Back in the turn-of-the-century, the majority of the irrigation ditches used to distribute water to the sugar cane fields were built by Japanese immigrants. These elaborate waterways were built by hand in very difficult conditions using bare hands, picks, shovels, and hammers. The laborers often had to work 12 hour days for a pittance and a place to live. In the day, building these irrigation ditches was engineering genius. Over time sugar was no longer produced in the islands and sugar cane fields became obsolete.
Fast-forward to today and you’ll discover that these plantations are now home to quite unique adventures. I first found out about the ditches several years ago when I heard that they were doing water adventures on the Big Island and Kauai. Flumin’ Da Ditch is a tour operating on the north side of the Big Island near Hawi. On our next trip to the Big Island we decided to try this activity. We had such a great time that we recommended that visitors take this tour. Unfortunately, the earthquake of October 2006 damaged the ditches and the tours are no longer offered.
Luckily, the tours are still continuing on Kauai which is operated by Kauai Backcountry adventures. Last year we tried one of those Kauai tours. Unlike Flumin’ Da Ditch on the Big island that was done in kayaks, on Kauai you traverse these elaborate tunnels and ditch system on inner tubes. Tours start with a great history about this plantation and the views are magnificent.
The tour itself was pretty easy with little surprises except that the water is freezing cold! Once I got into the inner tube I quickly got used to the temperature so it wasn’t a real problem. My wife Yaling is not much of a swimmer, but did fine because the water only about 3 feet deep. The water doesn’t flow too fast so it’s unlikely you’ll be tossed out of the tube. You’ll be given a hard hat equipped with a flashlight so you can see you way though a few tunnels along the way. Bring with you a change of clothes, some shoes you won’t mind getting wet and some mosquito repellent.
While the sugar cane fields are gone, you can still get the sweet taste of what it was like on the plantations with one of these great adventures. For more information on how to make your Hawaii trip a vacation of a lifetime, please call me at 1-800-843-8771 extension 22.
Just say Aloha Bruce and I will hook you up with everything you need.
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 22nd, 2009
I’d like to continue my series about where to stay on Kauai by starting with the area of Kapaa. Keep in mind that I only discuss the properties that I am familiar with and have success in booking. In addition, I only book with reputable wholesalers, not individual owners. There are several advantages I have found in dealing with wholesalers; the condominiums always include maid service, they’re fully insured, you only need a small deposit to book, cancellation policies are more liberal and they are run by management companies which have more control and inventories at the properties. (Check out Part 1 of this series)
Kapaa is centrally located right on the east side of the island. You can easily get to the north or south side of the island without a long drive. There are also plenty of restaurants and markets, so you can keep your fridge full if you plan to cook some meals.
A great condo that has excellent pricing is the Aston Islander on the Beach. I book many people here who want something really nice, but don’t want to spend a lot of money. I like the plantation style of the property; it has a nice pool and BBQ grills on the grounds. The rooms are on the smaller side, but are very nice with marble floors and excellent bedding. Unfortunately, like many other condos in this area, parts of the beach behind this property are not swimmable.
Another wonderful property right next door to the Aston is Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy. The units here are large and modern and the furnishings are beautiful. This is a time share so you may want to book this property in advance because it sells out. I also like to recommend the Outrigger at Lae Nani and the Castle Kaha Lani. Both properties provide good value and are great for families or small groups.
The only hotel in the Kapaa area is the Aston Maka’iwa. This property was renovated three years ago with a soft renovation even more recently. The Aston includes restaurants, a nice pool area, along with all the typical amenities you would find at a hotel. I especially like the rooms on the third floor because of their vaulted ceilings and Hawaiian style furnishings with lots of wood grains and tapa patterns. The Aston is a good value and a nice alternative to expensive resorts.
Just a little further north of Kapaa but still on the Coconut Coast is Waipoli. The Waipoli Beach Resort is one of my favorite condos in Hawaii. This condominium was built from the ground up just a couple of years ago. The property includes a wonderful river pool and a great restaurant right on the beach. All of the rooms include modern kitchens complete with subzero refrigerators, very comfortable beds, and the huge bathrooms with sunken tubs.
