Getting a tattoo while on a Hawai‘i vacation can be a thrilling experience; a step away from the norm for most travelers – yet a lifelong reminder of a wonderful Hawaiian getaway.
But it can also be a sacrifice for vacationers who want to enjoy the sun, sand and surf to its fullest potential. There is a strict two-week healing process after getting inked, and one of the major no-no's would be not exposing a tat to the ocean, sand, sun, pool, hot tub, bathtub, lake or river – pretty much everything Hawai‘i's about.
So what is there to do if you can't go to the beach or pool? We went into depth in a past post called "Skipping the Sun in Hawai‘i," but basically, there's shopping, museum hopping or indoor fun, like go-karting, indoor mini golf or bowling. You could go to the movies or have pau hana drinks at a bar near the beach for some true ocean therapy.
But perhaps to really make the most of your Hawai‘i vacation and not sacrifice too much, you could schedule your tattoo at the end of a trip. That way you can have your fun, too, while leaving with a lasting memory of the islands.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
It's true when people say that Hawai‘i's trade winds are like nature's air conditioning. As I write this, a cool breeze is gently blowing through my house. Outside, I see the leaves dancing and hear their subtle rustlings. I want to be dancing, too, but instead, I continue to write.
Actually, trade winds have always been one of my inspirations when writing. First off, they make staying indoors so much more comfortable. But mostly, I love how it puts me at ease – like a soothing song of nature.
Trade winds also remind me of how fortunate I am to call Hawai‘i my home. While they're sometimes taken for granted, trade winds happen to be the driving force of the island outdoors. I just wish they could be around every day of the year.
It was a different story a few days ago. I was inside, writing and…sweating! Boy, was it muggy and miserable. The trades had left us temporarily, with dead winds as the unfortunate replacement. Those are the days I choose to use the real air conditioning. Otherwise, I'm chin-deep in the ocean, praying the trades come back.
In Hawai‘i, the weather varies from day to day but not as drastically as it does on the mainland. In Colorado, for instance, it can be super-sunny one day and then snowing the next?!?! Talk about confused weather…Hawai‘i, though, has subtle changes in its day-to-day weather. We'll get trades for a few days and then it turns off, and we're stuck with dead winds.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
While summers may be the most convenient time to visit Hawai‘i, keep in mind that it's also a time for hurricanes. Hurricane season is from June to November, but so far, we've been lucky. The last major hurricane hit Hawai‘i in 1992.
A Category 4, Hurricane Iniki hit the Hawaiian Islands in 1992.
That doesn't mean we didn't get our share of scares, though. Since Hurricane Iniki devastated the islands more than a decade ago, we've stood guard for several other storms teetering in the Pacific. It's just so unpredictable that you never know what to expect during this five-month period.
What you should expect, however, is exactly the opposite of what some travel sites have been advising tourists. One wrote, "There are usually no big storms during these months," while another said, "Hurricanes never reach land." Both are totally false!
When Hurricane Iniki hit the islands, it destroyed everything in its path – including people, homes and roadways. The Category 4 hurricane had winds of 145 miles per hour and caused more than $1 billion in damage. Sadly, six people died as well. Kaua‘i got hit the worst, with more than 1,400 homes completely destroyed.
If you plan to visit the islands during hurricane season, just be prepared. You may spend your entire vacation hurricane-free, or you may need to take precautionary measures. Because most hotels are on the beach, visitors should evacuate to inland shelters, such as schools. Lets just hope it never gets to that point.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
If you're driving in Hawai‘i while on vacation, make sure to buckle up. That means passengers in the back seat, too.
The new law includes children and adults; previously, adults didn't have to wear seat belts when sitting in the back of a vehicle. I always thought that was a no brainer. Sitting in the back seat doesn't necessarily mean you're protected during motor vehicle accidents. Yet, there are still people who choose not don't buckle up. I guess it's with the mentality that there'll be no legal reprecutions. But accidental death? Think again.
This coincides with the annual "Click it or Ticket" campaign encouraging drivers and passengers to buckle up when on the road. Those caught not wearing their seat belt face a $92 fine. In that case, drivers will be the ones cited.
The next driving safety campaign needs to target texting while driving. Too often, I see drivers with their eyes off the road because they're too busy texting. I also see drivers talking on their phones, which in Hawai‘i, is also illegal. The hands-free law just hasn't really been enforced like it should. That needs to change.
The state could possibly model a campaign after the many national ones already taking place. I'm sure most of you have seen those commercials showing how one texted word could kill or seriously injure a driver. To be honest, those commercials changed my mind about texting and driving. I made a pact to myself never to do it again and have been encouraging my family and friends to follow suit.
No matter where you're driving – whether in Hawai‘i or at home – please drive with safety and aloha.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Only one resort adorns Oahu’s fabled north shore and it’s Turtle Bay. Situated on it’s own point along the north coastline, Turtle Bay consists of 375 luxury guest rooms, 26 suites, 42 beach cottages and luxury ocean villas with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by beautiful beachscapes, Turtle Bay offers guests privacy, seclusion, and the incredible sights of Oahu’s country counter parts.
