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Endless vacation in Hawaii
Posted: July 31st, 2010, 3:00pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
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Movie pirates and their big ship in Hawaii
Posted: July 30th, 2010, 2:43pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
The huge ship in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie is in Kanehoe Bay this week, shooting scenes with Hawaii’s starkly beautiful mountains as a backdrop. The bay is a sheltered area with magnificent views of the Ko‘olau Mountain Range on the windward (eastern) side of the island of Oahu. Only a slight turn of the camera lens puts the ship at sea, with an unimpeded view of the Pacific Ocean. The ship was referred to as the Black Pearl by many when it first arrived in Hawaii in February. However, this movie, subtitled On Stranger Tides, features the pirate Blackbeard and his ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. In this installment of the series, Captain Jack Sparrow (defined by Johnny Depp) is searching for the Fountain of Youth. Depp filmed a special greeting for the recent Comic Con in which he managed to spend almost two minutes and reveal only that if he were going on a search for the Fountain of Youth, it would be very dangerous and he’d need a map - and perhaps a Bloody Mary. The video greeting also set the movie release date as May 20, 2011. The pirate ship is in Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor, located along the Kamehameha Highway opposite the Mokapu Peninsula, which is home to a Marine Corps Base. As you look at a map of the island of Oahu, the Mokapu Peninsula looks like the tail of a whale sticking out into the ocean. On the right side is Kailua Bay, ringed with a sandy beach that is perfect for kite boarding and wind surfing. President Obama stayed on this side of the peninsula in a house right next to the Marine base on his most recent trip. The left side of the peninsula is Kaneohe Bay, home to four boat harbors, including the public harbor in Heeia State Park. If you take any of the circle island tours - either driving or on a bus - you’ll pass this area of Oahu. It’s a great opportunity to take a photo of yourself in an exotic movie location, even if the pirate ship has already sailed away. Photo by Richard Denton. Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Three things I learned at the Dole Pineapple Plantation
Posted: July 29th, 2010, 3:11pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Nothing says “Hawaii” like pineapple. A cooking segment on national television yesterday featured pineapple recipes as part of a luau theme. And yet, even while living in Hawaii, I learned three things about the fruit when I visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation.
First: Pineapples do not grow on trees.
Until then, my closest encounter with a pineapple was from a can or in the produce section of a grocery store. Even after moving to Hawaii, I found pineapples at the weekly Farmer’s Market. (They were a product that I could identify without photos from the Farmers Market Cookbook.)
When my sister visited from the mainland, we stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on our tour of Oahu. I was introduced to pineapples in the wild — on short bush-like plants. Not only were they much closer to the ground than I imagined, they also came in many varieties. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that pineapples come in different types, like apples, but I always equated the name with a standard yellow icon. Twenty varieties are grown in a display garden near the entrance with helpful nameplates.
Second: Pineapples are not native to Hawaii.
The plantation has a series of signs that tell the history of pineapple in Hawaii. Although the fruit seems almost synonymous with Hawaii, it is not native to the islands. In fact, the Hawaiian name for pineapple means "foreign fruit" (halakahiki). Wandering around the pineapple display garden and reading the signs is free and, for me, the most interesting part of the stop (except maybe getting a photo of my sister and me with our heads stuck through a board so it looks like we’re in a pile of pineapple, also free – and priceless for embarrassing our children).
Third: Sometimes you learn more as a tourist than as a local.
I would not have driven out to the plantation on my own – at least partly because I now think that driving 30 miles is SO FAR AWAY (a consequence of living on an island). But there is a lot of information presented in an entertaining manner aimed at visitors who are interested in Hawaii but don’t know a lot about it. Sometimes, that’s more valuable than an authentic “local” experience.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Fresh fish, flowers and more at Hawaii farmers markets
Posted: July 28th, 2010, 1:13pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Savvy tourists and locals alike know how to save money in Hawaii by buying local.
Yes, Hawaii can be expensive. Not because it can be, because it has to be. Everything has been brought here, making its way across thousands of miles of ocean and air. That isn’t easy and it isn’t cheap!
Buying local saves the money spent on transportation and the farmers market is a great place to do that. Kauai has multiple farmers markets going on every day plus loads of small, family run road side stands selling everything from ahi and leis to avocados and passion fruit; plus you can learn about things like the white pineapple. Tender, juicy, white flesh that is not as acidic as the common yellow ones. The farmers usually reserve them for the locals but you can find them at the farmers markets.
If you are visiting, renting a condo or time share with a kitchen, it is a smart way to save money. Some hotel rooms also include small kitchenettes. Dining out can be expensive so save one meal a day for that and supplement the other two by frequenting the farmers market and making meals in your condo.
One of my new favorite finds is Island SOL Bakery. SOL is an acronym for Seasonal, Organic and Local. This bakery has something for everyone; savory meat and cheese or veggie and cheese filled pastries. Sweet scones with creative combinations like peanut better, strawberry jam and local bananas. Cookies, coffee cakes, and their signature treats scruffins. Little coffee cakes with surprise fillings. There are regular, gluten free, dairy free and vegan choices. You can find this bakery at the KCC (Kauai Community College) and Hanalei markets.
Some markets, like the large one in Kapa’a, only sell vegetables. Sometimes there is a truck parked outside the market selling fresh eggs. Some, like the markets in Hanapepe, Lihue and Kilauea signal the start of selling with a whistle blow or the honk of a car horn. You can browse but you can’t buy until the signal, then it’s every man for himself! Some sell kim chee, slushies, hand made jewelry, jams and all manner of hand made products. It’s the perfect way to get outside, meet people, support small business and save some money!
Posted by Marta Lane
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Lava from Hawaii volcano reaches sea
Posted: July 27th, 2010, 2:02pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Big Island
Lava from the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii has reached the sea but is still threatening homes. Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the action are being warned not to disturb area residents.
Although the lava flow was able to push up and over a slope to the sea, lava is still flowing along the ridge to the coastal plane near homes in Kalapana. Over the past 24 hours, the lava has advanced 425 feet toward Kalapana Gardens. According to the United States Geological Survey, "A nearly continuously active flow front is creeping into a remaining and topographically low kipuka at the western edge of the subdivision, causing small brush fires and methane explosions." One home was destroyed over the weekend. Authorities warn that Kalapana Gardens is a private subdivision and access is granted only to residents. The land along highway 130 is also private property. Hawai‘i County police are monitoring the area. There are also minor scattered flows to the west and upslope of the Highway 137 flow.
Lava is continuing to enter the ocean, but the USGS estimates that less lava is headed that direction than is flowing toward the residential area. Earlier estimates had been that once the lava was able to make its way to the sea, the amount flowing towards homes would decrease. That appears not to have happened, at least not yet.
By late Monday, lava had created a small delta in the sea, which is growing as more lava flows onto it from the sea cliff.
Kilauea is an active volcano, with quiet periods and times of increased activity. This update and photos are provided by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Sausage Tree in Hawaii
Posted: July 26th, 2010, 3:18pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
It may be difficult for the casual observer to identify trees by their appearance (it’s easier if they grow fruit.) But in the case of the sausage tree in Hawaii, it’s hard to be mistaken.
The distinctive brown lobes hang from the tree in great abundance. This tree is on the UH campus at Manoa, but there are others on Oahu and the other islands of Hawaii. The tree is native to tropical West Africa. Its proper name is Kigelia Africana, it is a cousin of the Calabash Tree (both are members of the Bignonia family of flowering plants.)
