Sharks, Rays, Whales on the most Watched youtube Travel Video

More Hawaii ocean life, you ask, what is that for? Just wait a minute and I will explain.

Actually, the sharks, rays, whales and fish you are about to see are ocean creates also live in Hawaii's ocean waters but these sharks, rays and whales do live in the 2nd biggest aquarium (biggest one is in Georgia, Atlanta) in the world, in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan

I can't believe this coincidence. One minute, I am writing my blog post about the wonderful book 'Sharks and Rays of Hawaii' and shortly after, when cruising my favorite Hawaii ocean blog 'The Right Blue', I come across this most awesome and amazing youtube video shot by video producer Jon Rowlinson! This is one of those miracle stories which twitter + tweets, youtube and the world wide web can make happen.

I just read on @jonrowlinson the following tweet:

Kuroshio sea is the top rated travel video on youtube...of all time. http://bit.ly/AZhJ9 Wait, it got a higher rating than Matt dancin??

Long story short. Here is Jon Rowlinson's famous youtube video displayed on Best Hawaii Vacation blog for your convenience and of course, for getting you all excited to watch all the fantastic ocean life in real nature on your next Hawaii vacation. Don't know how close you want to be to the sharks though. Watching sharks through the glass walls of an aquarium feels definitely safer.

Kuroshio Sea by Jon Rowlinson - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world



Here is what Jon says about the aquarium:

"The main tank called the 'Kuroshio Sea' holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world’s second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank." Let's not forget to mention that music is "Please don't go" by the group 'Barcelona'.

So, what do you think about the video, sharks, rays, aquarium, music and all? Mahalo for your comments. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Tags: most watched youtube travel video, second biggest aquarium in the world, sharks and rays, ocean creatures in hawaii

Ocean Life in Hawaii

Aloha Hawaii Lovers,

After we talked about the big fish in Hawaii's ocean like Ono, Ahi, Mahimahi, Marlin and the big game fishing season, which has arrived in Hawaii, specifically in Kona Hawaii with the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, we decided to stay in the water, the water of the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands. Let's talk more about ocean life in Hawaii.

Those of you who have been following our Best Hawaii Vacation blog since we started this blog in July 2006 - Oh my, it's another blog anniversary, the 3rd! - have seen lots of great Hawaii photos taken by our friend Jennifer Crites, renowned Oahu Hawaii photographer and travel magazine writer. However, when Jennifer needed to have foot surgery after a hiking accident on Oahu, she was not able to continue to follow up with more Hawaii photos or guests posts like '5 Best Photo Tips for Your Hawaii Vacation' for our blog. We had to fill in the blanks with Kawika's beautiful and sexy Wahine girls of Hawaii - I am sure the guys did not mind - and our own amateur photos of Hawaii.

Today's blog post is about catching up with our dear friend, Jennifer Crites. Good news is that she is back to her busy schedule taking photos of our beautiful Hawaiian Islands, writing interesting articles for travel magazines, and now listen, she is also in the midst of writing a mystery book, which picks up the strong spirituality of native Hawaiians for 'weaving' the story. When the book is on the shelves of the bookstores, we will let you know.

Speaking with Jennifer about her latest book project, reminded us that this is not Jennifer's first book. Her first fiction book, yes.

Jennifer actually wrote together with her partner in life, Gerald Crow, longtime manager at the Waikiki Aquarium, a fascinating book about 'Sharks and Rays of Hawaii', which was published in 2002. If you can get your hands on this book, you won't be disappointed. Amazing, there are 40 species of sharks and 9 species of rays living in the ocean around the Hawaiian Islands, yet, little do we know about them. There is so much in the book that is fascinating. Here are the reasons why we, Keoki and myself, love this book.

5 Reasons why 'Sharks and Rays of Hawaii' belongs on the best seller list of Hawaii books

1.

