5 Best Reasons for Christmas in Hawaii

Christmas in Hawaii ?

Have you ever wondered how you can really enjoy the Christmas holidays without all the Mainland christmas stress? All our Hawaii visitors who celebrate their snow free Christmas in Hawaii will tell you "How". Book a vacation in Hawaii for the Holidays, most favorably including Christmas Day and New Years.

Keoki and I had great fun putting our '5 Best reasons for a Christmas in Hawaii' together for our 'Best Hawaii Vacation' visitors:

1. Escape to warm sunny Hawaii

Actually, Keoki recommended to make that reason the top 3 reasons, which is probably true. Escaping snow, icy roads bundling up in tons of layers of clothes is definitely in everybody's mind when making their reservation for Christmas in Hawaii.


2. Escape the Mainland Christmas Shopping Mania

Each year it seems that Christmas arrives earlier at the markets and stores with Christmas decorations showing up at early as October and "Silent Night" being played for hours, days and weeks. Christmas shopping for yourselves and family can be really fun in Hawaii. Hawaii gift stores are very happy to mail Christmas presents to your friends and family.

3. Escape long lines at your local Post Office

Christmas in Hawaii saves you from standing in long lines at the local post office, not to mention gift wrapping and packing Christmas packages. As said before, gifts from Hawaii are always welcome by family and friends whether it's Kona coffee, Big Island Macademia Nuts, Hawaiian shirts or Keoki's 'Hawaii Easy Stretch DVD' or other Hawaii goodies. All those can be easily shipped by the Hawaii company right to your family and friends.

4. Trade the Snow Shovel for a Boggie Board and a dip in the warm Hawaiian Ocean

Imagine yourself walking barefoot on a warm white sand beach, or floating in turquoise blue warm water of the Pacific on Christmas Day instead of slipping and slidding down the road with your car on your way to family or friends on Chistmas Day. Christmas Vacation in Hawaii? Priceless!

5. Have a Healthy Holiday in Hawaii.

No need to go to the gym for your tough workouts on the mainland. Beach walks, swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, and body surfing will get you in the perfect shape during your Christmas Vacation in Hawaii. Have some extra money to spend? Try a relaxing massage at one of Hawaii's excellent spas. Serenity Now!

Last but not least, if we convinced you that a Christmas Vacation in Hawaii is just what you need to make your Christmas Holidays fun, low stress and healthy all at the same time, plan your Hawaii Christmas vacation far ahead to get the best rates for air fares, car rentals and vacation accommodation.

Mele Kalikimaka from Heidi and Keoki Hawaii Vacations


Christmas in Hawaii Related Posts

Have fun in Hawaii at Christmas
Christmas Vacation in Hawaii
Mele Kalikimaka

In love with Geckos in Hawaii

Dear Hawaii visitors,
E Komo Mai and Welcome back to our special world of fauna and flora in Hawaii. The magic word today is "Gecko".


Long before the insurance company Geico adopted the gecko as its mascot, the Hawaiians knew the true value of their little friend. They shared their homes with the gecko, allowing it to roam at will, eating bugs or any other not welcome insects in the Hawaiian homes. The chirp, chirp of the gecko - mostly at night because geckos are nocturnals - was and is a reassuring sound, knowing the geckos were doing their job keeping the hale (Hawaiian for house, home) free of bugs.

Now,I know a lot of visitors come to the Hawaiian Islands not knowing about the benefits of the gecko and their first complaint is, "Hey there is a lizard in my room". Well, I say that's not a lizard, that's a friendly and non-threatening gecko.

Our geckos in Hawaii don't bite, in fact they don't really like you, just leave them alone and they will serenade you with their chirp, chirp chirp and keep your hale free of bugs. Of course you have to clean up some gecko poop once in a while. Little to pay to keep your tropical hale bug free.

If you have a gecko story about your encounter with the geckos in Hawaii, please, let us and our Hawaii visitors know. Mahalo and aloha, Keoki Hawaii Vacations

Snowbirds are coming back to Hawaii

Dear Hawaii blog visitors,

What's up with today's blog title? At the beginning of each winter season, Hawaii residents and visitors are used to read and hear the excited statement 'The Humpback whales are coming back!'. Our article today is claiming that the 'Snowbirds are coming back!'