While the fruit is eaten by many animals, the fresh fruit is poisonous to humans. It may be dried, roasted – or fermented. According to Wikipedia, an alcoholic beverage similar to beer is made from the fruit of the sausage tree. The fruit is used in African herbal medicine as a treatment for a variety of illnesses and apparently in skin care products.
The tree has beautiful flowers that open at night and attract bats, who pollinate them. According to the Honolulu zoo, the bat is considered to be Hawaii’s only native land mammal. Bats are common on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui but only rarely seen on Oahu. The Hawaiian Hoary Bat is an endangered species and federally-funded research on the bat is ongoing on the Big Island.
Given the scarcity of bats, I’m not sure how this sausage tree is pollinated but it seems very productive. Sausage trees are often planted as ornamental trees in tropical regions because the flowers are pretty and the fruit is so unusual. I don’t often quote Wikipedia, but I have to repeat this caution, “Planting sites should be selected carefully, as the falling fruit can cause serious injury to people, and damage vehicles under the trees.”
I will refrain from any further comment about things that fall from trees in Hawaii. Feel free to insert your own joke here.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hawaii is fifth star of Five-0 series
Posted: July 25th, 2010, 4:10pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
The islands of Hawaii will figure prominently in the new Hawaii Five-O television series. Producers refer to Hawaii as the "fifth character of the show." "Our president is from Hawaii. We have a perfect storm of Hawaii being relevant and an important hub internationally," say executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. They describe Hawaii as a gateway into the United States and from the US out to the world. This allows them to tell not just American stories, but ones with an international flavor as well. "Hawaii is an international destination and the stories will reflect that position in the world rather than the neighborhood murder." Kurtzman and Orci produced Fringe and the recent Star Trek movie. The Hawaii Five-O creative team also includes Peter Lenkov, whose credits include 24 and CSI:NY. Lenkov says the original Hawaii Five-O was his dad’s favorite television program. "It is important to honor the original show," he says. "One of the pitfalls in a remake is not respecting or being passionate about the original material. We are all very passionate about the original show and understand what made it work." The producers spoke this week at Comic-Con in San Diego, along with the director of the pilot, Len Wiseman (Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard). Wiseman and Lenkov were asked what it was like working in Hawaii. They responded, "People in Hawaii opened arms and doors to us, because of the brand. Nobody said no to us, we were able to do whatever we wanted to do." Lenkov said he did some ride-alongs with the police department and spent a lot of time talking with them to get a sense of the types of crime that are unique to this area of the world. Hawaii Five-O won the award for Most Anticipated New Show at Comic-Con. Fans had a chance to win one of three surf boards signed by the cast, limited run t-shirts, collector edition posters, ringtone cards with the show’s theme song and a "vacation getaway to the filming location of H50 on the tropical and vibrant island of Oahu" — the show’s fifth star. Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner.jpg)
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Lava from Hawaii volcano nears sea, homes
Posted: July 24th, 2010, 4:25pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Big Island
Lava can again be seen flowing from a volcano on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Lava flows today have reached the edge of a slope, which is sending the lava along the ridge to the east and west. Eastern flows bring the lava closer to residences. The United States Geological Service says that if the flows get stronger, they may push over the ridge and into the ocean. The USGS created a composite image that uses a normal photograph along with thermal imaging to show the active flow front in Kalapana.
Big Island police caution visitors that travel is restricted in that area. Vehicles are allowed to drive into the roadway from the point where Route 130 is covered by lava up to a parking lot with a guard shack. Beyond that point, the road is closed to everyone but residents. The only people allowed to park along the road beyond the warning sign are those who work with the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A second area of activity is at the summit eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. There, a "crusted and circulating lava pond produced red glow visible from the Jaggar Museum overnight." A description of this vent is provided by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory "Halema`uma`u Overlook vent: has been difficult to describe concisely. The vent is actually a pit, or crater, in the floor of the larger Halema`uma`u Crater in the floor of the larger Kilauea caldera or crater - a crater within a crater within a crater. It is easiest to describe as a pit inset within the floor of a crater within a caldera. The pit is about 140 m (460 ft) in diameter at the Halema`uma`u Crater floor, is about 50 m in diameter at the pit floor, and is about 200 m (660 ft) deep. As of November, 2009, a lava pond surface has been visible in a hole in the floor of this pit." Kilauea is always an active volcano, but fresh lava flows do not always extend out to where they are visibile by residents or visitors. Kilauea erupts from three main areas: its summit and two rift zones. The summit is high due to the frequent eruptions but the USGS says more eruptions occur at the long rift zones, which creates ridges that reach out from the summit. Many of the eruptions are gentle, with lava flows of several yards that increase the hight of the summit and build up the rift zones. According to the USGS, sporadic explosions will continue to cause destruction, "We cannot tell how much larger Kilauea will grow or when it will stop, but it will surely continue to erupt through the rest of human history" (Photo of lava on road by Richard Denton, thermal image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.) Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner Related post: Visiting a Volcano in Hawaii
Beginning last weekend, eruptive activity took place at two locations. One is in what is called the "east rift zone" where lava is flowing through tubes to the surface along highway 137. That advance is near homes. As the lava met the Kalapana access road, the burning asphalt created a plume of thick, black smoke.
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State Canoe Races on Oahu!
Posted: July 23rd, 2010, 12:28pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
Canoe races for island championships are happening this weekend in Hawaii, top crews will go on to compete at the State Canoe Race next month.
Hawaiian Canoe Racing is a popular sporting event in the islands. Racing canoes are made from Hawaii’s giant Koa tree. The Koa tree is one of the tallest trees in Hawaii, often reaching several hundred feet in height with a diameter of over 10 feet. The Koa trees are resistant to salt water, making them perfect for boat-building. This is a team sport as there are 6 paddlers in the canoe, each trying to mimic the paddler in front of you with the same rhythm, timing, press and totally becoming one. When everyone is working together and in sync, the canoe glides with ease thru the water with such a rhythmic force. On August 7th, you can watch an actual canoe regatta in action during the State Championship Canoe Races at Keehi Lagoon (near the airport) on Oahu. It’s an all day event, beginning at 8:30am until the last race is completed, approximately 6pm. There will be lots of yummy ono (good) food for sale including plate lunches, shaved ice, and other local favorites. Local vendors will also be selling clothing, canoe paddles, bags, souvenirs, stickers and many other fun items. This is a culmination of summer long regatta races, with only qualified crews racing. Until now, each association has only raced against other clubs in the same association, but now at the state race the best paddlers finally get a chance to race against crews from other associations and neighboring islands. It’s an exciting race for all paddlers! Like many other islanders, I have been paddling since I was a teenager, and as long as I am capable will continue to do so. I am in this photo (seat 1) with my crew from a race on July 17th at Keehi Lagoon. We’ve been getting 2nd place all season, so were happy to win 1st place this week. Hopefully we’ll see a Hana Hou (do it again) this weekend at the Oahu Championships. Posted by Kalei Javellana.
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Hawaii Island at Higher Elevations - Volcano Village
Posted: July 22nd, 2010, 3:01pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Big Island
If "sea level Hawaii" is all you’ve experienced, you are definitely missing out on many of Hawaii’s scenic treasures–and some real adventure.
Many people, when they think of Hawaii, immediately see images of white sand beaches, coconut trees and mai-tais in the tropical sun. Not that there’s anything wrong with that–you aren’t likely to find anyone who lives here turning down a luxurious beach day or their favorite sunset cocktail! But, on your next visit, may I suggest getting to know Hawaii at higher elevations?
