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The Hawaii State Flower

The Hibiscus is the Hawaii state flower. You may have been given one when arriving to the islands. You may have seen women wearing them in their hair or on their lei’s. You may have even seen them in paintings or on clothing or swimwear.

There are a variety of different colors of the Hibiscus but the most common are red and yellow. It was adopted as the flower of Hawaii in 1923 when Hawaii was only a territory of the United States. When Hawaii was accepted into Statehood in 1959, many of its symbols were adopted as well as the territorial flower. Later in 1988, the yellow Hibiscus was elected as the State flower of Hawaii.

The Hibiscus, native to the Hawaiian islands, is a tropical flowering plant that grows as a shrub and can be as tall as 30 feet. The name means “delicate beauty” and is a symbol of old royalty communicating power and respect. Though somewhat rare, the plant can be found growing on most of the Hawaiian islands. It has become popular among gardeners and landscapers and is also a very popular gift throughout the world.

A few hiking tips for Hawaii

Always hike with another person. If you are hiking alone, take a cell phone with you. You never know when you might need it. Some hiking spots in Hawaii are in remote areas and it might be hours before you see another hiker.

Start your hikes early in the morning in order to avoid the afternoon heat. And take plenty of water with you too. It’s recommended two liters of water per person per day. Be sure to drink some water at least every half hour so you don’t get dehydrated.

Never drink the water from the streams or lakes unless the water has been boiled or chemically treated. There’s a bacteria called Leptospirosis that can cause flu-like symptoms about 2 to 14 days after infection. It can damage your liver and even cause death. This type of bacteria can even enter your body through cuts and scratches on your skin, through your nose, mouth, and eyes.

Be prepared for the rainstorms. They come in at surprising speeds. Check the weather forecast before you head out and try to avoid hiking altogether if it is raining. Even if it’s not raining, be sure to take proper raingear with you just in case.

Take bug spray with you. Mosquitoes can be thick even on the breezy beaches.

Let someone know where you’re going to be hiking and when you expect to be back.

Plan to finish your hike well before the sun sets. Sunsets in Hawaii are quite early due to our closeness to the Equator. It’s usually around 6pm in the winter and 7pm in the summer. If you think you’ll be on the trail while the sun is setting, be sure and take a working flashlight with you and extra batteries.

Sunsets on Oahu

By Joe Flanagan

If you’re on the island of Oahu, or anywhere in Hawaii for that matter, you have to make a point to see our beautiful sunsets. The colors are amazing as they light up the sky with the different hues of red, orange, pink, and blue. The times of the setting sun vary depending on the time of the year, anywhere between 5:45pm and 7:30pm. But if you see the sun getting close to the horizon, be sure to quickly find your spot to watch it set as it usually disappears within about 30 minutes.

Following are some spots you can check out for watching the sun set on Oahu.

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki of course would be the closest place. You can have a seat on the beach facing the ocean and have a memorable moment watching the sun set beyond the waters.

Ala Moana Beach Park
Not too far from Waikiki, go to Ala Moana Beach Park and walk out to the end of Magic Island. You can have a seat on the many benches facing the sunset.

Kakaako Waterfront Park
Just down the street from Ala Moana is a waterfront park with large rolling grass hills and a great wall along the shoreline where the waves break. Listen to the ocean waters while watching the setting sun.

Tantalus Drive
If you have a car and want to take a drive, head up Tantalus Drive. This will take you to some elevated points up in the mountains where you can pull off along side the road and watch the sun set into the ocean. But plan your drive early in the day so you can make sure you get the perfect scenic spot.

West Coast Side
Since the sun sets in the west, anywhere along the west coast of the island will make great spots to catch the setting sun. A few places would be Makaha, Waianae, and Nanakuli Beaches. Make a day of it. Take food with you, enjoy the beaches, and have a picnic while enjoying the sunset.

Sunset Beach
This one is on North Shore, a little further away. But the name says it all. Sunsets on the North Shore are the most spectacular on the island.