Oh well, everybody in Hawaii knows that 'Snowbirds in Hawaii' are not an endangered species of rare Hawaii animals but we call those visitors who come back to the warm Hawaiian Islands and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean each winter 'Snowbirds'. All they are trying to do is escape the snow and the cold on the Mainland for at least a month or two. The very lucky ones who are retired and call a condo in Kihei Maui or a beach house in Hawaii their second home, might even spend the entire winter months in Hawaii.

One thing is for certain, Hawaii business owners, whether owners of vacation rentals or restaurants, can't wait for the arrival of the 'Snowbirds' in Hawaii because winter season in Hawaii means big business for Hawaii tourism. Snowbirds are treated like royalties! If you are still planning a Hawaii vacation for this 2010/2011 winter season, be aware that the busiest Snowbird months in Hawaii are January and February when most of the Mainland states are in the firm grip of winter.

Snowbirds love Hawaii. For them, each time they come back to the Hawaiian Islands it's like coming home after a long absence. They reunite with other Snowbird friends, their Hawaiian friends and family from the Mainland. Hawaii's Snowbirds are definitely not on the endangered species list because each year more people fall in love with Hawaii and join the ranks of the Hawaiian Snowbirds.

If you are coming to Hawaii for the first time in winter, you might not even recognize you favorite summer beach anymore. Here is what happens. During the winter months, our Hawaii white sand beaches can lose half of its sand due to constant high tide and surf, which can make beaches more crowded than some of our visitors like. Not your cup of tea? Then travel to Hawaii in November, when the Snowbirds are not in Hawaii yet, or in April, when the Snowbirds have already left Hawaii.

Any Hawaii Snowbird story you want to share with our visitors? We'd love to hear from you. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
Last but not least, we would like to make you aware of a great discussion at our friends blog 'Beat of Hawaii' about 'Does the Deal fuel your Hawaii Trip'. Read Hawaii visitors' comments carefully. You might find a deal for your Hawaii trip as well.

Tags: Hawaii Snowbirds, Snowbirds are coming back to Hawaii

Is that the Lowest Hawaii Condo price?

Aloha and welcome to our Hawaii bargains!

Current Hawaii vacation rental bargains for this fall season 2010 are the lowest I've seen. Please, don't expect the same deals for the Hawaii holiday season and high season months January and February 2011, when everybody on the Mainland wants to get out of their winter misery for a Hawaii vacation in sunny warm Hawaii. If you want to visit Hawaii for the holidays, NOW is your last chance to find a nice Hawaii vacation home.

For many of you, Hawaii is not only of interest for a short vacation in the sun but the idea of having a Hawaii vacation escape at hand when needed is more than tempting. Those dreams have become a reality, especially with Hawaii condo prices at Kihei Maui condo resorts have having come down. However, a lot of the buyers are still waiting for the 'lowest Hawaii condo price' in the Hawaii Real Estate 'game' or consider even a condo 'short sale'.

Even though we are not Hawaii realtors, we like to write about Hawaii real estate because it's closely connected with 'Best Hawaii vacations'. And when we see a bargain, we love to share it with you. Here is a buying bargain for a Hawaii resort condo on the island of Molokai. The owner has just lowered the price by $30,000 to an impressive $189,000.

Hawaii Molokai Resort Condo for Sale!

If you want to know more about this Molokai resort condo, go visit my post 'Hawaii Condo for Sale' from 2009 for more information and photos of the condo. Question everybody searching for a Hawaii condo for sale deal has to ask and answer himself "Is that the lowest Hawaii condo price for a resort condo will go?"

If you are interested in this Hawaii condo in Molokai, please, email us with subject line ' Hawaii condo for Sale' and we will connect you with the condo owner. Aloha, Pua, Hawaii Vacations

Hawaii Real Estate Market articles

Hawaii Real Estate 2010
Is it a good time to buy a Maui Condo?
Moving to Hawaii Vacation for ever
Will falling prices in Hawaii Real Estate attract new home buyers
Molokai Vacation

Tags: Lowest Price Hawaii Hawaii, Hawaii condo for sale, Molokai Condo for sale

Best Time to visit Hawaii Fall bargains 2010

Dear Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors,
You couldn't make use of our '5 Best Tips for the Kona Big Island Ironman', oh well such is life but I tell you what, fall season is just starting and as posted before, fall season in Hawaii is one of the best times to visit Hawaii: nice warm weather (NOT hot as in summer), kids are back to school, hosts are offering amazing fall bargains for October 2010, beaches and restaurants are quiet and peaceful. Not to forget: Fall flights to Hawaii and car rentals on the islands are on the cheaper end.