Up on the northern tip of Kauai is Princeville and Hanalei Bay. This area is one of the most beautiful places in all of Hawaii. I love to recommend this area to honeymooners and people who just want to get away and experience true Hawaii. The Princeville at Hanalei Bay is the main resort here and currently is undergoing a major renovation as is rebranded to a St. Regis Hotel. It costs more, but you won’t be disappointed. Everything else up there are condos, I recommend the Hanalei Bay resort, the Pali Kea Kua, and the Puu Poa. They are all in the same general vicinity, overlooking the cliffs and are good values. Although none of these condos are right on the beach, the ocean view units do overlook the beach. It’s only a short drive to the beach, so don’t let that discourage you from staying at any one of these properties.
Kauai is a magical place and an island in which you can experience serenity and get away from every day hustle and bustle.
I would love to help you book your Kauai vacation so please contact me and let me tell you more! Call 800 843-8771 ext. 22 and just say Aloha Bruce 
Posted by: AlohaBruce
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June 17th, 2009
If you’re going to be on the island of Kauai on your vacation, and especially if you’ll be staying in the Poipu area on the south shore, make it a point to do the Koloa Heritage Trail.
It’s ten miles long. You can do the trick in an hour by car, or walk it and enjoy it much more. You’ll learn about the sugar era buildings still existing in Koloa and you’ll discover the history of Prince Kuhio, Koloa Landing, Moir Gardens, Poipu Beach and Keoneloa Bay.
Altogether there are 14 interesting and scenic stops and monuments describing the significance of teach location. Here are some of the highlights:
There’s the area where Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was born. He became a delegate to U.S. Congress after Hawaii became a territory in 1900, serving for 19 years.
You’ll see Koloa Landing, which once was the third largest whaling port in all of Hawaii.
In the Pa’u Allaka-Moir Gardens, you’ll encounter water-lily-filled lava rock ponds, koi and a variety of orchid and cactus species.
Poipu Beach Park contains abundant, easy-to-view marine life in calm waters. You may come across an endangered native Hawaiian Monk seal or a threatened Green sea turtle. From November through May, the endangered Humpback whale appears.
You’ll see Keoneloa Bay, which used to be a temporary fishing camp where users left behind stone-age tools, remnants of heiau (temples), and ahu, or altars.
The Pu’uwanawana Volcanic Cone was a hotspot in the earth that spewed lava upward to form the volcanic mountain island you’ll be on.
Nearby, the Jodo Mission’s interior was built by a specialist in temple architecture from Japan. Hand-painted, wooden ceiling tiles were a gift from the Japanese artist who rendered them.
Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Yamamoto Building functioned at various times as a plantation camp store and general store with a service station. Behind it, the Koloa Hotel offered rooms to traveling salesmen and actors.
As you can tell, there’s a lot to take in, and there’s plenty more that we haven’t covered here. If you’re driving, don’t just blow by the signs, mounted on lava rock pedestals, that are scattered throughout the area. They provide a wealth of information about this part of the island.
There’s a variety of family-oriented tours available. To help plan your visit, pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Web site home page (hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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April 1st, 2009
Most of the states have great places for hiking, but it’s hard to beat Hawaii’s variety. All the islands have great hiking territory. Here are a few to consider if you’re a hiker or if you just enjoy beautiful walks:
- On Kauai, the Kalalau Trail hosts some of the most spectacular views in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Hanakapiai Falls Trail begins two miles up the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast at Hanakapiai Beach.
- On Maui, the Halemauu Trail to Holua Cabin descends the sheer cliffs of Haleakala on the west crater wall.
- Waipio Valley and Mauna Kea are near the northernmost point of the Big Island. Once the home President John F. Kennedy’s first Peace Corps training camp, the area today is a remote and little-visited place modern man has all but forgotten.
For the full spectrum of all that is Hawaii, consider the 1,875 acres of Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. 78 sites of interest have been identified in the valley, including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds.