On the Big Island, there are a number of opportunities to experience "upcountry" Hawaii, but people taking a Hawaii vacation often put at the top of their itinerary a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park–a great place to get your first taste of the Big Island at 4,000 ft. above sea level. The Park is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, so if you spend some time here you can explore up to seven ecological zones (seacoast, lowland, mid-elevation woodland, rain forest, upland forest, subalpine, and alpine) in one trip.
I recommend, if it is at all possible, staying at a Volcano Village bed & breakfast for a couple of nights during your Big Island visit. Most folks don’t realize how long the drive from Kona or the Kohala coast to Volcano will really feel by the time you reach the Volcanoes National Park. Being able to relax and enjoy the Village as well as the Park will make your trip to Hawaii’s Big Island much more enjoyable.
There are a few great restaurants in Volcano–Kilauea Lodge is one favorite of mine (we’ve gone there for many special occasions and, for a few years, going to the Lodge for Thanksgiving Day dinner was a highly-anticipated treat). But you’ll also want to reserve some time just to slow down and soak in the stunning beauty of the lush rainforest. Ohia forests and hapu’u ferns abound here–making Volcano Village an ideal place for a restful morning cup of coffee and or reading on your lanai as well as for getting up close and personal with "madame Pele" and her volcanic playground when you’re ready to explore the Park.
(Photo: Though beautiful, kahili ginger is an invasive species commonly found in the Volcano area.)
Posted by: Cynthia Hoskins. Follow me on Twitter.
We are happy to welcome Cynthia’s contribution to the Hawaii-Aloha Travel blog this week. Cynthia will tell us about other ways to see Hawai‘i at higher elevations in future posts, as well as other notes about the Big Island.
If you live in Hawaii and would like to contribute a post, email: blogeditor@hawaii-aloha.com.
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Lei-ed boats and happy sailors reach Hawaii
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 3:21pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
After two weeks at sea, Pacific Cup sailors squeeze their boats into Kaneohe Bay and celebrate safe arrival in Hawaii! The first boat arrived Friday but many are not in yet.
Last night’s jazz dinner kicked off a week of parties celebrating the semi-annual “Fun Race” across the Pacific Ocean. Some of the boats who made the crossing were pretty small – it’s hard to imagine them bouncing along the ocean swells. The smallest is just 21 feet long and skippered by a woman. Emma Creighton sailed her boat “Pocket Rocket” with only one other person (double-handed). This is the first year that type of boat – a Mini Transat – was allowed in the race. The youngest crew this year is two 21-year-old college students from Florida. Their boat, “Further”, is just 27 feet long. That’s the same size as the boat that Rick and I have, and it doesn’t have a bathroom. That would be a LONG two weeks!
The boats check in several times along the race and especially as they get close to Hawaii. When they are near Oahu, a local boat goes out to guide them in (to avoid the coral in Kaneohe Bay). The crew is met with Mai-Tais, and lei for both crew members and the boat. Those are some happy sailors in the arrival photos – thrilled to be in Hawaii and probably equally happy to be near a shower once more.
Spending two weeks in a boat of any size is a bonding experience for the crew. At last year’s Transpac, a wedding was performed upon arrival in Hawaii. This year, people on two Pacific Cup boats have announced engagements. (They don’t announce if any divorces result from either the race or the expense of preparing for it.)
The parties continue over the next few days as each boat is welcomed to Hawaii. The atmosphere is relaxed and celebratory – many of the boats have made the Pacific crossing multiple times. Owners, skippers and crew find old friends and competitors who want to hear every detail and share stories of what went wrong or when the wind failed.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hawaiian Monk Seal Encounter
Posted: July 20th, 2010, 2:35pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
A secret Kaua‘i beach shelters humans and endangered species, both seeking seclusion.
Another beautiful day on Kaua‘i’s north shore, in Kilauea town, and I wonder if you can ever get tired of perfection. A friend is taking Dan and I down a secret path to Secrets Beach. Secrets is known to be a place where nude sunbathing abounds because of its isolated location. As we gingerly make our way down the sheer cliff, conveniently paved with stairs, we hit the beach and find we are alone.
I look down a good half mile stretch of white sandy beach and rest my eyes on the lighthouse, a hopeful symbol perched on a peninsula. We walk along the shore, our feet grateful for the cool water.The pristine blue ocean is agitated by huge pounding surf and water rushes up the shore drenching us to our thighs. We run and play along the beach like children, laughing. Dan and I are in awe as we come upon a sleeping monk seal.
Hawaiian Monk Seals are an endangered species, the second most endangered seal in the world, a total of 1200 are thought to live in the Hawaiian Archipelago chain. These seals are considered prehistoric, as they have been living in the islands for millions of years. Kaua‘i is a favorite island of these seals, I have seen them napping on the beach three times in the six months that I’ve lived here. The seals beach themselves to rest, conserving their energy to hunt and reproduce.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the seals are very sensitive to human disturbance and become agitated and sometimes aggressive if disturbed. Wanting to see evidence of life or maybe connect with something wild, people have been known to make loud noises, throw things at them, and have even been known to put their children on them for a photo! A mother seal may bite people and abandon her pup if she is disturbed.
If you come across a beached Hawaiian Monk Seal, please consider all of its struggles: threat of extinction, lack of food, entanglement in marine debris, shark attacks, infectious diseases, habitat loss, and fishery interactions. Admire from a distance of 150 feet, and please, don’t add to their problems.
Posted by Marta Lane
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Hawaii’s natural umbrellas
Posted: July 19th, 2010, 3:22pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
Hawaii’s exotic plants provide a natural umbrella as they collect the morning mist. On my walk across campus today, I could see light rain falling in the sunlight of a clearing ahead, however I was dry – protected by leaves from trees and very large plants.
One of the most interesting “trees” in Hawaii is really an enormous fern – the Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea australis). Its trunk can grow from 20-40 feet tall in the rain forests that are its preferred habitat. On campus, most are smaller than that but still taller than I am. From the trunk, huge light green fronds arch out, providing a cover for plants or humans below. They look lacy and delicate but have firm enough stems that they don’t sag even in heavy rain and wind.
New leaves unroll from tiny pods on the top of the trees. I found a short fern that allowed me to get a close look at the emerging leaves. It’s fun to watch them unfurl over time.
As you might guess from the name, this fern is from Australia. Many people like them as landscaping because they are so beautifully exotic, but the ferns are not very happy outside warm, moist climates. They also don’t like direct sunlight – they usually grow beneath taller trees that provide shade in rain forests or tropical jungles.
These types of plants are part of what give Hawaii its exotic appearance. When I see tree ferns like this and banyan trees in a movie or television show, I check the shooting locations to see if Hawaii is listed (and it usually is). The large lawn where the Hawaii Five-O blessing was held last week is ringed by this fern.
