The chairs are set and the framework is up for tomorrow’s screening of LOST on Waikiki Beach. Workers are setting up portable fencing to surround the area. The fencing will probably be needed for crowd control tomorrow — hundreds of people have traveled to Hawaii for this screening just as part of the travel package through Hawaii-Aloha Travel. Others have come on their own and visitors already on the island are joining locals in checking out the preparations.
Back at the Park Shore Waikiki, the tables have arrived, are decorated and ready for diners. There is a good view of the beach screening set-up from the pool area where the dinner is being held. Bruce and Yaling are dressed and greeting visitors — looking much calmer than they probably are.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner Follow me on Twitter: @Scheopner
Finishing touches are being put on the Aha Aina Dinner poolside at the Park Shore Waikiki — the first event for LOST fans who have traveled to Hawaii for the season premier tomorrow. Taxi cabs line up at the hotel entrance just steps from Waikiki beach as happy travelers exchange coats and travel cares for slippers and smiles. Bruce and Yaling Fisher are dealing with last minute details (something about missing tables and chairs — the food is here so I’m not worried). I’ll keep you posted on the weekend events.
Posted by Cindy Scheopner. Follow me on Twitter: @Scheopner
The dates are set for one of Hawaii’s biggest parties and most spectacular parades — join us for Aloha Week September 18-25, 2010. This year’s theme is Mele ‘Ailana: Celebrate Island Music (mele are chants and songs). The culture and history of each of Hawaii’s islands is celebrated in the 63 year old annual event, which is really a series of events. Its purpose is to "foster the Aloha Spirit through the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and the celebration of diverse customs and traditions of Hawaii."
The party — called the Hoolaulea — is Saturday, September 18 in Honolulu near Waikiki. The huge block party begins with the arrival of the Royal Court, which will been installed a few days earlier. Many entertainment stages, food and lei vendors and performances of hula are spread throughout 12 city blocks.
The parade is the following Saturday, September 25. It begins at Ala Moana Park (across from Ala Moana Mall). The floral floats at least rival, if not surpass, anything seen in the Rose Bowl parade on the mainland. Hawaii’s floral bounty and diversity is on display, along with creativity of design. Pau riders celebrate an equine history of the state that may surprise. I was aware of the "cowboy" (paniolo) part of Hawaii’s history but still awed by the horse and rider ballet, each equally decorated with flowers.
High school marching bands compete in appearance and performance in a way I’ve not seen outside much smaller towns. It was in watching this parade that I first began to understand Hawaii, as a unique collection of communities and individuals. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
There are several ways to see the stunning Na Pali coast of Kauai, Hawaii. Any way you manage to take in the view, it is breathtaking. However, none of the options involves driving a car. The road along the Kauai coast in that area is closed. You can take a helicopter ride, or view the coast from the ocean on a boat or raft. This photo is taken from a hike above the Na Pali. There are other more rigorous hikes that take you closer. This hike began from the parking lot at the top of Waimea Canyon, already an amazing view.
Na Pali means "the cliffs" in Hawaiian. On Kauai, it is a 15-mile section of coast along the northwest side of the island where sheer cliffs drop to the ocean. They look sharp, like the edges of lava knives pointed to the sea. The view is reminiscent of King Kong or other movies with stark mountains shrouded in mist. An observer near us commented, "See those green puffs (below us)? They are TREES!" We were so high above them, they looked like bits of broccoli sprinkled on the ridges.
I’m sure the view from the ocean would be impressive in a different manner — the cliffs would soar above the surface to pierce the sky. Different times of year may recommend different approaches; in winter, the seas are rougher and the more extreme hikes more hazardous. Our moderate late fall hike produced great views amid fairly significant mud. I look forward to experiencing the Na Pali Cliffs from many different angles in seasons to come.
There is a rainbow on Hawaii license plates because there is often a rainbow in the Hawaii sky. The frequent mist and light rain are perfect conditions for the colorful celestial creations. Often, rain and mist are more common in the mountain areas but this picture is at Waikiki — near the ocean.
It is worth noting that Hawaii’s islands have micro-climates. Light rain and mist are more frequent on the windward side of the islands or in the mountain areas. The leeward sides are drier. Often, if it is raining in one area you can walk to an area where the sun is shining.
Each island has weather particularities and you may wish to become familiar with them. However, it is a safe bet that no island will have bad weather in all areas or for very long. It is also safe that what the locals call "bad" weather is nothing when compared with mainland weather conditions. This week has been cool on Oahu. Locals have broken out the sweaters and boots. However, it has not been below 60 degrees at night and days are too warm for a sweatshirt.
My visitors often wonder if they should pack a coat or jacket for a Hawaii vacation in winter. Coat, never. But a light, rainproof jacket can be handy for Hawaii’s frequent showers. It is lighter to pack than an umbrella. Also, I reach for a jacket to combat air conditioning in offices and on buses. A jacket can serve that purpose as well as warding off sprinkles.
If you are in Hawaii and it begins to rain, smile and look up for the rainbow!
The highly anticipated Disney resort that’s currently under construction in Hawaii finally has a name — Aulani — which means, "the place that speaks with deep messages," Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced today.
"We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it," Joe Rohde, senior vice president of creative for Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement. "The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep storytelling — and its roots are here in this land. We’re so grateful to the local Hawaiians who led us to the discovery of this name, and our goal is to live up to its meaning."