Let's have a look at Fall Bargains on the sunny Kona Kohala Coast of Big Island for October. This is as good as it gets. I've never seen such Hawaii vacation rental deals before. Check it out NOW.

Kona vacation Golf condo 2Bd/2Ba - Fall Bargain from $85/nt.(dbl.)

Watch the waves at H-Bay and the ocean view sunsets off the water at Keauhou Bay at this 2Bd/2Ba Luxury Kona Country Club condo. You will have every amenity,long distance phone,high speed internet,granite counters throughout, gourmet kitchen, and BBQ from the beautiful lanai while listening to the luau music. Swim in the beautiful pool to relax and take in the Hawaiian lifestyle. You will not want to go home. Cheap Fall Rates for this Kona condo start October at $85/nt.


Waikoloa Golf Condo (Studio) - Fall rate bargain from $100/nt. (dbl.)

Waikoloa Golf Condo with full kitchen enjoys expansive ocean views is located directly on the beautiful Waikoloa Village Golf Course on the Big Island. It has expansive ocean and beautiful sunset views. Beautiful Anaeho'omalu Beach is a short 10-min. drive away. The Golf Condo offers a great Fall Special at $100/nt. (dbl.)


Puako Vacation Condo 3Bd/2 Ba across from ocean - Fall Special from $135/nt.

Puako, a tiny oceanfront village on the sunny west coast of Hawaii's Big Island, north of Kona on the Kohala Coast, is where you find this 3Bd/2Ba Puako condo. It has three bedrooms with a king size, a queen size, and two twin beds. There are two full baths and a fully equipped kitchen. Condo amenities include beach gear, including chairs, coolers, towels, snorkels and masks are included. Puako vacation condo Stay at most desired Puako village across from beach at a price you can afford 10/12 - 11/5.


Kohala Estates Private 2Bd/2Ba Vacation Home - Fall bargain from $175/nt. (dbl.)

2 Bd/2 Ba Kohala Coast vacation home at Kohala Estate with 180° ocean view offers a 40% discount for Fall 2010 October + November at $175/nt. (dbl.). Experience Hawaii at its best. Enjoy the Aloha at this tropically decorated two bedroom, two bathroom Kohala Coast vacation home, minutes from best white sands beaches like Spencer, Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach, world-class golf and five star resorts.

Kohala Coast vacation home 3BR/3.5BA, $435/nt. (dbl.) w/pool & tennis court -
Fall bargain $100 off in October ONLY

This private Kohala Coast estate sits on 3-1/2 acres in the prestigious Kohala Ranch on the Big Island’s Kona Coast. The island-style home offers spectacular unobstructed ocean and mountain views, and is ideally set up for family vacations, honeymoon celebration or attending a wedding on the Kohala Coast resorts.


Kohala Coast Villa 3Bd/3.5 Ba - Fall bargain from $550/nt.(dbl.)

Spend your Fall vacation at this brand-new Luxurious Kohala Coast Villa - 3 Bd/3.5 Ba - (Sleeps 6) at the lowest rate ever $550/nt.! This 3000sft Kohala Coast villa features spectacular ocean views from each room, private swimming pool and spa. Guests will enjoy all the luxury Kohala Coast resort amenities of Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach Resort! Vacancy Oct/Nov!


It's big bargain rates for your Hawaii vacation on the Kona Kohala Coast this Fall 2010. If you did not find the location or the rate for your budget and expectations, you might want to check more Kohala Coast vacation rental Fall SPECIALS 2010.

Enjoy this Hawaii fall vacation bargain extravaganza. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Best Time to visit Hawaii Articles

Best Time to Visit Hawaii
Is it a good Time to travel to Hawaii Now?
When is the best Weather for a Hawaii Vacation?
What's Hawaii like in April?
Hawaii Family Vacation in October
Is November a good time to go to Kona?

Tags: Best time to visit Hawaii, FALL bargains vacation rentals, 2010 October Specials

5 Best Tips for Kona Big Island Ironman Visitors

Welcome back everybody who is interested in Hawaii vacation tips!
After our recent post about '10 Best Hawaii vacation tips' today's post has vacation tips for those Hawaii visitors who are visiting Kona for the Big Island Ironman.

I can't believe it that another year has passed and Kona on the Big Island is once again preparing for its biggest Big Island event: the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Ford World Championship. It's still 9 days to the Big Island competition of this biggest endurance race for triathletes in Kona Hawaii on October 9th but Kona is already hustling and bustling with hundreds of triathletes getting a feel for this year's race swimming the rough Pacific Ocean waters, running along Alii Dr or even trying a bike ride to Hawi.