When I pass below these tree ferns, I remember the tiny plants I used to fertilize and mist to encourage to grow. They seem like tiny potted replicas of what a fern is in its natural environment — where it is large enough to take care of me.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hawaii’s many acting roles
Posted: July 18th, 2010, 3:39pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
Hawaii has a starring role in the television series "Hawaii Five-O" now shooting on the islands. But more often, Hawaii stands in for other tropical locations - as in "Lost" and a new medical drama set to begin production in August called "Off the Map." "Off the Map" is from ABC studios and is listed on the network schedule as "coming later this season." The creator and executive producers also were associated with "Grey’s Anatomy." The series is shooting in Hawaii, which stands in for a South American jungle, the location of a tiny medical clinic. The description from ABC calls Off the Map " an uplifting medical drama that explores how far you have to go to truly heal. … In this ensemble drama, five doctors who have lost their way will go to the ends of the earth to try to remember the reasons why they wanted to become doctors in the first place." Filming in Hawaii begins August 30. Using Hawaii as an unidentified tropical location is also common in movies. "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (4)" is shooting on Oahu and Kauai this summer. This past week, the Halona Blowhole and Koko Head Rifle Range were closed for two days to accommodate filming. Parts of the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie, "At World’s End," were shot on Maui and Molokai. There is a long list of movies using Hawaii to represent something tropical - either a different, specified location or one that is unknown. Perhaps my favorite use of Hawaii as a movie location is when it stands in for something on a different planet! This summer’s "Predators" movie contained a line from the female soldier who said something like "I’ve never seen this jungle and I’ve been in a lot of them." I wasn’t sure which part of Hawaii she was looking at, but it seemed familiar to me. The movie lists four Hawaii filming locations, all on the Big Island. The movie summary calls the location a "vast jungle on a distant world." The "distant world" of Predators is supposedly unknown. In "Avatar," the characters know where they are going (if not why). That word, too, is represented by Hawaii. Parts of the movie were shot on the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu. Hawaii can play itself, pretend to be other known countries or worlds, or represent unknown lands or planets. Pretty versatile! Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hawaii: from a dream to a memory
Posted: July 17th, 2010, 1:40pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Cooking and caring for her family makes Lin Cosier happy; and she has a secret for making others happy — she can turn a cup of coffee into a Hawaii vacation. Those two passions come together in her job as an agent for Hawaii Aloha Travel. Lin is able to work from home, talking to her clients about visiting Hawaii as she sees Oahu’s beautiful windward coast from the lanai (deck/patio). This also allows her to keep an eye on her three children and four stepchildren, who are often joined by others from the neighborhood. Lin says working from home is both convenient and very dangerous: "There is no one pushing you, you run your own schedule." In what is perhaps every mother’s quest, Lin says her goal for this year is to find balance. As we talked, I forgot for a moment what it was like to have young children and asked about her hobbies. Lin laughed, "I USED to have hobbies!" Then she mentioned the pleasure she gets from cooking. She also serves as the 411 contact for her extended family. Even though they live on Oahu, and have for generations, they turn to Lin and her encyclopedic memory for information about everything. Lin’s special talent, though, is in making Hawaii seem real and attainable for those yearning to visit. "People are surprised how far a few dollars will go," she says. "I ask them to give up one cup of coffee every day to get to Hawaii in nine months." I buy a cup of coffee every morning. With the tax and a tip, it comes to just over a thousand dollars in nine months, not quite enough to pay for an entire vacation. "But it makes it real, doesn’t it?" Lin asks. "It’s more attainable. What are you willing to scrimp on to get here?" Lin has another set of questions she uses to help travelers decide which island to visit and which activities to include. It, too, gets directly to the experience each person hopes to have, coaxing the dream of Hawaii from their hearts and into a travel plan. That caring connection marks Lin’s personal and professional lives, which are joined in a love of Hawaii. Lin’s Profile Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Unique dining and Japanese festival in Hawaii
Posted: July 16th, 2010, 2:48pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Seated for dinner in a restaurant, you are able to look at an aquarium large enough for human divers along with the fish. As if that weren’t enough, the same Waikiki hotel is hosting a summer festival with traditional Japanese dancing and local musical talent.
Summer Festival - Natsu Matsuri
Beginning this weekend, the Pacific Beach Hotel is featuring a Japanese-style Summer Festival every Friday and Saturday through the end of August. The festival includes food booths with traditional delicacies such as: dumplings with cooked octopus, grilled squid, curry with rice, noodles, Japanese sweets, and a Hawaiian touch: shave ice. There are also game booths. Each evening there is a Japanese Bon Dance at 6:30 and again at 8 pm. In between individual performers take the stage. On Fridays, ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro entertains and on Saturdays Dazz Toguchi performs Japanese dance.
This festival is an easy way to experience a traditional Japanese celebration in Hawaii. You can experience divers at dinner year-round, as Hawaii Aloha Travel agent Kalei Javellana did recently.
Oceanarium Restaurant
"
If you’re in Waikiki and looking for that perfect restaurant to celebrate a special occasion,
look no further than the Oceanarium Restaurant in The Pacific Beach Hotel.
This hotel is located on Kalakaua Avenue, directly across the street from Waikiki Beach.
It is the home of the famous 250,000 gallon Oceanarium that spans three floors.
With such a vast variety of tropical fish, manta rays..it’s a huge aquarium right before your eyes.
We had 7:30pm reservations, which was perfect timing to catch the dive show at 8pm.
We couldn’t have been seated in a better spot for incredible viewing!
It was Richards birthday and what a pleasant surprise when the diver came down with a sign
Saying "Happy Birthday Richard!" Very nice & impressionable touch!
The dinner is an all you can eat buffet with incredible eats.
Prime rib, yummy salmon, crab legs, excellent salads, seafood pasta, assorted sushi — and desserts, desserts and more desserts.
We savored every bite and enjoyed every moment.
..and then after being delighted in every possible way, food, ambiance, dive show, dive sign…
the waiters presented Rich with a piece of birthday cake topped with a lit candle and sang Happy Birthday to our birthday boy.
Thanks to Nicole Cabral, Sales Manager at Pacific Beach Hotel and the Sales Team, we had a marvelous night with memories to cherish. Mahalo Nui!" by Kalei.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hana hou Five-0
Posted: July 15th, 2010, 4:17pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
The producers, cast and crew of Hawaii Five-0 gathered for a Hawaiian blessing this morning before beginning work on the new version of the television series in Hawaii ("hana ho" means "to do again"). The lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village was filled with crew members, reporters, photographers and a few tourists who slipped in to snap photos of the event.
Before the blessing, Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and other officers welcomed the production to the islands. I asked Chief Kealoha if he would be making any guest appearances in the series; his “No!” was both swift and emphatic. He smiled, saying the series is most welcome to Hawaii but he’s not planning to join the actors on camera.
The series stars Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett and Scott Caan as Danny Williams. Daniel Dae Kim keeps his Hawaii location, moving from “Lost” to “Five-0” as Chin Ho Kelly. One character has a sex change in this “re-imagining” of the classic series, which aired originally from 1968 – 1980 on CBS. The character of Kono Kalakaua was originally played by Hawaiian actor Zulu (Gilbert Kauhi), who was born on Hilo and died there in 2004. In the new series, the part of Kono is played by Grace Park, seen recently on Battlestar Galactica.
The series stars were relaxed, attentive during the blessing, and joined in a group hug immediately after. Then they faced a line-up of television cameras for brief interviews before beginning the day’s shooting. At the conclusion of the ceremony, someone shouted that the crew had five minutes to get in place. As I walked back through the hotel property, trucks full of props and crew were maneuvering in front of the registration area and cameras were setting up their shots. As always, the beautiful weather and scenery of Hawaii were ready for their starring roles.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Why Kaua’i?
