Every year millions of visitors from Japan, mainland USA and beyond land at
Honolulu International Airport ready to begin their vacation in paradise. Soon after
landing, most visitors hop in a cab or bus sent from the hotel and begin the journey
past downtown Honolulu and on to their reservation at a Waikiki hotel.

The allure of Waikiki is immediate. The packed streets, sounds of the beach, and
exotic histories call to the traveler who soon hits the streets. Venturing out in
Waikiki can be quite exciting. The streets are filled with foreign languages, throngs
of tourists are dressed in their beach best, and the beginning of surf history can be
seen at the end of the street. Waikiki can be so exciting that many visitors never
escape its imaginary borders. Approximately 6 million of these visitors miss the very
sites that locals find so endearing, remaining within the two square miles of Waikiki.

For those travelers interested in seeing Oahu through its residents’ eyes, please
read on.

Magic Island Beach Park - This popular park is located just west of
Waikiki, across the street from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. The park includes
two beaches, a three mile jogging path, tennis courts, and more. A walk around the
park will expose the center of Hawaiian culture - the family. Large extended families
gather around hibachis, spending the day together with a good food and plenty of
sun. The beaches are significantly less crowded, so for a great day, grab a barbecue
and head down to the beach at Magic Island!

The Contemporary Museum Honolulu - This small museum is located
high on a ridge at Makiki Heights Drive. The drive up the ridge offers amazing vistas
that would otherwise be missed by most Oahu visitors. The relatively small museum
offers changing exhibits in its five galleries. After traversing the galleries, visitors
can wander out onto the sculpture gardens. This is where the true glory of the
museum is revealed. The 3.5 acres of sculpture and meditative gardens are open to
the public and offer some of the most amazing views of Honolulu.

Leong’s Cafe - Many visitors look to a lu’au for more than entertainment;
they are after some great Hawaiian food. However, if you’re interested in real local
style Hawaiian food, you can’t beat Leong’s Cafe located at 2343 North King Street.
As a favorite for plate lunches, kalua pig, lu’au stew, lomi lomi, and more, locals
have been visiting this cafe for over 50 years!

Champion Malasadas - The local treat called Malasadas are so popular
that Fat Tuesday has been re-christened Malasada Day throughout the Hawaiian
Islands. One of the best and most famous bakeries is Champion Malasadas located
at 1926 South Beretania Street. These light portuguese hole-less donuts come with
and without filling and are absolutely worth the effort in getting them!

Honolulu Chinatown - A walk through the streets of Chinatown in like a
walk into another time and place. Whether you are looking for dim sum, fresh
produce, handmade leis, or the new hip lounge, you are sure to find it in Chinatown.
The streets and shops are exotic, offering items not found in a typical american
grocery. Guided walking tours are available for this historic district, but often the
best way is to simply meander through the streets, stopping whenever your interest
has been piqued.

If you are interested in seeing Oahu through a local’s eyes, be sure to spend some
time outside of Waikiki. Stop by some or all of the spots listed above and see some
of what truly makes Hawaii special.

Michelle is a travel buff who has recently moved away from Hawaii, but is anxiously
awaiting the day when she can return. In the meantime, she occupies her time by
helping others compare and select vacation options.

Your Life Passion - Guided Tours and
More!

Kauai is indeed an island that can take your breath
away even at a glance. The everyday hustles and bustles
of life can drain every ounce of energy that we have.
There are various concerns that desperately calls for
our attention and time which can mess up our thinking
and everyday existence in this big world. That is why
there is a need for us to at least stop from our usual
routine and take time to enjoy and be free. Of course
there are lots of activities that can soothe our pains
and longings but the most effective of which, as
supported by studies and researches, is through nature.
Our mother nature has its own power to heal and regain
the lost energy of its vital components which include
man. That is why a break from the everyday monotonous
tasks can help a lot to refresh and remove the toxins
that can engulf our minds and bodies. There are
thousands of places to visit from all over the world
and one of that is the lush, alive and stunning island
of Kauai, Hawaii.

You can’t help but be mesmerized by the sparkling blue
oceans that stretch along the stately mountains and
hills that stood proudly on almost all sides of the
island. Freely flowing from the elevated areas are
gushing waterfalls that can truly refresh the tired and
weary mind. There are so many breath-taking places
waiting to be explored. It may appear to be a small
Kauai island but on almost all sides and corners are
landscapes and locations that can one’s attention and
interest. On the North shore of Kauai is the
spectacular Na Pali Kauai coast which was featured on
the movie South Pacific. On the heart of Kauai North
shore is the alluring Hanalei bay that flows to almost
30 miles areas of hills and bays. On the South area of
Kauai shore are the superb beaches and waterfalls which
also include the magnificent National Tropical Garden,
the product of Congress legislations. The natural
result of lava formation in Spouting Horn is also found
on the Southern Kauai shore.

Anyone interested to know the cultural and historical
landmarks of Kauai can go to the West Kauai area. The
historical captain Cook monument can be found on this
Kauai area which serves as the mark for the landing of
British Captain James Cook in the island of Hawaii in
the year 1778. The place where the souls of Kauai
inhabitants rest is said to be found in the sanctified
Polihale heiau. Known as the Coconut Coast is the
Eastern area of Kauai Island. A visit to Kauai shores
will not be complete without exploring this area. East
Kauai is also notable for their beachfronts which made
it a favorite among visitors and tourists for kayaking
or boating although it may have trick currents for
adrenaline rushing adventures.

Warm accommodation is given by various establishments
and companies ready to give their optimum services.
Kauai Island has wide arrays of rooms given by famous
hotels, condos and resorts to make your stay truly a
remarkable and unforgotten one. The rates vary to suit
the budget of visitors and tourists. There are lots of
varieties of services to choose from. On the northern
Kauai shores are vacation rentals that can provide a
good view of the ocean and other landmarks. Furniture,
home accessories and other stuff are also available to
make you feel at home. Beach houses situated near the
road, shops and grocery stores are also available for
the visitors to easily have access to other amenities
that they may need and want.

Timothy A. Garyantes travels lots and recommends: http://www.fmkauai.com/
as a resource for information about Kauai.

Waikiki on The Island of Oahu in Hawaii is a great place to go to do self directed scuba diving. Hawaii has so many different types of scuba diving and Waikiki has almost every type within 1 hour. You have wreck dives off Diamond Head, Shore Dives at Electric beach, Portlock with its large drop in. Lava tubes up at Sharks Cove, and tons of fish at Hanama Bay, including some pelages, and if you have your own scuba diving equipment it can be quite inexpensive. Even if you rent gear You can shore dive allot of different spots near Waikiki like Hanama Bay which basically is a giant aquarium filled with all sorts of beautiful fish. They have a tram that takes you down and back up. There is a lot of gear lugging to do this dive, but worth it, as it is one of the best dives in Hawaii. Electric Beach up at the power plant on the west side towards Makaha, has Giant turtles which can be found under the ledges hiding from the sharks, that you will most likely never see. 3 Tables, Sharks Cove, Fire Station and Halaiwa Trench make the north shore of Oahu a beach divers Mecca, when the surf is down dude! If the waves are up maybe go to Magic Beach, inside the wall they do a lot of scuba diving classes, and outside has some very nice reef. Just down the road you can also do the pipe, but you will defiantly need someone to show you this site and it has a long kick out to the end and maybe some strong currents.

Scuba Diving Equipment Buy and Rent

You can rent scuba diving equipment, at Ocean Concepts in Honolulu at Sport Authority on Ward Av, Deep Ecology on the North Shore, and Aarons Dive in Kaneohe Kailua side. Most of these shops offer gear for sale as well and they will help you to buy scuba diving equipment. If you are going to buy scuba diving gear, it makes allot of sense to get professional guidance, to make sure that you buy the right scuba diving equipment, for the types of diving you will normally do, and to make sure that the fit, and the comfort are right for you.

If you are doing self directed dives make sure that you have a surface marker - safety sausage and a whistle or air horn. I usually keep a dive light as well to signal at night. I also make sure that I have a snorkel, you never when you might get caught by a storm, you do get caught you will be grateful that you have it. Always make sure that you file a dive plan with a responsible friend, so someone knows to activate Emergency Medical Support System (911) if you don’t show up. Have fun getting wet in Waikiki.

Fred Tittle has lived in resorts his entire life, from the famous Lake Geneva Playboy Club , Aspen Colorado where he was a rock jock for KSPN FM, Waikiki on Oahu in Hawaii and now as a owner of EcoSea Dive in Sihanoukville Cambodia where he teaches PADI and SSI Scuba Diving and runs adventure tours. Fred’s new project http://www.CheapCharliesHotels.com basically an excuse to travel more with his lawyers. His website is http://www.ecosea.com

The Kona or West Side of the Big Island is the place to go for adventure. A Kona vacation is one full of snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, volcanoes, Scuba diving, underwater submarine tours, and hiking through lush rainforests, so you can go to Kona for the afternoon just to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Or go for a round of golf on one of over 20 world-class, jaw-dropping golf courses on the Kohala Coast. A Kona vacation is more fun for the whole family, and definitely more affordable.

Make it a romantic date to Kona; stay at one of the many cozy Kona bed and breakfasts, then spend the day basking in the majestic surroundings of Rainbow Falls. Hawaii’s Big Island is full of beauty and aesthetic. Take a flight to Kona and see why so many local artists find the island seductive and inspiring experience. Visit one of the many galleries, museums or theaters and experience the Big Island’s beauty through its local art.

Flights to Kona affordably with cheap tickets within Hawaii’s islands on Go airlines. Aloha to the locals of Hawaii now you can fly to your neighbor islands for almost half the price charged by other local airlines.

Fly to Hawaii - www.iflygo.com

Hawaii is a tropical paradise that is often frequented by travelers. A popular vacation, Hawaii travel has much to offer visitors. The sandy beaches and beautiful ocean views are only part of what makes Hawaii an ideal destination. Hawaii offers a great local environment and is known for their friendly hospitality. There are some important things a traveler must know before hitting the beaches in Hawaii to make their stay the best it can be.

Clothing: Hawaii has a casual atmosphere where comfort is the style. Clothing is usually loose and flowing. The climate varies throughout the islands, but this loose style will be welcomed and comfortable no matter where a traveler goes.

Weather: Hawaii usually had high’s in the 80’s and night time lows in the 60’s or 70’s throughout the year. The sun can get very strong and sunscreen protection is recommended. Rain is not too big of a hassle on the islands as the rainiest time of year is from October to May and when it does rain it does not usually do so for long periods of time.

Customs: Hawaiians are famous for their hospitality. Lei’s are given to visitors as a symbol of friendship. Hawaiian language is easy to pronounce as each syllable is simply sounded out. Visitors will see native language all over on signs and in shops. Restrooms are usually labeled Wahine for women and Kane for men. Rubber sandals are the most popular footwear and shoes of any kind should be removed upon entering a home.

Warnings: As an island in the ocean, Hawaii faces some threats of severe weather. There is a system on the island that all travelers should be familiar with when visiting. Sirens in combination with radio and television warnings alert people to tsunami’s, hurricanes, windstorms and other severe weather conditions. Directions given through the warning system should be followed.

These helpful tips for Hawaii travel will help a person get the most out of their Hawaiian vacation. This beautiful US state offers a tropical and safe atmosphere that makes for a wonderful visit.

About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides Hawaii travel information on Your Hawaii Vacation!

With all that the Hawaiian Islands have to offer, it can be difficult to decide which island to go to, and what to do once you get there. A good way to take some of the stress out of planning a trip to these wonderful islands is to book a vacation package. When planning a vacation, it can be difficult to decide what activities to participate in. A vacation package can take some of the stress out of this. Many times with your package, activities can be included with the price. Many Hawaii resorts have a concierge service that would be happy to help plan activities ahead of time. Another nice thing about booking activities through the hotel is that they often times offer discounts to many of the areas most popular attractions.

Now that you have decided that you want to book a vacation how do you decide which Island to go to? Each island is beautiful and offers unique adventures for your enjoyment. Let’s explore the different islands and see which one is right for you.

Kauai
Of the eight islands, Kauai offers the most relaxed setting. This island is also known as the Garden Island. Kauai is world famous for its many beaches and wonderful golf courses. Other activities include boat tours, helicopter tours, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. If you have a rental car, be sure to take a drive into the Waimea Canyon. This drive offers spectacular views of the canyon and the Napali Coast at the north end of the island. This canyon features Mount Wai-’ale-’ale, which is the rainiest place on Earth, which has more than 350 rainy days per year. Don’t let this discourage you because this is a breathtaking drive with spectacular views. Give yourself about 3 hours to drive and view. If you plan to hike, give yourself more time. The 3 distinct vacation areas of Kauai are Wailua/Kapaa, Poipu and Princeville. Wialua/Kapaa is the area with the most shopping and restaurants, while Poipu is famous for its beaches and golf courses. If you are looking for luxury, Princeville offers upscale resort accommodations. With all there is to do on this island you will want to plan many more Kauai vacations for years to come.

Maui
Maui also known as the Magic Isle, is a beautiful island, known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear water. It is easy to see why humpback whales make this a part of their annual migratory route. Maui offers something for everyone. Here you can enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling and just plain snoozing under a palm tree. Once you are done relaxing, Maui offers great shopping, sightseeing and dining. Maui’s 3 distinct vacation areas are Kaanapali, Kihei and Wailea. You will find some of the best Maui Resorts in these towns. Kannapali features some of the best shopping golf and magnificent shoreline. This town also offers great dining and a free whaling museum. Kihei is known by travelers who don’t want to break the bank. This town offers beach after beach along miles of pristine shoreline. The great thing about this town is when you leave your resort or hotel; many beaches are right across the street from where you are staying. Other activities include bird watching, fine dining and shopping. Wailea is known for world class resorts, acclaimed beaches spectacular golf courses and first class dining. This city is also home of the annual Wendy’s Champions Skins Game that brings big name golfers from around the world. This town is truly paradise where surfers swimmers and snorkelers can truly enjoy themselves.