Waikiki’s Historic Timeline

Waikiki means “spouting water” in the Hawaiian language, which references the rivers and springs that flowed into the area.

Following is a timeline tracing Waikiki from its rural days of first being discovered to its current urban state of hotels and tourists flocking the area.

1450 – Waikiki was established as the governmental center of Oahu.

1778 – Hawaiian islands were first discovered by European explorers.

1830 – Foreign visitors began visiting Waikiki.

Mid-late 1800’s – Waikiki served as a vacation retreat for Hawaii’s royalty.

1901 – Building of Waikiki’s first hotel, The Moana Hotel.

1907 – Planned for tourism development, widening streets and building bridges.

1927 – Building of the Honolulu Zoo and the Natatorium War Memorial.

1927 – Opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

1934 – Hawaii music gains popularity.

1941 – Bombing of Pearl Harbor; Waikiki became a place of rest and recreation for soldiers and sailors.

1940’s & 1950’s – Tourism continued to thrive; airlines began offering regular flights from the west coast.

Top Posts from 2014

If you missed reading them, here are some of the top posts to our blog in 2014.  Enjoy!

Check Your Passport
posted January 6, 2014

A Few Random Facts About Hawaii
posted April 6, 2014

Rabbit Island
posted June 2, 2014

The FREE Things in Hawaii
posted August 9, 2014

Breathe Aloha
posted September 10, 2014

World’s Largest Maze
posted November 1, 2014

Whale Season Is Here
posted December 11, 2014

 

Whale Season Is Here

By Joe Flanagan

The first whale this season was spotted off the west coast of Kauai on September 16, 2014.

Whales have begun migrating all the way from their homes in Alaska down to the warm coastal waters of Hawaii.  The official start of the whale season begins in late December and lasts till about May, with the peak season being from January to March.  Around 7,000 humpback whales come to the Hawaiian islands every year to mate and give birth to their newborns.

Many tour companies will be offering trips out into the open waters to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat.  Maui is the island known to have the most whale activities with the Maui Whale Festival sponsored by the Pacific Whale Foundation.  They’ll have a marathon run for the whales in January, the Parade of Whales in February, along with many other activities.

Back on our own island of Oahu, there’s many places from the shore you’ll be able to spot the humpback whales:

• Ka’ena Point
• Halona Blowhole Lookout
• Hanauma Bay
• Shark’s Cove
• Makapu’u Lighthouse
• Turtle Bay Resort
• Lanikai

If you see any, feel free to reply back here.  It would be great to get some feedback on potential places to see whales this season.

 

World’s Largest Maze

By Joe Flanagan

Did you know that the World’s Largest Maze is located right here on Oahu?

The Dole Plantation, located in Wahiawa near central Oahu, first opened as a fruit stand in 1950.  The maze, constructed in the shape of a huge pineapple, was built in 1998 and later expanded in 2007.  It’s featured in the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records.  It covers more than two acres of land and has close to 2.5 miles of paths.

Once you enter the maze, you’re given a game card and a map.  Be sure and take the map because it can get quite confusing from the inside of the maze on which path you should take.  There’s eight secret stations scattered throughout the maze.  The object of the game is to find these eight stations and stencil the item on the back of your game card.  If you’re going with a group, this can be quite fun to find out who can make it back to the entrance with their game card filled out in the least amount of time.

After spending about an hour or so inside the maze, check out the rest of the plantation, browse around the store, and have some fresh squeezed pineapple juice.

Breathe Aloha

Rob came to us through the CIEE Work & Travel Program.  In this post, he shares his top 10 things to do in Hawaii.  We hope you enjoy as he shares his experiences to those wanting to explore this small island in a short amount of time.

By Rob Kavanagh
2014 Summer Intern

(1) Diamond Head:

I’ve never heard of Diamond Head before arriving.  However I have spent a sizable portion of my time here around the crater. On my second day I hiked Diamond Head.  Good footwear, water, sun lotion and a camera are a must for this hike. I forgot sun block, went up in the mid day heat, sun stroke for 2 weeks. Lesson learned. I have been up diamond head five or six times since on tours the hostel offers. I would recommend taking the tour the hostel offers.

