TRAVEL-TOHAWAII.NET

Many people who plan to travel to Hawaii often only think about Oahu, the central island that makes up the Hawaiian Islands because that is where Honolulu, the state capital, as well as Waikiki, the most popular tourist center in Hawaii, are located. However, you may want to consider some other of the beautiful islands, such as Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii (the Big Island), in Hawaii that also offer a fun and somewhat more relaxing vacation. Although Oahu has much to offer, more that 90% of Hawaii’s population is centered on Oahu, making the island much more crowded and busy that the other islands. If you wish to get away from the bustling city life and traffic, the other Hawaiian Islands would be your ideal Hawaii vacation.

Famous for its breathtaking Napali Coastline and the Iao Needle, Kauai is a lush, green island filled with great attractions. Some places to check out in Kauai include Princeville Ranch, Fern Grotto, Blue Dolphin Charters, and much more. There are also many businesses that offer helicopter and sailing tours that will take you throughout the island so you can see the natural beauty of Kauai. Some of the fun activities that can be found in Maui include the Maui Ocean Center, Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui Tropical Plantation, and Haleakala National Park. Maui also offers hiking, biking, sailing, and kayaking tours that allow you to explore the Maui’s breathtaking landscapes.

• Leave a comment... (0)

Those seeking beach locations which get them deep into surfing, should come to Honolulu beaches. Honolulu beaches are just right for beginners as well as for professional looking for serious excitement with the waves.

Surfing is a very exciting water sport, in which you eye a rideable and attempt to move towards it. Once the wave have come to a its full strength, you jump on your surf board and then ride on the face of the wave, but at the same time you don’t get into the breaking part of the wave.   Being a professional and good surer depends on how well you are able to spot a wave, and rid it without getting into its breaking part.

If you are someone interested in learning surfing, Honolulu beaches have instructors giving lessons to people wanting to try this sport. You can opt for private lesson, else be a part of a group. How quickly you pick up surfing depends on your enthusiasm and ability to learn it. Though your teacher will make it seem easy, you need to practice till you get it right. Remember that you are a novice. So you will have to be ready to learn with experience.

You can either buy surfing equipment else rent it from beach shops. The best option initially is to rent equipment because this way you will get an idea of what is best for you. Novice surfers mostly choose larger boards. Once you get used to surfing on the waves, you can choose you a boar that supports you style and action on the waves.

Honolulu beaches are really fun and exciting place for surfing be it for beginner or for professionals. The perfect spot here for beginner is the Waikiki Beach as the waves here are just below two feet in winter and about three feet in summer. Other famous surf sites here are Queen’s and Canoes.

However, it is important to be aware of surfing etiquette so that you and everyone else around you can have as much fund as possible. Usually novice surfers don’t know when a wave is coming or how to take a wave that they can handle. The result is that they get in the way of good surfers. This can put a real damper in surfing action for other surfers. Beginners should better follow their guide and venture out with their guide for sometime before venturing out alone on the waves. This makes them more experienced to handle different waves and it will ensure that others get their share of fun on the beach likewise.

• Leave a comment... (0)

Hula is Honolulu’s native dance. This dance is performed to the accompaniment of a song or a chant, which is known as ‘Mele’. Hula is a very interesting dance form, which interests people from all over the world because of its beautiful and intricate routines. The movements of this dance do not tell the complete story. Instead they bring out the key aspects of a story.

 Hula dance style broadly divided into two categories – one is knon as the ‘kahikoand’ and the other is the ‘Auana’. The ‘kahikoand’ is the traditional form of Hula, performed to the accompaniment of chant and traditional instruments. It is the way the Hula was done before it was influenced by western styles. Before the coming in of western influences into the Hawaiian Islands, the Hula was performed for amusement or during family events. It was also performed to entertain tribal chief and in such occasions, it was a serious matter as the chief had to be flattered. It was done as a way to honor them as well.   In the 19the and the 20^th century, the Hula came to include some western dance styles. This form of Hula is the ‘Auana’ and it is performed to the accompaniment of western musical instruments like the guitar and the double bass. Western missionary’s felt the Hula dance to be heathen and so many changes we brought into it. Through western influences this dance evolved to include different musical instruments for its songs. The costumes worn also changed, but the dance movements indicate events or happenings just as before.  

