Hawaii is an island chain of nineteen
volcanic islands located in a geological “hot spot” in the
Central Pacific. The beautiful white sand beaches, breathtaking
natural beauty, lush rainforests, and lava flows are world famous.
WHEN TO GO?
Week of Christmas, the week before and
after Easter, Thanksgiving week and summer are high seasons. We
wanted to avoid the high season and also high temperatures. Dec 10-24
worked fine for us.
WHERE TO GO?
There are four major islands:
Oahu (the most developed island that
houses Waikiki, the best-known tourist destination in Hawaii,
pineapple fields and the North Shore of Oahu with awesome beaches,
surfing, and whale watching. Oahu is
called The Gathering Place. Home to the state capitol of Honolulu and
the majority of Hawaii's population, Oahu Highlights include Waikiki
Beach, Pearl Harbor - historic sites recounting the Pearl Harbor
attack. Hanauma Bay & Nature Preserve - One of Hawaii's
premier snorkeling sites. Nuuanu Pali Lookout - Historic spot
with fantastic mountain views. North Shore - Legendary
birthplace of big wave surfing. In terms of deals, you’ll typically
find the best deals during the months of April, May, September,
October, November and December — excluding holidays. In addition to
great deals, you’ll find that these are the least
crowded months to vacation on Oahu.)
Kauai (The Garden Isle, The
oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian Island chain; graced
with dramatic, natural beauty, the largest pineapple plantations and
amazing sculpted cliffs that one can hike. least developed and most
unspoiled; with natural wonders like Wailua Falls, Kalalau
Trail (Spectacular coastal trail on Kauai's North Coast),Poipu
Beach (Voted one of America's best beaches),Waimea
Canyon (Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."),
the trails of Kokee State Park, Limahuli Garden.),
Big Island of Hawaii (The Orchid
Isle, huge, adventure-filled, and home to Mauna Loa, one of the largest
and most active volcanoes on Earth, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
coffee and macadamia nut plantations and even green sand beaches.
Larger than all of the other islands combined, the island of Hawaii,
also known as Big Island, encompasses 11 of the world's 13 climactic
zones - from white sand beaches to snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, rainforests, and botanical gardens near
Hilo; the historic PuuKohola Heiau, north of Kona).
Maui (the Valley Isle; the second
largest island and famous for beaches, golf, winter whale watching
and driving the beautiful and very long scenic Road to Hana). Maui
Highlights include Lahaina Town - Whale watch, Makena Beach
State Park (Big Beach) - One of Maui's largest beaches. Iao
Valley State Park - Historic site home to the iconic Iao Needle.
Haleakala National Park - Scenic home of Maui's highest peak.
Hana Highway - Famous for the scenery, twists, and turns on the
way to Hana town.
Each island deserves a week minimum, so
we chose 2 islands with a week in each.
Oahu was a shoo-in as all
international flights are in and out of Honolulu . Volcano tilted
the bar in favor of Big island for our next choice. We had a RT from
Honolulu and then a RT between Honolulu and Hilo. We had a single
base in Oahu at Honolulu and 3 bases in Big island.
Oahu is the most visited, half of all
visitors to the state of Hawaii pick Oahu. So we scheduled our visit
there first and then went on to Big island for the 2nd
half which came dangerously close to peak tourist season. Worked for
us!
has a google map with all our places
pinned
The map is embedded here as well. You can click on the bubble and trace our itinerary.
CAR RENTAL:
Renting a car is a must anywhere other than Honolulu. We rented through Alamo for both islands. Check out www,discounthawaiicarrental.com
Mountain roads are narrow and windy and
can be slippery in rain. There are no street lights and in the
tropics it becomes pitch dark right after sunset. We had ample maps
printed out and were thankful for them when our GPS guided us right
into the ocean a few times!
Regulars book their fav hotel/apartment for the next year when their stay there is over for that year. So earlier we book our accommodation, the better it is... otherwise, prices shoot through the roof!
Same with car rentals also!
When we are shifting bases and our bags
are in the car boot, it's best not to plan any long hikes with the
car parked with all belongings. Thefts have been reported in many
parking areas, even smashing of windows to grab things left in locked
cars. Due diligence on our part is advisable.