The valley’s150-acre botanical collection contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants, including native and endangered Hawaiian plants. Four out of five species of native freshwater fish can be found in Kamananui Stream.
Once you’re in the valley, for which there’s an admission fee of $5.00 to $10.00, you can participate in several free activities including lei making, kapa demonstrations, hula lessons, Hawaiian games, crafts, music and story telling.
Several free (with your paid admission) walking tours are offered at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
You want to be sure to take in the Valley’s 45-foot waterfall, Waihï. It’s about 3/4 of a mile from the park entrance booth.
Waimea Valley hosts larger tours – from easy and moderate family walks every Saturday to strenuous five-hour scrambles on the last Saturday of every month. Guides will help you identify the native and exotic plants, and will point out the indigenous birds and fish. The family hikes cost $5.00 per person, and the five-hour hikes cost $10.00 in addition to the valley entry fee. You’ll need reservations.
As you finish your visit, there is a retail store that showcases the work of local artists and Hawaii crafters of locally made products. The store also hosts weekly demonstrations by featured vendors. The valley’s on-site concession services uses locally grown, made-in-Hawaii ingredients for tasty local dining.
If you want to include hiking in your vacation on any of the islands, pick an agent from our Web site home page (hawaii-aloha.com), or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll set you up.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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March 27th, 2009
A true Hawaii tourism hero died earlier this month. His name was Richard Wassman Kimi. He did not do a specific heroic thing, but what he did lastingly affected Hawaii tourism.
Back in the mid-1950s, Kimi, who lived in Hilo on the Big Island, noticed that the tourists who came to the island arrived on large ships or airplanes. That meant they had money and could afford fine accommodations. But the then-29-year-old noticed that there were very few affordable places to stay for local residents and neighbor-island residents who wanted to visit Hilo for a day or two.
In 1956, even though friends and experts told him he was crazy, Kimi built the 30-room Hotel Hukilau in Hilo. It was a small hotel, one of the first along Banyan Drive, which now is lined with East Hawaii’s largest hotels such as the Naniloa and Hilo Hawaiian.
The Hotel Hukilau was consistently packed, mostly with people who lived in the islands. Soon, budget-conscious visitors discovered that the rooms were nicely-furnished and clean, and that the service at the hotel was excellent. Realizing that his concept was working, Kimi went on to build the Hukilau and Seaside hotels in Kona (on the other side of the Big Island), on Maui, and on Kaua’i, and he would also purchase the old Waikiki Biltmore Hotel, now the site of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki.
Kimi never wanted to build large hotels. His objective was to serve local residents and budget-minded visitors. He was one of the first to put together air, room and car packages for residents, and he was a leader in taking reservations via fax machines and toll-free numbers.
He also enjoyed teaching and sharing his sales, marketing and business knowledge. One of his students was Robert Kiyosaki, author of the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" books, who based his original "rich dad" on Kimi,.
Kimi, the visionary who pioneered the reasonably-priced “family” accommodations still available in Hawaii, died on December 19th in Honolulu. He was 83.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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February 5th, 2009
It happens. The old standby gets accused of being trite, boring, no longer fashionable.
Compared to the other islands, Oahu is still holding its own, but now it seems to be cool to downgrade it. Waikiki is too “touristy.” Honolulu is a big city now, with the inevitable traffic, industrialization and loss of the Aloha Spirit.
Okay. Maui has been called “the world’s greatest island.” It has the amazing Haleakala, the charm of Hana, the history of Lahaina, the lure of the Iou Needle and the resorts of Kaanapali.
Kauai has an abundance of natural wonders and great resorts. The Big Island has its volcanic action, enormous variety and even greater resorts. Molokai and Lanai have their intimacy and peace.
They’re all terrific. But never shortchange Oahu. Oahu is a big island, too, stretching ‘way beyond Waikiki and Honolulu. And Waikiki and Honolulu embody most of the things you envision when you first consider Hawaii for a vacation.
Waikiki is where the action is. The entertainment is first-class. A lot of the acts have been at it for a quarter of a century; newer ones are laced with high tech and imagination. World-class performers appear in Waikiki or Honolulu regularly. The beaches in Waikiki are everything you’ve seen and read about. The shopping is top-drawer.
