The
Hawaiian Isles
Maui
Maui is magic, an island voted the "World's Best"
year after year, a place that fulfills a traveler's dream
of paradise with its crystal waters, golden beaches, tropical
breezes and swaying palms. Maui's beauty and diversity are
wondrous. From the ethereal crater of Haleakala, to the alpine
meadows and ranches of upcountry, to the countless fern-choked
gorges and waterfalls along the road to heavenly Hana, to
the historic and delightful shopping town of Lahaina and
the charm of the smaller beach towns, to the 42 miles of
beaches and the bays where Humpback whales spend the warm
winter--Maui's wonders never cease. As they say, "Maui
no ka oi,"
which means "Maui is the best."
Viv's Picks: Best resorts
on Maui
+ Four Seasons
+ Grand Wailea
+ Maui Prince
+ Sheraton Maui
Viv's List: Best things to do on
Maui
You are NOT to try to do all
of these…you can’t
and still get in enough relaxation time…and you want
to save some for your return trip anyway!
OK, here goes, in no particular order…
1. Have sweet Portuguese bread French toast with
coconut syrup at the crusty old Pioneer Inn. Marvel
at the giant Banyan across the street. Visit one of the old
Missionary homes or the big Buddha at Jodo Mission.
2. Think about taking a day trip
over to Lanai to explore and snorkel.
There is an inexpensive place for lunch at the
B&B on the town square in Lanai City
3. The Road to Hana: Start early.
Buy a styrofoam cooler at Safeway and fill it
with deli food and beers and water. Stop along
the way but don’t linger too long. See
Waianapanapa Park, then Seven Heavenly Pools
and if you can find it (you’ll have to
ask) Charles Lindbergh’s grave and lovely
Hamoa Beach. Decide if you want to do the hike.
4. For the most amazing hike:
ask me for directions
5. Drive north from Lahaina
past the Kaanapali area, maybe stop at Flemmings
Beach (Steve and I were married there,
but it use to be much bigger, I think the Ritz
Carlton stole a big chunk of it). Keep going
past the famous surfer beaches and look for the
blowhole. If you spot it, park and walk down
to investigate. If you keep going you come to
a funky little Hawaiian country town I forget
the name of.
6. On your way to Wailea you’ll
see Maalaea Bay. There’s
a new aquarium they’ve made a big deal
about. There was also near the Marina a fish
market where you can get a fish to barbecue at
one of the public beach parks, or some of that
poke, that ceviche-like marinated fish salad
I like. All along that road is good snorkeling,
but be sure you lock everything in the trunk
if you park.
7. Go past Makena to Little
Makena and all the way to La
Perouse Bay. The snorkeling is suppose
to be really good if the water is calm (it was
wild and beautiful when we were there).
8. Visit Tedeschi winery, not
for the weird pineapple wine but for the old plantation
ambiance.
9. Go up to the top of Haleakala crater, for
sunrise or sunset if you can, but anytime is
good. Don’t wear out your brakes coming
down.
10. Stop at the old cowboy town Makawao, a
good place to eat.
11. Find vintage Aloha shirts in Wailuku where
there are many antique shops. Paia is another
town with interesting shops and galleries.
12. On Friday night go wander
around Lahaina for “Art Night” and
ask everybody you talk to what Halloween in Lahaina
is like. Ask locals where to eat…the tourist
restaurants can be so pricey and disappointing.
13. Have Sunday brunch at the Renaissance
Wailea, or maybe the luau.
14. Go visit the Maui
Prince, maybe have breakfast there
one morning or sushi. If you decide to do the
Molokini snorkel trip go with their boat…it
leaves earliest and gets there before all the
other boats do.
15. Walk along the beach walk 1.5
miles to see the grandiose hotels along that
gorgeous series of crescent moon beaches. See
the Butano sculptures at the Grand Wailea, and
the gorgeous mosaic tile pool. See the Four Seasons
next door and snorkel on their beach…See
the Kea Lani at the end.