BOOKINGS:
Regulars book their fav hotel/apartment for the next year when their stay there is over for that year. So earlier we book our accommodation, the better it is... otherwise, prices shoot through the roof!
Same with car rentals also!
With this intro, I start on the
detailed daily report.
DAY 1, DEC 10, 2012, Oahu:
After a long flight of 8
hours/4000 miles from Houston, we landed at Honolulu, Oahu, picked up our Hyundai Sonata
from the Alamo counter.
We had pleasant weather throughout the week.
Oahu has great weather year round;
In the winter months, from mid-November
through March, the high-temperature averages somewhere around 80°F.
In the summer months, the high typically averages somewhere in the
mid- to upper- 80s.
As with all the islands, Oahu does see
a bit more rain during the winter months, especially on the leeward
(east) side. Typically, showers are scattered and the sun quickly
returns after a brief rain storm. Plus, there's the added benefit
that rain keeps the island nice and lush. Not to mention, winter is
prime whale watching season.
We drove down to Ramada Plaza at
Waikiki and checked in... our holiday started with a drive to
Kawaiahao church.
5 PM: Kawaiahao Church 957 Punchbowl St., Downtown Honolulu
Known as the "Westminster Abbey of
the Pacific," Kawaiahao Church is the first Christian Church
built in Oahu. Dedicated on July 21, 1842, “The Great Stone Church”
is made of 14,000 coral slabs from ocean reefs that were hauled from
the sea by native laborers and missionaries.
Santa and his wife seen from Kawaiahao church fountains...
The tower clock. "Kauikeaouli
clock," donated by King Kamehameha III in 1850, still tolls the
hours to this day.
To the right of the entrance is the
peaceful tomb of King Lunalilo. This popular King ruled for just a
little over one year and he wished to be buried “among his people”
at Kawaiahao Church rather than in the Royal Mausoleum.
To the left of the church is the
Kawaiahao Fountain. The High Chiefess Hao bathed in this sacred
spring, giving the church its name: Ka Wai a Hao, or the water of Hao
Prior to the missionaries arriving in the islands,
the flat plain just south of the village of Honolulu was a barren,
windswept dust bowl, little more than a desert. However, in the
midst of this sun-parched land there was an oasis, a spring whose
waters were reserved exclusively for the land's high chiefs and
chiefesses. One such noble who frequented this pool was the chiefess
Ha‘o. Eventually these waters, and the surrounding land, came to be
known as Ka Wai a Ha‘o-the freshwater pool of Ha‘o... this
fountain is from the same spring and the foundation stone is from the
same pool.
DAY 2, DEC 11, 2012:
9AM: AT THE PUNCHBOWL CRATER: .
This extinct crater, shaped like a
punchbowl is home to a military cemetery, and offers a panoramic
view.
We made it early and so escaped the
crowds of tourist buses. Punchbowl is beautiful with its lush shades of manicured green in contrast with the white granite and stonework...
THE FINAL RESTING PLACES OF THE
SOLDIERS AND VETERANS CAN BE SEEN MARKED BY TINY SIGNS/FLOWERS IN THE
LUSH CRATER BELOW.
This is Lady Columbia's statue; it represents the grieving mothers of all the fallen soldiers.
Lady Columbia/ Liberty is modelled after Mrs Bixby who lost all her 5 sons to wars... the words carved under the statue "the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice at the altar of freedom" are from the condolence letter President Lincoln wrote to her.
It seems Mrs Bixby tore off the condolence letter in grief and anger.
As this plaque says the monument is a memorial to the army for its contribution in all the Pacific wars, esp World War II and the Korean War.
Appropriate peace doves motif here.
There is a small chapel as well... the glass in the grill also bears the face of Lady Columbia.
The simple altar at the chapel.
There is a spectacular view of downtown Honolulu from above. Rainbows keep appearing across the sky as rain drops and a mild sun keep alternating.
A drive around the grounds is lovely.
Nu'uanu pali lookout:
After the tour of the Punchbowl crater, we drove on the scenic Pali highway and reached the Nu'uanu pali
lookout... this is on the Koolau mountains...
“Pali” means ‘cliff’ in
Hawaiian. The Pali Lookout is the site of the Battle of Nuuanu,
where in 1795 King Kamehameha I won the struggle that finally united
Oahu under his rule. This fierce battle claimed hundreds of soldiers,
many were forced off these sheer cliffs.