Honolulu is almost as historical as (and perhaps more interesting than) Boston or Philadelphia. Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial should not be missed if you’re going to come to Hawaii.
The outer areas — the North Shore, Windward Oahu, East Oahu and the emerging West Coast with its “Second City” of Kapolei are all worth your time.
Seasoned visitors to Hawaii would offer you a suggestion like this:
On your first visit, do Oahu. If you have time, then take in a neighbor island or two. On your next visit, do a day or two in Waikiki to see what’s new, then do the neighbor islands.
When you consider the entire picture, spending your entire vacation on a neighbor island can be restricting. Think of a smorgasbord and spending the entire evening at the salad bar. However much you might love salads, there’s a whole lot more for your table.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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February 2nd, 2009
For many generations now, the menehune have been an integral part of Hawaii’s mythology. Most of the myths originated on the island of Kauai . Actually, some anthropologists believe the mythology is based on an original race of small-statured people who once inhabited the islands.
Here’s the basic myth:
Once, no one on the islands questioned the existence of the little people. They were prodigious toilers who worked from sunset till dawn completing every project they started in a single night. (Jobs that weren’t finished by dawn went uncompleted, but their construction never broke down.) As they worked, played and made music, the menehune reflected human characteristics. They even made human-like mistakes, although they were said to posses superhuman powers.
The menehune were happy little people, but their scary appearance caused children to hurry home at dusk rather than chance a run-in with them. They had large, bulging eyes; low, protruding brows, thick noses and gutteral voices. They stood about two feet tall with reddish complexions and bushy hair. They were rarely seen (and no female menehune was ever seen), but the din they created as they worked was heard often.
They were known for their play as much as their work. They rolled down hills throwing stones, rode wooden sleds down grassy slopes, threw darts, spun tops, boxed, wrestled, ran foot races, and played hide-the-pebble and and tug of war.
Intermarriage with humans is said to have caused the exodus of the menehune, as commanded by their king. Lumahai Beach on Kauai was their point of departure on a magic floating island. Some, of course, refused to leave the islands they loved and hid in the mountains.
Some of us who now live in Hawaii believe menehune still lurk in misty, wooded uplands, in caves or amid the craggy shore rocks.
Keep your eye out and your ears open while you’re here and abroad at night.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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January 28th, 2009
The beautiful Fern Grotto.
Not so long ago it was one of Kauai’s most famous attractions. A boat trip up the Wailua River on east Kauai carried visitors through an environment alive with historical significance and legendary splendor. A lovely stroll on a jungle trail opened onto a beautiful sight. Its entrance fringed by enormous hanging ferns, a secluded open cave provided an incomparable setting for weddings or simply contemplation. Prior to 1935, a huge waterfall had dropped into the area. In 1935 the local sugar company diverted the water for their crops, cutting off the waterfall’s flow and creating the Grotto.
Sadly, Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and then Hurricane Iniki ten years later caused some serious damage to the whole area. The fatal blow came three years ago when more than 40 days of rain caused landslides that did irreparable damage to the ferns.
If the Fern Grotto remains on your list of things to see on your Hawaii vacation or perhaps a potential site for your wedding, cross it off.
But wait. A boat trip on the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto area remains a really nice way to spend about 90 minutes when you visit Kauai.
Your tour boat captain will narrate the ride along the river, indicating points of interest, describing the flora and fauna along the river’s banks and relating tales of the significance of the river and surrounding areas (such as Mount Kapu) to early Hawaiians. The trip features live Hawaiian music and hula dancers.
Today you can walk through tropical flora to a new viewing platform with railings that will allow you good views of the grotto. The ferns are starting to grow back. A small group of entertainers performs the Hawaiian Wedding Song, a tradition in the Grotto, where almost 20,000 weddings took place.
The trip costs about $20. If you’re interested, pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Website or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll work it into your plans for you.
But don’t plan for a Fern Grotto wedding. We can help you find a comparable site. These islands are full of them!