16. Snorkel at Ulua beach at the Outrigger
Wailea … it is suppose to be
great. Another good snorkeling spot is the
Black Rock at the Sheraton in Kaanapali.
17. Go kayaking. We haven’t
done it on Maui, but my in-laws said it was
the best day of their vacation. They went on
a guided snorkeling kayak adventure with a
company called Aeili, I think toward Perouse
Bay. They said it was more fun than the Molokini
trip.
18. Eat mangoes and papayas every day.
19. Buy good wine at Safeway,
hide your wine glasses from the maid and enjoy
the wine and sunsets from your lanai almost
every evening.
20. Remember to come home.
21. Buy a piece of jewelry at
one of the shops in Lahaina.
Other Lists
Restaurants
Places to hear music
Hikes
Beaches
Oahu
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Viv's Picks: Oahu resorts
+
Viv's List: Best things to do on
Oahu
1. Visit the Bishop Museum. The
best collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian artifacts
in the world. A wonderful museum.
2. Visit the Iolani Palace, where
Hawaii’s last two monarchs lived and ruled.
Best to have a docent-lead tour. For a truly unique
and special glimpse into a tragic episode in the
history of Hawaii and the events that lead to statehood.
3. Rent a car and spend a day exploring
North Shore. See famous Waimea Bay, home
of 20 foot waves and surfing competitions. Stop
at Haleiwa and check out the quaint little shops.
Have lunch or afternoon drinks and pupus at Jameson’s
on the Beach.
4. Visit Waimea Falls Park and
hike the trails, swim under the waterfall, or rent
kayaks for a leisurely paddle downriver to the
beach.
5. Visit Aloha Tower for lunch,
or sunset drinks and shopping.
6. Visit Pearl Harbor. Go out
to the Arizona Memorial that was built above the
sunken battleship. Afterwards, don’t miss
the next door submarine museum. It is full of very
poignant remembrances and artifacts from American
submariners who fought in World War II.
7. Snorkel at famous Hanauma Bay.
8. Visit Senator Fong’s Plantation
and Gardens, 725 acres of rare and exotic
flora in a tropical rainforest.
9. Eat at as many of the fine
dining restaurants around the city as possible.
10. Have drinks at Dukes.
11. Enjoy the once-a-month event, Brunch
at Kapiolani Park. Eat macadamia nut French
toast and poha berry bread pudding while listening
to the 166-year-old Royal Hawaiian Band playing
from the Victorian bandstand under the swaying
palm trees.
12. Walk down Kalakaua Avenue and
linger at Kuhio Beach Park to watch a glorious
Waikiki sunset. Once a month, enjoy the “Sunset
on the Beach Festival”
with live bands, ethnic foods and movies on a giant screen
against the backdrop of Diamond Head.
13. Have a luxurious spa treatment at
Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Mandara Spa.
14. Have a classic mai tai at Moana
Surfrider’s Banyan Court, in the
shade of the famous Banyan tree.
15. Find Dukie Kuahulu, the king
of the beach boys and surf instructor to tourists
for over 50 years, and take a lesson, catch a wave.
16. Spend a day shopping on Kalakaua Avenue, one
of America’s most upscale and appealing shopping
streets.
17. Swim with the dolphins at
the Kahala Mandarin Oriental.
18. Go horseback riding at Kualoa Ranch.
19. Take a hike at Makapuu on
the southeast coast of the island. The trail is
easy, the sights gorgeous, and the summit overlooks
a long beautiful stretch of coastline.
20. See a show at the historic Hawaii
Theater that dates from the 20’s
and was recently restored.
