Honeymoon in Hawaii

Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States and is located in the Pacific Ocean about 2300 miles from the mainland. Hawaii is composed of eight islands all which can be visited except for two, Niihau and Kahoolawe. Niihau is a privately-owned island which requires an invitation to visit by the owners. Kahoolawe is an uninhabited island that was once used by the military for live fire training and it is now in the process of being cleaned up by the government. Oahu is the main island of Hawaii housing the state government and its capital, Honolulu. Most visitors to this island find themselves at Waikiki basking in the sunlight and swimming in the warm waters while high rise hotels surround the area. Some of the other highlights of the island are the USS Arizona Memorial located at Pearl Harbor. For the outdoor person, Diamond Head crater is a great place to hike to the top of with great views of the island. For those who want to get wet, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is a must and North Shore is famous for those who want to surf the waves. Maui, the second largest island, is also the most heavily visited island. Take the Hana Highway which is a 52 mile road that goes over 50 one-lane bridges and traverses over 600 curves with views of waterfalls and the coastline until you reach the Seven Sacred Pools. To get a view of the island from the air without flying, drive to the summit of Mount Haleakala at an elevation of 10,023 feet. The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest of the islands due to active lava flows. Unique only to the Big Island, Hawaii Volcano National Park allows visitors to see a lava flow and learn about Hawaii’s only active volcano. If you feel up to it, drive Saddle road that goes between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and reach the highest point in Hawaii at 13,796 feet. The other heavily visited island is Kauai which is famous for its waterfalls and Waimea Canyon, which is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The other two islands, Molokai and Lanai, are not heavily visited islands. While these two islands lack what the other islands have, they more than make up for it with the slow pace of Hawaiian life and an escape from the tourists.

Quick Tips:

If you plan to island hop, the best way is to take interisland flights. Although ferry service is now operational, the price is way too expensive. It is cheaper to take an interisland flight and in the process save valuable time exploring the island instead of being in transit. Interisland flights are serviced by Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and Island Air. The airlines usually have cheap one-way flight specials. Also, the average flight time between the islands is about thirty minutes depending on what island you are flying to, which beats the 2-3 hours on board the ferry.

The two main airports on the Big Island are in the two biggest cities, Kona or Hilo, on opposite sides of the island. Looking at a map, it may appear that the quickest way to get visit the other city is to go across the center of the island on Highway 200 otherwise known as Saddle Road. Do not fall for that illusion. Saddle Road goes between two dormant volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The road rises in elevation with many sharp curves and usually the fastest you can travel is about 20 miles an hour. It is quicker to take the southern or northern road to visit the other side of the island.

Take your time driving and although you may be used to honking if someone doesn’t move out of your way, it is considered rude on the island.

Best Way To Get Around:

Oahu is the only island with an interstate system. The interstate is organized into three different roads known as the H1, H2, and the H3. The H1 is the most heavily traveled of the three interstates. The H1 begins in Waikiki and circles around Pearl Harbor ending on the western side of the island. Most people who fly into Honolulu International Airport will pick up the H1 enroute to their destination. The H2 branches of the H1 near Pearl City and goes up north toward the center of the island ending at Schofield Barracks Army Base. The H3 branches off of the H1 near Pearl Harbor and goes to the eastern part of the island. Traveling within Waikiki can be confusing, so a city map is a must. The rest of the island is only served by a few major roads so getting around is fairly simple.
Kauai has only a few major roads encircling the island. Lihue is the major city on the island and where the airport is located. Highway 56 leaves the city heading north around the top of the island where the road ends at Haena. Highway 50 leaves the city heading south circling the bottom of the island until it ends at Mana. Waimea Canyon can be accessed by Highway 550 which branches off of Highway 50 at Waimea.
Although the Big Island is the largest of the islands, it is also one of the easiest to get around. Highway 11 and Highway 19 are the major roads to remember on this island. Highway 11 connects the two major cities of Kona and Hilo to the south while Highway 19 connects the two to the north.
Maui contains more roads than most of the other islands. Kahului is where the main airport is located. Highway 30 will connect Kahului with the Lahaina district and is the only road on that part of the island. Highway 31 will lead you to Kihei in the southern part of the island. While a great island map is needed for any of the islands, it will do you well on the island of Maui.
Since Molokai and Lanai are the least populated islands, they only have a few roads that will take you across the island.

