Hawaiian Journey | Say aloha to Hawaii: the best Hawaiian foods, travel deals, airfare packages, and must-sees

How to store your valuables while snorkeling

Just about everyone goes snorkeling when in Hawaii, and that includes the folks who are trying it for the very first time. Seasoned snorkelers are all too familiar with how things work. However, new snorkelers often wonder about things like what they are supposed to do with their valuables while they are having fun exploring the waters of Hawaii.

Obviously, you cannot just simply store your belongings in your pocket while snorkeling. Even if you are lucky enough to not have everything fall into the ocean, your valuables will inevitably get very wet. So you need something besides your pockets to keep your valuables safe while snorkeling.

In general, Hawaii is a safe place to vacation. However, petty theft does occur. So leaving your valuables in an unattended beach bag is not going to be the best idea either.

One thing you can do to safeguard your valuables is to bury it in the sand. Just make sure you have a way to remember where you buried your items. Also, make sure that no one is looking when you do bury your items.

Another way to keep your valuables safe is to make a small investment. Buy a waterproof bag to store your belongings. Then wear it with you into the water. If you want to be extra safe, you can place the items into a Ziploc before placing them in the waterproof bag to protect against leaks.

Regardless of how you opt to store your valuables, remember to only bring necessities to the beach. Keep items that you don’t really need at the hotel. It will make things a lot easier for you.

Guide to the Royal Hawaiian Center

Did you forget to bring a swimsuit to Hawaii? Then stop by the Royal Hawaiian Center. It is one of the nicest places to shop on Waikiki, and there are plenty of swimsuits for sale there. So you do not have to worry about not having a hot new swimsuit to wear on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.

Since the Royal Hawaiian Center is the biggest mall on Waikiki, there are lots of other things to buy besides bathing suits. You will spot plenty of designer and trendy clothing at the Hawaiian shopping mall. Plus you will be able to find some nice accessories to go with your brand new clothes.

Are you still in search of a nice Hawaiian gift to bring home? Then consider buying an edible gift that can only be found in Hawaii. Buy Kona coffee from Island Vintage Coffee, or buy some sweet cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company. If you prefer gifts that are not food related, there is a ukulele shop and a store that sells hula clothing right at the Royal Hawaiian Center.

While you are at the Royal Hawaiian Center, take some time to enjoy Hawaiian food at the mall’s food court. There are burgers, tacos and Hawaiian barbecue there for you to eat. However, if you get really hungry while at the Royal Hawaiian Center, you should try eating at the Five Star International Buffet.

Besides eating and shopping, something else you can do at the Royal Hawaiian Center is go to the Royal Hawaiian Shooting Club. It is an indoor facility that allows you to safely practice your shooting skills. So keep it in mind when going to Waikiki’s greatest shopping center.

Explore the Villages of the Polynesian Cultural Center

One of the greatest tourist attractions in all of Oahu is the Polynesian Cultural Center. This famed Hawaiian attraction takes place on more than 40 acres of land, and is your key to learning about the Polynesian culture. Best of all, it is an Oahu tourist attraction that is suitable for people of all ages.

To get the most out of your Polynesian Cultural Center visit, you must get there bright and early. There are a lot of Polynesian cultures to explore, and plenty of shows to be amazed by—not to mention all of the exotic foods to try out. So you really do need a full day to avoid missing anything that the Polynesian Cultural Center has to offer.

At the Samoa Village, you will get to witness men climbing coconut trees without any shoes on. Plus you will learn the art of creating fire with two sticks and opening a fresh coconut with just a miniature piece of pebble. Afterwards, see the home of the chief and the huts used for cooking. Then join in on the preparation of Samoan food. You’ll get to taste it all once the Samoan food has finished cooking.

At the Aotearoa Village, watch the villagers do their war dance. Plus learn why they have the tattoos on their faces. Then get a temporary version of the tattoo for yourself.

Villagers from the Hawaiian Village will show you their hula dance. Meanwhile, the Tahiti Village will have you join in a competition that involves the throwing of spears. Then a visit to the Tonga Village will have you enjoying the sounds of drums.

