Hawaii: Paradise 101

We loved Hawaii so much that this was our second trip in two years. This time, my wife and I went along without the family, which allowed us to venture out to new areas, as well as our favorites from the year before.

We stayed at the Pacific Beach Hotel, across from Waikiki Beach. With a week and a half, we had several places we wanted to see this time around. Among those places were Hanauma Bay, a beautiful reserve with crystal-clear water and a view to beat all views in Hawaii. We made several trips to the International Market, which my wife loved. And my wallet didn't! One of the days, we also made a trek to the Big Island, Hawaii, which I recommend to anyone who is staying on any of the other islands. It allows you to move away from the big city feel of Honolulu and get a feel of what Hawaii was really like at one time, when true Hawaiians were the only ones who lived here. From Kilauea to coffee-bean fields to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, there is something for everyone!

We also rented a car and just drove the perimeter of Oahu one day, stopping at different beaches, shops, and tourists attractions. This mode of transportation is certainly a great way to view the North Shore and the many National Parks located up in the mountainous/rain forest areas of Hawaii where the temperature and rainfall will amaze you.

I did not neglect to mention visiting USS Missouri, Pearl Harbor, or that area in particular, but we had dedicated two whole days to it on our previous trip last year, so we thought we would move onto what else Hawaii had to offer, but I would STRONGLY recommend those if you are a first-time visitor to Hawaii. The atmosphere and what happened there will make you sad, yet amazed at the history this place, Oahu, has to offer.

Quick Tips:

* In preparation, go to the tourism site for Hawaii and request their travel planners. It was well worth the effort. It gives some great trip ideas for singles, families, and couples.
* Many of the hotels have their own booths which offer discount tours to events, trips to other islands, or dinner discounts.
* Hit the beach around late to mid-morning, when it's not as crowded and not as hot (but that does not last long--the sun is very intense). Bring your lotion.
* Rent a car for a day. Drive the island. Hit the North Side of the island and see what is has to offer. You will not be disappointed.
* ABC Stores have everything and are everywhere.

Best Way To Get Around:

We traversed the entire perimeter of Oahu via rental car. Walking allows you to see the city and beaches, while using a car gives you the freedom to go from one side of the island to the other. I personally did not find traffic that crazy either.

We stayed at this hotel in '99 and 2000 and did not leave disappointed. Our stays came with breakfast buffet tickets, and the spread was simply amazing, from pancakes to several dozen types of fruits. And while you eat, you can view one of the largest aquariums in Hawaii.

The hotel staff was friendly and couteous and always asked if we needed assistance and tried as hard as they could.

The rooms are simple, but very clean, with nice amenities as well as a wonderful view of the beach (if you can get a room on the side of the hotel).

They have a rooftop pool, which was nice and refreshing, and always a large supply of nice towels and robes for the guests.

One last thing about this hotel is the location. It is only a walk across the street from the beach and includes stops right in front of the hotel for buses and trolleys, if you want to venture outside the confines of Waikiki Beach.

This is a national park with so much to offer, from snorkeling to wildlife. The bay is a large area with walking paths, learning centers, and places to just sit back and relax.

I will preface that the long walk down to the bay is quite a hall from the parking lot but well worth it. Even though on the day we went, there were quite a lot of people, the area is so large, you can easily pick out your spot on the beach.

We promptly went snorkeling in the water. Make sure you grab some food from the park. The fish will swarm you at first sight of it. The marine life is both amazing and plentiful. You will see several types of marine life. I sure did. It is worth the trip for you and your family!

Wy wife and I decided to take one day out of the trip and visit The Big Island. And we were sure glad we did.

It started early in the morning with a quick (and I do mean quick) plane ride to the island. No sooner had I finished my juice than we had landed. The amazing thing about the airport was that the entire complex was outside. But I guess that, in Hawaii, that is not a problem.

We departed our tour bus no more than 10 minutes after landing. And I beleive it is true that what type of driver/tour guide you have makes all the difference in the world. Our guide was truly amazing and brought some great insight into our trip. He had better! He grew up and lives on the Big Island.

Our first stop was at one of the many Kona coffee plantations. I am not a coffee drinker; however, the process of coffee bean production is quite interesting, from harvesting to drying the beans. So at the end, we had several shopping bags full of Hawaiian Kona coffee for family and friends.

The next major stop was Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Kilauea. Your stop was at the top of the park, near the volcanoes. Throughout the trip to our destination, we saw several craters, and the landscape was something I had never seen. It reminded me of pictures of the moon's surface. As we traversed the park, we stopped at several craters as the steam pushed through the openings. Unfortunately, at this time, we did not see any active lava flow, but later in the trip we did see what the flow could do, as part of the road had become impassible with hardened lava. It was something I will not forget.

I cannot go into all the side stops we made; however, it was very cool to hear what the guide had to say. He veered through many side roads to show us the Big Island, which was not on the route from old Hawaiian villages, to the most spectacular bay I had seen thusfar. And the amazing thing was that this was where our guide grew up and played and swam when he was young. Now, you cannot get that kind of a story on your own. And as I mentioned before, the guide for your trip is truly the difference-maker. It was for us.

One of the places he took us was through a very bushy path. He would not mention what we were going to see but just let us know that it was worth the walk. As we emerged from the trees, we came upon a most beautiful waterfall, as if opening a new page to a perfect picture. Needless to say, everyone gasped at the sight. I believe he called it Akaka Falls, part of the Akaka Falls National Park.

Our final major stop was the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Obviously a tourist attraction, but of course a must-visit. I never knew or saw how a pineapple grew, but I know now. Along with the pineapple fields, we were also treated to a huge maze you could work through. You were given a card and timed for how long it took. It was fun, even for adults. A light snack and some pineapple purchases, and we were back on the bus home. I will tell you that the pineapples we had there have never been topped in sweetness from any store locally. It had to be in the red dirt.

The plane ride home was quiet, and I think all on the tour had just experienced the beauty and wonder of Hawaii's main island. My wife and I sure did, and we slept well that night, knowing that exact fact.