21. Go hear jazz at Havana Cabana.
22. Visit Queen Emma’s Summer Palace.
Other
Lists
Great hikes
Hidden Beaches
Waterfalls
Petroglyphs
Hawaii, The Big Island
The Big Island is an awesome place, an island with the most
diverse geography, most dramatic landscapes, most spectacular
natural wonders. The first time visitor will be dazzled
by a visual feast: a million stars in the clear night sky
atop the summit of Mauna Kea; a river of red hot lava flowing
into the sea; a cool green forest of giant ferns; an underwater
explosion of colorful coral and tropical fish; the hidden
black sand beach you find at the end of a long hike over
jagged black volcanic rock.
It is no surprise that the Big Island receives
more return visitors than any of the other islands. On a
second, or third, or fourth visit to the Big Island, one
will often want to focus on individual pursuits such as sport,
water activities, spas and relaxation, history or astronomy.
The Big Island offers so much, and every visit--whether a
first or a twenty-first is sure to be rewarding.
Viv's Picks: Best Big Island resorts
+ Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
+ Kona Village Resort
+ Hilton Waikoloa
+ The Orchid at Mauna Lani Viv's List: Best things to do on
the Big Island
1. Visit the Place of Refuge to
learn about the first Hawaiians and Kapu. Go down
from the parking lot to the left and picnic at
the beach park there. Follow the trail to the lava
tube cave and go thru it to the cliff.
2. Follow the King’s Trail near the
Waikoloa shopping center to see the petroglyphs.
See if you can tell ancient etchings from graffiti.
3. Visit Waimea, the upcountry town and
the Parker Ranch museum. Ask about horseback
riding. Have lunch or dinner at Koa House Grill.
4. Visit the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel around
sunset and see the manta rays.
5. Take a snorkeling cruise or
in winter a dolphin and whale watching cruise.
Call Dream Cruises at 326-6000.
6. Visit Kealakekua Bay for the
best snorkeling on the island. Many of the snorkeling
boats go there, but you can also drive there. You
may want to rent kayaks…it is a lovely protected
bay full of fish.
7. Visit the Hulilee Palace in Kona and
take the little guided tour…you will see
portraits of all the Hawaiian royals and hear some
fascinating stories.
8. Leave early one morning for a fantastic
day at Volcanos National Park. Not to
be missed: the visitors center, Thurston Lava Tube
and fern forest, Devastation trail, the Crater
Rim drive (50 miles, takes 3 hrs). Talk to the
park rangers about the possibility of seeing Kilauea
lava flow. Be sure to drive to the end of Chain
of Craters Road to the sea. Then have a fabulous
dinner at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village.
Call ahead 967-7366 for reservations.
9. This can possibly be done on
the same day as Volcanoes, or maybe you will be
up for a return to Hilo area…it is about
30 miles north of Hilo, the Hawaii Tropical
Botanical Gardens. It is usually raining
there, but it is the most fantastic tropical rain
forest along the ocean you can imagine. Plan to
spend at least 2 hours there. You can also visit
Akaka Falls near there…fantastic waterfalls.
Stop in the little town of Honomu for lunch or
snack.
10. If you have a 4-wheel drive, drive
up to Mauna Kea to the VIS at 9300 ft.
They offer free star gazing through powerful telescopes—when
conditions are right this is the best star viewing
in the world. Call the VIS for weather conditions,
program info and directions at 808-961-2180.
If you are driving be careful to not miss the turnoff
which is not well marked, or you will end up in
Hilo. Go to the summit in time for sunset, often
a remarkable show, and to see the observatories.
Dress warm and hike the summit trail, a short and
thrilling trail from where you stand on the top
of Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in the world
if measured from its base on the ocean floor. If
you do not have the vehicle needed, book a tour
with Hawaii Forest and Trail or another operator
to take you up.
11. Call Hawaii Forest and Trail, 808-322-8881 and
tell them I recommended you. Make a reservation
to do the spectacular Pohulu Valley hike…you
will not regret it! They will pick you up at the
Bar and Grill at the Kings Shops shopping center
near the Hilton. (That is a good place to eat and
drink too)
12. Drive out to Kawaihai harbor. Maybe
stop at the heiau you see on the way. Have a wonderful
moderate price dinner at Café Pesto .