There are about 400 photos in the book. There are NO all-text pages. About 60 % of the photos were taken by Jennifer Crites. Other photos were contributed by underwater photographers and scientists from all over the world.

2.

There are exciting stories from people who've had unusual encounters with sharks and rays.

3.

There's also a chapter on the early Hawaiians, their shark gods, how they used shark teeth for weapons and shark skin on their drums, how they co-existed with sharks and rays, and some of their legends.

4.

There's information about staying safe from sharks while swimming in the ocean, and how to recognize the different types of sharks, which ones might hurt you and which ones you don't have to worry about.

5.

There are a lot of "Wow, I didn't know that about sharks!" facts in the book. Kids like to read that sharks, when they have a tummy ache, can push their stomachs out through their mouths, wash them in sea water, and pull them back in again. It's called "gastric eversion."

Now, you can understand that 'Sharks and Rays of Hawaii' does not only attract the adult audience but kids alike. It's educational and entertaining at the same time. This is definitely a book which will keep your and your kids' attention on your next flight to Hawaii.It makes a great gift too.

Well, you may want to own your own copy of 'Sharks and Rays of Hawaii' and peruse through it with your kids leisurely. Amazon makes it possible with used books as low as $4.49 a book. We'd love to hear from our readers who have read the book and tell us how they liked it. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

Last but not least, here is a short bio about Gerald Crow who co-authored the book "Sharks and Rays of Hawaii" with Jennifer Crites. Jerry is a well-known science researcher who has been interviewed for many TV programs and has appeared nationally on the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" and on Animal Planet. He's also featured in the Discovery Channel's book, "Sharks." He's currently doing research on jellyfish.

Tags: Sharks and Rays in Hawaii, Hawaii bestseller books, Hawaii photographers, Jennifer Crites

Hawaii Game Fishing A Hawaii Story

Dear Hawaii visitors,
First things first, the Kona Ironman condo (sleeps 6) at the best rate for Kona Ironman accommodations, is still available at this moment. What do realtors always say 'Hurry, this won't last long'. Well, we are not realtors but definitely would like to help those Hawaii visitors who still want to visit Kona for the 2009 Ironman and were just not lucky yet to find a Kona vacation rental for the price they can afford.

We are also happy to welcome back Bill for one of his fantastic stories about Hawaii and island life. His story fits right into the time frame of the First Hawaiian Storytelling Conference with people from Hawaii and from around the world. Story telling starts today in Honolulu 7/16 - 20. There will also be a continuing part on the island of Maui on 7/23/09. We are so happy to hear about this new event to keep Hawaiian traditions not only alive but further support the tradition of storytelling in the Hawaii's culture. Let's get right to our today's Hawaii story about Hawaii Game Fishing.

Bill picks up Big Game Fishing in Hawaii which experiences a high season during Hawaiian summer. If you are interested in fishing, not just the little fish but big game fishing, check out our article about 'Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament July 20 - 24, 2009'. or visit their site about the Kona Billfish Tournament.

"As the summer blooms full and broad across the boundless Hawaii sky, days are long and lazy, and the nights are brightened by a zillion stars. The sun baked land seems to sigh as the cool evening casts welcome shadows across the brilliant flanks of towering Mauna Kea. The daily flock of trade wind clouds now gathers in the lee of Hualalai, and the reaching leaves of the high forest embrace soft rains at Kukuiohiwai. We see these things, and our hearts rejoice that we are among the luckiest to enjoy this wonderful natural theatre each day.

While the shimmering summer air sweeps and swirls around our towering mountain peaks, lacy patterns of bright daylight and racing shadows play over the vast stretches of pasture and forest, lava and sun beaten coastline. This is the sea of air that we live within, the vast atmospheric ocean of north Pacific breezes with their rich currents of oxygen and cooling squalls, while just below us the deep currents of the sea itself surge and grunt against the incredible bulk of the Island. Summer in the off shore waters has a story of its own to tell, and we big game fisherman listen very closely.