Posted: July 14th, 2010, 3:52pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Just over a year ago my husband and I came to this beautiful island of gardens and rainbows. Captivated right away as the island cradled us in warm tropical breezes; the local community charmed our hectic lifestyle. They were warm and leisurely when offering helpful options for adventure, and even a construction worker at the post office “talked story” with us for 45 minutes! The enormity of the beauty that surrounded us verged on sensory overload. We just couldn’t keep our eyes off the titanic splendor that surrounded us from mountain to ocean, both just a head turn away. We spent all of a week on Kaua’i and went home to pack our bags, compelled to move to the island as soon as possible. We made a second trip to Maui just to make sure Kaua’i was the right place after deciding the Big Island was a remarkable place to retire and Oahu was for young folks who enjoy the city life. Kaua’i is small town and we like small town. I am truly blessed by the colorful people with wide smiles and generous spirit. The colossal, emerald green craggy peaks shrouded in misty clouds and graced with double rainbows, briny turquoise waters lined with over 50 miles of pristine white sand beaches, trade winds playing with Coconut Palms, lush gardens and the ever present sunshine. I am thrilled that Kaua’i is our home, after all it just got voted by Travel and Leisure Magazine second best island in the world, behind the Galapagos. In the late 1700‘s King Kamehameha tried without success to conquer her. Pride in being “The Unconquered Island” and isolation of this remote archipelago infuse the locals with a lot character. The rugged island has steadfastly remained undeveloped; mom and pop stores are the norm as is taking time to properly say hello. If you pass someone you know, instead of rushing by, you stop. After the appropriate hug and kiss you say, “Aloha, how are you?” and listen, not just with your mind but with your heart. That’s small town aloha! Posted by Marta Lane
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What to wear when it rains in Hawaii
Posted: July 13th, 2010, 5:37pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
A quick, heavy downpour splashed outside my windows this morning as I dressed for work. Although I carry an umbrella in my backpack, I doubted I’d use it. Instead, I reached for my hoodie – the lightweight hooded sweatshirt that protects me both from Hawaii’s frequent mists and overly-enthusiastic air conditioning.
By the time I left the house, the hard rain had passed – as usual. Rather, a light mist was in the air as I walked to the bus stop. The mist continued even though the skies were blue with white, puffy clouds. The mist is the reason I rely on a hoodie rather than an umbrella most of the time. The moisture is not really heavy enough for an umbrella and it often seems to move sideways on the breeze rather than falling directly down.
When I moved to Hawaii, I looked in local stores for a rain jacket. I imagined heavy tropical rains for much of the year, certainly through the winter. I didn’t find any, only racks of sweatshirts. I wondered why – the image of a wet, soggy sweatshirt didn’t seem very appealing. In my great wisdom, I ordered a rain jacket online to prepare for my first fall. About a year later, I finally gave it away relatively unused. It was too hot to wear most of the time so I would put it on for the sprinkles and mist then take it off right away. It also wasn’t very effective at combating the cold air conditioning in my office, classrooms and on the bus.
Since the hard rain is usually a quick shower, I do carry an umbrella in case I can’t just wait it out under a building overhang, which is my favorite technique. But most of the time, the hoodie is plenty of protection from the light sprinkles and mist – keeping me dry and not getting wet clear through. I encounter more frequent showers because I live on the windward side of the island and go to school in a valley. If I stayed near the beach all day, I probably wouldn’t even need that – just enjoy the cool mist on the breeze as it passes.
The sequence this morning is common in Hawaii: rain then mist followed by a rainbow!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Beach Sounds in Hawaii
Posted: July 12th, 2010, 3:16pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Some of Hawaii’s scenic beauty is captured in photographs, but the best camera still cannot really capture what it’s like to be at the beach. One of the missing elements is the sensation of the waves rolling to shore.
I was struck once again by the soothing the sound of the waves on my Sunday afternoon walk along Kailua Beach. I can see why such sounds are included in recordings of relaxing or sleep-inducing sounds. No matter how clearly the audio signal of waves is recorded, however, it does not really capture their vibration. The sound and motion of waves is like the pulse of the body — it makes a noise on instruments but you can also feel the throb of blood through veins. Waves are the pulse of the beach. In some places, waves crash ashore, smashing against rocks or cliffs. That has a different sound and vibration than the constant, rolling splash on the beach sand.
The ocean at Kailua has many uses: kite boarding, wind surfing, kayaking, boogie boarding, swimming, floating. On the beach, there is sand castle building, sunning, reading, talking, cooking and (in the evening) fishing. Beneath the Hawaii activities is the constant sound of the waves. It provides a backdrop for conversations, laughter, occasional dogs barking and childish voices pleading to stay just a little longer.
When we are sailing, I feel the roll of waves beneath my feet and hear the occasional splash of water as the boat skims through. That silence is relaxing in its own way; broken by the slap of canvas as the wind hits the sail. But the rhythmic roar of waves as they meet the shore is missing. I feel restored after a walk on the beach, as though the pulse of my body is reset in harmony with the pulse of nature — measured by the waves.
When you go on a Hawaii vacation, allow yourself time to experience its rhythm. Take back a sensation for your soul, as well as photographs and memories.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Avocado Attack in Hawaii
Posted: July 11th, 2010, 5:58pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
One Hawaii avocado is large enough to produce an entire batch of guacamole — and a pretty big surprise when it falls from the tree! Rick bought this avocado at the People’s Open Market this week. I put it next to a medium sized egg to give you some idea of scale. A regular mainland avocado fits in my hand - this one is like an oversized softball. It is actually smaller than the ones we usually get, but this is not really avocado season. When in season, avocados are some of the many surprises that drop from trees in Hawaii, as @ rhythm7a told us on Twitter: " An avocado almost killed me! Actually it wasn’t THAT close, but close enough to make me realize how much it would hurt. They get so big there (in Hawaii)." I asked for more details. "I was walking home one night and heard a loud crashing sound in the tree above me then a loud thump about two feet away. I never knew there was an avocado tree next to our apartment building. From then on, when we heard that sound outside our window, we raced the other neighbors to find the tasty treat. It would really hurt to have one of those hit you though. They were huge and heavy." This was while living in the Punchbowl area of Honolulu on Oahu. "I can’t believe I never took a picture of them. I’m sure the mainland people thought I was exaggerating." I believe you! My trusty Farmers Market cookbook says the peak season for avocados in Hawaii is November through February. I’ll keep an eye out for the really big ones and post a photo then to illustrate your story. Related post: Tree hazards in Hawaii Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Around Oahu: 12 Hours in Hawaii
Posted: July 10th, 2010, 3:47pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Oahu
How do you make the most of a few hours in Hawaii? One way to see Oahu in a day works in shopping, sight-seeing and lunch on the North Shore. This day-trip begins in Honolulu and heads counter-clockwise around the island, thanks to Kalei.
"If your trip is on a Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, you may want to start at Pearl Harbor. This way you’d be able to stop in at our Aloha Stadium Flea Market. It is across the street from Pearl Harbor, open from 8am - 2pm and has a vast variety of local favorites, including food, souvenirs, ocean toys, clothing and everything imaginable. Next stop is The Dole Pineapple plantation, then to Haleiwa and maybe lunch at my favorite Mexican Restaurant ‘Cholo’s’ or stopping for Shaved Ice at Matsumoto’s, also in Haleiwa. Continuing thru the North Shore you’ll see our well known surfing beaches such as Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Back Doors, Chuns Reef, & Sunset Beach to name a few. Then passing thru our windward side all the way to Waimanalo, past Mokapu’u light house, around Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay…along Kalanianaole Hwy turning left in Kahala to see Diamond Head and the gorgeous south shore coastline before you get to Waikiki. If you don’t have time to stop in Waikiki, don’t worry about it. A drive by will give you a good idea of what Waikiki is all about. Oahu is a gorgeous island, so no matter what you choose, it won’t be a wrong choice. Enjoy!"
