Island Hopping in Hawaii

On Oahu, Pearl Harbor is a must with Arizonia Memorial and Mighty Mo. The Big Island has unlimited things to do including whale watching, scenic drives, Volcano National Park, Hamakua Coast, Zoo, Waterfalls, helicopter tour, snorkeling, and a place of refuge. On Kauai, its time to slow things down and try some surfing, scenic drives, wildlife watching, and shopping at the Hawaiian gift markets.

Quick Tips:

Believe it or not, there are so many things to do at little or no cost. For those willing to spend more money, the sky is the limit. For us, we were some where in the middle. We decided what the pricier things to do were, and then filled in the rest of our day with the free/cheap stuff. We also took advantage of bringing along snacks for the day and cooking back at the resort in the evenings.

Best Way To Get Around:

Car rental is a must on any island. There is simply too much to see with no time to waste.

The Park Shore Waikiki Hotel left something to be desired. It was an older hotel that was in desperate need of remodelling. The carpet in our room looked as though it had stains left from years ago. The parking was very limited and not free. It was in a difficult to find location, and then you had to circle around blocks to get to the parking because traffic was so heavy. At over $200 per night, I was expecting a lot more. It looked more like a low end budget hotel. One of the elevators was out of service, and the wait for the other was quite extended. On check-in, the hotel staff didn't know the meaning of courtesy. I hate giving completely bad reviews, so I do have one good thing to say. It was across the street from a beautiful beach.

Best Things Nearby:
It is about a 10 minute drive to several of the northwest beaches. Just down the road is a mall with grocery, nightclub, shopping, and restaurants.

Best Things About the Resort:
The resort offers an introduction to BI by providing access to several vendors on site. You can get additional discounts by completing a tour of timeshare, but it is not required to schedule activities. Since we were exploring most of the island, this location was very good for us.

Resort Experience:
Located on the Northeast part of the Big Island. It is about 30 minutes to Kona and 90 minutes to Hilo. Good central location for the island if you plan activities in Kona and Hilo. The 2 bedroom - 2 bathroom unit gave us more than enough room. We had 1 king, 1 queen bed, and a sleeper sofa. The 1st floor units are one level, but the 2nd floor units are two levels. The steps are reasonable for even the out of shape. The room/accommodations were very nice and clean. The decor had a tropical- Hawaiian flare. We had a beautiful view of the golf course right from our patio. The rolling greens with the beautiful mountain as a back drop. We had daily visits from the local wild life including the turkeys on Thanksgiving Day. The full kitchen with dishwasher and disposal was quite a treat. We were able to cook a complete meal daily with ease. It had a full size stack washer/dryer which is definitely a benefit when you are trying to pack lighter. If you stay on the first level, you can hear everything from above so keep this in mind when you are asked level one or two. The pool was small, but it was clean and had a nice patio area surrounding with restrooms close by. We didn't get to use the pool even though most of the time it didn't look crowded. I figure most visitors were out enjoying the island. To my son's disappointment there was no gameroom. The grounds were well kept with a variety of plants and trees. The check-in area was down the road at the mall, but they were in the process of building a new check-in lobby.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
Beach, restaurants, grocery, Luau (next door), mall-shopping, snack bars, movies (across street), fun factory video games.

Best Things About the Resort:
Beach within walking distance, restaurant on site (very good food), activity staff are very knowledgeable about island activities.

Resort Experience:
We had a 1bedroom / 1bathroom unit on the third floor of the resort which was more than large enough for four people. The resort does not have elevators which could be a problem if you have difficulty walking - make sure to request lower floor early. The stairs do have a very low, gradual incline that makes it a little easier to walk. Upon request, the staff will also assist carrying luggage and other large items upstairs. The view of the ocean from our private/furnished patio was breathtaking. The resort was very family oriented. The pool area was nice even though smaller than what we are normally accustomed to. The deeper end had a waterfall that our son enjoyed. The pool area did have more than enough outdoor furnishings including a couple hammocks. A small snack/bar was available, but we didn't use it. There are restrooms available at the pool, but only one male/one female so if crowded might be a wait. Some of the rooms you could walk right from the room patio to the pool area. The grounds are very well keep with a variety of local plants and trees. The unit furnishings are newer and had a tasteful island flare (not overdone). The bath/toilet and sink/laundry area are separate which was beneficial when getting ready for the day.

The washer/dryer was stack full size. The full kitchen had adequate supplies with a dishwasher and deep sink. We were able to cook a daily meal with ease. Definitely one of the nicer exchanges that we have had. Kauai is more laid back and less tourist focused than the other islands.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The Wahoo Seafood Grill & Bar is a don't miss if you like excellent food. The menu has a variety of different local catches along with steak and chicken. You have a wide variety of wines available to order. It is a little more expensive especially if you have little ones. But there is enough food that you can share with your child. My son and I are very picky eaters and we could not get enough - absolutely a must.

There are several different places to eat at the visitor center - pizza, burgers, kabobs, salads, ice-cream, fruit, etc. They do cost more than average of course, but if you plan on being at the Memorial site all day it is an option. We had the kabobs shrimp/chicken - a little different but okay (we shared a $17 plate). There are also a couple of shops in the visitor center which are quite expensive.

The Volcano House is across from Kilauea Visitor Center. It has a buffet style - all you can eat with a variety of veggies and meats (beef, pork, chicken, local fresh fish), and it includes drink and dessert. It was worth the price-considering the snack bar was going to cost almost as much per person. It had a large dining area that had a view of the summit area. It can get busy when tour buses arrive, so there might be a small wait. The line seemed to move quickly, since it was a buffet. A gift shop was located across hallway from the dining area. There was also a sitting room at main entrance that has the fire that has been burning for 100+yr. It was a nice relaxing place to sit and wait for the rest of the group. Around the back was a large viewing area of the summit which made a good picture spot.

This Luau is referred to as the best one on Kauai. It has recently been changed to include not only the Hawaiian culture dance and music, but also other Polynesian cultures such as Thai dance and music. The food was amazing with a variety including the pig from the Imu, steak tips, chicken, salad, veggies, and desserts. My son's favorite part of the Luau was the fire dancer. After the show, pictures can be taken with the performers. Hours 6pm-8:30pm. Reservations are highly recommended because seats go fast. We went the morning of our Luau to watch the pig placed in the Imu.

Tickets 877/MIGHTY-MO or buy tickets at the Bowfin Memorial beside Arizonia Memorial (A$14/C$7); you can buy guided tour at slight additional cost, but it included a simulated flight off the ships deck which my son found amazing. (A$20/C$13). Military personnel get a discount. Hours are 9am to 5pm. A shuttle takes you from Bowfin to Ford Island and back. It was very interesting and educational (for the kids). A must see if you are visiting Pearl Harbor. The battleship sets along battleship row where the battleships were targeted during the attach on Pearl Harbor. You can see it from the Arizonia Memorial. The size of the battleship and the guns on deck are unbelievable. You get to see first hand how the personnel on board lived. My son didn't want to leave. The guided tour takes you all over the ship and was about an hour, but you can spend as long as you like looking around. There is also a gift shop for those who cannot leave without a souvenir.

(808) 422-0561 The Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial are free, but first come so get there early. Each person has to be present for their own ticket. While waiting for your boat ride to the memorial, you can walk along the waterfront that has exhibits which tell the stories of Pearl Harbor. You can also visit the museum and gift shop. The museum has a replica of the memorial and different ships. When your ticket number is called you enter a theater to watch a documentary film about the Pearl Harbor attack. Afterward, a boat trip takes you to the Memorial. Don't forget your lei to place the flowers in the water to show respect for those lives lost - remember it is a memorial. If you see a Pearl Harbor survivor, stop and ask them questions about Pearl Harbor and get a picture, but don't forget to thank them for allowing us to visit because it is a privilege.

The USS Bowfin is a submarine located adjacent to Arizona Memorial. If you are limited on time and must choose between the submarine and the battleship, I would choose the battleship. The hours are from 8am to 5pm. No kids under 4 are allowed on submarine. The entrance fee for adults is $8 and $3 for children, discounts for certain groups; museum, mini-theater, submarine, missiles located outside.

The Hapuna Beach Park is a secluded beach. The road is rough driving and a 4 wheel drive is a must. You drive past lava tubes - don't go off "road" because you cannot tell what is not solid ground. This is more for the adventurer. It is a reasonable walk for those who are steady on their feet with a good pair of hiking shoes. The sunset is beautiful. There are no lights, so if you go for the sunset make sure to take flashlight. It is a park, so if you drive the gates do get closed. Like I said the walk is not for the little ones, elderly, or lazy.

For the train or history lover, it would be very interesting to learn how the train affected the culture and agriculture of the Hawaiian people. There are restrooms and snacks. A small gift shop is on site, but not to many items.

The beach was made of large round rocks. It was definitely not a sunbathing beach, but there was a grassy area for sunbathing. The scenes were beautiful. So if you plan on going out on the rocks for pictures, wear your tennis shoes. Seemed to be a okay spot for surfing - several locals. A small stream about 3 feet deep draining into the ocean seemed to make a calm swimming spot for the kids. The grounds were litter free, but the bathrooms were the typical park bathroom. Plenty of parking.

The Place of Refuge is a walking tour of the sacred grounds. The leaflet provided gives you descriptions of the different things located throughout the park along with a recommended path to follow. It allows an opportunity to see how the Hawaiians lived 200 years ago. The palace grounds have scattered grass huts-each with a different purpose. It is on a beach at the ocean and is a good spot to catch a sea turtle swimming or relaxing. The area is not recommended for swimming. It is recommended to relax, catch the breeze, and soak up the sun as you imagine what life was like many years ago. If you want to see the true Hawaiian culture, I recommend a stop. We were told that a local even used this national park as a refuge about 20 years ago. He had committed a minor crime, and fled to the Place of Refuge. Being a national park, it has to be maintained for its original use which was a place to be forgiven of your crime. Even the federal agents could not legally remove the man. So, if you find yourself in a tight spot with the police while visiting the islands, you know where to go.

It was an amazing view to see the black of the sand beach against the blue of the ocean. It is the most accessible of the black beaches. There were some people sunbathing on the beach, but no one was in the water. Just visiting for the beauty was enough for us - we would not have missed it. Remember that you cannot take the sand, it is against the law.

(808) 985-6000; $10/car; The Volcano National Park is a must see if you are on the Big Island. You will not see any red lava, but the views are amazing. The Jaggar Museum displays the history of the Hawaiian volcano eruptions and displays the how it works, different types of lava, and much more. There are restrooms available at the museum. The crater rim drive and chain of craters road allows us to see the interaction and flows of the volcanoes. The Thurston Lava Tube is an actual lava tube that visitors can walk through. The walk is not bad. With good shoes and slow pace, you can walk it in 20 minutes. Just be careful because it can be wet and slick. Restrooms are available, but not clean. The Volcano House has a good lunch buffet for a reasonable fee along with an over priced snack bar. It also has an overlook into crater. Clean restrooms are available and they are the cleanest in the park. Kilauea is the most active volcano on Earth. A day or more could be spent in the park. For the more active, there are trails throughout the park. Your car pass is good for a week.

The Macadamia Nut Factory was definitely the place to buy your nut items. They had the most reasonable priced nuts items on the Island. You can also sample before you buy. The drive through the scenic orchards was nice. There was a snack bar and restroom on site. You get to watch how the different products are made. If you like macadamia nuts, a stop to buy some will be worth it - especially the chocolate covered ones. It is open from 8:30am to 5pm. (808) 966-8618; www.maunaloa.com.

You can adopt any zoo animal-if at least $20, you get an adoption certificate for adoptee. There is a gift shop that helps support the zoo. Restrooms are available. On site, there are a variety of animals including the white Bengal tiger, spider monkeys, wild pigs, frogs, turtles, sloth, parrots, hippo, emu, goats, lemur, water buffalo, squirrel monkeys, butterfly house, and deer. As you walk around in the zoo, you will find the peacocks and other birds running/flying around free. There is also a petting zoo from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, but my son thought himself too old. The best thing about the zoo is that it is free, so for those on a budget it is a great place to stop for a few hours.

 www.hilozoo.com

The Volcano Winery makes six different wines. I'm a very picky wine drinker and only liked one of the wines. For a different experience, they do make some wines using the jaboticaba Brazilian tree grapes which grow one the bark of the tree instead of a vine. The wine tasting is free daily. They do not accept large tours. The gift shop had some nice take home gifts.10am to 5:30pm; (808) 967-7772 www.volcanowinery.com

"The Old Painted Church" is one of the most peaceful historic sites that we visited. The murals and frescoes are painted on the walls and ceiling of the church. I do not have the words to describe how you feel upon entering the church. You don't have to be Catholic to appreciate the beauty in one of God's houses. It is free to visit, but it can be difficult to find without directions. They do sell local handmade items to help support the church up keep.

It is a complete circle of the island giving you a taste of its history and culture. If you have limited time on the island and want to see the "best" parts, then this is a great tour. On the tour, the stops include Kona Coffee Factory, Place of Refuge, Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes National Park, Jagger Museum & Observatory, Fern Tree Rain Forest, Thurston Lava Tube, Orchid Nursery, Macadamia Nut Plantation, Rainbow Falls, Hamakua Coast & Parker Ranch Lands scenic drive, and a stop for lunch at the Volcano House. The tour does include activities for both the children and those more young at heart than years. The tour bus drops you off right in front of most of the stops. No extra fees for parking and no wasted time on parking and walking. The ride is comfortable and you can sit back and enjoy the view out your window. But be on time for the morning pick-up because the bus does not wait for those who like to sleep in.

The Store of Hawaii has everything Hawaiian. They claim to have the largest selection of Hawaiian fashions, gifts, souvenirs, jewelry, and foods. Hilo Hattie is located on the islands of (2)Maui, (1)Kauai, (2)Big Island, and (2)Oahu. They also offer shuttle service in some stores to the local hotels. The Hawaiian fashions are labelled made in Hawaii. The prices are reasonable and the quality good. So if you are not one to hit the markets for souvenirs, I would suggest Hilo Hattie. www.HiloHattie.com

Free and even if you had to pay, it would be worth every cent! (808) 961-2180. The Mauna Kea Summit is the highest and most famous mountain peak in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the focal point of many native Hawaiian traditions, beliefs, customs, and practices. The observatory visitor center which is located half way up to the summit is educational and interactive. Pick a clear day/night on the summit and bring a jacket/gloves, the visitor center brings out the telescopes to view sunspots or planets depending on the time of day. If you go during the day, don't forget the sunglasses and sunscreen. The best part was the drive to the visitor center when we came out of the hazy, rainy day from below to see the sunset over the clouds. It was amazing - nothing like it. You can call the summit to ask about the weather up there. A bad day down below doesn't mean a bad day at the summit. If you are under 13 years old, it is not recommended to go past the visitor center. Many of the tours will not take you up to the observatory if you are not older than 16 years old.

I definitely recommend the visitor center for the kids - our son enjoyed focusing the telescopes to see the planets. Volunteers from the University of Hawaii at Hilo come to the visitor center to educate the visitors about the observatory. It is on what is called a saddle road which is rough coming in from the west side of the island. The road from the Hilo/east side of the island was maintained a little better. You can drive a car up to the visitor center, but you must have a 4 wheel drive to go up to the observatory. We did not go to the observatory because our son was not old enough, but I don't think we missed anything because the stars were more than breath taking from the visitor center. We live in a higher elevation area in a rural area, but I have to say we don't have this many stars back home.

The Orchid Gardens is located on the east side of the island, south of Hilo and north of the volcano park exit. It sells a wide variety of orchids which you can have shipped, but you don't have to buy to stop and appreciate the beauty of the many colorful flowers. They also have an orchid that costs $20,000.00. Yes, you read it correctly. It is displayed when blooming and only a picture when not. It is quite ugly, but a site to see. When you enter the green house, there are gift orchids on a small table for the women the place in their hair (left-taken, right-available). There is also a small gift shop that has reasonably priced souvenirs. The gift shop is where I found the island sand. You can buy the black/green sand to take home, but cannot take it from the beaches. The shop also has restrooms if you need a quick stop. www.akatsukaorchid.com (808) 967-8234

Wow! We took the volcano/waterfall tour--which is one of the tours out of Hilo. If you can afford more than $380, they also fly out of a small heliport (Waikoloa) down the road from Paniolo Greens on the west side of the Big Island. The helicopter seats six passengers. The pilot narrates the tour through your headset. You hear history and lava events. To see the lava flowing through the tubes and steam coming out of the vents from a bird's eye view was amazing. We also flew over the area where the lava meets the ocean. The large mushroom like cloud was beautiful even though we didn't get to see the red lava hitting the ocean. You can purchase a personalize video of your flight for $20. The lava flow is not predictable, so don't skip this one because the volcano might not be active on your next trip to the Big Island. My son said that it was his "most favorite" part of the trip. Blue Hawaiian serves the Big Island and Maui www.bluehawaiian.com

The tour boat is a aluminum bottom raft which was sturdy. The ride on the coast can be a bit bumpy, but you can place a leg over the side to get a cool splash of water. The group sizes were small (6 or 12). Our son is nine and can swim better than me, so I felt okay with him being in the ocean. I wouldn't recommend it for younger children because the water is deep and you cannot step in the swallow areas because you may damage the coral. Although, you don't have to be able to swim to snorkel because the guides provide equipment and "noodles" to help you float, so not to use so much energy. We saw Captain Cook's Monument which can only be seen by hiking or boating. We didn't get to enter the sea caves because of the high surf, but the bay was quite calm and great for snorkeling. You can choose 4 hour am tour or 3 hour pm tour. They provided light snacks of local fruit, chips and drinks. We did get to see wild dolphins playing. The snorkeling was great. There were plenty of fish including tang and rainbow. The tour guides also gave history lessons about the big island and a brief introduction to the different types of fish to expect. If you haven't been snorkeling before don't worry, they will help you. It was a great day.

Garden Hours 9am-5:30pm. The Gardens boost being the largest botanical gardens in Hawaii with over 5,000 species. Visitors are given a map of the garden for a self-guided tour. There is a 5-minute drive to the triple tier Umauma Falls. The Rainforest Walk is a jungle walk along the drive. There is a beautiful flowing stream beside the path. Although at the end, you turn around. The Rainbow Walk is a floral walk. Our favorite part of the tour was the Rainbow Walk. The floral had vibrant colors and unique shapes. My son's favorite was the pencil plant. I told him not to get too close because he might poke his eye out. The brochure says that you can complete the tour in 30 minutes, but we spent 2 1/2 hours and could have spent longer. All the walks are on level concrete paths and have seated resting areas throughout. They provide umbrellas if needed. They also have a labyrinthine children's maze which looked fun, but we ran out of time. I suppose if you want a little break from the kids, you could let them get lost for a while.

Handmade soaps and candles with unique tropical scents. It reminded me of Bath & Body with a Hawaiian influence. Some candles were molded into coconut shells and bamboo. They also had unique island gifts. You can't take lava rocks home from the volcano, but they sell lava rocks made into items that you can buy and take. This was the only place that I found such unique lava gifts.

www.kauaisoap.com (888) 528-7627 Hours from 9am to 10pm.