Game Fishing for Ono Ahi and Mahimahi on the Kona Coast with Bill on his boat 'Kakalina'



Far below the marching waves, where the rough skin of the Island stirs dark currents of rich, cold water up into the warm surface layers, great plumes of kailua stretch up and down the coast, attracting hundreds of schools of opelu and young aku with a swelling banquet of shimmering nehu and clouds of plankton and algae. Pelagic hunters migrate across the endless expanses of ocean to feast on this rich gift. These oceanic hunters arrive as schools of giant ahi, packs of high speed ono and the always terrifying Pacific Blue Marlin. Few people know that the Pacific Blue Marlin was not documented as a separate species until Captain George Parker, of Kailua-Kona, caught one in November of 1954. That fish weighed 1002 pounds, and Captain George caught it single-handedly from the Mona H on his way to Honolulu for dry dock.

While the ahi and ono provide wonderful meals to friends and family, the marlin provides the most hair-raising episodes a fisherman or woman will ever experience. We don’t hang those fish much anymore. On our boat, Kakalina, we tag our marlin and send them on their way instead of killing them just to weigh. It is good to know that same fish may come back to wrestle with us another day.

Going fishing is the sort of thing that occupies the mind during the soft summer months in the world’s most beautiful place to live. Aloha, Bill"

Thanks Bill for this wonderful story about fishing big fish in Hawaii ocean waters. Not to forget the fun youtube video of your fishing tour in Kona with family and friends. What do you think of big game fishing in Hawaii on vacation? We'd love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Bill has been living on the Kohala Coast for most of his life and has helped many people in the past to find their Hawaiian dream home. Also visit Bill's other Hawaii blog stories on our Hawaii blog guest author page.

Tags: Big Game Fishing, Hawaii fishing, Hawaii game fishing, sport fishing in Hawaii, Kona fishing tournament

Kona Hotel or Kona Condo which one is Best for Hawaii Ironman Accommodation

Warm aloha to all of our Best Hawaii vacation blog visitors,

and especially to those who still want to visit the Big Island in October for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship but were not able yet to find that affordable and special Ironman rate offer. If that is you, please, continue reading. Our today's blog post might have just the best place with top amenities at top location for the best rate I could find online.

Inquiries for Kona accommodations, vacation rentals such as Kona condos come in quite frequently in our Kohala Coast Vacation Guide, where we also list Kona vacation rentals, homes and condos. The Kohala Coast is a great option when visiting the Big Island for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon event.

However, for active triathletes competing in the Kona Ironman we always recommend lodging in Kona. If you are still searching for a place to stay in Kona for the Ironman 2009, we recommend to read one of our most recent posts 2009 Hawaii Ironman Visitors Information.

Now, coming back to our blog title question Kona hotel or Kona condo which one is best for your Ironman visit?', that does not take much thinking. First of all, Kona hotels are currently filling up fast and with no amenities like a fully equipped kitchen they are not as much desired as a vacation condo. OK admitted Kona hosts raise their condo or rental rates significantly for the Ironman week but still most everybody comes out ahead with renting a Kona condo versus a Kona hotel room.

Against all odds, our friend Joe decided to make our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors the following special offer for his Luxury 2Br/2Ba Kona condo at Mauna Loa Resorts for the Kona Ironman Week: $1650/wk (sleeps 6)! Believe me this is a rare find. That's why we agreed to publish it on our blog:

Week October 4 - October 11, 2009 Ironman week race starts Oct 10, 2 bedroom luxury condo at Mauna Loa Resort completely furnished incl bedding, dishes cooking utensils etc, near all events in downtown Kona Rate $1650 for the week. Call Joe at 703-269-7014!


Mauna Loa Resort is a quiet oasis and a beautiful place for a wonderful Hawaii vacation. This Mauna Loa 2-bedroom deluxe condo offers fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, dining room, bedrooms with plenty of closet and storage space, living rooms with pull-out sofas, and large lanai with tropical views. Remember: better than a Kona hotel! Mauna Loa Village features 8 swimming pools, hot tubs and plenty of tennis courts. BTW, you're just two blocks away from convenient Keauhou Shopping Village: grocery store, shops, restaurants and multi-screen movie theater.