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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January 22nd, 2009
Just about everybody who has visited several of the Hawaiian islands has a favorite. Oahu is the most cosmopolitan and has the most attractions. The Big Island has its expanse, the volcanoes and the sunny Kona Coast. Maui has Haleakala and a variety of splendid resorts. Most will agree that Kauai offers the most spectacular natural wonders.
There are good reasons on all the islands to consider hiring a helicopter and seeing things from the air, but that option is particularly appropriate on the Garden Isle of Kauai. The island’s west side offers Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast, which are both must-sees.
Waimea Canyon is more than 3,000 feet deep and gives you stunning panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags, and deep valley gorges. The vistas go on for miles. The canyon measures 10 miles long and a mile wide. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale’s summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though it’s smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon’s beauty is comparable. If you’re exploring by car, the main road, Waimea Canyon Drive, will lead you to several lookout points that provide awesome views of Kauai’s dramatic interior. The road continues into the mountains and ends at Kokee State Park. There are numerous trails to traverse for beginners and seasoned hikers. You can pick up trail maps at the Ranger’s Station, which is located at the Kokee Museum.
The Na Pali Coast, on the other hand, is inaccessible to automobiles and can be best seen by hiking, boating (especially in kayaks) or from a helicopter. The Nā Pali Coast State Park encompasses 6,175 acres of land and is located in the center of the rugged sixteen miles along the northwest side of the island. The pali, or "cliffs", rise to 4,000 feet above the ocean. Since it’s inaccessible to automobiles, this coast can be enjoyed only by hiking, boating (often in kayaks) or from a helicopter. The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access, traversing eleven miles and crossing five major valleys (and countless smaller ones) before reaching Kalalau Beach at the base of Kalalau Valley.
A helicopter ride of about an hour will offer you wonderful views of not only Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast, but also the Bali Hai Cliffs (Remember "South Pacific?"), Hanalei Bay and the Princeville Resort area. If weather permits, you’ll fly into the center of the crater of Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth.
The trip will cost slightly upwards of $200 per person, and it will be worth every penny. Pick an agent from the Hawaii-Aloha Website or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll see to it that you get the most from your Kauai visit at the best possible price.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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January 8th, 2009
Narrowing down your Hawaii vacation destination is even more difficult than it may seem to be at first. Most people try to decide which island – or islands – they think would appeal to them most.
The problem is that, except for little Molokai and Lanai, each of the islands actually has three or more distinctly different areas within their beaches.
On Oahu, Waikiki – on the south shore – is where the action is, and it’s close to most of the island’s other attractions. On the north shore, Turtle Bay is a full-blown resort near “Old Hawaii,” those humongous winter waves and the quaint little town of Haleiwa. Ko Olina is a newer, sprawling, self-contained resort area well west of Honolulu in leeward Oahu.
On the north shore of Kauai, the beautiful Hanalei and Princeville area is quiet and scenic with nice resorts. The south shore has Poipu and a whole bunch of ritzy resorts with all kinds of things to do. On the east shore, the town of Lihue is the island’s business and population center, with good accommodations that are convenient to most of Kauai’s spectacular attractions.
Maui is said to be two islands. West Maui has Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua and those spectacular resorts. The island’s larger portion contains the rustic Upcountry, the mammoth Haleakala crater and the Waimea resort area. Way to the east, the fantastic Hana area is an isolated destination unto itself.
The Big Island is generally divided into the Hilo side – the east – and the Kona side – the west. But it’s far more than that. On the Kona side, the coast is lined with one spectacular resort after another, and farther inland is ranch country in the rural areas of Waimea and Kamuela, the majestic Mauna Kea and the world’s most powerful telescopes. The Hilo side is far less touristy, but that’s where you’ll find Volcanoes National Park and the amazing lava flows.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider beyond a choice of islands. The best thing to do is pick an agent from our website and begin a relationship (No obligation, of course). Our agents all are experts in Hawaii – have lived here and can guide you with passion and professionalism. Or, if you prefer, call 1-800-843-8771.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
November 26th, 2008
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