miles upstream (the current is mild, so this is some work, but not totally exhausting) into the Hanalei Wildlife refuge. This picturesque paddle will allow you to venture into the protected wildlife refuge and get some good exercise simultaneously.

After paddling the 2 miles upstream, you can take the easier paddle downstream to Hanalei Bay. Make sure if you venture into the open waters of Hanalei Bay it is when conditions are mild (usually only in the summer months) and stay in the reef protected area of the bay.

Date: June 17th, 2008 | No Comments

Surfing the Hawaiian Waves

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.

Date: June 6th, 2008 | No Comments

Mountain Biking Kaupo Road

For Hawaiian vacationers looking for an adventure a chance to show their athletic prowess, mountain biking can be a great option. It also gives willing and in-shape tourists a chance to see some really beautiful and often less accessible areas of the islands. One of these areas ideal for mountain biking is Kaupo Road (Highway 31) on Maui. The unpaved and often treacherous road for cars, is perfect for mountain biking and offers those able to do the realitively difficult ride spectacular views and an adventure that is definitely off the beaten Hawaii path.

The 40-mile journey starts on the southern edge of the island near Hana and the edge of Haleakala National Park and ends on the northern side of the island near Kahului. Plan on arranging transportation either to or from the end point, unless you want to turn around and do the 40 mile trek back to where you started.

Date: May 13th, 2008 | 1 comment

Munro Trail

Lanai,
Approximately 10 minutes north of Lanai City

Lanai is the often forgotten and much more secluded of the Hawaiian islands. Less popular and far less developed than its neighbor Maui, Lanai offers visitors exciting scenery and unique adventures. One of these adventures is either hiking, biking or driving the Monro Trail, which is a one lane, 4-wheel drive only road leading to the top of Mount Lanaihale at 3,368 feet (the highest point on the island). Although the road is only 7 miles long, visitors driving the road should allow 3-4 hours and hikers a full day to complete the trip.

The trail was named for George Monro, a New Zealand naturalist who arrived on the island in 1890. Monro’s legacy can be seen along the way in the Cook pines growing along the route, which are not native to the island and were planted at Monro’s direction at the turn of the century. The trail gains 1,600 feet in elevation in its climb to the summit of Mt. Lanaihale, passing through dense rain forest to the cooler summit. The trail also offers spectacular views of Maunalei Gulch about 3 miles into the 7 mile journey. This gulch, which often has low sitting clouds wrapped around the trees growing in the gulch, was were ancient Hawaiians living on Lanai once fortified a stronghold against invading warriors from the Big Island. Their evidence in this area can be seen in the Hookio Notches etched into the middle ridge of the gulch.

Date: April 1st, 2008 | 1 comment