Posts filed under 'Ocean'
The road ends at Ka‘ena, where a grassy mountainside landscape greets the boundless white sand beach below. Not many people venture this far into the North Shore of O‘ahu, which is most likely why the stretch of beach and rocky coastline is almost always empty.
Until recently, I completely forgot this place existed. We were checking out the surf near Mokule‘ia Beach Park when we decided to keep driving along Farrington Highway. After the airfield, we passed cabins and several ropes courses belonging to YMCA's Camp Erdman. I remember going to this camp as a kid, which was probably the last time I've been out there.
The road gets gradually bumpier, as the terrain becomes more barren. It eventually turns into either a mud or dirt path, depending on the weather. Up ahead, a land mine of muddy puddles told us that it must have rained overnight. A couple of cars leaving the area also left with souvenirs of mud-caked tires.
I like the peacefulness that graces Ka‘ena Point State Park at almost any time of day. Unlike the busier part of the North Shore, there's barely any traffic passing through; all you hear is the rolling ocean waves and wisps of a gentle trade-wind breeze.
On those calm summer days, the beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. Otherwise, it can get pretty rough out there. The sandy beach, however, is always wide open. You may see fishermen casting their pole from the rockier part of the shore or families chilling under their pop-up tent. The area has very little shade, so make sure to bring an umbrella and protective sun-wear.
Because Ka‘ena is one of the most isolated parts of O‘ahu, it's also one that's most prone to vehicle break-ins and theft. Be sure to remove all valuables from your car (including the trunk). The park is at the trailhead of Ka‘ena Point trail, which takes hikers to the very tip of the island where you can see both the West and North shores at the same time. Stay tuned for a post on this hike worth adventuring.
KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK / End of Farrington Hwy. (Hwy. 930) (Map) / Amenities: Restrooms, trash cans, payphone, lifeguard / Activities: Snorkel, swim (calm, summer days)
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
May 14th, 2013
Did you know that the world-famous Waikīkī Beach is actually made up of seven different beaches?
The stretch of shoreline includes Ft. DeRussy, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Kūhio, Kapi‘olani, Queenʻs and Kaimana. Each has something special to offer. For instance, Ft. DeRussy is not only home to a beach but a very cool army museum. Helicopters, tanks and guns welcome visitors to this place, which houses the history of Hawai‘i's military.
Kaimana Beach, also known as San Souci, is located next to the famous Waikīkī Natatorium.
A nice walking path connects these beaches. It runs along the shoreline from the historic Natatorium to Queen's Beach. Whether walking, jogging or biking, everyone should make use of this sand-covered sidewalk. The best time to take a stroll is right around sunset.
Kaimana Beach serves as a nice getaway from the busier side of Waikīkī. It's on the outskirts, near Diamond Head, but offers just as much fun and beauty as the other beaches. I especially like the grassy area of this beach park. It's where people barbecue or lounge around in the shade.
Be sure to check out all of these Waikīkī beaches while on Hawai‘i vacation. Whether it's picnicking, sunbathing or surfing, beach-goers will surely find something fun to do in the sun.
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 26th, 2013
Hopefully we'll be seeing more of these beach safety displays along Kaua‘i's shorelines. The Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club has one fronting its property on the south side of the island.
The display board is meant to inform beach-goers of possible dangers, including safety tips and advice should a swimmer get caught in a rip current. The bright orange arrows show the direction of possible rips, which could likely suck someone out to sea. I don't think these should replace lifeguards. Instead, the signs should just be looked at for guidance.
According to a Garden Isle report, two beach safety displays will also be installed at Kalapaki Beach. Every day, tourists crowd this popular Līhue hang out for kayaking, snorkeling or just lounging on the shore. There's a definite need for ocean and beach safety education at this particular spot.
We can thank the wonderful efforts put forth by island first responders, community groups and hotel management. In addition to the signs, they're also responsible for the ocean safety video that play at Kaua‘i's airport. They've taken action from the very beginning to spread knowledge and awareness to our visitors. Mahalo to them for their hard work and persistence.
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 23rd, 2013
The days of lighting up a cigarette on the sand have gone up in flames. Smoking is officially banned from several Honolulu beach parks and recreational parks after the mayor signed it into law.