In the midst of renovation, this resort is undergoing some major upgrades set to complete this October. However, the first wing of new rooms will be available to guests beginning June 2nd, boasting new interior décor, amenities, and renovations – just in time for summer. The guest room redesign includes all-new fixtures, furnishings, bedding as well as completely remodeled bathrooms with new tile, vanities, and walk-in showers. Managed by award-winning Honolulu-based architecture firm WCIT, so far the renovations have been a success. It’s easy to see if you take a peek at the property!
“The guest rooms will be redesigned to have a contemporary, beach-house feel, authentic to the North Shore," said interior designer Lisa-Maria Priester of WCIT Architecture. “Typically, a Hawaiian home is light and airy, done in a neutral palette because with scenery like we have here, especially on the North Shore, the accents are the views. As with our design of the recent lobby renovation, the new guest rooms will inspire a casual, hip sophistication with subtle accents of island and Hawaiian motifs custom designed exclusively for Turtle Bay Resort."
Turtle Bay is also adding a new spa called Nalu Kinetic, a reinvented spa, fitness and wellness center. One of the new features of this retreat is a “Wave Motion” table, (only one of three in North America!) that gently rocks clients as though they are floating in water. 11,000 square feet, this wellness spa is now open for business! Experience Zumba, hot hula and yoga classes or relax in the expanded beauty salon and outdoor area, or with couples’ treatment and lounging in one of three open-air massage cabanas.
The Palm Terrace has also undergone a complete rebrand and is now the North Shore Kula Grille. Named after the kula (midland) lands where agriculture thrives, this new grille serves up fresh, seasonal produce straight from local farms, and fresh twists have been added to classic island flavors. Enjoy the signature dish of the Grilled Kauai Shrimp, served with Hawaiian chili pepper, alae (salt) marinade, hearts of palm, baby spinach, crispy shimeji mushroom, Kahuku corn, red peppers, and jasmine rice. The restaurant’s interior décor is sleek and modern, offering guests a view of the ocean and gorgeous outdoor landscaping.
Two new shopping experiences will also be added, The Oakley Store and The North Shore WaterShed. The Oakley Store offers the largest variety of technical eyewear outside of Honolulu, for both men and women. The store also offers Oakley logo surfwear and lifestyle apparel, including an exclusive resort line of t-shirts created exclusively for Turtle Bay. The WaterShed is a boutique offering a new retail experience featuring brands and products that highlight a casual active waterman(woman) lifestyle, for residents and tourists alike!
Coming soon is the restaurant named Pa’aki (formerly 21 Degrees North), highlighting Hawaii’s abundant array of fresh seafood plus a customizable menu including various cooking styles, mix-n-match dipping sauces, and side dishes. The restaurant has also undergone interior renovation featuring an ocean theme with wood accents and new furnishings.
Known for top-notch service, unique amenities and stunning natural surroundings, Turtle Bay is a truly unique resort of Hawaii. Offering the only luxury property on Oahu’s north shore, this destination is a slice of paradise within the quiet countrysides of a busting island. Escape from a busier lifestyle, slow down and take in the beauty of the islands via Turtle Bay
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Dirt under your nails and salt air in your hair might not be the most flattering look while on a Hawai‘i vacation. But it's a look that shows you've dug deep into the meaning of voluntourism.
Earth Day is the perfect time of year to explore this fairly new concept of tourists volunteering their time to give back to the community. Whether it be taking part in a beach cleanup or restoring native plants, the opportunities to help are endless. In addition to that rewarding feeling you might get, some places offer discounts to tourists who donate their time.
Check out these voluntourism opportunities the next time you're in Hawai‘i:
O‘AHU
Marsh Cleanup - A roadside cleanup around Kawainui Marsh that includes lunch, entertainment and native tree planting. More info: www.waa-hawaii.org
Count Whales and Monk Seals - While it may not sound like volunteering, helping to tally Hawaiian monk seals and humpback whales can make a tremendous impact on Hawai‘i's ecosystem. It lets us know how we can protect these animals further. More info: Check out these stories we wrote on whale watchingand monk seal counting.
MAUI
Honolua Bay Cleanup - Join the Save Honolua Coalition for a day of fun in the sun at Honolua Bay. The pristine waters are a nice treat to cool down after all that cleaning. More info: www.savehonolua.org
Fish Surveys and Beach Cleanups - Devote a day of your vacation to learning about Hawai‘i's marine life and coral while cleaning up beautiful Maui beaches. More info: www.facebook.com/kaanapalimakaiwatch/info
KAUA‘I
Lydgate Park Cleanup – Cleanup the beach and playground area of Lydgate Park. Make sure to wear sun protection and gloves and to jump into the calm ocean waters right afterwards. More info: www.kamalani.org.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Don't give into that dead-end attitude of, "Been there, done that," while on vacation. Because no matter where you travel, you're going to come across some repeats. That doesn't have to be a bad thing, though, especially in Hawai‘i, where adventures from the mountains to the sea awaits those who know where to look.
