USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” HAWAII

HAWAII: THE ALOHA STATE  

BY CLAY LARROY

In the world of traveling, there are plenty of great resources available to both new and experienced travelers alike. There are many websites, guides, books, videos, and other resources available. By writing this blog I hope that I am providing valuable information about wonderful vacation destinations. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Molokai – “The Friendly Isle”

About Molokai

Imagine the Hawaii of the past. Unspoiled country and untouched beaches. No skyscrapers or stoplights. The chance to truly live as the locals do. That’s Molokai today.

Hawaii’s fifth-largest island, Molokai is only 38 miles long and 10 miles across at its widest point. Molokai is home to the highest sea cliffs in the world along its northeast coast (3,600-3,900 feet) and Hawaii’s longest continuous fringing reef (28 miles) off Molokai’s southern coast. On foot, by bike or by 4-wheel drive, this is an island of outdoor adventure. Take the road less traveled and get red dirt in your shoes whether you’re hiking along the 1,700 foot cliffs leading to Kalaupapa National Historical Park or discovering Papohaku Beach, one of Hawaii’s biggest white sand beaches.

With a high percentage of its population being of Native Hawaiian ancestry, Molokai is place where Hawaiian culture thrives. The people of Molokai continue to preserve their rural lifestyle thanks to their love of the land, or aloha aina, and you can feel this aloha from small town Kaunakakai to sacred Halawa Valley. Hawaii’s past comes alive on Molokai.

Molokai History

With a high percentage of Molokai’s population being of Native Hawaiian descent, it’s no wonder why Molokai is sometimes known as “the most Hawaiian Island.” A visit here is like a journey into Hawaii’s past, where historic spots can be discovered today, looking much like they did hundreds of years ago.

One of the oldest known Hawaiian settlements on Molokai was in Halawa Valley, an area you can still explore today. Hawaiian Fishponds built hundreds of years ago can still be seen along Molokai’s southern coast. Molokai is also said to be the birthplace of the hula. Legends speak of Laka, who practiced the hula at sacred Kaana near Maunaloa and spread this knowledge to the other islands. Today, the Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival held every May celebrates the art of the hula.

Western contact came to Molokai in the early 1800’s by Christian missionaries. Kaluaaha Church was Molokai’s first Christian church, originally built in 1833 (today's structure was rebuilt in 1844) on the southeast coast. In the late 1800’s, King Kamehameha V built a vacation home in Kaunakakai. Kamehameha also co-managed ranch lands and was responsible for the planting of over 1,000 coconut trees in Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove. But Molokai is probably most famous for Saint Damien and Saint Marianne's work with Hansen’s disease sufferers at the current site of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Today, the people of Molokai continue to foster a strong connection to the land, a responsibility to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, and a love for country living that sets them apart from the other Islands of Aloha.

Featured Sites and Attractions

Halawa Valley

Take a guided hike into this cathedral valley, blessed with beautiful vistas and towering waterfalls, and see Hawaii back in time.

Hawaiian Fishponds of Molokai

Molokai has many well-preserved Hawaiian fishponds along 20 miles of its south shore, most built 700-800 years ago.

 Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Molokai

Take a memorable mule ride from 1,700 feet to the seaside Kalaupapa National Historical Park, one of the most remote settlements in Hawaii.

 Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove

Located in Kaunakakai, Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park is one of Molokai’s most recognizable natural landmarks.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 http://www.gohawaii.com/

For me, the magic of Hawaii comes from the stillness, the sea, the stars.

Joanne Harris
 

Travel  and create wonderful memories for your family!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” HAWAII

HAWAII: THE ALOHA STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We lead such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

Oahu – “The Gathering Place”

About Oahu

Sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu certainly lives up to its name. The third largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of east and west cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. It’s this fundamental contrast between the ancient and the modern that makes discovering Oahu so enjoyable.

The clear blue waters of Kailua Beach meet the metropolitan cityscapes of Honolulu. The historic architecture of Iolani Palace meets the timeless memorials of Pearl Harbor. The big city of Waikiki meets the small town of Haleiwa on the North Shore.

Whether you’re hiking atop iconic Leahi (Diamond Head), enjoying some of Hawaii’s best shopping, or simply unwinding on the sands of the island’s beautiful beaches, you’ll find variety at every turn on Oahu.

Oahu History

From the Hawaiian monarchy to the attack on Pearl Harbor, an exploration of Oahu’s history reflects the key influences that have impacted all of Hawaii. In 1795, King Kamehameha I led his forces in the legendary Battle of Nuuanu near the scenic precipices of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. This pivotal battle resulted in the conquering of Oahu and the eventual unification of the Hawaiian Islands under one rule in 1810.