Before I share my personal '5 Best Tips for Kona Big Island Ironman Visitors' with all of our Best Hawaii vacation fans, here is a great youtube video by everymantri.com which shows an interview with top triathletes like Craig Alexander, twice Ironman champion in the last two Big Island Ironman races. What does Craig think? Can he do it again? Get right into the Ironman mood with this interesting preview event video from Kailua-Kona Hawaii Big Island.



Having been to the Big Island Kona Ironman many times in the past, live and later on through TV and videos, here are 5 tips which pop up in my head for Hawaii visitors who visit Kona for the Ironman this year 2010:

1. When you stay at a Kona hotel downtown, don't even think about taking your car to get anywhere on the day of the Kona Ironman. You can't.

2. When you come from a place farther away on the Big Island, get early into Kailua-Kona like around 6am to secure a parking place and a good observation point in Alii Dr for watching the spectacle at 7am when thousands of swimmers jump in the ocean and fight for a top position. BTW, best top triathletes get a privileged early start before big crowd.

3. You stay on another Island and decide for last minute visit to Kona for Ironman and try to book a hotel room. Kona Hotels are solidly BOOKED for the Ironman weekend and most of the Ironman week. Try places north of Kona like vacation condos in Waikoloa Village (best rates, about 30min drive to Kona) or condos at Waikoloa Beach Resort (more expensive, about 30min drive to Kona). Another option for Ironman accommodations is South Kona.

4. Prepare yourselves for a long day in the hot Hawaii sun and heat: water, sun screen + hat are a must. Remember you'll have an early morning start and it will take a bit over 8hrs for the first men and about 9hrs for the first women to arrive at the finish line after the marathon.

5. Stay away from restaurants at the regular meal hours. They will be totally jammed. Plan your lunch for 2pm and your dinner for 9pm or even later. After the first huge Ironman excitement between 3 - 5 pm with lots of cheering, things calm down somewhat later but if you are in for the long haul, there are many more exciting moments coming before midnight when the Ironman cutoff (no more counting who comes in at what position) takes place.

Hope these 5 best tips for Kona Big Island Ironman visitors will help you make it through a day of unbelievable excitement and exhilaration. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacation
p.s.
Last but not least, get yourself a Kona and Big Island West Coast map to make sure you know which roads or highways are closed for the Kona Ironman race on Sat. 10/9. Also see Ford Ironman World Championship Road restrictions from Kona to Hawi.

Big Island Ironman Related Posts

Ever wanted to visit Big Island Ironman for your Hawaii vacation
2009 Hawaii Kona Ironman Visitors Information
Kona Ironman ccommodations
Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Kailua Kona 2006

Tags: Big Island Ironman, best Hawaii event, biggest Hawaii event

Tweet 'Experience the Real Hawaii' Big Island video

Dear Best Hawaii blog visitors,
Our Hawaii twitter ohana is growing. When I came across this well done video about the Big Island National Parks and heiaus, I promised @PuukoholaNPS to share it with our Best Hawaii Blog visitors.

Of course, I also went ahead and shared a tweet with all my Hawaii Twitter friends:

Via @PuukoholaNPS Have you seen "The Real Hawaii"? http://ht.ly/2DL0o Great Big Island video Hawaii culture #HawaiiTravel #HawaiiCulture

Hope many of our Big Island visitors will find this video and see it as an invitation to our many Big Island National Parks. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacation

Big Island Vacation Related Posts

10 Best Hawaii Vacation Tips
Best Big Island Hiking 2
A Guide to your Big Island vacation

Tags: Big Island National Parks, Big Island vacation, Heiaus Big Island

10 Best Hawaii vacation tips

Dear Hawaii visitors,

Summer is coming to an end on the Mainland with cooler, rainier days announcing fall season for most of our 50 states. NOT so for Hawaii. Hawaii vacation in sunny warm weather all year round becomes again the top topic for family vacation plans for this fall and winter season. Our '10 Best Hawaii vacation tips' were put together to make sure you and your family will enjoy your best Hawaii vacation on your next trip to Hawaii.

When preparing our today's Hawaii travel and vacation tips and ideas, I became fully aware that this is actually what our 'Best Hawaii Vacation Blog' is all about: sharing our travel and vacation tips with all of you who are getting ready to visit Hawaii. It got me by surprise that we already listed 63 posts under 'Hawaii vacation tips' among them such interesting topics (randomly chosen) as:

How to find peace in Hawaii?

5 Things to pack for your Hawaii vacation

Hawaii Volcanoes Videos

How to visit Haleakala on Maui?

So, what's so different with our today's post from all the 'old' Hawaii vacation tips? I'd say Hawaii visitors will get basic, easy-to-follow Hawaii vacation tips at one glance. Here are our '10 Best Hawaii vacation tips' to make your Hawaii vacation easier, healthier, safer and cheaper:

1. Take snacks with you to the beach or on your island trips

Snacks like homemade sandwiches at your vacation home kitchen or granola bars, trail mix or fresh fruit. Don't count on finding restaurants or affordable food places on your island adventures. Bring your snacks, safe big, and of course, you won't go hungry!

2. Take plenty of bottled water with you

when going to the beach or on road trips around the Hawaiian islands. To buy a single bottle of water on the road will cost you much more than a 6-pack at WalMart or worse, you might not even find a place to buy water. The hot Hawaii sun can dehydrate you within 1/2 hr!

3. Stay away from soft drinks

With their high sugar content, soft drinks will make you actually make you thirstier, plus bottled water is generally healthier and cheaper.

4. Get a small cooler on your Hawaii vacation

Most Hawaii hosts offer small coolers to their guests anyways. If not, ask them. Otherwise when you stay at a hotel, we recommend to buy a small cooler at WalMart for about $5. It will keep your food and water cool + fresh, especially when on road trips or on a hidden beach.

5. Stay out of Hawaii sun between 11am - 2pm

When hanging out on our Hawaiian beaches, try to find a shady spot to settle down, especially during midday hours. You can even find at WalMart a cheap beach umbrella for sun protection. A hat (best with neck protection) and high SPF sunscreen are a must for Hawaii. Always reapply sunscreen after swimming, even when sunscreen says 'waterproof' on label. Make sure that your kids stay protected from strong Hawaiian sun. One can even get a sunburn in Hawaii from sun reflection!

6. Don't keep valuables in your car

I lot of Hawaii visitors think valuables are safe under their front seats when they go to the beach or for a hike. Unfortunately they are not. This is where thieves always look first. Carrying a backpack will help you keep your valuables safe.

7. Visit Hawaii restaurants at lunch time

Just like on the Mainland, visiting a restaurant in Hawaii at lunch is a great idea for vacation and can save you lots of money. The amount of food you will get is mostly the same as for a dinner entree at night but it's mostly 1/3 or even half the price of the dinner meal. No reservation is necessary and often you don't have to wait for your favorite ocean front table. If it's a very popular restaurant, you might want to show up before 12 noon to avoid the busy lunch crowd.

8. Carry your Hawaiian Island map

and your Hawaiian Island Revealed guidebook with you on road trips, so you will always know know where you are and what to see and to do in the area. Never go on a road trip without your bathing suit, a towel and a beach mat!

9. Talk to Locals

Talk to your Hawaii vacation rental hosts, shop assistants at markets or when you meet people. They happily share with you: best beaches in the area, affordable local restaurants, farmers markets for fresh fruits and more.

10. Hang loose, sit back and relax

Finally, relax and let go of your Mainland tension. No tight schedules in Hawaii! Give yourselves plenty of time to enjoy the ocean waves, the balmy breezes, a good book or just do NOTHING!

If you have more Hawaii vacation tips, please, share with our Hawaii blog visitors. The more, the better. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii vacacations

More Best Hawaii Vacation Tips posts

3 Best Hawaii Vacation Tips for Thanksgiving

How to save money on gas in Hawaii
A visit to Waikoloa Village

Hawaii Vacation with Kids

Have fun at Christmas in Hawaii
Hiking in Hawaii

Tags: 10 best Hawaii vacation tips, Hawaii travel

Learn more about Hawaiian culture

Dear Hawaii lovers,

Did you ever wonder when lying on Hawaii's white sand beaches or enjoying some spectacular hiking that it would be fun and at the same time a wonderful mahalo to the Hawaiian people by learning more about their culture and history? Our Best Hawaii vacation blog makes it a mission to spread the word about ancient Hawaii tradition and what needs to be done to keep the Hawaiian culture and language alive for next generations to come.

Here is a great opportunity for Big Island visitors who currently spend their Hawaii vacation on the Kona Kohala Coast. This weekend on August 14 + 15 Establishment Day, a true Hawaiian Festival, is celebrated. It is held in Kawaihae on the Kohala Coast near the beach below Pu'ukohola Heiau. The public is invited to participate in the cultural demonstrations and workshop activities in Pelekane (royal courtyard) with only one stipulation: that each visitor learns at least one craft before leaving the area to help preserve a part of the Hawaiian culture.