13. Swim (or go for the fantastic
lunch buffet) and snorkel at the beach at Mauna
Kea Beach hotel It has to be one of the
loveliest beaches in the world. There is a small
but interesting fringing reef a short swim out.
Other great beaches: Hapuna Beach, Old Airport
Rd Beach Park, 69 Beach (you’ll have to ask
locals where it is).
14. For a taste of “old
Hawaii”
go visit the Kona Village Resort. Their
Friday luau is famous, costs $70…go early so you can
wander around and see the beautiful ancient grounds.
15. Visit the Hilton Waikoloa. Ride
the boats along their lagoons to see the resort
(watch for exotic tropical birds), or walk along
the open walkways and see all the Asian art on
display. Find the great marble statues of your
Chinese birth year animals, read your character
attributes and take photos. Find the giant Buddha.
16. Visit the farmers market in Kona and
buy fresh fruit and souvenirs…maybe send
home a beautiful orchid plant.
17. Take a helicopter island tour with
Blue Hawaiian. A breathtaking experience. You can
purchase a video at the end of your flight.
18. My personal favorite: a
horseback ride along the Waipio Ridge, above
the lush historic Waipio Valley. Call Waipio Ridge
Stables at 775-1007 and mention my name. Go early
to shop in the meeting place, the charming town
of Honokaa. A fantastic experience on good horses
with friendly local wranglers, in a breathtakingly
beautiful place.
Restaurant Recommendation
Roussel’s Waikoloa Village (very
highly rated—I haven’t tried it yet)
Café Pesto at Kawaihae- about 30 minutes
from Waikoloa, really good, moderate price
Koa House Grill in Waimea – great
steaks and burgers, locals place
Eidelweiss in Waimea – highly
recommended
Kiluaea Lodge in Volcano Village –
if you visit Volcanoes Park, plan to have dinner here.
For the most wonderful lunch buffet: the Terrace
Grill at the Mauna Kea, overlooking one of the world’s
best beaches (go to the beach after lunch).
For the best luau: Kona Village Resort (its
like old Hawaii or Tahiti) on Friday, or try the Outrigger
Waikoloa Village (next to the Hilton) on Sunday
or Wednesday. Take a sunset cruise from the Hilton or the
Outrigger.
Kauai
Kauai is the garden isle, a green jewel in the crown of the
island chain. Only 33 miles long by 25 miles wide, the island
is a showcase for some fot he world's most beautiful flora,
mountains, and beaches. Kauai is the oldest island with a
rich cultural history from the ancient Hawaiians through
the missionary and plantation eras. In Kauai one can have
adventure and cultural exploration along with the luxury
of fine resorts offering exquisite accommodations, regional
cuisine, spa services and renowned golf courses.
Viv's Picks: Best resorts on Kauai
+ Hyatt Regency Kauai
+ Princeville Resort
+ Hanalei Bay Resort
+ Sheraton Kauai
+ Waimea Plantation CottagesViv's List: Best things to do on Kauai
(In no particular order)
1. Rent a kayak and put in at the beach where
the Wailua River runs to the sea. You can paddle easily up
the river through interesting scenes of rural Kauai.
2. Spend a day on Kee Beach. Hike
the first part of the famous Kalalau Valley Trail
and hang around a waterfall in paradise. Try to catch
freshwater shrimp. Be mindful of ghosts of ancient
Hawaiians—there are lot’s of them around
here.
3. Hike the ridge above the Kalalau Valley. Drive
up to Kalalau Valley Overlook and park, and take
the easy trail (I think its called Kalalau Valley
Trail) that follows the ridge a few miles. You’ll
have the magnificent Kalalau Valley on one side and
the spooky Alakai Swamp on the other. An amazing
hike. Don’t wander off the trail though.