Seven Hawaiian monarchs followed after Kamehameha the Great. King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) permanently established the Hawaiian Kingdom’s government on Oahu. King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) and his wife Emma’s summer retreat, the Queen Emma Summer Palace, can still be visited in Honolulu’s Nuuanu Valley today. King Kalakaua, also known as the Merrie Monarch, built the majestic Iolani Palace in Downtown Honolulu. Queen Liliuokalani was Hawaii’s last reigning monarch after American colonists overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in a controversial coup in 1893. In 1898, Hawaii became a territory of the United States.

The 1800’s were a time of great change for Hawaii. Christian missionaries became influential after King Kamehameha II (Liholiho) ended the traditional kapu (taboo) system. Many of the historic churches on Oahu are reminders of Christianity’s influence, such as Kawaiahao Church in downtown Honolulu, which was a place of worship for Hawaiian kings and alii (royalty). Soon, new commerce emerging from whaling, sugar and pineapple industries resulted in an influx of western settlers.

As agriculture boomed in the late 19th century, plantation owners found themselves in the midst of a labor shortage. Immigrants from Japan, China, Korea, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Russia and the Philippines arrived to work in the plantations. Today, this mix of ethnicities is the source of Hawaii’s multicultural population. Visitors can step backward in time to explore this era at Waipahu’s Plantation Village. You can also still see the smoke stack of the old Waialua Sugar Mill as you drive toward historic Haleiwa town.

In the early 1900’s, agriculture began to wane and Hawaii’s visitor industry began to grow. In 1901, the Moana Hotel opened on the beach in Waikiki. Today the Westin Moana Surfrider is Hawaii’s oldest resort still in operation. The Halekulani Hotel opened in 1917 as a cottage colony and was rebuilt as a luxury hotel in the 1970s. The Aloha Tower opened in 1926, and was the tallest building in Hawaii for four decades. In 1927 the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel opened and was nicknamed the “Pink Palace.”

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor pushing America into World War II. The surprise attack was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine Air Forces. The attack damaged or destroyed 12 American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft and resulted in the deaths of 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians.

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. Completed in 1969, the Hawaii State Capitol is located in Downtown Honolulu, behind Iolani Palace.

From the largest museum in the state, Bishop Museum, to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, Oahu is home to numerous landmarks and significant points of interest that shed light on the fascinating facets of Hawaii’s past.

Aloha Tower, Oahu

Aloha Tower is a historic Honolulu landmark and home to an outdoor shopping and dining marketplace.

Bishop Museum, Oahu

Bishop Museum houses the largest collection of Hawaiian artifacts in the state and is a popular destination for the whole family.

Iolani Palace, Oahu

The only official state residence of royalty in the U.S., Iolani Palace’s grounds and galleries are now open to the public as a museum.

Kawaiahao Church, Oahu

The historic Kawaiahao Church was the first Christian Church built on Oahu in 1842.

 Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Oahu

Nuuanu Pali Lookout is one of Oahu’s most popular scenic spots with panoramic views of Windward Oahu and the Koolau mountain range.

Pearl Harbor, Oahu

Five Pearl Harbor Historic Sites honor this National Historic Landmark where World War II both began and ended.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

http://www.gohawaii.com

I thought my book was done, then we went to Hawaii 

and the whole last chapter happened.

Mariel Hemingway
 

Live life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” HAWAII

HAWAII: THE ALOHA STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is great personal interests because it will make a more open-minded person when it comes to inter acting with people. It also made it easier to understanding as to why people act the way they do in their own society and in a society as diverse as the U.S. It has long been said that travels “broadens the mind”. Now new evidence proves that jumping on a plane will not only make you smarter, but more open-minded.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!



The website describes Kauai as Hawaii’s fourth largest island and is sometimes called the “Garden Isle,” which is an entirely accurate description. The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs, aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls. Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, revealing views beyond your imagination.

   Mahamoku

Mahamoku is the unaltered 1915 Hanalei beach house designed by Mabel Wilcox and her brother Charles, which preserves the house, landscape and easy Hanalei beach lifestyle of that bygone era.

Shutters Lounge

After a long day in the sun, come inside to the air conditioning and cool off with one of our tropical drink specials and great appetizers. Live Hawaiian entertainment every night!

Safari Helicopter Tours

The first to coin the phrase, "Cadillac of Helicopters" due to the helicopter's luxury comfort and visibility. On your Kauai helicopter tour you'll enjoy rainbows, waterfalls, canyons and Na Pali Coast. A family owned and operated company since 1987.

Island Adventures

Guided Kayak tours into the Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge past the Historic Menehune Fishpond. Hike along lush forest trails to secluded Jungle Falls. Enjoy a gourmet deli lunch while overlooking the valley below. A truely unique adventure.