This means no smoking allowed at Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park, Kapi‘olani Beach Park, Kapi‘olani Park Beach Center, Kapi‘olani Park, Kuhio Beach Park, Sandy Beach Park and beach areas of Ala Moana Regional Park. Break the law, however, and violators will end up paying a lot per puff. Fines run up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second violation within a year and $500 for additional offenses.
I'm glad to see the bill's passage into law. Who doesn't want clean air and clean beaches? Cigarette butts are the number one cause of litter in the islands. You'd be surprised at how many butts you would find at the beach, and I'm not talking about the tanned tooshie kind either. Those, we like.
The ban on smoking at those seven O‘ahu beaches is a good start. We need to expand this measure to include all beaches, on all islands. Lawmakers are actually working on that, but it will be some time before this takes affect or even passes into law.
The city and state would have to team up, and to be fair to smokers, there should be some kind of compromise. Under the current law, smokers can go to the sidewalks to smoke; just not on the sand. This should also be included in the broadened law. Of course, this won't put out heated debate sparked by the new law. It will, however, help to free up our beaches of litter and our air of pollution.
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 14th, 2013
Kayaking Kealakekua Bay on the Hawai‘i Island used to be one of the top To Do's for visitors. Now, it's limited to just a few kayak rental companies that fill up pretty fast, so consider yourself lucky if you get a seat in the boat.
This all happened when the state started cracking down on illegal kayak vendors. Instead of targeting just the illegal ones, the state shut down operations for all companies and residents. Only recently were two kayak companies given the green light to resume business as usual. Aloha Kayaks and Kona Boys must adhere to strict state guidelines, including limiting the number of landings and the number of customers per trip.
This circumstance on the Hawai‘i Island is similar to what was happening in Kailua Beach recently. Illegal rental companies ruined it for the legal ones with permits. Now, there's a ban on all commercial activities at the beach. And now, tourists can no longer enjoy kayak tours to Flat Island or a guided bus ride from town.
No word yet on whether all kayak companies will be able to resume operations at Kealakekua Bay. However, beach-goers can still go snorkeling and swimming. The bay is not only a state historical park but a Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) as well. That means fish and other aquatic life are able to grow and breed in a protected area.
KEALAKEKUA BAY STATE HISTORICAL PARK / Kona, HI 96704 (Map)
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 13th, 2013
For Kaua‘i's ocean safety community, one life lost is one too many. And at the start of 2013, there were many lost due to drownings. That's why the island's team of first responders – including lifeguards and fire fighters – have stepped in to provide awareness through education.
The Water Awareness Visitor Education (WAVE) program was established with this sole purpose. It will be a commonly-seen acronym for those visiting the island. In fact, it's one of the first things seen upon landing. WAVE put together the ocean safety video playing at the Lihue Airport's baggage claim area. It will hopefully also be playing in hotel rooms.
Speaking of hotels, it's the very place that visitors rely on for information. Hence, the team has been making its rounds in training hotel staff on how to best inform guests about ocean dangers. It's the most efficient way of getting to the source of visitor awareness. So far, more than 1,200 residents and 100 businesses have participated in training and education, according to WAVE's website.
In further driving awareness through the community, WAVE developed educational materials, such as the Kaua‘i Ocean Report (www.kauaiexplorer.com/ocean_report/). It's a daily report of the surf and ocean conditions that's also easy to read. If you remember anything when visiting the islands, remember what's written at the very top of the report's website: "WHEN IN DOUBT DON'T GO OUT!"
I applaud the effort and hard work put forth by the Kaua‘i community in building better ocean awareness. The WAVE program and initiatives are, by far, the most advanced in Hawai‘i and truly a model of excellence for other islands to follow. It's a kakou thing, so let's all try our best to spread ocean safety with others.
WATER AWARENESS VISITOR EDUCATION (WAVE) / Program that educates visitors and residents on water safety for the goal of saving lives / www.kauailifeguards.org/ohana/wave_project.aspx
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 12th, 2013
Hawai‘i's beaches are not only some of the most beautiful in the world but the most dangers as well. Within the first few months of 2013, 10 people have drowned – most of them tourists.
Shipwrecks Beach on Kaua‘i's south shore.
That's why a local filmmaker put together an ocean safety video to be shown to tourists at Kaua‘i's Lihue Airport. Dickie Chang worked with fire and ocean safety officials to get the most accurate advice for visitors.
The four-minute video (with Japanese subtitles) will run continuously at the baggage claim area, highlighting key ocean safety points. These include the use of rescue tubes and availability of websites that allow visitors to check water conditions. The video also encourages people to go to lifeguarded beaches as opposed to ones without ocean-safety oversight.
The Kaua‘i Beach Guide app is an especially helpful tool for visitors because it provides real-time video of current beach conditions. Look for the color-coded feature, which designates a level of safety for each beach, and make sure to check the "Aloha Info" section. It serves as a mini guide of general information on beaches.
Unfortunately, most visitors are uninformed and misinformed – hence, the recently alarming rate of accidents and drownings. But with the correct information available to them, it will no doubt save a life.
Videos like the one that will be shown in the Kaua‘i airport will be a positive start toward this goal. Hopefully there will be similar ocean safety videos for all state airports and even hotel rooms. Lawmakers have also been pushing to provide in-flight videos on Hawai‘i-bound flights. These videos would educate visitors about the fast-changing conditions apparent at most island beaches.
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 9th, 2013
Photos of supermodel Heidi Klum's ocean rescue in Hawai‘i have been swirling around the web. She jumped into the ocean, swirling just as rampant, to save her 7-year-old son and his nanny from drowning.
The paparazzi were of course there to capture the terrifying moment. It happened on O‘ahu's North Shore at a beach called Papa‘iloa Beach, which is generally a secluded area with no lifeguards on duty. Like many North Shore spots, the shore break can be ruthless – with rip tides powerful enough to suck swimmers out to sea.
The start of Heidi's Hawai‘i vacation, which ended with a scare.
That's almost what happened to the loved ones of this Project Runway host. Thankfully, Heidi was quick to react and jumped in to save them. In media interviews that followed, the model mother warned others about the looming dangers at Hawai‘i's beaches. "Never underestimate the power of the ocean," she says.
And she's right. The very first thing visitors want to do upon arriving in the islands is to jump in the ocean. It's this excitement that often overrides all common sense, leading to unfortunate accidents, injuries and even death. The power of the ocean is the last thing you want to experience. It eludes to crashing waves and yanking rip tides.
Please use common sense when going near the ocean. Take 15 to 20 minutes to observe the ocean conditions and visit only those beaches with lifeguards on duty. We may not all be as lucky as Heidi's son and nanny were.
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
April 6th, 2013
Contrary to what we see in Hollywood or hear as tradition, tossing lei in the ocean is a big NO NO.
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!
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twtter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
March 30th, 2013
Ladies — contrary to what you might see in celeb gossip, coming to Hawai‘i doesn't mean you must have a "bikini bod." Sure, it'd be ideal if we all had trimmed-down figures like Miley Cyrus and Rihanna. They show up in tabloids all the time, strutting their stuff along Hawai‘i's golden shorelines.
But let's face it. The average person – like you and me – doesn't always have time to hit the gym nor do we have personal trainers. Commitment and drive may be hard to come by, too, so don't let those photos discourage you from hitting the beach.
Look around, and you'll notice that there aren't many Miley Cyruses and Rihannas to be found. One of the major pluses of having diversity in the islands, I suppose, beaches included.
Still not convinced? Then why not try out some stylish cover-ups? Pareaus, or sarongs, make for very fashionable beach attire. Simply wrap the thin cotton cloth around your waist or upper body. It wears similar to a mini skirt or summer dress. I've found some really cute tropical prints at the Aloha Stadium swap meet. Otherwise, you can pick one up from an ABC store or at the mall.
Many boutiques in Hawai‘i sell beaded or crochet cover-ups. The dresses are decorative – yet simple – and don't go overboard with sequins and sparkles. Fancy beach wardrobe is not really necessary, like it would be for luxury beach resort areas, like the Bahamas or Cancun.
Bottom line is: Hit the beach even if you didn't have time to hit the gym. There are ways to still get your tan on – without revealing too much.
Photo Credit (second): Katherine Finch
Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87
Published by Bruce Fisher
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.
March 24th, 2013
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