Hike at Diamond Head

Hawaii is full of beautiful sites, and perhaps none is as awe-inspiring as the Diamond Head State Monument Park. Diamond Head is located in Oahu, and it is on just about every list of top Oahu sites to visit. Why all the love for Diamond Head State Monument Park? Perhaps it is due to the exotic beauty of the hiking trails.

Even if you have never been much of a hiker before in your life, you still need to do some hiking once you get to the Diamond Head State Monument Park. Why such an emphasis on hiking at the Diamond Head hiking trails? Hiking there allows you to actually walk across the famous crater. Plus it crosses many breathtaking overlooks. Then once you reach the summit that is 762 feet high, you will be rewarded with a view that looks as though it came right out of a Hawaii postcard. From that summit area, you will see all around you wonderful views of Waikiki, Koko Head, Honolulu, and Punchbowl. Plus there are the lovely views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Leeward Coast.

The crater that is the trademark of the Diamond Head State Monument Park has been there for about 300,000 years. How was the crater formed? It was the aftermath of a volcanic eruption.

When going to the Diamond Head State Monument Park, make sure you get there by 4:30 pm. Otherwise, you won’t be permitted onto the hiking trail. Also, plan to hike for at least 1.5 hours at Diamond Head.

Explore the Kula Kai Caverns

"The city that the Kula Kai Caverns is situated in is called Ocean View. "

Mountains and caves are plentiful in Hawaii. That is why cave exploration is such a big thing on the Big Island. In particular, people who visit the Big Island like to explore the Kula Kai Caverns.

Where is the Kula Kai Caverns? It is pretty close to the Big Island’s South Point. The city that the Kula Kai Caverns is situated in is called Ocean View. Kula Kai Caverns sits on the Big Island’s Southwest rift, and it spans several miles in distance—that means there is quite a lot of cavern space for you to see and explore.

Is going to the Kula Kai Caverns a good learning experience? Yes, because you will be informed many things about the critters who have been able to adapt to life in the Kula Kai Caverns. This makes Kula Kai Caverns a great place for you to take children while vacationing on the Big Island.

Is it easy to get lost while exploring the Kula Kai Caverns? Not at all, because there are Kula Kai Caverns guides there to show you the way. Just follow them, and you will have no problem discovering the Kula Kai Caverns.

How much time do you need to be able to explore the Kula Kai Caverns? Depending on your chosen Kula Kai Caverns tour, you might only need 30 minutes of time, or as much as three full hours. How much does a touring of the Kula Kai Caverns cost? For adults, Kula Kai Caverns tours range from $15 to $195 per person.

Waikiki Trolley

Renting a car during a trip to Oahu can get pricey after a while. The same is true in regards to relying on cabs as a main transportation source during a trip to Oahu. However, you cannot just stay in one spot while on the island of Oahu. The island is just way too beautiful for you not to explore it. So how do you get around the island of Oahu without spending on either car rentals or cabs? You use the Waikiki Trolley system.

The Waikiki Trolley in Oahu is a very cost-effective way for you to travel around the island. They have 30 trolley stops in total, and those stops can get you to numerous places in Oahu. Therefore, you can easily explore the island without the need to book a rental car.

A pass to ride on the Waikiki Trolley is only $7 per person. This pass allows you to get on any of the three lines that make up the Waikiki Trolley system. Plus it enables you to ride as many times as you need to on the trolley for the course of the entire day.

Besides being fairly cheap and convenient to ride, the Waikiki Trolley is also pretty fun to ride. You get to hear the bells on the trolley, and enjoy the fantastic views during your ride. Plus since you are not the one doing the driving, you get to really feel like you are on an actual vacation. What can be better than that?

Keeping an Eye on the Akepa

Rare and beautiful bird now considered endangered

Many people have never seen an Akepa bird, primarily because it is native only to Hawaii. Once found on all of the islands, this creature is now confined to only three islands: Maui, Kaui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. The reason for the decline in population is due to development and logging which have decreased the natural rainforest area this bird calls home.

The Akepa is a very small bird, being around 4 inches long from the top of its head to the end of its tail. It also weighs only a few ounces. Even though it is a very small bird, it has a very powerful beak. This upper part of the beak crosses over the lower one slightly, enabling it to break through the buds of leaves to find caterpillars.

Most males are bright orange with a bit of gray or black on the tips of his wings. Females have varying shades of gray throughout with yellow or orange chests. Their heads are somewhat rounded with a slightly curved beak and two black eyes.

Some scientists speculate that the Akepa can only live in old growth rainforests at high elevations. Their only source of food is caterpillars that live in the Ohia-lehia or Koa trees in these rainforests. They have also been competing with invasive species of birds such as the Japanese White-eye. These birds also lay relatively few eggs so they are slow to reproduce. It is believed that there were originally three species of Akepa, and two of those have already become extinct.

Top Things To Do: Kauai, The Garden Isle

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, and some say the most beautiful. The island features lush greenery, gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, and a laid back attitude. Compared to the other islands Kauai is quiet, and runs at a slower pace. But that doesn't mean that there is not anything to do! The island offers a number of activities and sites to suit all tastes.

Top Things To Do:

1.) See the Na Pali Coast- The northern coastline of Kauai, the Na Pali Coast, is truly breathtaking. Sheer cliffs covered in greenery rise thousands of feet out of the ocean, and it is hard to count all of the waterfalls that can be seen. This part of Kauai cannot be accessed by car; to see the Na Pali Coast one must hike, take a boat tour, or see it from the air.

2.) Helicopter Tour- The topography and beautiful scenery of Kauai make it the perfect place to take a helicopter tour. Seeing Kauai from the air is an activity that should not be missed. Year after year visitors rank this as one of the most enjoyable things they do on their vacations.

3.) Waimea Canyon- Dubbed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon is an amazing sight to see. The canyon can be visited by car, and there are a number of scenic outlooks and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.

4.) Kayaking- Kauai boasts the only navigable rivers in the Hawaiian islands, and kayaking is an activity enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Kayaks can be rented for the day, and kayaking tours are offered by a number of operators.

5.) Zip-lining Tour- Zip-lining is an exciting way to experience the beauty of Kauai. this activity involves sitting in a harness and traveling across a wire at a high rate of speed. Most visitors find this to be an exhilarating experience.

Top Things To Do: Maui, The Magic Isle

Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and there are things to do and see all over the island. The wide range of activities and sites makes Maui a versatile vacation destination; it is ideal for everyone, from honeymooners to families, to senior citizens. When you visit Maui you will never be bored- in fact many visitors plan their next trip to Maui before they even leave the island!

Top 5 Maui Activities

Road To Hana- This drive takes you along dramatic, twisting coastal roads, through lush forest, and over charming one-lane bridges. Waterfalls are a common sight, and there are many scenic outlooks and beautiful beaches along the way. Hana is a sleepy town without the tourist infrastructure that can be found elsewhere on the island; this drive is more about the journey than the destination.
Halelakala at Sunrise- Maui, like all of the Hawaiian Islands, was born from volcanic activity. Halelakala is the extinct volcano which helped create the island, and it is now one of the most popular destinations for visitors. Each day tourists wake up in the middle of the night to make the drive up the slope of the mountain in order to find a place to watch the sunrise. Seeing the sun come up over the clouds at 9,000 feet is a truly spectacular experience that you are not likely to ever forget.
Whalewatching- Each year humpback whales make the journey from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm Hawaiian waters to give birth. The channel between Maui and Molokai and Lanai is a favorite spot of these amazing creatures, making the waters off of Maui's coast some of the best places to see whales from December through April. It is possible to see the animals from shore, but for a more up close view you can take a whale watching tour on a boat.
Lahaina- Located on the western coast of Maui, Lahaina is a bustling town situated right on the water. You can spend the afternoon shopping and visiting the restaurants and bars that line Front Street, while also getting a taste of the history of Maui. The town has a number of historical sites, and the town is a part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Beach Days- Maui is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You can find a beach to suit any need, from quiet beaches with calm waters, to beaches with huge waves perfect for surfing. The waters of Maui are full of wildlife, and while snorkeling off the beach you are likely to see a variety of fish, coral formations, and a sea turtle if you are lucky!

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