When performing Hula, there are certain costumes that have to be worn. The men wear long or short pants, skirts, or a malo, while the women wear skirts or dresses. The dance is done usually with bare feet.  The traditional instrument used in the Hula is the Pahu, which is about two to three feet tall and is made either from coconut or breadfruit tree. An instrument used along with the pahu is the puniu, which is made out of coconut shell with skin from the kala fish stretched across it. Other traditional instruments includes ipu heke, ipu heke, pu’ili , ‘ili’ili, and kala’au. Today, these traditional instruments have been replaced with modrn instruments such as the guitar and ukulele. The rhythmic patterns of the traditional instruments correspond to the foot movements of the dancers.

Those interested in learning hula should go to schools that teach this dance form. In Hawaii, such schools are called h?lau. The person who teaches hula is known as the kumu hula. Many of the motions used in this dance signify the movement of nature.

The hula is a very interesting dance form that interests people from all over the world. Festivals are conducted to celebrate it. Two important such festivals are Merrie Monarch Festival which is held in the Hilo. This is a one-week cultural event in which a Hula competition is held. The other is the World Invitational Hula Festival, which is held every year in the the Waikiki Shell during the month of November.  

• Leave a comment... (0)

Honolulu has a number of exquisite hotels which offer excellent guest comfort, convenience and service quality. Here is a look some of the best in Honolulu hotels.

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa – This resort hotel is located in the Wakiki area. It offers guests all necessary comforts and amenities. View for guest rooms over the ocean and surrounding city are is magnificent.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa offers excellent cuisine through its many restaurants. Restaurants here are ‘The Colony’, ‘Ciao Mein’, ‘Mushshi’, ‘The Terrace Grill’, “The Elegant Dive’, and ‘Hyatt on the Beach’. Each of these restaurants specializes in a specific type of cuisine and this means guests staying here have the chance to taste interesting food varieties.

One of the best features of this hotel is the Na Ho’ola Spa, which provides massages, facials, body wraps and other spa treatments. Skin care products are available here and the staff will also give tips on how you can create your own spa at home.

Sheraton Moana Surfrider Waikiki – This hotel is also located in the Wakiki area. It is pretty close to the Wakiki beach and is also know as ‘The First Lady of Waikiki’, because of certain distinct interior features. It offers guests all necessary facilities for a comfortable stay. Many people use this hotel as a venue of holding their wedding, and guests staying here can notice such activities. This hotel has a lovely pool area which is just right to relax during the afternoons. Guests can dine at the Beachside Cafe, the Snack Bar, the Banyan Grill, or the Beach Bar

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – This hotel situated in Wakiki, is like a small city as it has everything ranging from restaurant, shops, beaches and even a spa. An interesting activity here is taking a shuttle boat from the Port Hilton Dock to a submarine that goes underwater. A guide on board will inform all about the underwater marine life and its ecosystem. This Hilton Hotel is the venue for several cultural activities, through which you can learn more about Hawaiian culture. Some such activities include coconut Frond Weaving Demonstration, coconut Frond Weaving Demonstration, Lei Making Demonstrations and much more.

Honolulu Halekulani - This hotel is located on the Wakiki beach and has been servicing guests for the past 100 years. It was started in 1971 and over the past decades it has won award for excellence in service and hospitality. Halekulani in Hawaiian means “House Befitting Heaven”, and this is the kind of feeling guests have hen they stay here. It includes all comforts and facilities for guests. The hotel offers means for shopping and dining. There is a swimming pool and fitness center here for guest convenience.

Kahala Hotel & Resort – This hotel is situated in the famous Wakiki area in Honolulu.  This hotel is the base for celebrities and political figures who visit Honolulu. It includes world-class suites, rooms, restaurants and spa. An interesting feature here is the hotel’s private lagoon, which has its own resident dolphins that are a great treat to watch.

• Leave a comment... (0)