Princeville Ranch Adventures

Located on Kauai’s stunning northshore, Princeville Ranch has it all – ziplines, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking and secluded waterfalls. Our guided tours take you away from crowds, exploring private interior valleys and rainforest. Small groups, entertaining and well educated guides – all on a working cattle ranch! Family owned and operated since 1978.

   Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

Mauna Loa Helicopters offers exclusive private helicopter tours with guaranteed window seats for all passengers and a doors-off option for the adventurous. Be mesmerized by unequaled views of Kauai's most stunning scenery.  

Cook's Landing

Completely re-furbished open air lounge overlooking the pool and ocean.Featuring live entertainment(Wed-Sat), pu-pu's and Nightly Happy Hour(4PM-6PM).

Seasport Divers

Professional scuba facility featuring PADI, NAUI, SSI & TDI certifications. New Nitrox program. Hawaiian clothing beach wear. 1 hour photo.

Jack Harter Helicopters

Explore Kauai's spectacular coastlines and wilderness areas in the safety and comfort of our custom designed AStar and Hughes 500 helicopters. Our expert pilots describe the history, geology, and native ecosystems that make Kauai so extraordinary!

    Kauai Sea Rider Adventures, Inc.

Marine Biologist-Guided Zodiac Tours - South Shore & NaPali Coast Snorkel Tours and seasonal Whale Watching Tours. “We had the most amazing time with Captain Tara, she is the best! It was an adventure of a lifetime.”

Kokee Natural History Museum - Hui o Laka

Trail information, Natural History Museum. Open every day. Visitor programs, volunteer opportunities, research support, local craft and bookstore, no admission charge.

    Mana Massage

"Heart Centered" Intentional Massage/Bodywork that lasts! Peaceful, Exquisite, outdoors overlooking the Sacred Wailua River valley; indoors or outdoor garden at Kaua'i Athletic Club. Steam Jacuzzi Sauna. Since 1981.  

Kauai Waterski & Surf Co

Water ski, Wakeboard & Hydrofoil in Paradise on Wailua River for an unforgettable experience. Wailua is the only freshwater skiing in Hawaii with glassy & protected conditions. Our service includes tournament water ski and wakeboard Malibu Boats, professional driver/instructor and high quality equipment.

Kilohana

Visitor attraction featuring unique retail shops, carriage and sugarcane rides, and a fine dining restaurant. Also banquet facility for convention theme parties, weddings, luaus, etc.

   Na `Aina Kai Botanical Gardens

Spanning 240 acres, Na 'Aina Kai is a living mosaic of 13 diverse gardens, a hardwood plantation, a moss- and fern-draped canyon, a tranquil meadow and pristine sandy beach. Gracing the gardens and wild areas are more than 70 bronze sculptures.

    Kauai ATV

Come play in Kauai's lush tropical jungle on an easy to use all terrain vehicle. View rare wildlife and breathtaking vistas. Venture to secluded cascades in the heart of Kauai's south side. Join Kauai ATV for an experience of the road less traveled.

  + ADDED (ALREADY IN LHawaii Adventure Center

Hawaii Adventure Center is "Your One Stop for Adventure!" Take the planning out of your vacation time and spend every moment enjoying your most desired adventures and activities. Let one of our local activity specialists guide you through planning your next visit to Hawaii, the islands of Aloha.

Smith's Motor Boat Service

Destination:The Fern Grotto. Historical cruise on the Wailua River is a journey into the Royal past. Boat captains share a bounty of history and legends in this sacred valley. The family of entertainers share songs of Hawaii. Family Business since 1946.

Hawaiian Surfing Adventures

Surf lessons at awesome Hanalei Bay! Sandy bottom, long rides. Recommended by Laird Hamilton for surf lessons while on Kauai. Our team utilizes both Hawaiian and Local Instructors, we give you an Indigenous experience, a real Hawaiian experience!

    Waioli Mission House

Waioli Mission House, built in 1836 as part of the Congregational Church Waioli Mission Station, was home to missionary teachers Abner and Lucy Wilcox and their seven sons, and is preserved as a memorial to the efforts of missionaries in the islands.

    Grove Farm Museum

Grove Farm acquired by George Wilcox in 1864, served as his home as well as the center of his developing sugar plantation operations throughout his lifetime. The original buildings and furnishings and preserving lifestyle continue to be experience by today's visitors to the 100 acre site in the center of Lihue.

Silver Falls Ranch Inc.

Beginner or expert riders will enjoy the pristine beauty of the secluded location. Up-close mountain views, lush botanicals. Picnic beneath a palm thatched hut and swim at a waterfall. No hiking required. An unforgetable horseback experience.

CJM Country Stables, Inc.