Our brief stay on the island of Kauai was spent at the wonderful Aloha Beach Hotel, located in the town of Kapaa about five minutes from Lihue. The hotel is located next to the Kapaa Beach and the Wailua River, which is the longest freshwater river in Polynesia. The hotel is surrounded by lush mountains and within minutes of three beautiful waterfalls, Koholalele Falls, Opaekaa Falls, and Wailua Falls. The hotel boasts 216 units that can be reserved as hotel rooms or cottages.

The hotel maintains free parking for its guests. Upon check-in, the staff was very friendly and the lobby has that open air feel that is so common in Hawaii. After checking in, we proceeded to our hotel room. We decided to rent a hotel room instead of a cottage since the price was substantially cheaper and like all hotels, oceanview rooms were priced more so we decided to go with the garden view, which was just as impressive. There is a lanai for every ground level room but we could not go outside because of a steel barrier that was installed. We later found out why.

The hotel rooms come fully equipped with a refrigerator, safe, 25 inch color television, A/C, phone and wireless internet service. The hotel offers it guests many amenities to make the stay more enjoyable. There are two swimming pools as well as a Jacuzzi to relax after a dip in the pool or a swim in the ocean. If you are looking for exercise, there is a fantastic fitness room or for outdoor activities you can play volleyball, tennis, and even shuffleboard. Lydgate State Park is located directly behind the hotel which is a public beach. The state park has a protected swimming and snorkeling area that is sealed off by rocks from the rough waters of the Pacific Ocean. While we were there, a Hawaiian church was using the beach to perform baptismal services for its members. It was interesting to see a baptism performed not in a church, but in the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

When we returned to our room from swimming at the beach, we discovered why there is a steel barrier blocking us from going out on the lanai. There are chickens everywhere on the island and sometimes you have to slam on brakes to avoid running them over. Many Hawaiians believe that when Hurricane Iniki hit the island in 1992, it destroyed many chicken coops which is the reason to this day they are everywhere, including outside my hotel room. I decided to stick my hand out there and feed them peanuts. They liked it so much that when I left the door open while I was unpacking, one of the chickens slid underneath the bars and was inside my room. That was first time I ever had a farm animal in my room and then I realized why there are bars. It just added to the enjoyment of the stay.

After a long morning snorkeling at the world famous Hanuma Bay, I found myself extremely hungry. Instead of heading back to Honolulu, I decided to head to the north part of the island. Hoping to find a restaurant somewhere soon, I was beginning to come to the realization that I was going to have to wait until I found a town. While the drive up to North Shore was beautiful with the road next to the coast dotted with white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, it was doing nothing for my hunger pains. As I rounded a bend, I noticed a bright yellow building. The next thing that caught my eye was people sitting on picnic benches eating. Without realizing what they were serving, I was already parked and out of the car.

The restaurant located on the Kamehameha Highway is nestled between residential homes along Oahu’s Windward coast. The restaurant is known as the Shrimp Shack. An odd way of ordering, instead of going into a building, you place your order at the back of a yellow van. Being curious, I wondered why there was a building on the property but was not being used. After talking with the owner, I found out that the building had caught fire years before and the government of Hawaii rezoned that area as residential. Therefore she could not use the building, but she found a loophole that allowed her to sell out of her van. All of the food is cooked in the van and your food is brought out to you at the picnic tables. The rezoning has allowed her to cater around the island and for the customers; you can walk around the property with a beer since it is now residential property.

The food is absolutely delicious. The menu consists of shrimp, of course, as well as Mahi Mahi, crab legs, or a combination of all of them. If you don’t like seafood, try a chili dog, however, they may look at you funny. The Shrimp Shack is open seven days a week from 11am to 5 pm. The restaurant has received numerous recognitions such as Food TV network’s Beach Eats and recommended by the Travel Channel. Although they do not sell anything for dessert, travel further up the road and stop at a fruit stand and enjoy a fresh coconut.

Address – 53-352 Kamehameha Highway, Punaluu,
Phone – (808) 256-5589
Website – www.alternative-hawaii.com/shrimp/index.html

As my wife and I prepared to set out on a three-hour, 52-mile-long scenic drive to Hana, we went over our checklist to make sure we had everything. The Jeep had a full tank of gas, the cooler was stocked with drinks and food, we had our bathing suits, and the dog. We stopped in Haiku, the last place to fill up with gas or to eat before arriving in Hana. I noticed a quaint little store called the Maui Grown Market with a sign outside advertising picnic lunches made with fresh vegetables, picked daily, for the journey to Hana. As we stepped inside, there was an old hippie lady named Gerry behind the counter. Like all Hawaiian people, she was very friendly, which was evident when she yelled "Aloha" while not missing a beat as she made sandwiches.