Kamehameha I who grew up in Waipio
Valley on the Island of Hawaii and earned the name "the lonely
one", united the islands under one supreme rule, and also
established himself as a fierce warrior and compassionate leader to
his people.
After several battles to gain power
over the Big Island, Kamehameha I recruited two Englishmen, Young and
Davies, to teach him " Western Style " battle techniques.
In 1795 he sailed from Hawaii with his army and conquered Maui,
before landing on Oahu.
Kamehameha I then drove the defenders
of Oahu up to the Nu‘uanu Pali and over its cliffs.
Gnarled roots of a tree.
Friendly wild fowl at Nuuanu pali
parking lot.
Pali Lookout is also known for its
strong and howling winds. We feel the wind push up against us, hear
the winds whistle through the mountains.
We enjoyed the breathtaking views of
Oahu’s lush Windward Coast from the lookout.
We took the Pali Highway
from Honolulu to Kamehameha Highway. Travelled north on Kamehameha
Highway toward Kaneohe. After about 1 mile , turned left on Luluku
Road and followed the signs to Ho'omaluhia botanical garden.
Ho'omaluhia botanical gardens:
.
Ho'omaluhia means "To make a place
of peace and tranquility". And that is what awaits us at this
park with over 400 acres of open green spaces, the towering Ko'olau
Mountain Range draped in green and a 32-acre manmade lake.
The park is divided into 6 main areas.
Each area features plants from different parts of the world.
Pa Launa is for Tropical American
Plants.
Kahua Kuou has plants from India/Sri
Lanka.
Kahua Lehua features Native Hawaiian
Plants.
Karua Kukui has plants from the
different Polynesian Islands of the Pacific.
Kahua Hau is for Hau Trees.
And African plants are located in Kahua
Nui.
Each area has a parking lot and
restroom facilities.
Lovely palms... saw so many varieties with different foliage.
These screw pine trees have such lovely tripod like roots.
This is the towering Ko'olau Mountain Range draped in green.
These fruits taste good—-sweet pulp.
Lovely blossoms.
This is the sealing wax palm tree... red dye made from these barks is used in sealing wax.
Powder puff flowers.
This is parrot beak heliconia—earlier, these were grouped with banana family because of similar leaf, later they have been classified as heliconias. yellow parrot beak heliconia.
Had our picnic lunch at the visitor
center before starting our drive through this huge park.
After driving through all the 6
sections, we trekked to this man made lake called Kapani Wai. It is a
lovely man made lake made by engineers for flood control.
This is Ching Hai, (born 12 May 1950), the spiritual teacher of the Quan Yin Method. She is known for her philanthropic and humanitarian work but has been criticized for self-promotion.
This botanical garden is a hidden gem, not frequented by tourists... it was a peaceful haven for us.
We left the park and continued our
drive.
View of Mokoli’i island at the
distance... it is commonly known as 'Chinaman's hat".
Mokoli’i means “little lizard”, or the remnants of a tail of a legendary lizard whose back is visible as the Kualoa mountain range.
“Kualoa” means “long, large back”, referring to the long large back of a giant lizard or dinosaur.
Legend has it that Hi’iakaikapoliopele, one of the sisters to Pele, the goddess who lives at Halema’uma’u at the current volcano on Hawai’i island, passed through the Kualoa area one day. The large lizard or mo’o gave chase to her. She killed him, and one sign of this battle is the remnant tail in the ocean, seen here.
Byodo-In Temple:
We reached Byodo-In Temple near Kaneohe after a couple of wrong turns initially... this temple is simply stunning. It is an exact scaled replica of the 900 year old Fuji Temple in Japan. It was completed in 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants arrival to Hawaii.
The temple and grounds are as peaceful as they are picturesque.
Here we are ready to ring the 3-ton bell at the Byodo temple to purify the mind of evil spirits and temptation and to bring good luck.
9-Foot BUDDHA encased in gold leaves.
On the koa wood bench outside the gift shop filled with Japanese artifacts.
Originally had planned to visit the
Lanikai beach as well but darkness was setting in and we drove back
to Waikiki. End of Day 2.
Report on our next 2 days is here:
Report on our next 2 days is here:
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