I had learned many years ago how to make a lidded 'umeke' bowl from a gourd. Our Hawaiian teacher helped us a lot, yet we all were very proud walking home with our own Hawaiian umeke bowl decorated with a beautiful hibiscus flower and Hawaiian images of our choice on the outside of the Umeke. We also learned that when their was an argument in the family, the Hawaiians would put the lid on the bowl in order to catch the bad spirit inside till peace had returned to the home.

There will be lots of Hawaiian arts and craft workshops and demonstrations available from 11am-3pm. There will be Hawaiian canoe rides and much more. Local musicians will play songs of Hawaii. This will be fun for the entire family. So pack some lunch and take lots of water and learn more about the Hawaiian people and their culture. I am sure you will be going home with great memories and some hand made Hawaiian art of your own. Wear a hat and some comfy clothes and don't forget the sunscreen.

By the way, the Pu'ukohola Heiau is located about a mile south of Kawaihae on the Kohala Coast. If you have more questions, you may call (808) 882-7218 for more info. Last but not least, Spencer Beach Park with shade supplying trees is just around the corner. A dip in the cool refreshing ocean waters will be a nice reward for your efforts of making your own Hawaiian art piece. What a wonderful Hawaiian gift to bring home from the Aloha State!

We love to to hear about your encounters with Hawaiian culture, art, traditions and festivals. Mahalo from Pua Hawaii Vacations


Hawaiian Culture related articles

City of Refuge Big Island

Conch Shell Blowing in Hawaii

Hawaiian Traditions

Hawaiian Fish Ponds

Hawaiian Slackkey Guitar

The Healing Power of Noni

Tags: Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian festival in Kawaihae, Kawaihae heiau on Kohala Coast

Best Big Island Hiking 2

Dear Hawaii lovers,

Good news for our recent 'Best Hawaii sunset photos'. Hawaii vacation home owners loved to share their very own sunset photos, unique in each way as you can see, and Hawaii visitors enjoyed viewing them. What is a Hawaii vacation without a sunset photo!

We are ready to 'hele on' with more Best Big Island hiking, as promised on our post 'Best Big Island Hiking1', which showed you photos of Pololu Valley and talked about hiking Pololu Valley. Here is the sequel 'Best Big Island Hiking 2', which will tell you a lot about Waipio Valley hikes. This order is not according to its relevance. It's just that we had to start with one Valley. Believe me both our Big Island Valleys, Pololu and Waipio Valley, are of unique beauty and are a Big Island hikers' delight.


Waipio Valley located on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i, is the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. Waipi'o is a mile wide at the coast and almost six miles deep. At the coast there is a beautiful black sand beach. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet affording views of cascading waterfalls during the rainy season.

How can Big Island visitors explore Waipio Valley? the easiest way is driving your car on Hwy 19 to Honokaa where life seems to have stood still with all the the small retail stores along Main Street. After your Honokaa town tour, follow the signs to Waipio Valley which you can't miss as Waipio Valley Lookout is at the end of the road. Fun part is even if you come on a cloudy day, as we did when I took these photos last year, you will always be able to snap some great photos of Waipio Valley from the Lookout with the steep coastal cliffs as a backdrop.

Provided you are in good shape, you can walk down into the valley but remember you have always to make it back up and it's steep. Only 4x4 can make it down into Waipio Valley. The valley will reward you with some amazing views and adventures. Waipio Valley is also a favorite spot for local surfers who love to ride the tough surf there. The higher, the better! That's when the TV reporter says 'Don't try this at home!'. Better stick with the horseback riding or Wagon tours. Most of them pick you up at Waipio Valley Lookout, take you into the valley and start the adventure there.

Our favorite Waipio Valley hike has always been White Rd hike in the past. A hike which starts at some cattle meadows with stunning views of snow-covered Mauna Kea summit in winter and leads through singing bamboo, 'jungly' forest with wild colorful impatients, bottle brush trees and lots of ferns along the trails. After a modest hike of about 45 minutes, the scenery suddenly opens and you can just stand there in awe and utter 'Wow'. You will be standing on a small narrow trail of the valley rim, high above the valley, allowing magnificent views of the ocean and the waterfalls across the valley. Hikers' boots recommended when going further!