Finally, Hawaii’s best kept secret is Diamond Head beach. A 20 min walk from the hostel and a popular spot for surfers, the beach is beautiful. A perfect place to grab some sun and read a book.  When I thought of what a beach would look like in paradise/Hawaii, this is what I had in mind.

(2) Manoa Falls:

No entrance fee. Bring Bug Spray and apply regularly on the walk, you will get bitten! The only place I have been to twice as I loved this place so much. By bus get the number 8,19,20 & 42 to Ala Moana, cross through the center to catch the number 5 bus. Check this timetable as I was waiting quite a while. The bus drives exactly to the bottom of the road that leads up to Manoa Falls. The bus driver will tell you when to get off for Manoa Falls. Continue up the road towards Manoa Falls and follow the signs. From there you will see the path. You walk through beautiful plants and trees and along a river. The hike itself will take between 30­40 mins including taking time to take photos. The falls itself is magnificent. You can walk up on the stones and get great photos. There is also the Lyon Arboretum in the area which is worth a visit.

(3) SkyDive:

Skydiving from 12000ft at 120mph in freefall over the north shore of hawaii – it is as good as it sounds. Skydive Hawaii was the company I chose and they did pick­up, skydive and photos for just over $200, a bargain if you ask me. Health & Safety are all taken care of and you are re-assured before your jump. Nervous will be soon replaced with excitement. The most nervous part was actually walking over to the plane to get in: at that point your thinking “oh this is it” to put it mildly. Take off and ascend.  Take your mind off things as you overlook the mountains, sea and landscape of the northshore of Hawaii. Once you reach 12000 ft the door goes up and you go out. Those 20 seconds of freefall are incredible. On a rollercoster you have time to think, on a skydive you have no time to think. Forty seconds of gliding over the northshore once the parachute goes up for me was the best part. Your heart is racing, you are trying to catch your breath and get your head together, whilst gliding over sea and land and beside a mountain. The photos show half the story. If you want to do a skydive, no better place than Hawaii.

(4) Shark Dive:

North Shore Shark Adventures was the company I went with, located in the harbour in the north shore.  Note: you will have to organize your own transportation to the site or pay for them to pick you up. A brief introduction and you are soon on the boat heading out to sea. Located around 3 miles off the coast you will pull up beside the cage. The group is split into two groups of six. You will spend 20 minutes in the cage. I would advise going as early as possible. I did the 11am tour and the waves were quite choppy. You’re guaranteed to see sharks.  However, there is nothing to be afraid of.  They’re are no great whites and none of them pose any great threat. A great experience, one off the bucket list.

(5) Pearl Harbour:

An early start is required for this one. I was up at 5:30am and out the door by 6:00am. I got the bus at around 6:15am and arrived in Pearl Harbor at 07:30am. (You can also take a shuttle; check with the hostel office to make a shuttle reservation.)

Entrance is free, however no bags are allowed. Any kind of a bag/satchel/handbag/etc will need to go to storage at a cost of $3.

Upon entrance you will meet the reception desk where you can purchase tours. This is also the location where you claim the free USS Arizonal Memorial Tickets. Tickets are usally gone by 11:00am, so get there early. Before departing via boat out to the memorial, a brief 10 minute clip is shown on the history of Pearl Harbour. Once finshed, a boat will bring you out to the memorial. You are on the memorial for roughly 10 minutes before heading back.

I also went on the USS Bowfin submarine. $10 entry covers both a full tour of the submarine and entry into the war museum.

At Pearl Harbour, I did not see any restaurants.  But there is a Hot Dog stall, convenience store and soda drink fridge. On the site there is also a war museum which is open to the public. Pearl Harbour is a great half day trip but make sure you are there early.