While we were waiting on our two orders of ham sandwiches and potato salad, I read a sign that said feel free to take one of our lovely dogs with you to Hana. As weird as the idea was, I had to find out if it was for real. Gerry informed us that she has so many dogs that she urges people to take one with them on the drive. It allows them to get exercise. She never worries about people keeping the dogs since you have to turn around in Hana anyway to come back. We were sold on the idea. What could be more unusual than renting a dog while on vacation? Actually, 'renting' is the wrong word, because she doesn’t charge anything, but it sounds better than borrowing.
Gerry introduced us to our companion for the day, a multi-colored dachshund-Chihuahua mix named Koa. While Gerry made the dog a lunch consisting of slices of turkey, we were able to get acquainted with Koa.

After thirty minutes of getting Koa woken up from his nap and allowing Gerry to finish making our lunches, we were finally ready to embark on our journey that would have us going over 54 one-lane bridges and traversing over 600 hairpin curves. The Jeep top was down and our trusty steed was king of the backseat. We stopped off at numerous places for picture-taking as well as a swim under a natural waterfall. Koa could have cared less about getting out of the vehicle as he was more content with sleeping, so we left him in the Jeep. Wherever we went, whether it was a nature walk or a swim, Koa could always be found in the backseat basking in the sunlight.

We stopped for lunch at Waianapanapa State Park, one of Hawaii’s beautiful black sand beaches. Although Koa did not have a love of the water, he could be found getting his rays on the fine black sand. While most of the time he seemed snobby or irritable, he could not but help show his comedic side. A cigarette butt got lodged in between his paws and it appeared as if he was smoking. Before we left the beach, he was the star of the sand with everyone trying to get a picture of this adorable animal.

As we proceeded back to Haiku, I would glance at Koa in the backseat sleeping so peacefully. I began to wonder if he could talk what would he say. Probably something like, "I wish someone would take me somewhere other than Hana."

As we pulled back up to the Maui Grown Market to return Koa to his soft bed and his lovable owner Gerry, I was already beginning to miss him. When I opened the Jeep door, he disappeared in a matter of seconds inside the store. Although he was not as sad to see us go, Koa forever left an indelible impression on our lives and a unique experience that we are not too soon to forget.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest of all the islands and the largest of them, too. The Big Island constantly acquires new real estate each year due to the active volcanic eruptions of Mount Kilauea. The scenery of the Big Island looks nothing like its counterparts. The lush green trees and tropical flowers are all but nonexistent and the island looks more like a desert. Although the island may not be as beautiful as the other islands, there is definitely not a shortage of things to do. You can see an active volcano spewing lava into the Pacific or catch a rare glimpse of snow atop Mount Kea, just some of the things that are unique to the Big Island. There is one other thing that the Big Island can boast of and that is the Green Sand Beach. Only two are known to exist anywhere in the world, the other one being found on the island of Guam.
The Green Sand Beach, also known as Mahana Bay, is located at Southpoint, Hawaii. Due to its geographical location, Southpoint is the southernmost point of the US. Most visitors to the island usually will be staying in Kona, on the eastern side of the island, or Hilo, on the western side. The approximate drive from each of these cities is about 2 to 2½ hours. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must if you plan to visit the Green Sand Beach. The beach is located at the end of Southpoint Rd., which is off Hwy 11, known as the Hawaii Belt Rd.
Before you set out on the drive to Southpoint, make sure that the vehicle is filled up with gas and you have plenty of water and food in case you get stranded. Once you leave the main city, the towns get very sparse the closer you get to Southpoint. There is not a wide selection of gas stations or eating establishments.
Do not expect to see any signs telling you where the Green Sand Beach is located. You must know where you are going before you head out to the beach. As you take Hwy 11 to Southpoint, it is very easy to miss Southpoint Road, so be alert. Southpoint Rd. begins as two lanes then, a few miles down, it becomes a one-lane road, eventually turning from pavement to dirt. Although the road is paved, there are many potholes along the way. Because of the condition of the road, many car rental companies forbid you to take their vehicles on it. Check before you attempt to go or your car rental agreement can be voided.
While traveling down the road, you will see a few houses and farmland. A dozen windmills will be off to the right displaying Hawaii’s alternative energy resources. After about five miles of driving on the one-lane road it turns into a dirt road where the four-wheel-drive vehicle is a necessity. The first sign confirming that you have arrived at the Green Sand Beach can be seen informing drivers that the parking area is up ahead.
Although by this time, you have probably driven about 2½ hours, the journey is far from over. Make sure that you have comfortable walking shoes as a five-mile roundtrip hike awaits. A four-wheel-drive vehicle can possibly make the trip, but beware that if you get stuck, AAA may not be around the corner to assist. With no cell phone reception and the nearest home being five miles back up the road, help can be a long way away. The path leading to the Green Sand Beach consists of many steep valleys and hills, not to mention the many potholes scattered along the route.
After what seems like an eternity of walking, the Green Sand Beach is finally in sight. A massive cliff overlooks the green sand below. A man-made staircase allows visitors to safely descend the cliff to the beach below. The color of the sand comes from olivine crystals left over from basalt lava. The water is crystal blue, however, be careful swimming in the water because it is always rough and the tides have been known to carry people out to sea.
If you are a person who loves adventure, hiking, and wants the chance to see something that can only be found in a couple places on earth, then the Green Sand Beach is worth the trip.