Unfortunately, White Rd hike, which has always been a special recommendation in Big Island hiking books, is now only available through HawaiianWalkways hiking tours, which made arrangements with the land owner. We don't know what exactly happened but the owner of the private land does not allow the general public to use this trail anymore. If you are not a lover of guided hiking tours, you may still access Waipio Valley rim from a different route starting in Waimea. Waimea residents, who love to hike, will tell you.

That's it for today with Big Island hiking Waipio Valley. What's your best Big Island hiking experience? Let us know. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

Please, also visit our 'July Carnival of Aloha' which is hosted by Evelyn from 'Homespun Honolulu' and brings together our Hawaii blog ohana.

Tags: Big Island vacation, Best Big Island hiking, hiking in Hawaii

Best Hawaii Sunset Photos

Dear Best Hawaii Vacation visitors,

Our last post 'June is the month of Hawaii sunsets' and our call for your best Hawaii sunset photos triggered a nice response with beautiful Hawaii sunset photos. Without any further ado, here is our display of unique Hawaii sunset photos with information about the Hawaii location and the person who took the sunset photo:

Hawaii Sunset Photos in Kailua Kona Big Island Hawaii

These very unique Hawaii sunset photos were taken by Barbara the owner of Kona Ocean View.










Hawaii Sunset Photo Kealakekua

This sunset photo was taken by Viviane the owner of Bellevue Kona Bed and Breakfast


Hawaii Sunset Photo in North Kohala Hawaii Big Island

This sunset photo in Mahukona was taken by Bobi the owner of Kohala Coast Adventures


Hawaii Sunset Photos South Kohala Coast

These Hawaii sunset photos were taken by Kalia the owner of Hale O Pueo in Kohala Estates.






Hawaii Sunset photo Puako Beach

This photo was taken by Bruce the owner of Hale Hoaloha Puako condo



Hawaii Sunset photos Waikoloa South Kohala

These photos were taken by Andy and Diana from Hale O Malia in Waikoloa




Hawaii sunset photo Wood Valley East Coast

This photo was taken by Missie from Big Island cottage in Wood Valley

Hawaii Sunset Photo Maui

This photo was taken by Julie the owner of Ka Hale Ulu Wehi O'Maui


Hawaii Sunset Photo East Coast

This Hawaii sunset photo was taken by John the owner of Kohala Gallery

What a wonderful way to end our display of Best Hawaii Sunset Photos. Much mahalo again to everybody who submitted a Hawaii sunset photo.

We are certain that we are not the only people who love those sunset photos from Hawaii. If you are interested to use any of these photos on your Hawaii website, please, be aware that the Hawaii sunset photos are copyright material. In most cases when you ask the site owners for permission to use a certain photo, you will get it, especially when you mention your sunset photo source.

To everybody else who enjoyed the photos, let us know which of our Hawaii sunset photos gets your vote as 'My Best Hawaii Sunset Photo'. Looking forward to your comments. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Hawaii Photos related articles

5 Best Photo Tips for your Hawaii Vacation
Get a Tour of Hawaii with Hawaii photos from Honolulu photographer Jennifer Crites
Get a Taste of your Big Island Vacation with Big Island Photos
June is the month for sunsets in Hawaii

Tags: Best Hawaii sunset photos, sunset photos in Hawaii

June is the month for sunsets in Hawaii

Dear Best Hawaii vacation blog visitors,
Let's take a short break between posts about best Big Island hiking. Hiking Pololu Valley as our 'Best Big Island Hiking' suggestion, did gather momentum soon. So for all those passionate Hawaii island hikers, our next hiking tip for the Big Island is coming soon.

When our friend Bill Jardine, long time realtor on the Big Island, came up with another one of his wonderful articles about Hawaii, written with love and passion for the islands and writing skills I envy him for, I could not resist to publish it right NOW:

June is the month for sunsets in Hawaii

"There are sunsets every night. Actually, scientists might remind us that there are "horizon rises" every night, but I prefer the idea that the sun is going down rather than the horizon rising up, hurling me backward into the night at over 1,000 miles per hour! The thing with sunsets is that the ones with the ocean on the bottom have been glorified to the point that the other sunsets just don’t get the attention they deserve. The classic ocean sunset is indeed gorgeous but, really, kind of boring too.


