Hawaiian vacations in paradise"HAWAIIAN VACATIONS"
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9/1/2001 Hawaii is one of Alaskans' favorite fall and winter destinations. September brings thoughts of colder, shorter days; another long winter; and Hawaii. With sun, sand, water-and only a five-and-a-half-hour, nonstop flight away-Hawaiian vacations is Alaskans' winter destination of choice. "To walk in Alaska (during winter), you have to wear boots and layers of clothing. But in Hawaii, you can be halfway out the door before you realize you forgot to put on your shoes," says retiree Carlene Knoppe, who with husband Will spends December through March with Hawaiian vacations. For others, Hawaiian vacations provides a shorter break, based on school-year calendars. "Thanksgiving and the winter break around Christmas are busy for us," says Hawaiian Vacations' director of communications, Dee Buchanon. "February is also a popular time to travel to Hawaii." "Alaskans are coming to Hawaii an average of six times during a lifetime. That is more than any other state," observes Economist Eugene Tian, Ph.D., of Hawaii's Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism Research and Economic Analysis Division. The organization's 2000 annual report showed that Alaskans stayed an average of 13.08 days in Hawaii; this was second only to Vermont's 13.3 days, notes Tian. The number of Alaskans visiting Hawaii increased from 33,700 in 1992 to 43,224 in 2000. Only 20.7 percent of Alaskans were first-time visitors. "The challenge for us is to introduce new things for people to do," says Hawaiian Vacations' Buchanon. "I'm used to talking to people who've been to Hawaii 10 times." "Everyone's 'Hawaii' is different," says retiree Knoppe. With city nightlife, secluded beaches, rain-forest trails and spas, Hawaii has something for every age, level of activity and budget. Oahu Nicknamed "the Gathering Place," Oahu has more hotels, restaurants and major attractions than all of the other islands put together. For many, Waikiki Beach and its surrounding resorts is Hawaii. Two miles of golden-sand shore finds young and old sunbathing, swimming or splashing in rented kayaks and surf boards, inflatable rafts and pedal boats. Hawaiian musicians and hula dancers perform on the beach by the statue of Olympic gold medalist and father of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku. Waikiki has room for visitors to stroll, play volleyball or people-watch under the palm trees. Big city life moves at a tropical pace. Locals stop to chat ("talk story"), especially upon learning you are from Alaska. Virtually everyone visits the Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Park Service recommends visitors to the Arizona Memorial arrive at 6:45 a.m. to get tickets even though the center opens at 7:30 a.m. It is usually another hour or two wait for the boat to the memorial. From Downtown Honolulu, drive Likelike Highway (63) or Pali Highway (61) to Kamehameha Highway (83). Highway 83 winds along the scenic windward coast to the Polynesian Cultural Center at Laie, around the north shore and back through downtown Honolulu. Locals claim Kailua Beach ("Kaaava") is the best place for beginning surfers because of its long-riding waves of moderate height. Film locale for "Jurassic Park" and "Pearl Harbor," Kapaola Ranch offers horseback riding, four-wheel tours, fishing, snorkeling and sunbathing. The highly popular Polynesian Cultural Center features seven model Polynesian villages where students from Brigham Young University-Hawaii demonstrate traditional foods, crafts, skills and music. Plan on a full day if you stay for the buffet or luau and evening performance. Polynesian Cultural Center performers will visit Alaska schools in October.