Kalei urges all of her clients at Hawaii Aloha Travel to get out and see as much of Oahu as they can. She devised her trip in response to a suggestion from Aloha Bruce that goes in the opposite direction: Oahu on the Run. Let us know your favorite way to see any of the islands of Hawaii!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Have paddle, will travel - back to Hawaii
Posted: July 9th, 2010, 3:03pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Hawaii vacation Links
A paddle has taken Kalei Javellana from Oahu to the cover of Sports Illustrated, with stops at exotic locales around the world, and back home again.
Kalei was a member of the U.S. Women’s Swan Boat team that won Thailand’s International Swan Boat Races in 1994, making them world champions — still the best year ever for the U.S. team. Swan boats are long, narrow, round-bottomed boats with the image of a swan carved on the upturned bow (similar to dragon boats). They are powered by 20 men or women paddlers. Racing the boats is a 700-year tradition in Thailand. The first international race was in 1988; the United States has competed every year since then. Kalei remembers that the host hotel in Bangkok had the teams from different countries on each floor, but in the restaurant downstairs the teams mingled.
Thailand is one of many places Kalei has followed her paddle, including the Wa‘a World Sprints race, held every two years in a different country. One year, Kalei and her fellow paddlers from Hawaii challenged their taxi driver in Fiji to show them something special. No matter how hard he tried, they remained unimpressed. "You have to remember we’re from Hawaii," they told him. "You’re going to have to do better than that!"
Despite her world travels, Kalei says "No matter how beautiful the place is, I can’t wait to get home." Home is Hawaii, where Kalei works as an agent for Hawaii Aloha Travel. Kalei was born on Oahu and grew up in Kailua. She still paddles for a Kailua club three times a week, competing in regattas. I see the paddlers but don’t know much about the regatta season, which is now in full swing. Kalei has promised to tell us more about it in a future blog post. She also enjoys stand-up paddling (and I suspect anything yet to be invented that involves a paddle).
While Kalei enjoys Honolulu, she urges travelers to get out of Waikiki and see more of the island. We’ll feature her suggestion for touring Oahu tomorrow.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Hawaii’s Top Islands in the World
Posted: July 9th, 2010, 2:29am EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
Hawaii has three of the top ten islands in the WORLD according to readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine. The 2010 World’s Best Awards list Kauai as the top island in Hawaii and second only to the Galapagos overall. Maui is number eight and the Big Island, Hawaii, placed number ten. Voters were asked to rate islands on the basis of five characteristics: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people and value. No other country has three top-ten finalists; Greece is second with two islands in the list.
The image on the cover of Travel + Leisure’s August 2010 issue is the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Big Island), this year’s Top Resort in Hawaii and Top Hotel Spa in Hawaii.
Complete list of Top Ten Islands: 1. Galapagos (score 90.24) 2. Kauai (score 89.00) 3. Cyclades (except Santorini), Greece (score 88.89) 4. Bali (score 88.70) 5. Hvar, Croatia (score 88.60) 6. Santorini, Greece (score 88.46) 7. Sicily (score 88.39) 8. Maui (score 88.16) 9. Maldives (score 88.00) 10. Big Island, Hawaii (score 87.71) Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Largest Block Party in Kauai to return
Posted: July 8th, 2010, 3:56pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Kauai
SHERATON KAUAI RESORT HOSTS THE SUNSET HO`OLAULE`A
Kauai’s biggest block party returns as Sheraton Kauai Resort hosts the 12th Annual Sunset Ho`olaule`a, the kickoff event to the week-long Koloa Plantation Days 2010 celebration. Featuring an all-star line-up of Kaua‘i’s most talented entertainers on three stages, a large selection of ono food booths and activities for the keiki, the party, which is free and open to the public, takes off on Saturday, July 17, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Free parking is available at Kiahuna Golf Course and Poipu Beach Park with a shuttle service running from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. For information, call (808) 742-1661.
Sheraton Kauai Resort will showcase popular local artists with free continuous entertainment that will rotate amongst the three stages throughout the evening. The evening will feature contemporary Hawaiian music from Shilo Pa with Sean Carillo, Fat Mac and Chanel Flores. Ho`olaule`a alumni, The Blond Boys will return again to rock the stage along with local band Revival featuring Alika.
Sheraton Kauai Resort will offer delectable cuisine from some of the hotel’s dining venues including items from Shells Steak and Seafood, Naniwa Japanese Restaurant and The Point. Additional food booths will include a variety of gourmet specialties and local favorites from the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas’ Nanea restaurant, Plantation Gardens, Casablanca, Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, Kauai Pasta, Kalapaki Joes, Merriman’s, Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, Sushi Bushido and Lapperts. Outside food & beverage are not permitted.
From 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., the Keiki Corner with a bounce house, face painting, shave ice and cotton candy is sure to enthrall the kids.
Ho`onani Road fronting the Sheraton Kauai will be closed from Kapili Road to the eastern end of Ho`onani Road for the celebration. A special mahalo to Aloha Church, County of Kauai, Garden Island Security, Kauai Island Tours, Kauai Police Department, Kiahuna Golf Club, Merrimans, No Ka Oi Plants and Roadway Solutions for their contributions.
Posted by Bruce Fisher follow me on twitter ('/outgoing/www.twitter.com/alohabruce');" href="http://www.twitter.com/alohabruce">@alohabruce
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Korean Festival in Hawaii this weekend
Posted: July 8th, 2010, 12:30pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
A colorful, festive gathering that features dance, culture, art, music, food — and it’s free! (well, you have to pay for the food) The Hawaii Korean Festival this weekend has something for everyone and every budget.
The Korean Festival is an annual event put on by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce to "share, promote, and raise awareness of the Korean culture in the community." Proceeds from the festival benefit the local community, including college scholarships.
The fun begins with Sunset on the Beach Friday evening in Waikiki. Local dance and musical groups will perform before the showing of a Korean movie. On Saturday, the action moves to Kapiolani Park and Bandstand — on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, easy walking distance from hotels and on bus and trolley routes.
I’m all good with the Korean dances, taekwondo demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and cultural displays. But I have to say I’m not too sure about the kimchee eating contest. Kimchee is a Korean fermented dish made of vegetables — I’ve only tasted the cabbage version. There is a Kimchi Field Museum in Seoul that has documented 187 varieties of kimchee. Different types of kimchee are made in the north and south, as well as by season. I have no idea what type of kimchee I tasted but it was pretty spicy. The idea of eating massive amounts of such a spicy dish makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it.
It looks like a great celebration, though, and I love the many different cultures that coexist in Hawaii. The photo is from Korean folk dancers in the Saturday Kailua Parade. The parade announcer didn’t have prepared notes for them, so he shouted out "who are you?" Then, "Oh, Korean folk dancers." Like it was no big deal — every small town parade might have Korean folk dancers show up to take part. I love these islands!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Staying connected on Maui
Posted: July 7th, 2010, 2:35pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Maui
"ACK! No Connection AND I gotta Pay for WiFi!!! How am I to check a very important email from work and my clients?"
