Vacations

Hawaii, Unplugged

A visit to Hawaii’s tropical paradise offers such a wide array of leisure activities that it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed when trying to cram it all into your vacation itinerary. Not to worry. A little pre-trip planning can help you get the most out of your vacation.

A surprising number of vacationers travel across the globe to the jewel of the Pacific, never leaving the confines of their hotels. With an endless selection of resort poolside bars and lounges, luaus and activities such as lei making classes, it’s not difficult to understand why. But, if you’re reading this you’re likely in a class of savvy vacationers who aren’t satisfied with a spoon-fed, drive-through vacation experience. Read on to learn how to shake the crowds, and make the most of your time in Hawaii.

First, consider what you’re looking for in your Hawaiian experience. Wanting to unwind on the beach armed with a Mai Tai and SPF90 sunscreen – or are you looking to set your hair on fire and see how exciting Hawaii can be? Whatever the case, rest assured there are plenty activities to suit both personalities.

Each Hawaiian island has its own unique culture. To get away from it all, Moloka'i is about as remote and as small-town as it gets. It truly is a one-stoplight community.

Don’t go to Moloka’i looking for upscale shopping or fine dining because you won’t find it there, though Kaunankakai boasts a pretty good pizza joint – Moloka’i Pizza Cafe. This island’s attraction is country style living. Take in a mule ride and the amazing scenery along the North Shore cliffs. Or, shell out all of $14 for nine-holes at the “shoes optional” Ironwood Hills Golf Course – originally built for Del Monte executives.

Pick up the pace a little and head over to the Big Island, the newest archeological island of Hawaii’s archipelago chain. This is your place for volcanic attractions, plus a great selection of golf courses. At Kona Country Club, you can actually play over lava tube blow holes!

The Big Island is by far the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, but you won’t find much city life here. While this area doesn’t have the infrastructure to support a “traditional” tourist experience, many would suggest this is where the community derives its charm. You’ll want to visit this island for its beautiful natural surroundings.

While visiting the Big Island be sure to take in the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea. But, don’t show up in your aluminum foil lava suit expecting to see a National Geographic style light show. The actual lava flow is about a mile and a half from the overlook site. An adventurous few can hazard the hike across the dried lava flows to catch a glimpse of the flowing magma, but our recommendation for the savvy vacationer is to take a helicopter or boat tour of the flow. They’ll set you up with the best possible vantage point without the hassle of potential skinned knees or sprained ankles.

Need more island jolt? Thanks to the rich volcanic soils here, java junkies around the globe enjoy the coveted 100% pure Kona coffee.

Looking for more challenge? Traverse the grounds of the 10,000 foot Haleakala Crater. Better yet, brave the zipline, where you’ll find yourself hovering from 350 feet to 1,000 feet over the crater. For these adventures, be sure to pack your steel nerves.

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Rent a kayak for a quiet journey on the state’s largest river, Hanalei. There are numerous river tours that will take you inland on a BYOB waterfall visit. Check out Wailua River and Hule’ia River, where you’ll recognize scenes from Indiana Jones. For more excursion ideas, visit www.kauaifun.com.

Watch out for ticket booths on Kauai. While you can get some good island tour deals and the like, there are more ticket booths than tourists – and they get old fast. But, don’t let that spoil the laid back undercurrent of the island’s culture.

If you’re looking for the full throttle Hawaiian experience, Oahu can’t be beat – which may explain the vast number of tourists here. Don’t be put off by crowds. I’ll tell you how to get away from them. Understand the epicenter for Hawaii’s tourism industry is Waikiki. Few vacationers actually make it off this busy strip, and if they do it’s usually only for a few hours. This isn’t how the savvy vacationer should take in Oahu. Most locals avoid Waikiki, and they do so for good reason.

Escape to the North Shore if you’re interested in a more rural experience. Here, the pervasive surf culture has created a truly unique, and very laid-back atmosphere. Haleiwa is the focal point and home to a number of surf shops and island-style retail stores. If you’re looking for a nice place to catch a sunset dinner, go to Haleiwa Joes. For a more low-key meal get yourself a Longboard Burrito from Killer Tacos (you won’t regret it!). For you SCUBA divers, during the summer, go to Surf and Sea, rent some gear, and dive Sharks Cove.

This great spot (named for its shape) is a state wildlife preserve and provides some of the best diving in the world. While on the North Shore head up to Dillingham, where, for about $100, you can take an aerobatic glider ride, or test your limits with skydiving. The windward side of the island is your place to go kite surfing, horseback riding, hiking, or swimming and enjoying plenty of elbow room.

Despite the crowds, the draw of Honolulu is not to be completely dismissed. Take a day and check out the Pearl Harbor monument. Show up early as this attraction fills up quickly and closes at 3 pm. Expect to spend about two hours to get the full Pearl Harbor experience. Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian Center offers upscale boutique shopping, as well famous stores such as Tiffany’s and Burberry. If you’re looking for a good place to eat in Waikiki, the options are only as limited as your imagination. For nightlife try the Hanohano Room – an upscale cocktail lounge featuring improvisational jazz, food and drinks. Just call in advance to get the evening’s attraction.

For lodging, I recommend getting a vacation rental home. These are located around the island and range from a small studio in Waialua on the North Shore, up to ocean-side mansions off Diamondhead. These properties allow you to better integrate into the local culture while avoiding the crowds.

A trip to Hawaii, no matter how you do it, is the experience of a lifetime. As a savvy vacationer, you can avoid the canned, and embarrassingly

phony tourist traps, and truly connect with an island and its people. So get out there and live your life, even if it is one vacation at a time!

Contributing Travel Writer, Cliff Beamer

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While Maui’s Ka’anapali, Lahaina and Wailea offer plenty of upscale hotels, restaurants, shops and golf courses, to get off the beaten path, head north. Here, you’ll find great vacation rentals and quaint bed & breakfasts. Pack plenty of patience for the 63-mile hair raising ride on the winding highway to Hana. Cool off some steam along the way with stop at One Gelato Company. Choose from 27 gelato flavors, iced and hot teas and coffees.

Once you’re in Hana, make your way on foot to Kaihulu Beach, where you’ll find a red sandy beach. Head further down the highway and hike

through the bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls.

Kauai is a pretty unique experience, offering a wide array of activities while still maintaining a very authentic island feel. Here, you’ll find a good selection of restaurants, especially for vegetarians – in fact, the island’s vegan influence is astonishing. If you like wheat grass and organic... well everything, then this is definitely the place for you. Not to fret, carnivores, there are plenty of excellent island burger joints as well.