4. Drive to Waimea Canyon. Have
a picnic and watch the colors change.
5. Hike Waipo’o Falls and
swim in the natural pool at the base of the 800-foot
waterfall. Take Koke’e Road (State Hwy 550).
Trail head is _ mile past Pu’um Hina Hina Outlook
near NASA satellite tracking station on the right.
6. Visit Koke’e Wilderness Forest, a
4345-acre sanctuary where rare and endangered native
birds inhabit the Alaka’I rainforest.
7. Visit the old sugar mill town of Waimea and
stop at the Waimea Plantation Cottages to buy some
tapa cloth and artful things at the gift shop in
the old plantation house. Visit a few gallery shops
in this artist town. Talk to the guy in the record
store about Hawaiian music.
8. Spend a lazy afternoon on a spectacular,
little visited beach—Polihale State Park/Barking
Sands Beach, past Waimea town. You’ll
be looking at the other end of the NaPali coastline
from where you were at the end of the road (Kee Beach)
at northshore. Be aware that the red mud cane road
leading to the beach will become a slippery creekbed
in a flash flood—so if it starts to rain hard—get
out of there fast or you’ll get stuck.
9. Get some thrills on one of those fast
zodiac boat trips along the Na Pali coast. If
they will, if the water is calm, get them to race
in to a lava tube cave.
10. See if you can find Harrison
Ford on Kipuka Kai (accessible only
by helicopter, boat or kayak).
11. Check out the Farmers Market in Kapaa—find
out what days of the week its there—best place
to stock up on mangoes and papaya!
12. Look for Elvis’ ghost at Coco Palms. Has
the vegetation reclaimed this old hotel yet? It’s
been abandoned since Hurricane Iniki.
13. In Poipu Beach, wander around
the strange cacti/succulent gardens at Kiahuna
Plantation.
14. Allerton Estate and Gardens. They
may not offer tours to this place anymore, but if
they do—GO! It’s Queen Emma’s old
place—and a dreamy place it is, a hidden valley
on a secluded bay. They didn’t let us see the
palace home, just toured the old gardens—and
this was a few years ago. There were biting bugs
however.
Lanai
A short flight or fast boat ride from Maui, little 18 mile
long Lanai is a private island retreat and home to two
ultra luxurious destination resorts, the Lodge at Koele
and Manele Bay Hotel. Once a company town for Dole Pineapple,
now the island attracts golfers, adventurers and those
wishing to get off the beaten track. Magical gardens, fantastic
snorkeling and unforgettable vistas are some of the things
to be found, besides the truly exquisite resorts and world
famous ocean view golf courses.
Viv's Picks
+ Lodge at Koele
+ Manele Bay Hotel
+ Hotel Lanai bed and breakfast
Molokai
Molokai is old Hawaii -- slow paced, quaint and rustic, where
most residents are farmers or fishermen and where even in
the main town of Kauana Ka Kai there are no traffic
lights, and no buildings taller than a coconut tree. Visitors
will find intriguing local shops and galleries, and even
more intriguing local characters whose favorite pastime is "talking
story" which can be a delight for the curious traveler
to this unique island.
Yet what draws most visitors to Molokai is
the opportunity for outdoor adventure. There is kayaking
along miles of pristine barrier reefs, deep sea fishing with
expert local captains, horseback riding along gorgeous coastlines,
incredible mountain biking, hiking, snorkerling the island's
28-mile reef, cattle drives, surfing, golfing and swimming.
A true taste of history is a pilgrimage to beautiful Kalaupapa, Father
Damian's settlement, now a National Historical Park.
Viv's Picks: Best place to stay on Molokai
+ Molokai Ranch and Lodge (the perfect blend of luxury and
adventure).
Viv's List: Best things to do on
Molokai
1. Snorkel the 28-mile reef.
2. Pilgrimage to Kalaupapa.
3. Horseback riding.
4. Deep sea fishing.
5. Talk story with locals.
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