Here on the Island we get plane loads of folks from the mainland who are dreaming of sitting on their very own lanai and watching the horizon gradually rise up to block the sun. Perhaps they will match the ruby red wine in their glass with the rosy western afterglow as the canopy of stars spreads far above. Before long the edge of the great Milky Way will be obvious, stretching across the heavens from upper right to lower left. Perhaps with subsequent glasses of wine they will toast the great good fortune that has guided them to this blessed place in the middle of the vast North Pacific. Indeed, it is a blessing, and we who have been able to spend our lives in all this beauty are way beyond lucky.

Ours is a very special view at sunset, because the rush toward dusk sets the mountains glowing with bright blades of gold before rendering their great flanks a warm burgundy against the gathering darkness in the eastern sky. Flocks of Warbling Silverbills fly like notes of a symphony into the shelter of the Koa trees.


We enjoy views of great, sunny pastures which are home to cattle and wild donkeys and goats who revel in the fresh trade winds that ruffle their coats and sweep away the flying insects seeking to climb aboard. In the distance are the three great mountains, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai, gathering cloaks of afternoon rain along their western slopes. They are intensely beautiful and seem to have personalities of their own when the sun sets over the ocean and shows its reflections on the majestic volcanoes."

As soon as I was writing Bill's article about Hawaii sunsets, I was wondering what fun it would be to collect Hawaii sunset photos from residents or Hawaii visitors. If you have one of those special Hawaii sunset, feel free to email it to us with your short description where in Hawaii you took the sunset photo. Maybe, if we get enough photos, I can publish your photos in a special "Best Hawaii Sunset Photos". I can't wait to hear from you. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
p.s.
As a start with Hawaii sunset photos, here is my contribution.

Tags: Hawaii sunset photos, best Hawaii sunsets

Best Big Island Hiking 1

After telling our Maui visitors about chances of seeing famous celebrities in Hawaii sooner or later on their Maui vacation, maybe even watching them dancing a hula, let's return to the real Hawaii adventures. Admittedly, celebrities in Hawaii is not everybody's cup of tea.

In the history of our 'Best Hawaii Vacation blog', we have talked a lot about the exciting adventures visitors to Hawaii Big Island can expect on their Hawaii vacation. If you are getting ready for your Big Island vacation, please, visit our Big Island vacation articles. Actually, our today's post fits right into the Big Island adventure theme: Best Big Island Hiking 1. We called it #1: Hiking Pololu Valley, meaning more Big Island Hiking will follow!

The Big Island visitor will find Pololu Valley in the very northern tip of the Big Island. Best to get an idea of the remote location of Pololu Valley is with our Big Island map. When driving north from Kawaihae on the S. Kohala Coast on the coastal Hwy 270, calculate some extra time for stops at Lapakai and Mahukona State Parks. You can even get some serious snorkeling in right then and there. On your way to Hawi, the traditional biking route of the Big Island Ironman Triathlon, enjoy the magnificent coastal views and learn to appreciate what tough challenges the triathletes face on their way.

Arriving in Hawi and Kapaau takes you back to the days of old Hawaii. Hawi is a sleepy little town is filled with art galleries, shops and a few restaurants whereas Kapaau is celebrated for being the birthplace of King Kamehameha I. After strolling through those two towns, it's time to head further on the road to your final destination: Pololu Valley.

Be aware that the road to Pololu Valley Lookout is very narrow and most of the time the parking spaces close to the lookout are taken. When you see a good spot to park your car ahead, be smart and do so. On your walk to the viewing area, you will enjoy some special views as well. Of course, you will hear the biggest aahs and oohs when standing on the viewing platform overlooking breathtaking Pololu Valley. It's one of those moments and views on your Hawaii vacation on the Big Island you won't ever forget!

Hiking down into the Pololu Valley is steep but it goes in serpentines, it's moderate and feasible for most everybody. After about 30minutes continuous downhill - remember you have got to make it back up - the reward will be the sounds and views of thunderous waves crashing on a black sand beach. Please, take the sign no swimming serious.

In addition to this very special Pololu Valley hiking adventure, there is another hike starting at one of the gates near the Pololu Vally lookout. This hike leads an a trail to a secret waterfall and is considered one of the best Big Island hikes. Please, don't climb over the gate. You need a special hiking permit for this trail. But if you want to add this special Pololu Valley Hike to your Big Island hiking adventures, check with one of our hiking companies like HawaiianWalkways or Forest and Trails and ask them for this hike.

We can't wait to hear from Big Island hikers about their Pololu Valley hike and what they like best on their hike. Mahalo and aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Tags: Big Island hiking, hike Big Island, best Big Island hiking, hiking in Hawaii