The Kilauea Lighthouse is located on the northeast shore of Kauai on a wildlife reserve. It is a short walk on a paved walk to the gift shop (restrooms) and lighthouse area. Take your water bottle. The Nene goose which is the Hawaiian bird along with other bird species are abundant on the cliffs. The views from the overlook area are spectacular. If in season, you can look for the humpback whales swimming by. Don't forget your binoculars. Cost about $4/adult free/children. Open 10am to 4pm. (808) 828-1413.

The Fern Grotto tour begins at the Wailua River Marina where the tour guide begins telling the legends of the river and its people. During the two-mile tour you hear stories about the ancient Hawaii. Upon arrival to the Fern Grotto dock, there is a small, winding paved path (new one under construction) that takes you through the rain forest. The path gets wet so choose your foot wear wisely. The Fern Grotto is a cave with natural acoustics. To demonstrate the acoustics, a local family performs the "Hawaiian Wedding Song." On the return trip, Hawaiian musicians fill the air with aloha music as hula dancers sway in the rhythm. It is referred to as a journey of songs and legends. The entire trip takes 1-hour-30-minute-round trip.

There are several species of whales in Hawaiian waters all year, so if you are there off season of the humpback, you can still see whales. You will probably even get to see wild dolphins and sharks. Captain Dan actually studies whales all year long. So, you become part of an eco-tour that contributes to the Wild Whale Foundation. You are given the opportunity to buy products that support the whales or even adopt a whale. Casual dress with tennis shoes is recommended. We were in Hawaii in the higher surf time, and we did not have a problem with the ride being too bumpy. Don't forget the sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, binoculars, and camera/film. You can bring a small purse type bag with a drink, but no big bags/coolers. You are provided with light snacks and drinks during the tour. There is also a restroom on board if needed. If you don't get to see a whale/dolphin which rarely occurs, you get another trip. So make sure to schedule this tour earlier in your visit just in case. We seen three different types of whales, spinner dolphins, and a shark.

The Spouting Horn is located on the southern tip of the island of Kauai. It was amazing to watch the water spout up through the blow hole. My son said that it looked like a whale blowing water. Very unique site to visit.

The Spouting Horn Market is where I found several good buys. They have handbags, jewelry, and souvenirs. They barter with the cost of the items, so those who like the challenge go for it. If not, the prices are reasonable. Along the way is the Old Sugar Mill Market, we ran out of time so we didn't get to stop.

There are several overlooks as you drive up to the main overlook of the canyon. It is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The main overlook has a paved path that is wheelchair accessible. In the distance, a waterfall can be seen coming out of the red-brown-purple of the cliff. The views are spectacular with a mix of vibrate colors. And the best thing is that it is all free.

This is a lovely green canopy of swamp mahogany branches that reach over the road to form a tunnel. The way the trees are arranged makes it look like a tunnel. It's one of the most popular sights to see. If you plan on visiting the Spouting Horn, just make sure to take 520 and you will not miss it.

The phone is (808) 332-6100, the cost is $112 for a 2-hour private lesson. Small group lessons are also available for about half this cost. Equipment is included and post-lesson equipment is $10 per hour. This was a nice beach on the southern part of the island. The area almost looked like a small bay that was surrounded by coral out in the deep area which was only about 5 feet. The waves did not get too big for the beginner. The lesson begins on shore to get the techniques and moves into the water. My son had so much fun and can't wait to surf again. His instructor fit the image of the surfer dude. The only complaint was the parking or should I say the limited parking. Early lessons would probably be better to ensure an available parking place. The lessons actually take place at the Sheraton property.

Driving the Hamakua Coastline takes a day to stop and enjoy the scenic spots. There are several waterfalls, parks, points of interest. You can find the Umauma Falls and Rainbow Falls, Kolekole Beach Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Train Museum. The drive itself is amazing, but the road is called the only snake in Hawaii because it is very winding. The waterfalls are beautiful. If you want to see why Rainbow Falls gets its name, make sure to go early on a sunny day. At Umauma Falls, there is a tour of a rainforest and tropical area which was fairly inexpensive. The train museum does ask for donations, but it was also cheap.