The coral reefs of Hawaii were very special to the Hawaiian people. In ancient times, not only did ancient Hawaiians get food from the sea, but they also worshiped coral as one of the first creatures to emerge from the sea during creation. The coral reefs are highly prized and protected as the special treasure that they are.
Exploring the Hawaiian coral reef is one of the outstanding things to do while vacationing in Hawaii. The waters are temperate and filled with fish of every color in the rainbow. Visitors can go snorkeling, scuba diving or even “snuba diving” on every island. Sea life is abundant and colorful among the swaying sea plants and corals. The Hawaiian coral reefs are home to to unique species of sea animals that are not found anywhere else on the planet. It is believed that well over a quarter of the reef animals living in these waters are unique to the islands. Places like Hanauma Bay on Ohau or Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii, to name just two, are great places to see unique marine life and enjoy all that the ocean has to offer in Hawaii.
If you are visiting Hilo, HI, take an hour or two to explore the Lyman Museum on Haili Street in downtown Hilo. Here you can learn about the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and take a tour of the missionary home located here. The museum has cultural items, natural history items, a huge collection of seashells and minerals as well as artwork from both Hawaii and around the world. The Earth Heritage Gallery features information about the climate zones and habitats of Hawaii.
The Mission House was originally built for missionaries Sarah and David Lyman in 1839. The Mission House has been restored and is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Place. The office and barter room has recently been restored and will open to the public in July 2010. The museum hosts traveling exhibitions that can also be seen which change on a frequent basis. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Tours of the Mission House take place at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $3 for children. Special family passes are available for $21 and university students with ID can gain entry for $5.00.
One of the most wonderful sights is watching the Humpback whales playing in the warm Hawaiian waters from December to late March or early April. Humpbacks come to the warm Hawaiian waters to mate and then a year later to birth their calves. As a result, you will often see them frolicking and breaching even from the shoreline. While the whales are most numerous off the coast of Maui, you can book whale tours from each of the islands to get “up close and personal” with the giant and elegant creatures. While the whales are in their mating and breeding season, they do not eat so they may lose up to a third of their body weight while basking in the Hawaiian waters. After their breeding season is over, the whales head north for cooler summer waters.
Humpbacks at Play