Take hiking, for instance. No hike in Hawai‘i will ever be quite the same as the last. Many times, I will hike a trail 10 times over – each time realizing something different. A native plant hidden beneath a waterfall or a spectral sunset missed by the previous morning hike.
Even an ocean experience will be new memories made and never forgotten. Depending on the time of day, a beach can do a complete 180. There may be a surprise visit by a pod of dolphins or even a lazy seal on the sand coming to bask in the sun. Lets not forget the long list of things for humans to do at the beach. Whether it's basking yourself or kayaking to a nearby island – the options are endless.
The different people you meet will also be endless, hence, a new and exciting experience each time around. Your new-found friend could be from right here in the heart of the islands or from a far-off place, like Germany. Hawai‘i has such a unique blend of people and culture that it's a culture of its own, so no matter where you go and what you do, you're bound to make new memories to last a lifetime.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
If you're an avid traveler, then it may be well worth it to apply for the airport security's pre-screening program. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began offering a pre-screening program to frequent flyers recently. My family and I were randomly selected to try it out at the Honolulu International Airport, and wow, is it speedy!
We went through a special gate at the top of the TSA security line before quickly flashing our boarding passes and ID's to the agent. With a smile and nod, she directed us to continue onward to the security checkpoint. It was awesome not to struggle with taking off our shoes and jackets. I left my iPad and camera in my purse and sent them through the X-ray screener.
In total, it took about 30 seconds to get from the gate to the luggage retrieval. Out of curiosity, I checked to see where the person behind us was at (before we were plucked out of line for pre-screening). She was still removing her shoes with all the non-pre-screeners! It was a privilege to try out the new system, even if it was by random selection. I can see how much of a time-saver this could be for any traveler.
The TSA employee at the end of the line gave us a pamphlet with more info on how to sign up for the program. It's a free online form, and if approved, you'll get a special barcode printed on your boarding pass. However, travelers won't know if they've been approved until they actually get in line at the airport.
I'm writing this in the hopes that more people take advantage of it, too, especially those who fly often. It will eventually benefit both the pre-screen and non pre-screen passengers, helping to lessen the lines and wait all together.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
The flower creations not only pollute the surrounding waters but harm marine life as well. The lei drifts off to sea, and as the flowers peel off one by one, the string remains in the ocean. It's this part of the lei that has killed many honu (sea turtle) over the years. They get strangled by it after unknowingly swimming into the particle floating on the ocean's surface.
The string may also get caught on outer reefs, where it is mistaken as food. It may get jammed in their throats or clogged in their digestive systems. Both of which cause more unintentional deaths.
Many people do not realize how something as beautiful as a lei can be such a threat to the ocean environment. It's not anyone's fault but rather a lack of education and misinterpretation of the Hawaiian culture. Hollywood, however, may be one source of such confusion. Old movies show people throwing lei out to sea from the deck of a cruise ship, but let me assure you, this is NOT typical Hawaiian protocol.
The only time it would be acceptable to put lei in the ocean is if you break the string and slide only the flowers off into the water. The string itself should be discarded. You'll often see people do this during a religious or memorial ceremony at the beach. They paddle out to sea on surfboards or in kayaks and release flowers in memory of a loved one.
As a visitor to the islands, you can help to educate others on this commonly misinterpreted issue. The more people who know, the less harm there'll be on our ocean life. You could be even more proactive by breaking the string of a lei that may be floating along the shore. Every bit helps. Please malama ‘aina, take care of the land, when in Hawai‘i and help preserve its beauty and longevity for future generations to come. Mahalo!
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
I've been coming across a lot of travel articles on shipping luggage instead of paying the airline fee, which made me wonder – is it worth it for Hawai‘i travelers?
Probably not.
Most experts compare prices for short distances of travel, such as Chicago to Orlando. In that case, it would make sense to send luggage four or five days in advance. Instead of paying $115 one-way for a checked-in bag, travelers would pay about $40 each way via FedEx.
Shipping from Hawai‘i to the continental U.S., however, would cost much more. For instance, sending two 50-plus-pound suitcases via FedEx would leave you with a $200 to $300 bill. That's even if you used a luggage box from the shipping company, meant to cut down costs like a flat-rate box does.
So if you plan to do a lot of shopping on your Hawai‘i vacation, then be prepared to pay a little extra in the end. Otherwise, plan ahead to avoid going over the luggage weight limit.
I usually pack an extra duffle bag when leaving for a trip. It fits snugly at the bottom of my checked-in suitcase. When returning, however, the duffle becomes my carry-on to bring back stuff I purchased while on vacation. Most times, they're souvenirs for friends and family or the end result of a spontaneous shopping spree in Urban Outfitters. This duffle bag tactic is what saves me in the end. You, too, can save yourself some money by learning to be a smarter traveler.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Published by Bruce Fisher