I hear this statement a lot when working as a Security Officer here on Maui in the malls and shopping centers. For a fact a lot of travelers to Maui need to connect to the internet even on vacation. As a visitor to the island of Maui you may be asking where the free WiFi places are. I will tell you where all of the free WiFi Hot Spots are for Maui Island wide. Kahului/Wailulu/Central Maui: Denny’s Restaurant, Starbucks (Maui Market Place/Queen Ka’ahumanu Center), Border’s Books and Music (Maui Market Place and Queen Ka’ahumanu Center), Whole Foods Market, Lighthouse Cafe, Wailuku Cafe, Maui Seaside Hotel, and Maui Sands Hotel. South Maui: Denny’s Restaurant, Border’s Books and Music, Peggy Sue’s, The Wailea Shops, Starbucks (Pi’ilani Shopping Center/Kukui Mall), and Shaka Pizza West Maui: Denny’s Restaurant, Border’s Books and Music, Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lahaina Gateway Shops, Napili Gateway Shops, Whaler’s Villiage, and Kahana Shopping Center. Hope these tips help you and keep you connected online! A Hui Hou Posted by Jake Smookler follow on twitter Hawaii_Vacation
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Tree hazards in Hawaii
Posted: July 6th, 2010, 2:37pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
How many things can fall from a tree? Leaves and bird "gifts" would be counted everywhere, but Hawaii finds interesting things to add to the list.
As I was walking along a sidewalk recently, I heard a "pop" as though something small and hard had bounced off the concrete. It had. I looked around and saw the ground covered with small round objects. Another dropped from the tree and bounced on the sidewalk. It sounded kind of like wood or maybe a marble — not lethal, but not soft, either. Because there are so many trees on the University of Hawaii campus, I no longer notice when I am passing under one of them. Also, their branches reach out so far that they form a sort of canopy. Once I located a cluster of the round things that were ready to drop but still on the branch, I had to trace the limb back to see which tree it belonged to.
While I was paused for the investigation, I noticed several more wary (and observant) pedestrians were carrying umbrellas — not for the rain or the sun, but to ward off objects falling from the tree. They also stepped gingerly. Those little round things are tricky to walk on. They will smash if you put some effort into it, but they roll around pretty well underfoot at a normal pace. If you’re rushing to catch a bus, it’s almost dangerous.
Fortunately, many of the trees on campus wear name tags. This tree is a Moreton Bay Fig, named for a place in Australia where the tree originated. Wikipedia says the fruit is edible but is “unpalatable and dry.” That fits with the hollow bouncing noise. However, the article continues, birds love the tree droppings. Apparently, the birds on campus are not NEARLY hungry enough, because the sidewalk, benches and tables are covered with fig-marbles. I always felt guilty about walking on what I thought were nuts – it seems wrong to waste food even if no one wants it. I feel a little better now that I know it’s up to the birds.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
Related post: Hawaii flower hazards
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Interactive Independence Parade in Kailua, Hawaii
Posted: July 5th, 2010, 8:16pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
Spectators and parade participants share shouts, shakas and hand shakes in the Independence Day Parade in Kailua, Hawaii. So many people take part in the parade that it’s hard to believe there is anyone left to watch, and yet spectators line streets for the full length of the route.
Those on the sidelines shout encouragement to paraders, often calling them by name. Dignitaries walk over to the sidelines to shake hands with friends or relatives. Young children wave and give high-fives to those passing by. It’s not uncommon for bicyclists to ride along side the parade route or for young people on skateboards to ride up to a float in greeting. The entire approach is one of shared celebration, rather than a sterile performance. Even the military gets in the act. There are many parade entries with military connections: branches of the military, marching bands, honored veterans, and service organizations. Rather than a salute, the greeting from most is a shaka wave.
The familial nature of the parade was brought to my attention in a comment to an earlier blog post by Lin, who said "the ‘aloha’ spirit found in our hometown celebrations on the street just aren’t the same (as the mainland). Watching your brother, sister, husband, wife, children … go marching, singing, dancing, or playing music is truly an emotional endeavor." I have to agree. But it’s also great fun if you don’t know anyone.
My three favorite parade moments from today are (1) the young girl and old vet giving one another a high-five, (2) a horseback rider who stopped so three young girls could give the horse an icee pop, and (3) the three year old girl taking photos on a phone of parade participants about her age. I don’t know any of those people, except as fond memories that bring a smile.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
Related post: Celebrating Independence in Hawaii
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Disney Ko Olina to take reservations in August
Posted: July 5th, 2010, 4:30pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: in General
For a few years now we’ve been hearing about Disney Resorts first theme hotel in Hawaii which will be opening in August of 2011. The hype has already begun including the premiere of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie which will coincide with the opening.
Disney announced last week that they will be taking reservations a full year ahead of the opening of the resort beginning August 2. This probably indicates that there will be lots of pre-bookings for this resort so it would be wise to get your reservation early you want to experience "Mickey" in Hawaii.
When completed the property will have 360 hotel rooms in 481 two-bedroom Disney vacation villas which are timeshares. Aptly named Aulani, the architecture and the design of the resort will get its inspiration from Hawaiian culture. Disney engineers teamed up with the local community to help plan the project to ensure that guests will experience "total engagement with the land revealed through storytelling".
For more information or to book a Disney resort give us a call at 1-800-843-8771
Posted by Bruce Fisher follow me on twitter ('/outgoing/www.twitter.com/alohabruce');" href="http://www.twitter.com/alohabruce">@alohabruce
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July 4 has two meanings in Hawaii
Posted: July 4th, 2010, 1:38pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
The rule of monarchy ended on the United States mainland with a war and in Hawaii with a coup. July 4 is an important date to both. Some here note with sadness the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the role of U.S. colonists in its demise. The islands of Hawaii were united into a single kingdom by King Kamehameha I in 1810. Over the next eighty years, Hawaii became an active commercial sea port. American colonists followed the missionaries who arrived in 1820 and became increasingly involved in the government of the islands. Over this time, also, western disease decimated the Native Hawaiian population. Some estimates put the number of Native Hawaiians at nearly a million at the time of contact with the west; that number plummeted to just over 22,000 by 1920. This was also a time of rapid cultural change in Hawaii. The monarchy was challenged by the influx of foreigners with different views of religion, land ownership and the role of commerce. Western nations were competing with one another to place flags of conquest on newly-discovered islands across the Pacific. Hawaii was subject to a military occupation by Britain for five months in 1843. The end of that rule is celebrated each year as "Restoration Day" when the flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom flew once again, replacing the Union Jack. In 1893 American colonists overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom, deposing Queen Lili‘uokalani. Many hoped that the United States government would return control of the islands to the monarchy, as Britain had done earlier. However, on July 4, 1894 the provisional government proclaimed the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford B. Dole as President. Four years later, Hawaii became a territory of the United States. While this basic timeline is relatively undisputed (and served as the basis of the Apology Resolution by the U.S. Congress in 1993), there are many different interpretations of history and no clear consensus on what an appropriate remedy might be, if any. Traditional July 4 festivities celebrate American independence with fireworks, parades and picnics in Hawaii, and residents of every descent take part. However, many Native Hawaiians still experience a sense of loss on this date of dual historic significance. Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner Related post: Celebrating Independence in Hawaii
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Oahu on the Run: 12 hours in Hawaii
Posted: July 3rd, 2010, 4:14pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
What if you had just 12 hours to spend in Hawaii? Would you head for the nearest beach or try to cram in as much scenery as possible? "Oahu on the Run" is prompted by a question from a traveler to Bruce Fisher, owner of Hawaii Aloha Travel. The visitor has a day-long lay-over on Oahu and wanted ideas.
First, some cautions apply to all the trips.
* Although Oahu is a fairly small island, you cannot drive completely around it. One corner is closed to vehicular traffic as a nature preserve.
* Traffic is more of an issue on weekends or holidays. If you are travelling during the week, you may be able to see more attractions. If your stop is on a day with heavy traffic, you may want to limit the driving and spend time at a few spots.