The Disney resort, which has a new Web site that also was unveiled today, will open its first phase in fall 2011. Located in Ko Olina, on the island of Oahu, it will have 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom villas, as well as a 14,545-square-foot conference center, an 18,000-square-foot spa and 48,685 square feet of outdoor venues for activities such as snorkeling and golf.
"We are looking forward to welcoming guests to Aulani to share the fun, immersive family vacation experiences Disney is known for combined with the beauty and culture of Hawaii," said Disney Vacation Club and Resort Vice President Djuan Rivers. "We are turning to the Hawaiian culture for inspiration in everything we are doing at Aulani, and we hope our guests will not only enjoy the Disney experience, but will also embrace the unique culture of Hawaii and its diverse people."
Disney’s new Aulani Web site offers a preview of the new resort, complete with conceptual art and descriptions of resort highlights, and will be updated regularly with construction reports and photos. Follow us on twitter
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Plumeria flowers are everywhere in Hawaii - falling to the ground like snow. But in winter, plumeria trees drop their leaves while flowers cling to bare branches. This is the lean time for plumeria. Tree branches look like bare sticks: leaves have fallen and only a few brave blooms remain. They bloom in many colors — white, yellow, pink, almost red: the variety is inspiring.
I’m not sure why plumeria loose their leaves during the winter — it is really not much cooler now than in summer on the islands. Rick, the biologist, speculates that plumeria trees had a seasonal cycle before they were imported to Hawaii. I do see that while plumeria leaves are dropping, other trees are producing more leaves, blooms and fruit. So it is not like the mainland where everything dies or goes into hiding during cold weather.
This seasonal cycle of the plumeria is interesting for two reasons. First, it’s a small, micro reminder that it is winter, even here. Dropping leaves and bare branches seem like a normal response to "cold" weather — even if it is not below 60 overnight. The second reason is more complex. I had never seen flowers growing in trees until I was in Hawaii. Flowers in pots, perhaps, or gardens, but not sprouting in trees. So, the vision of flowers over my head is fun. But plumeria do the opposite of what I thought a flowering tree would do. I would guess that flowers would drop but leaves would remain, or at least they would stay or leave together. The sight of flowers sprouting from bare, leafless branches is unusual — and so Hawaii: beauty and grace to the end.
On this, my second winter on the islands, I still enjoy the irony of blooms on bare branches. I also appreciate how brief the display. Plumeria will return with their full glory in just a couple of months.
The Outrigger Reef on the beach is actually one of Waikiki well-known beachfront hotels. In 2008 the property went through a hundred million dollars worth of renovations including all the guest rooms and common areas.
The Byodo-In Temple is located at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Kaneohe. It was first established on June 7, 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii, Byodo-In translates to "Temple of Equality - not to discriminate" and is home to Amida, a golden Buddha unique to the entire world. The Buddha is thought to be the largest figure carved since ancient times. It’s more than 18 feet tall and is an original work of art carved by the famous japanese sculptor Masuzo Inui. The Byodo-In structure was built entirely without the use of nails, it’s a scale replica of a temple at Uji Japan that was constructed over 900 years ago. The Byodo-In was built to represent the mythical phoenix, it’s wings upheld by pillars of stone. Folklore tells of the phoenix arising from the ashes to reflect the promises of hope and renewal.
The Bell House, called kanetsu-ki-do, contains a five foot high, three ton brass bell, called bon-sho or sacred bell. It’s a mixture of bronze and tin, casted in Osaka Japan by permission of the government of Japan. The original bell is said to be over 900 years old and to have come from India. It’s customary to ring the bell before entering the temple to spread the eternal teachings of Buddha. You can hear the sound of the bell from far away, the sound lingers in the air and creates a calming atmosphere as you enter the temple. The Byodo-In Temple is definitely one of Hawaii’s best kept secrets!
Water springs from a rock wall and cascades over moss-covered rocks in a secluded spot along the Likeke Trail. Peace envelops this space. The sound of the falling water provides a calming soundtrack for the lush green foliage and tropical flowers at hand and the starkly beautiful backdrop of the pali cliffs. This trail snakes along the sheer Ko‘olau mountains on the windward side — the side away from Honolulu, facing the top of Oahu as you look at the island on a map.
We were able to enjoy this experience as part of a hike that began at the Ko‘olau Golf Course and continued on to a clearing that was once a heiau — a sacred worship space. There are two important aspects of this hike. First, the trail is open to anyone. We saw individuals and families setting out on their own, and passed a guided adventure tour on the path. The hike I took is considered a cultural heritage tour — led by a local of Hawaiian descent (Hawaiian is a specific ethnicity, not just a current resident of the state). A Hawaiian Civic Club sponsors the hike. I prefer to support civic groups in their efforts to preserve and protect important cultural sites and I enjoy the cultural/historical perspective they provide. There is certainly nothing wrong with other paths to the experience.
The second point. Our hiking group included a pregnant woman with her husband who carried their young child in a backpack and a handful of us well over 50. That said, it was not an easy stroll. It is not paved or graded — the hike is mostly along a narrow footpath of damp (but not muddy) ground covered with large roots. We crossed one stream — the one below the waterfall. Most of us balanced on rocks, others walked through the water. It seems that this is a fairly standard hiking trail in Hawaii. If you hike in other places, you will not be uncomfortable. If you’re looking for an easy stroll, it will be a little more challenging. But it provides a glimpse of Hawaii from a time when it was even more a slice of paradise.
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