CJM Country Stables invites you to mount up and join us on Kauai's magnificent South Shore for a memorable horseback ride.

Kilauea Lighthouse

Popular with visitors and Hawaiian monk seals, this South Shore beach was once named America's Best Beach.

Kokee Natural History Museum - Hui o Laka

Trail information, Natural History Museum. Open every day. Visitor programs, volunteer opportunities, research support, local craft and bookstore, no admission charge.

Kauai Museum

The Kauai Museum is the cultural Sanctuary for the art and artifacts of Native Hawaiians and it nurtures the creative spirit of today's artists.

Mahamoku

Mahamoku is the unaltered 1915 Hanalei beach house designed by Mabel Wilcox and her brother Charles, which preserves the house, landscape and easy Hanalei beach lifestyle of that bygone era. + ADDED (ALREADY IN LI

Grove Farm Museum

Grove Farm acquired by George Wilcox in 1864, served as his home as well as the center of his developing sugar plantation operations throughout his lifetime. The original buildings and furnishings and preserving lifestyle continue to be experience by today's visitors to the 100 acre site in the center of Lihue.

+ ADDED (ALREADY IN LIST

Reference Sites

http://www.gohawaii.com

http://www.kauai-hawaii.com/

http://www.kauai.com/

        I grew up in a musical family; the majority of my growing up was done in Hawaii. It's what we do. You sing, you dance, you play ukulele and you drink. 

Dwayne Johnson

 

 

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” HAWAII

HAWAII: THE ALOHA STATE  

BY CLAY LARROY

The purposes of traveling are different for different people. There are some people who travel for the sake of pleasure. The people that are heavily burdened either at their domestic front or at their offices move too far off places for relieving their worries and anxieties. The poets and writers make a trip to distant places for collection of facts for their writings. Businessmen also visit various places to enquire as to whether there are scopes for expansion of their business. Travelling provides the benefit of sightseeing and gives pleasure to the visitor. In addition, it gives a scope to an individual to have firsthand knowledge of variegated people inhabiting the world. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

                Kauai “The Garden Isle”

 About Kauai

Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth largest island and is sometimes called the “Garden Isle,” which is an entirely accurate description. The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs, aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls. Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, revealing views beyond your imagination.

Beyond Kauai’s dramatic beauty, the island is home to a variety of outdoor activities. Kayak the Wailua River. Snorkel on Poipu Beach.

Hike the trails of Kokee State Park. Even go zip lining above Kauai’s lush valleys. But it is the island’s laid-back atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns and along its one-lane bridges that make it truly timeless. Make your escape to Kauai and discover the undeniable allure of Kauai.

Kauai History

Compare the lush, time worn cliffs of the Napali Coast with the fresh black lava shores of Hawaii Island and you’ll understand what makes Kauai the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain. Kauai’s distant past is filled with legends, the most well-known tells of the Menehune, a mythical race of small people talented in construction and engineering who created Kauai’s aqueducts and fishponds, often in a single night. They were believed to have lived in the woods and were shunned by Hawaiians. Today, you can still see their work at Hawaiian fishponds like Alekoko, known as Menehune Fishpond, near Lihue.

In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook landed in Kauai’s Waimea Bay for the first time. Cook’s discovery of what he called the “Sandwich Isles,” named after the Earl of Sandwich, introduced Hawaii to the world. A statue of Captain Cook stands today in Waimea Town.

During this era of western discovery, King Kamehameha I was attempting to unify the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. Kauai and the small neighboring island of Niihau (part of Kauai county) were the only islands to deter his efforts. Eventually, Kauai’s King Kaumualii decided to peacefully unite with Kamehameha and join the rest of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

In 1835 Old Koloa Town opened its first sugar mill. Follow the Koloa Heritage Trail in Old Koloa Town today to learn about Kauai’s plantation past. On the North Shore, tour the Waioli Mission House, on the National Register of Historic Places, to get a glimpse of missionary life in the 19^th century. You can also visit the Kauai Museum for a fascinating exploration of exhibits, artifacts and murals portraying the history of Kauai, its people and its unique culture.

Featured Sites and Attractions

Alekoko, Menehune Fishpond, Kauai

According to legend, the Menehune built Alekoko Fishpond on Kauai’s southeast shore in one night.

Kauai Museum, Kauai

Located in Lihue, the Kauai Museum features amazing collections from the artisans of Kauai and Niihau.

Koloa Heritage Trail, Kauai

Koloa Heritage Trail, on Kauai’s south shore, spotlights significant cultural, historical and geological sites.

Old Koloa Town, Kauai

Old Koloa Town, in south Kauai, is a charming area with a historic plantation past.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 http://www.gohawaii.com/

Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.

 Paul Theroux
   

Travel to experience life and create amazing memories!