(6) Makapu’u Lighthouse & Hike:

The number 22 bus will bring you to Sea Life park. From here you have to walk back along the main road to the entrance of the hike. The hike will take roughly 30 minutes. It is a paved road from the bottom to the top and consists of a gradual incline. There are amazing views along the hike and you will be surprised at just how high the peak brings you. At the peak there is a look out point and you can climb even further up to the war bunkers. After the walk back down you will see a trail to your left hand side which appears to lead out to the sea. Go on this trail. It will lead you to the coastline where there is a beautiful little beach where the waves crash right up against the shoreline.  Mackapu’u is one of Hawaii’s little secrets, go.

(7) Koko Head Hike:

Once again, the number 22 bus will bring you. Get off at the stop just before Hanauma Bay, but the bus driver will inform you that this is the entrance for Koko Head. Cross the main road and walk past the gate and down a private road to get to the entrance. Koko Head is quite simply 1000+ steps straight to the top. The most difficult part is the bridge over which I crawled. The top gives a 360 degree view of the most southern part of the island. The pain and sweat is worth it. Warning: Koko Head is a challenging hike and should be treated as such. Prepare to sweat.

(8) Hanauma Bay:

Number 22 bus will bring you direct. This bus leaves every hour, make sure you get it that hour or else it is a long wait. It drops you straight into Hanauma Bay. $7.50 entry fee to the bay. You’ll have to watch a short video on preserving the reef. This is the best place in Hawaii to go snorkeling.  The beach is also quite nice and a great place to spend the day. Note that the last bus leaves just after 5pm. Also, the bay is closed on Tuesdays.

(9) Aloha Market:

This is the best place to get your souvenirs. Half the price it would cost you in any shop or market in Waikiki. The Market stretches all around the Aloha Stadium, consisting of souvenirs, local produce, coconut, pineapple and shaved ice. If you arrive on a Wednesday, tours of the Aloha Stadium operate at 11am.  This is the only time during the week that tours operate. $1 Entry.

(10) Valley Of The Temples:

Graveyard and memorial site to lost soldiers in the war. Located 1 hour via bus outside of Waikiki.  $3 entry fee. A walk through the graveyard will bring you to the temple based at the foot of the mountains. The temple is magical with black swans swimming in a lake amongst fish, the temple in the backdrop and complete silence. Tranquility at its finest. You can walk into the temple and light a candle but do not forget to remove your shoes as a sign of respect. Remember to also do this if you ring the bell.

 

You can follow Rob on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robkavanagh7

 

The FREE Things in Waikiki

By Joe Flanagan

Hawaii can be an expensive place, especially when it comes to doing all the major activities and seeing all the attractions throughout the islands.  But if you want to have a relaxing day or two and try not to spend any money at all, try these few activities.

The Beach
The beach is the most obvious.  Waikiki Beach is only a block away.  Get your Hawaiian tan on.  Go have fun in the water.  Use our free beach gear located just outside the hostel office.  There’s boogie boards, snorkel gear, beach mats, beach chairs, soccer balls, etc.

Kapiolani Park
Kapiolani park is just right in front of the beach.  If you’ve had enough sun, or maybe you got burned too much, hang out at Kapiolani Park under the 100 year old trees.  Have a picnic.  Better yet, get some of your new travel buddies from the hostel and have a barbeque.

Fireworks
But if you do a barbeque, try and do it Friday evening.  Every Friday, the Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a free fireworks show.  The show stars at 7:45pm and can easily be seen from Kapiolani Park.

Hula
Three times a week Hawaiian performers put on a free hula show featuring authentic Hawaiian music.  Learn more about the Hawaiian culture and traditions.  The shows are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm, and are located on the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound which is near the Kahanamoku Statue.

U.S. Army Museum
If you are into history, visit the U.s. Army Museum located within the grounds of the Fort DeRussy Recreation Center.  Admission is free.  The museum features displays of the Gulf War and the War in Iraq.  Learn the military story and background of Hawaii.

Pearl Harbor
Though not in Waikiki, you can take a 45-minute shuttle ride or a 1.5 hour bus ride to Pearl Harbor.  Admission to the museum is free.  Get there early and you can score free tickets to the Arizona Memorial.  A short film is shown to give you the history and background of Pearl Harbor.