If you are not one of those crazy triathletes who have to immediately take each minute to prepare for their biggest performance in a lifetime, this wonderful Kona condo allows you to enjoy many outdoor activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, bike riding, walking, hiking, and more. When searching for Kona condo specials for the Ironman, I found a 2Br/2Ba at the same resort for $5000/wk. If you don't believe me, Google has the answer!

If you do believe me, call Joe and make your Kona condo Ironman reservation at a premier Kona location for the best price in the Kona Alii Drive area. What's your experience with Kona vacation rental hosts for this 2009 Hawaii Ironman? We'd love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Related Articles

2009 Hawaii Kona Ironman Visitors Information

Kona Ironman ccommodations 2008
Visit Hawaii 2007 Hawaii Ironman in Kona
Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Kailua Kona 2006

Watch 2006 Ironman Kona videos

Tags: Kona Ironman, best price Kona condo, Ironman special, Hawaii Ironman

Secrets of Hawaii - Hawaii Blow Hole Diver

Aloha to all our Hawaii visitors,

Yes, the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon is special, unique and fascinating but wait till you have watched our today's you tube video. It will take your breath away, just like the surfing of Hawaii monster wave video, which we posted recently on 'Hawaii Special Tweets'.

Twitter is still a big secret to me with all the possibilities to connect with like-minded bloggers and twitterers. I am on the steady alert for those Hawaii tweets, which our Best Hawaii vacation visitors might love to read or see. Here is one youtube Hawaii tweet which I came across from @Aimforawesome just last week on Twitter. To tell you the least, it is more than aweome. It's about Hawaii blow holes, a secret not many Hawaii visitors know about, unless they visit the special area and location where the blowhole location is.

However, this is not 'just' one of the many blow hole videos from the Hawaiian islands. It's about a blow hole diver. Yes, you read right. Blow hole Diver it is! Somebody diving into this narrow blow hole with the strongest ocean current you can imagine. Here is what the guy who posted the blow hole diver video on youtube said with it. This makes it even more mysterious, spectacular and absolutely unique:

"I walked up to look over the edge of a blow hole, forty plus feet deep. The ocean comes in and out of it through a keyhole cut into the cliff side. A local guy sees me, walks up and out on a rock ledge-claps his hands twice, makes a prayer, and times his jump with an incoming wave. At first I'm not sure where he's at and then he shows up on the ocean side of the sea cave, swims back in and waits for a surge to catch a rock to climb up and out like a spider man."

The video was taken at the blow hole at South Point of Hawaii Big Island in June 2009. To tell you the truth Keoki and I have never been there in all our many years of living in Hawaii. My online research also showed that each year people even die for their curiosity to see the blow hole action close-by. As ocean surf on a beach is not predictable, the same applies to the blow activity, which can easily blow as high as 30ft at winter surf and get visitors by surprise. We recommend for your safety to view the Hawaiian blow holes from a safe distance or lookout.

If our youtube blow hole diver video does not satisfy your fascination with Hawaii blow hole videos, I found 25 video clips of Hawaii blow holes on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island on Ocean Footage like the famous Halona Blowhole on Oahu, Sandy Beach blow hole on Maui, Spouting Horn on Kauai or South Point Blow Hole on the Big Island. BTW, blow holes developed on the volcanic Hawaii islands by lava tubes running into the ocean and at high surf ocean water is forced through the tube and pushing it out to the top with great pressure, sometimes up to thirty feet high. I found an interesting article about Hawaii blow holes on this Hawaii website.

Any Hawaii blow hole adventure to share with our blog visitors? We'd love to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Tags: Secrets of Hawaii, Hawaii vacation, blog holes Hawaii