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On the leeward side, Wainae has beautiful, clear, sand beaches and one of the island's Hawaiian vacations best golf courses. Danni Nelson, of Makaha Travel Service, recommends the Wainae Army Recreational Center's excellent facilities and beach-front cabins. Almost anyone with a government identification card- military, federal or state-is eligible to stay at the facility. A motley caravan of rental cars, pedestrians, tour buses, motorcycles and stretch limousines enter Diamond Head Trail through a tunnel inside an extinct volcanic crater. Rated "moderate" for its steep and rocky trail, dark tunnels and winding metal stairs, the trail leads to the summit offering a spectacular panoramic view of Honolulu. Novice hikers will find it well maintained and far less challenging than Flattop in Anchorage. School children to seniors make the climb. Honolulu shopping offers everything from high-end fashions to souvenirs. The Aloha Swap Meet, set up like Anchorage's Saturday Market, is as large as the Palmer State Fair. The swap meet surprises with jade, pearls and intricate Chinese handmade paper umbrellas-at prices lower than in Waikiki. Sample garlic-onion, honey-covered or cayenne-spicy macadamia nuts. At $1.50 per ride, Oahu's TheBus, offers an economical and efficient alternative to rental cars. It is possible to circle Oahu on TheBus. Evening schedules are limited, however. Maui "Maui is a good one of Hawaiian vacations family destination," says Buchanon. "With safe, gentle beaches, it is the second most popular island." Conde Nast Traveler readers voted Maui "Best Island in the World." Prime resort areas are Kapalua, Ka'anapali, Kihei, Wailea and Makena. Key attractions include the historic whaling town of Lahaina, Maui Ocean Center, Haleakala Crater, the winding road to Hana and the beaches along the Ka'anapali coast. Exploring West Maui's upcountry from horseback yields green pastoral vistas and views of the Haleakala volcano. Two hours drive from central Maui, Haleakala Volcano National Park is home to two plants found only on the volcano: the Haleakala geranium and brushy silversword. Hiking opportunities abound for novice to experienced backpackers. Driving to Hana "is like the Alcan of old," says Buchanon. "You average 25 mph on 50 miles of road with 300 curves." AAA's Alaska regional manager, Debra Goetze, often took her children to Maui when they were small. Recently, she vacationed there with her teenage son. "I had the best, most relaxing vacation. I like the pace of Maui-it is more laid back. But there is a little bit of everything there," she says. Hawaii-The Big Island The island of Hawaii for Hawaiian vacations, known as "The Big Island," offers the most diverse climates of all the islands, from Hilo's wet tropical rain forest and hot springs, to Kona's drier, sunny weather. For the homesick, there is even snow in the mountains. "We like the Big Island because it is less confined," explains retiree Knoppe. "We bicycle, swim, snorkel or kayak. We also play some golf. Every time we go, we find something new." At Hawaii's Volcano National Park, Mauna Loa, the world's highest active volcano at 13,677 feet, is a major destination. Hiking the Kalauea Crater Rim is rated as "easy" for its partly paved trail while the Mauna Loa and Halape trails require permits and a great deal of backpacking experience. The Captain James Cook Monument marks the site where he died. Other popular activities include cattle ranch tours, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, horseback riding and golf. From December through April, whale-watchers may have the most successful sightings between Kona International Airport and Keahole National Energy Lab. Hilo is a good base for exploring the island's east side. From Hilo, explore lush rain forests and hike to spectacular waterfalls, such as the 420-foot Akaka Falls and the multi-level Umauma Falls. Having moved to Alaska four years ago, former cost-engineer turned stay-at-home-mom Carey Douglas has visited the Big Island with her husband twice--once during her pregnancy and recently, with the couple's then eight-month-old son. Douglas, who visited also, prefers the Big Island Hilo side for snorkeling and hiking because "it's off the beaten path and more of what we expected Hawaii to be." She and her husband enjoy backpacking their son into the Waipio Valley. The baby "loved the 90-degree hot springs at Ahalanui. Brian had to stop him from eating the black sand." Kauai for Hawaiian Vacations Nicknamed "the Garden Island" for its lush, green vegetation and tropical flowers, Kauai is considered the most romantic island destination. The least populated of Hawaii's four counties, Kauai offers some of the most secluded beaches for Hawaiian vacations as well as nature preserves, and carefully restored historic sites. The North Shore's Na Pali Coast presents dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea and waterfalls. Hiking is recommended as the best way to explore this coast during Hawaiian vacations. Although the state requires permits to use the trail, they are free. Mark Twain dubbed the Waimea Canyon, a 3,000-foot-deep gorge, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." With 485 inches of annual rainfall, Wai'ale'ale, a 5,000-foot-high mountain, is considered the wettest spot on earth. From December through April, whale watching is free at the east end of Po'ipu, past the Hyatt Hotel. The Pacific Whale Foundation Web site devotes an entire section to whale watching on Kaui, Maui and other islands during Hawaiian vacations. Molokai for Hawaiian Vacations
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Molokai is best known for Kalaupapa, the community founded by Father Damien, the Belgian priest who ministered to those stricken with Hansen's Disease (better known as leprosy). This isolated community, designated a national historical park, is accessible only by air or by mule train down a 1,600-foot switchback trail. Hawaiian Vacations' Buchanon enjoys hiking and mountain biking on Molokai. "The trails are rated according to skills and abilities. It is similar to the way in which Alyeska Ski Resort's slopes are rated," she says. For those seeking something a little different, Hawaiian Vacations, together with the Alaska Sports Academy, will sponsor the second annual Sand Ski clinic on Molokai Oct. 20-27. The guided trip focuses on nutrition, skills training and conditioning, as well as physical fitness. "Last year, people who attended the Sand Ski Clinic found that it conditioned them for the crusty snow we had in Alaska. They found (skiing on Alaska snow) was like skiing on sand."...... Compare airline tickets and Hawaiian vacations here /cheap airfares home |