* Leave your baggage at the airport consignment area - there is no reason to haul it around and you risk the possibility of theft from the rental car.
Bruce Fisher’s Oahu tour begins at the Honolulu airport and heads east through Waikiki to Diamond Head. He advises stopping at a midpoint overlook then heading for Hanauma Bay. As you proceed along the east coast of Oahu, you’ll pass the Blow Hole and Sandy Beach. Makapu’u Lighthouse marks the corner of the island. You will pass Waimanalo, Kailua and then take the Kamehameha Highway to the North Shore, perhaps stopping for lunch at one of the shrimp trucks in Kahuku. North shore beaches like Sunset and Banzai are famous for surfing but the waves are subdued in summer. When you reach the town of Haleiwa, head inland. The Dole Pineapple Plantation is a popular stop. From there, you will pass Pearl Harbor on the way back to the airport. On such a brief stop, there is not time to tour Pearl Harbor and see the rest of the island.
This circle island tour is do-able in 12 hours, with time to stop at a couple of places. However, you may want to focus on one area of the island. We’ll discuss other options in future posts.
If you have traveled with Hawaii Aloha Travel and want to share your Hawaii experience here, contact Bruce. We hope to feature guest blog posts from Hawaii visitors on Saturdays.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
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Celebrating independence in Hawaii
Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 8:42pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Customs Practices and Pastimes
Hawaii loves parades; the floral productions that process through Waikiki or downtown Honolulu often rival the pageantry of a Rose Bowl Parade. But Hawaii is more than a string of hotels, it is a collection of communities. That is never more evident than on the July 4 weekend.
The Kailua parade is similar to many of those put on in small communities on the islands. Last year, it featured state politicians, candidates who would like to become state politicians, and local icons like cookie maven Wally Amos (the parade marshal). Some parts of the parade looked like typical small-town America: horses and riders (young and old); cheer leaders and drill teams; civic, fraternal and religious groups in full regalia. This year the parade is on Monday, so it’s called the "Independence Day" parade, rather than the "4 of July" Parade. It is scheduled to start at 10 am, but last year that was a "flexible" starting time.
Kailua is near a large military base and many sections of the military march, ride or perform in the parade. I have seen similar participation in mainland communities near bases (I lived near Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma for a time). One elderly parade viewer in front of me rose to salute every time the U.S. flag appeared, which was VERY often. Other spectators shouted and waved to members of their favorite military branch. Now, often, the calls are for “mommy” as service women take their places in the march.
But some things you just don’t see anywhere else – like the church float featuring hula performers or the enormous flatbed truck with a full Hawaiian musical group accompanying traditional dancers. If you get the opportunity to watch a local parade on any of the islands, take it. It’s a chance to get a different picture of Hawaii and the various allegiances of her many residents.
In addition to the parades, celebrations on the islands include fireworks, picnics and barbeques and fun in or on the water. In many ways, as stereotypically “American” as you can get. And yet, for some this celebration is a reminder of the kingdom they lost. I’ll tell you more about that on Sunday. For now, find a parade and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
Related post: July 4 has two meanings in Hawaii
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Alaska Airlines to start service between San Jose and Kauai
Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 6:19pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Kauai
Alaska Airlines will inaugurate service between San Jose, Calif., and Lihue, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, on March 27, 2011, and between Oakland, Calif., and Lihue beginning March 28, 2011. Fares for the new routes start at $179 each way for tickets purchased by July 9, 2010, and travel through May 17, 2011.
The new flights will complement the airline’s existing Hawaii service from San Jose and Oakland to Kahului, Maui, and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and new flights between Sacramento, Calif., and Kahului, which started in March of this year.
"The Hawaiian Islands are among the most popular leisure destinations that Alaska Airlines serves," said Joe Sprague, Alaska’s vice president of marketing. "This winter we will have more than 100 flights a week to the four major islands from the U.S. West Coast. These new flights to the beautiful ‘Garden Isle’ of Kauai will be a great addition to Alaska’s Hawaii service for our Bay Area customers."
Summary of new service:
Start Date
City Pair
Departure Time Arrival Time Day of week
Mar 27 San Jose-Lihue 7:20 p.m. 9:59 p.m. Tues, Thurs, Sun
Mar 27 Lihue-San Jose 9:20 a.m. 5:40 p.m. Tues, Thurs, Sun
Mar 28 Oakland-Lihue 7:20 p.m. 9:59 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
Mar 28 Lihue-Oakland 9:20 a.m. 5:40 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
Times are based on local time zones.The new Hawaii flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. Inflight service includes meals for purchase in the main cabin, complimentary meal service in First Class and Alaska Airlines’ digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features.
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Carnival adds Hawaii 15-Day Hawaii Voyages
Posted: July 2nd, 2010, 5:35pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Oahu
For the first time, Carnival will offer 15-day Hawaii voyages round-trip from either Los Angeles or San Diego, providing consumers with a more convenient and cost-effective means for visiting the breathtaking island chain. Both departures include day-long stops at five spectacular ports: Hilo, Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Kona.
Hawaii is home to a diverse array of landside experiences, offering guests an opportunity to visit interesting historical sites, explore volcanoes and other natural landmarks, and soak up the sun on some of the world’s best beaches.
Carnival will be using their namesake vessel in the line’s Spirit-class, which offers a host of guest-pleasing facilities and features, including a two-level promenade lined with themed bars, lounges, and nightspots, along with a 13,500-square-foot spa, indoor and outdoor promenades, and supervised programs for children in three age groups. Eighty percent of the ship’s staterooms offer either an ocean view or private balcony – perfect for viewing the passing scenery.
Voyages operate round-trip from Los Angeles Dec. 2, 2011 and from San Diego April 13, 2012.
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Racing with the wind from California to Hawaii
Posted: July 1st, 2010, 4:50pm EDT by Bruce Fisher
Tags: Uncategorized
Two groups of sailors are racing one another across the Pacific Ocean this summer, aiming for bragging rights of first finish in Hawaii.
Starting Monday, boats will depart from San Francisco and end up in Kaneohe, on Oahu’s windward side. The Pacific Cup is called “The FUN Race to Hawaii” – it is held every other year (alternating with the Trans-Pac race). It appears that about 57 boats are taking part, most hailing from the west coast of the mainland (Canada, California, Oregon). Two Hawaii boats are listed: one from Honolulu and the other from Kaneohe. The first boats to leave are the slowest-racing yachts (on July 5); the fast yachts leave by July 10. Boats will arrive over several days from around July 20-23. Parties are planned almost every evening leading up to the awards presentation on July 23. Local welcoming parties greet the boats and their crews as they finish the trans-oceanic trek. Most boats have a crew, but some are “double-handed”, meaning only two people are aboard.
A hardier set of sailors is already nearing the midpoint of their race. They started on June 19, sailing alone across the Pacific as part of the 2010 Singlehanded Transpac to Hanalei Bay on Kaua‘i. Some of the sailors are posting their logs online. One entry from yesterday reported that his day began with an amazing wake up call: “I was greeted by roughly 50-60 dolphins … They were everywhere and so close I could have touched them! … They looked like they were enjoying themselves as some raced me down the waves, and won. Others would head straight for the side of the boat fairly fast only to turn at the last minute and fix an eye on me. They escorted me for about 20 minutes, then went on their way. … What a fantastic way to usher in a new day!” (Adam on Blue Moon). These sailors are aiming for a finish by July 9 for the awards ceremony and dinner.
Closer to home, many boats will be on the water for the long July 4 weekend in Hawaii. Here’s to safe travels for all!
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner