Hawaii Dream Vacation

There was just so much to do in an 8-day period. If you are going to Hawaii be sure to allow at least 14 or more days to take in the sights The food was great, the shows and most of all the people. They made the whole trip the best.

Quick Tips:

When you get there find a cheap, or discount travel agent in the area. You will find them in most hotel lobbies. Plan each day with a different trip. Remember these excursions will get the most sight seeing for your buck. See all you can and do go to the Polynesian Center. It will be a long day about 14 hours but you will have the time of your life! See all you can eat all the foods! Try the poi.

Best Way To Get Around:

Guided tours. If you want to strike out on your own that's fine but you will not see the places that tour guides will take you!

We got a great deal from cheap tours there in Honolulu. Got 10-hour whole Island tour with lunch. We went everywhere even to the Dole Pineapple plantation, Pearl Harbor, shopping, and a great Island Tour. Our guide was excellent and being a native knew the Island well. So if you get to go to Hawaii be sure to take the tour. You'll see things you never knew existed.

The Imperial Japanese Navy made its attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine defensive squadrons. The U.S. public was greatly offended by the treachery of the attack and rallied in support of the Armed Forces and the US Government's decision to enter World War II, initially against Imperial Japan. The attack damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. However, the Pacific Fleet's three aircraft carriers were not in port and so were undamaged, as were the base's vital oil tank farms, submarine pens, and machine shops. Using these resources, the United States was able to rebound within a year. This attack has also been called the Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Pearl Harbor but, most commonly, the Attack on Pearl Harbor or simply Pearl Harbor.

This part of the tour will make you realize what they went thru. It will make you stop and take notice of the amount of destruction and costs of lives from one day. When you see the movie of the footage recorded that day and then go aboard the Arizona Memorial, and look down and see the ship, and walk on top and read the names of all who gave their lives for your freedom that day, you'll be in awe. This is one stop that you need to make and if you have children, please be sure you tell them about this tragic day in history, so that they remember those many that gave the ultimate their lives.

This Center is hosted by the students of Brigham Young University. By working here they earn their way through college. The shows put on here about their home island and lands is exceptional. Walking through this center is a cultural history lesson that you'll always remember. The shows and food, there is so much to do. We spent 14 hours here and really didn't get to see everything. The student are all so talented. Be sure to take in this show you'll be glad you did!

Well this is it, the famous Waikiki Beach. The water was great, the beaches nice but rocky because of all the coral and volcanic stones. Legend has it that if you remove the volcanic stones from Hawaii you will have bad luck until they are returned. We didn't want to chance that so the rocks stayed. One thing we did noticed that they didn't have any seagulls here. Tons of pidgeons. The sun was super warm and you'll tan fast here. It was a great time and we only allowed about 1 day for the beach, but if we ever go back, we are going to allow everyday for the beach!

The pleasant and entertaining ride from Waikiki to Oahu's sunny west shore is a chance for one of the friendly hosts to greet guests and prepare them for the evening ahead. Guests who board the bus as strangers will feel like members of the Ohana, or extended family, by the time they step off. Upon arrival at at the luau, you are welcomed with a traditional shell lei and greeted by the majestic beauty of a luau on a tropical Pacific Ocean beach.

An impressive ceremonial event at the Luau is the opening of the imu (underground oven). This is the traditional rock-filled oven where the Kalua Pig is placed early in the day and gently roasted to succulent perfection. Gather to watch the pig being removed from the oven while the method and traditions of imu cooking are detailed.

After exploring the beautiful Luau grounds and taking in the many intriguing activities, get set to experience some great food – island style! Help yourself to the multi-course Hawaiian Buffet...a combination of traditional island favorites and continental (traditional American) fare. Tempt your taste buds with such exotic specialties as Lomilomi Salmon and Kalua Pig, Poi (taro) and Mahimahi (fish), and be sure to save room for some tasty dessert items to round out your culinary experience. To quench your thirst, there is everything from fruit punch to the special tropical drinks like the "Mai Tai" and the "Blue Hawaii". Complimentary unlimited soft drinks, hot coffee and hot tea are provided for your refreshment throughout the evening. Every adult receives 3 complimentary alcoholic beverage coupons. A variety of tropical, blended and specialty beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are also available at the cash bar.

The luau boasts an open seating arrangement that allows you to sit where you choose during the dinner and the show. You may enjoy sitting at the traditional low luau tables fronting the stage where you can enjoy your meal on the woven mats, just as the ancient Hawaiians did. It's the perfect place to see both the pre-show entertainment, and later the spectacular Polynesian Revue.

Spectacular entertainment delivered to you at the ocean's edge, under the stars and palm trees.

After dinner guests are treated to a colorful showcase of authentic song and dance from many Pacific Island nations, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand. It provides guests with a cultural tour of the South Pacific, featuring performances ranging from fierce ceremonial war dances to fondly remembered Hawaiian love ballads and a pulse pounding Samoan Fire-Knife Dance.

Cruise "Hawaiian Style" along Waikiki's historic coastline aboard the Ali'i Kai Catamaran and watch as the sun slips into the West and Honolulu transforms herself for the evening. Enjoy a delicious dinner and watch a thrilling Polynesian show, capturing all the beauty and tradition of the islands. The Boat: Ali'i Kai Catamaran is the world’s largest Polynesian catamaran, made to cut through the water for a comfortable ride, featuring two spacious covered decks with a 360-degree view.

The buffet offers open seating on the lower deck followed by a Polynesian Show.

Makahiki Buffet: With seating on the lower deck, you’ll enjoy a party atmosphere, seated at long picnic-style tables so that you can mingle with others. The all-you-can-eat buffet features spaghetti, grilled chicken, roast beef, steamed fish, an assortment of salads, rolls, an assortment of desserts, and one (1) standard cocktail (menu subject to change). Entertainment is an authentic Polynesian show to start, and to follow, a contemporary band for your dancing and partying pleasure.

After the cruise, enjoy a Polynesian extravaganza at the Magic of Polynesia, blending Polynesian song and dance with the mystifying illusions of internationally acclaimed illusionists, John Hirokawa or Michael Villoria! A myriad of contrasting and spellbinding illusions come to life against a Polynesian landscape backdrop with an original musical score and cultural dances of Hawaii and Polynesia.

It was great! Here is a short history about the Dole Pineapple Plantation and how it got started:

The pineapple is believed to have originated in the verdant lowlands of Paraguay. Carried aboard 15th and 16th century trade ships, the fruit was soon found growing as far away as Mexico, Australia, China and India. Christopher Columbus brought pineapples home from his travels in the "New World" and they soon became a gourmet delight savored across Europe. Even George Washington grew them in his Mount Vernon hothouse.

No one is certain of when pineapples were first grown in Hawaii, but historians believe that a Spanish shipwreck in 1527 on the South Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii brought tools, stores, garments and plants, including pineapples, from Mexico to Hawaii.

In later years, more Spanish explorers arrived in Hawaii, planting pineapples among other fruits. Francisco de Paula Marin, a Spanish adventurer who arrived in Hawaii in 1794 and became a trusted friend and advisor to King Kamehameha the Great, experimented with raising pineapples in the early 1800's. The "Wild Kailua" pineapple was found growing in the Kona area as early as 1816.

Captain John Kidwell is credited with founding Hawaii’s pineapple industry. In the 1880’s he imported and tested a number of varieties and selected Smooth Cayenne for its cylindrical form and uniform texture. It was Jim Dole, for whom Dole Plantation is named, who pioneered the industry and became popularly known as the "Pineapple King".

Welcome to Oahu Hawaii - A Beautiful Place to Vacation O'ahu, Hawaii, nicknamed The Gathering Place, is the third biggest island in the Hawaiian islands. Oahu is the most traveled island for visitors and is home to Honolulu, Waikiki, and the famous North Shore. Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu is the home of some of the world’s finest hotels, restaurants, and museums. Waikiki, the most world-renowned area of O'ahu, is the most popular Hawaii vacationer destination. This man-made beach attraction encompasses 450 acres of the best vacation activities, hotels, dining, and entertainment. Oahu Hawaii is geographically diverse with mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, volcanic craters, beautiful beaches, and much more!

Oahu has many fantastic swimming beaches and an variety of water and outdoor activities. Enjoy shopping for just about anything from Hawaii handmade quilts to designer clothes, from fragrant leis to shark tooth necklaces, from Aloha novelty shirts, T-shirts to fine garments and carvings of ancient Hawaiian gods.

However the best part about Oahu is the people. Even though Honolulu is on Oahu and is the 11th largest city in the USA you wouldn't know it by the people. The people of Oahu still retain the Aloha that is known the world over. If you enjoy meeting people from all over the world and want to experience how people can "just get along" Oahu is the place.

Major Attractions:
Waikiki, Diamond Head crater, the Arizona Memorial, the world-class winter surf on the North Shore, the Pali Lookout, and Hanauma Bay.

The island of O'ahu was formed nearly four million years ago, by two now-dormant volcanoes that also created the Ko'olau and Waianae mountain ranges. These ranges run the length of the island's eastern and western coasts, respectively, and create specific weather patterns for parts of the island. More rain falls on the eastern, or windward, side of O'ahu, making it thick with vegetation. The western, or leeward, side of the island is drier and sunnier.