A visit to Pearl Harbor is a must for every American. The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the nation’s most treasured national parks. A visit will help you realize the enormous sacrifice that our men and women gave on that fateful day.
In order to make your visit here pleasurable, you should arrive as early as possible. Since this national park does not charge an entrance fee, the site can become very crowded. Each person is given a ticket that is time-stamped, therefore, even if you arrive before they close, there is no guarantee that you will be admitted.
While you wait for your group to be called, a visit to the gift shop is a great way to pass the time away. Each tour group begins with a visit to the auditorium where you are treated to a twenty minute video presentation. The movie details the events leading up to December 7, 1941, as well as the attack itself, and legislation making the USS Arizona a national memorial.
After the video presentation, the group boards a boat that will take you across the harbor to the memorial. The short boat ride allows you the opportunity to view the Navy fleet that calls Honolulu home. Upon docking at the memorial, remember that it is considered a cemetery and everyone should act with reverence.
The memorial is a curved concrete structure stretching over the width of the wreckage. As you walk from the docking area to the other side, you can see the remnants of the USS Arizona underneath the water. The gun turrets are visible still protruding out of the water to give you a sense of the massive size of the battleship. If you look closely at the surface of the water, you will notice the rainbow reflection of oil on the surface which continues to rise after more than 65 years.
The other end of the memorial is perhaps the most demonstrative of the tragedy of that day. There is a wall which each name of the sailors who perished that day etched in stone, 1,177 in all. A separate section has been added, listing the names of survivors who have wished that their remains be interred with their fellow sailors. After I visited this site, I realized that these sailors are still serving their country to this day from the bottom of the harbor.
Upon returning to the visitor center, I began to wonder why the USS Arizona got a memorial and not the USS Oklahoma or USS Utah, the other two ships that went down with the Arizona. I sought out a park ranger to get an answer to my question. It was explained to me that the USS Oklahoma was so badly damaged that it was used for scrap parts. To my amazement, I discovered that there is a memorial for the USS Utah located on Ford Island, about a block away from the USS Arizona.
Ford Island is a Navy base located around the corner from the Arizona Memorial. Since it is a military installation, the only people allowed onto the base are military personnel with valid identification. The USS Utah capsized in the harbor and the bottom of the battleship can be seen just above the water. This memorial has to be one of the nation’s most neglected and most forgotten. While many people do not even know that it exists, and I found out only by my curiosity, anyone that has the opportunity to visit this site should not pass it up.
If you do not have the chance to see the USS Utah, you can see the USS Missouri which is located right next to the USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Missouri is a battleship where the peace treaty was signed ending the war between the United States and Japan. The battleship is accessible from the same parking lot that you use for the USS Arizona. However, since the USS Arizona is a national park, the entrance fee is free. The USS Missouri is privately run by the Missouri Memorial Association and the entrance fee is $16 for adults and $8 for children. While a visit to the USS Arizona symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice of our military, in contrast, the USS Missouri symbolizes the pride and victory of the same.