Hawaii (The Big Island)
The Big Island of Hawaii (also known as Kona) is one of the best honeymoon destinations on the planet. This island offers white sand and black sand beaches. While Mt. Kilauea is probably the most famous volcano, the 13,679 ft Mauna Loa is the worlds largest. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984 and covers about half of the island. To get more information about Hawaii’s volcanoes be sure to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Big Island also offers many golf resorts outdoor activities and festivals. The most popular vacation destinations seem to be along the western coast of the island. These areas are known as Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa. Here you will find many shops, fine dining and Resort hotels. If you are looking to save a little cash, choose Kailua-Kona over Waikoloa.

The Hawaiian Islands offer some of the best views in the world. Over the years many movies and TV shows have been filmed on these famous Islands. These islands are also the getaway choice of celebrities and sports icons. Whichever island you choose for your next getaway, you will not be disappointed. These islands offer so much to see and do, they will keep you coming back for years to come.

To plan your next Maui Vacation or other Hawaiian getaways visit this website.

American’s have a thing about royalty, an antipathy that has become part of the collective national mythos. Throwing off the shackles of the tyrant and upholding the principles of democracy is an idea that is held right in the center of who Americans like to believe they are as a people. The story of Iolani Palace in Hawaii, the one and only royal palace in the United States, holds a mirror up to that impulse and begs certain uncomfortable questions, including the most important and disturbing one: cui bono?

Construction on the new residence of Hawaii’s Merry Monarch King David Kalakaua began in December of 1879. Its name, which translates roughly into Home of the Devine Hawk, originally belonged to another palace, that of King Kamehameha V, which was demolished in 1874. The new royal palace had every amenity that the modern world of the late 19th century could offer: indoor plumbing, electric lighting, telephones. Iolani Palace quickly became a kind of island Chateau de Versailles, in effect the political and social center of the sovereign nation of Hawaii.

King Kalakaua was certainly a monarch worth of such a home. Kalakaua was the 1st king to visit the United States, and the 1st monarch to circumvent the globe. He was known as a great patron of the arts, and a famously good host. He was also a cagey politician; though the King was deeply committed to the preservation of indigenous Hawaiian culture, and promoted the transcription of Hawaiian oral history and the performance of the Hula, Ioloni was richly decorated in the European style, the better to impress visiting dignitaries. When he died in San Francisco in 1891, the Hawaiians lost their last great ruler.

King David’s sister became Queen Lili’uokalani on January 29, 1891. Though her time spent ruling Hawaii as the Princess Regent while the King journeyed around the world had made her a competent sovereign, forces were aligning against her and the Hawaiian monarchy that would change the islands forever.

Hawaii was and is a place of great agricultural value. Even then Hawaiian citizens of American descent, naturalized citizens and foreign nationals with a business interest in the islands comprised a powerful sector of the population. When Queen Lili’uokalani attempted to institute a new constitution limited the suffrage of Hawaiian subjects and strengthen the power of the monarchy, the opposition, with the aid of the American Minister to Hawaii’s, organized a coup, overthrew the monarchy and established a provisional government.

While in many places in the world today democracy is considered the best and most morally responsible form of government, one must wonder about the motives behind this “revolution”. Was it really in the best interests of native Hawaiians? Many certainly didn’t think so, and in 1895 royalists loyal to the Queen attempted to restore her to power. The plan failed, and the Queen was arrested, tried, convicted, forced to abdicate all future claim to the throne and finally sentenced to imprisonment in the very place from which she once ruled her Kingdom, Iolani Palace.

While the Queen spend part her many years of imprisonment in an upstairs bedroom of Iolani Palace, denied any visitors apart from one of her ladies in waiting, below her the palace was virtually looted by her captors, who auctioned off its accumulated treasures. The palace eventually became the seat of government for the Provisional Government, which in time evolved into the State of Hawaii in 1959.

In 1978, nearly 100 years after the corner stone of Iolani Palace had been laid, restoration on the building began. After years of neglect and abuse, the Friends of Iolani Palace, founded by Lili’uokalani Morris, herself descended from Hawaiian royalty, dedicated themselves to returning the palace to its former glory. Today Ioloni Palace is a popular tourist attraction and point of pride for indigenous Hawaiian.

Looking for more information on Hawaii Beaches check out visitusa.com your outdoor adventure travel guide.