Hawaii Best Travels

Lava Flows on the Big Island

The Traveler — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:04:09 +0000

Imagine waking up one day in the home you have recently built to find hot molten lava quickly descending down the mountain straight for your home! That is exactly what happened to the residents of Royal Gardens on the south part of the Big Island of Hawaii in 1990. The lave has continued to creep slowly to the sea since the Kamoamoa fissure eruption in March 2011. Recently, rushing lava from the east rift zone of Kilauea volcano is once again coursing back through the same Royal Gardens area. This amazing footage can be seen in this dramatic video of the Kilauea lava flow.

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau

The Traveler — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 01:11:00 +0000

If you are going to Kailua-Kona, be sure to visit the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau in south Kona. This is a traditional Hawaiian place of refuge sanctuary where those who broke laws could come to seek forgiveness and absolution. In a society where the punishment for breaking a law was death, law breakers had to elude capture and seek the safety of one of these refuge areas. This one is particularly well preserved and is a great place to learn about ancient Hawaiian life. The park is open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. daily. The Visitor Center is open from 8:45 A.M to 4:30 P.M. On weekends, the park often has presentations from locals who share crafts, explain Hawaiian customs and tell stories about the Hawaiian Culture. This is a great place for young and old to learn about ancient Hawaii. Since it is also a nesting ground for the Hawaiian Turtle, you may also see several of the wonderful creatures sunning themselves in the bay here as well.

For a time, the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau historical sanctuary was closed due to damage caused by the Tsunami of 3/11/2011. The park is now open again and receiving visitors.

Video – Historical Landmark reopens.

Big Island Tsunami Damage

The Traveler — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:47:44 +0000

The recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami generated by this event hit the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii hard on Friday morning, March 11, 2011. The ground floor of the King Kamehameha Hotel and the Kona Village Resort as well as several shops along Ali’i Drive suffered extensive damage. There was no loss of life but one single family home was totally destroyed and another suffered damage in the Kailua-Kona area. Residents living near Kealakekua Bay further down the southern coastline received extensive damage in the coastline area with one house completing floating away. Fortunately, all residents in the area had been evacuated by the time the tsunami hit the Napo’opo’o area.

Video – West Hawaii Vacation Rental House Washes Away.

Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum in Maui

The Traveler — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:04:51 +0000

If you are visiting the island of Maui and have a bit of time to kill before heading off to the airport, a visit to the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Plantation may be just the thing. Sugar cane is thought to originated in New Guinea and brought to the islands by Polynesian immigrants over 1,000 years ago. Sugar cane, once the mainstay of the Hawaiian economy, is largely gone in the islands. One of only two working sugar plantation still in operation in the islands, Maui’s sugar plantation is located in Puunene, Maui.

Today, the sugar mill is operated by the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company and exports up to 200,000 tons of raw sugar to California where it is refined and sold to consumers. Next to the working sugar mill, is the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum. The home, built in 1902, was occupied by the plantation superintendent. Here you can see video of cane processing in the neighboring plant and various pieces of sugar cane equipment and 6 rooms of exhibits telling the history of the sugar cane and the plantation era. The Museum, located just 10 minutes from the Kahului airport, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. with the last admission to the museum at 4:00 p.m. Admission for adults is $7.00 and $2.00 for children ages 6-12 with no charge for children 5 and under.

Iao Valley in Central Maui

The Traveler — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:07:27 +0000

The park features a short loop with good viewing of the Iao stream and the interesting Iao Needle rising 2,250 feet high. This was once the site of a fierce and bloody battle in 1790 between King Kamehameha I and the Maui forces as Kamehameha invaded the island of Maui. At the bottom of the valley is the Iao stream surrounded by the lush, steep walls of of Pu’u Kukui Crater. You can take the self-guided hike over the stream to the viewing point or venture deeper into the Iao Valley on some of the various nature trails leaving from the area. Although there are restrooms near the parking lot, there is no drinking water so be sure to bring some for your hike here.

Iao Needle

Kauai Monk Seals

The Traveler — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:00:10 +0000

One of the unique residents of the island of Kauai is the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Over the past 50 years, the Hawaiian monk seal population has fallen over 60%. Today the island is home to just a handful of these animals with 90% of them living in the area of Kauai and Niihau. Despite the fact that these animals are now protected through the Kauai Monk Seal Watch program and by state and federal law, the monk seal population continues to decline. The seal watch organization says that despite recent pup births, the population of Monk Seals may be as low as 25 animals. Efforts to protect this endangered animal continue to try to preserve them.

When you visit Kauai, you may have the pleasure of seeing one of these magnificent creatures. Monk seals do come onto the beach to rest, sun themselves or care for their young quite often. If you are lucky enough to see a monk seal, always stay well behind barricades or posted signs in any seal area. Never approach a mother and pup or attempt to disturb the animals or feed them in any way. Never throw objects or make noises to create good photo opportunities. Never let children approach the seals because these 400 pound animals have been known to bite or attack humans when provoked or frightened. While you are encouraged to enjoy these magnificent animals from a safe distance and with the telephoto camera lens, remember that state and federal laws protect these animals. Disturbing a Hawaiian monk seal could result in fines exceeding $25,000 and up to five years of imprisonment. By working together, the Hawaiian monk seal can be protected so that future generations may enjoy these wonderful creatures.

The Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal