Archive for December, 2009
Hawai’i is an excellent place to pursue a career in the travel and tourism industry. Have you taken courses or previously worked in this field?
If not, The University of Hawai’i at Manoa has an excellent program called TIM (Travel Industry Management).
Right now Hawai’is tourism industry is hurting from the slowing economy but don’t let that keep you from going and pursuing your dream. There are still great opportunities out there.
I know there is a Costco and Walmart there. But at Costco, you need to buy bulk and I’m not sure there is food at the local Walmart. If I wanted produce, where should I go for good prices?
Hi! Try a farmer’s market for super fresh and affordable produce:
Kailua Village Farmer’s Market: Flowers, produce, macnuts and coffee. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Across from Hale Halawai, Kailua-Kona.
Keauhou Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday, from 8:00AM to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center, fronting Ace Hardware. All products are home grown in Hawaii – fruits, vegetables, flowers, coffee, macadamia nuts & more. Music too!
Kona International Market: Tuesday thru Sunday, from 9am to 5pm, at a large new open-air facility built specially for it near HPM in the Old Industrial Area on Luhia St. Flowers, fruits & vegetables, crafts, clothes, ‘ukulele. Many area vendors have relocated here from other farmers markets around town.
South Kona Fruit Stand: Tropical fruits and plants near the old Higashi store, Mon-Sat, 9 am to 6 pm, Sun, "10ish" to 5pm; 84-4770 Mamalahoa Hwy. in Captain Cook. Info: 328-8547.
If you don’t like farmer’s markets, there’s always good old Foodland:
http://www.foodland.com/our_company/store_locator/store.php?store_island=big_island&store_number=25
Sunset Beach, North Shore – Oahu
I was just wondering….. is it legal to skimboard at hapuna beach in hawaii? i know its very popular and everything… and it looks like a good place to skimboard. I might go to the big island next year so thats why im asking XD
Yeah you can. I remember a few years back at Hapuna Beach someone was killed by a skimboarder though. It’s legal, but it may be a bit frowned upon there. It was a while ago though, so maybe all that’s blown over. Anyway, I’ve heard the waves there are great in the summer!
in February
on Island of Maui
Maui – Molokini Atoll (Island): you’ll need to hop on a charter boat to get there. It’s about two to three nautical miles off the south-southwest coast of Maui and is actually a submerged volcano crater tuft, teeming with a bountiful array of tropical fish. I recommend you bring your own snorkel gear as the rental rates for snorkel gear (used and abused) there is equivalent to the cost of a brand new superior model that one can purchase at Costco or Sam’s Club. Another option is to "snuba" (you’re attached by an umbilical air hose to an oxygen supply on the surface). With weight belts, you can dive down to about 10 feet below the surface for as long as your oxygen supply lasts. Also, one can always scuba in these waters. Either option you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera! Lastly, Molokini is best in the morning. Afternoon tradewinds make snorkeling impossible most days. Many boats advertise an afternoon trip to Molokini at an attractive reduced rate and will go if weather permits. When weather does not permit, which is most often, they maneuver to a protected spot off Maui’s coast and snorkel there instead. If you want Molokini, book a morning trip.
If you happen to visit here in whale season, on your way out to Molokini you just might see enough whales to last your whole vacation.
As for the rest of the islands, my recommendations are:
Oahu – Hanauma Bay
Hawaii – Waikoloa (Dolphin’s if you’re lucky)
Kaua’i – Napili Coast
Lana’i – anywhere off the west coast but you better be an expert swimmer and bring shark (manu) repellent!
Moloka’i – anywhere you can find a shallow reef.
Aloha
What are the best attractions for a family in Hawaii? Approximate cost to go for a week? Any info is appreciated.
They are all great… will depend on your interests… each island has something for the family…
Oahu – may have the most tourist friendly family attractions… polynesian cultural center, aquarium, pearl harbor, pineapple plantation, waikiki beach, shopping, walking downtown…
Maui – a bit more laid back, more activities around watersports and hiking… visit haleakala and stroll lahaina
Big Island – still a bit more laid back than maui… lots of outdoor activities… hike the volcano crater, hike waipio valley, all watersports, ski (as in snow), there’s a hilton with a dolphin center…
List the types of activities your family is interested in and match it to an island… and of course if you don’t get to fit it all in on this trip, there’s always next time… something else for the family to look forward to.
Cost – flight from west coast… about $400-500/person, hotel – anywhere from $150-450/night… car rental… $45-75/day… food – $30-80/person/day
i want to go to hawaii this winter with a few friends. spend december through january there.
are there particularly warm beaches in hawaii? what are places with a fun night life? will we need a car? we’re not looking to do anything like whale watching or snorkeling, just relax at the beach and go out at night. any other recommendations are really appreciated.
oh, we’re also in our early 20s, students and on a tight budget!
If you are looking for night life then you can cross off the islands of Lanai and Kauai. That leave Oahu, Maui, and Kona.
Maui has the best beaches, and some night life. You will need a car to get around the island. They have many affordable condos on the beach.
Oahu has crowded beaches, and it is a lot more touristy. It is cheaper to fly to, and you do not need a rental car. Most young people visit this island as it’s the cheapest, and has the most night life.
Kona does not have any condos on the beach. They have the least amount of nightlife compared to Maui and Oahu. You would also need a car on this island.
We’re looking to fly into one island and then hop to another island mid way through. Anyone have any tips on the best islands to visit and why? Maybe even tips on how to do it even cheaper (we’re military and have limited incomes) We’re looking to snorkel, hike, hit the beaches and experience an authentic Hawaii away from main tourist drags. Help? Thanks in advance!
Big island, and Maui are great. The big island isn’t very populated, and it is amazing to see the divide between the total jungle half of the island, and the other half which is entirely lava rock. You can snorkel, and hike in many good places, for example, volcano national park. I enjoyed that one, you are allowed to enter into some of the ancient lava tubes, and you ascend to the summit of the volcano and see lots of hot steam vents.
Maui also has many good snorkel locations, and is overall not very crowded. For hiking, try mount haleakala, it is a dormant volcano so the summit is free to be explored. It was a fun day.
Kauai is also supposed to be good, I haven’t been to this one, but it is all jungle and, very limited population. If you really want to see the pure tropical wonder in its full splendor, this would be a good place to start. Helicopter tours are fun too. Did that on the big island :3
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
What are things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii?
Me and my family are going on vacation to Honolulu this week
what are things to do and places to go and all dat stuff like dat
There is an easy way to be able to do everything in Honolulu that everyone here has mentioned for one low price – grab an Oahu Fun Pass! It lets you get in without paying any entrance fees, you also get to avoid booking issues & even lines – beleive me these passes are an incredible savings & let you do EVERYTHING! Even locals use them for popular attractions. Buy 1 pass & get into all attractions, tours & adventures free – they have lots of little upgrades too like no standing in lines etc – good luck & aloha!
Rec’d a job offer(RN) from Queen’s Medical Center, and my husband about went nuts with dream planning and talking to people. His company is also *supposed* to be opening another store on one of the islands. He was very lacking in the details there. I love the islands just as much as the next mainlander but thought I’d get some pros and cons from those there. A few issues keeping me from leaping with joy: we have three kids, one of which is diabetic, and the school info I found online is lacking to say the best, also haven’t been able to find anything (reliable) about crime except the nut jobs comparing it to a prison, and I know it should be obvious, but how do you go about moving your stuff? I know it’s freight, but needed a bit more detail. tia
Thanks for all the input so far everyone. I was leaning more towards leaving as much as possible, including the cars. We’re planning on buying, but finding something in a good neighborhood will of course come first, even if we have to rent. I had also been warned about the racism, but I kinda figured (hoped) I’d get what I give, knowing I’ll be a minority. We live in Iowa-Meth capitol of the world, so it’s good to know that, but it’s an everyday thing here too. And yes, there is a decent relocation bonus, and the 30 day housing, but that’s not much time to find a place. Hopefully we can take a pre-move trip this summer and get a better idea.
send an email to will he was a taxi driver and can give you plenty of advice.
paradisedriver@gmail.com
he has a blog too
http://paradisedriver.blogspot.com/