"BlueCollar's Hawai‘i" Hawaii (State of) by BlueCollar

Hawaii (State of) Travel Guide: 10,347 reviews and 26,388 photos

Your First View of the Islands! - Hawaii (State of)

Your First View of Paradise!

After flying over almost 2,500 miles of ocean, this sight is always welcomed. Do you see anything here?

All flights from the mainland US will skirt the northern edges of the islands on their approach to Honolulu. Therefore, it is important that when you are choosing your seats on this leg of your journey, select seats on the left side of the aircraft that are either forward of or far enough behind the wing to allow a view.

Although we were headed to the Big Island on this trip, we had a connection in Honolulu first, which gave us this view of the Big Isle. This photo depicts the Big Island’s Mauna Kea reaching through the clouds. If you look closely, you’ll see her eastern slope span between the two cloud layers.

Most all the airlines display your flight progress on the TV screens that includes a current distance to destination. When you are within 300 miles or so, start looking out the left side. Unfortunately, on this day, there was heavy cloud cover. Also note that it is unlikely the flight crew will say anything unless it is a very clear day. But now you'll know.

ALOHA KÂKOU!
(GREETINGS TO US ALL)

I now have some videos posted on VT (Whoo Hoo! VT finally has video!). I will add to this collection as time permits me to produce them, so keep checking back.

I also have some interesting videos posted on YouTube of the more spectacular places we've been to in Hawai‘i.

Our latest Hawai‘ian adventure was in Feb/Mar 2010. Highlights will be posted soon.

On this trip we headed to Maui for six nights and the Big Island for eight nights at two different places on each island.

My wife and I enjoy everything Hawai‘i. If we had to describe it in one word it would simply have to be ‘e‘ehia! Why do we find it so awe-inspiring? We're not sure. Maybe it's their moderate weather that exists all year. Maybe it's just the natural beauty. Maybe it's the multitude of adventures that await you. Maybe it's the intrigue of paradise. Maybe it's the friendly people. Maybe it's the great food. Or maybe it's just because we are on vacation and away from the woes of daily life. Whatever the reason, we love exploring and experiencing all that Hawai‘i has to offer.

In our nine trips covering a total of 113 days on-island, we have explored five of the eight major islands. That includes five trips each to Maui and The Big Island. Three trips each to O‘ahu and Kaua‘i. Twice to Moloka‘i. We've been hooked ever since our first trip in 1993 and with every visit our love for the Islands grows. Every time it looks more promising; more inviting. And it nurtures the dream that some how or some way we can manage to live there some day.

These islands offer more adventure and beautiful scenery in such a small area than almost any other tourist destination across the globe. And with as many days in total that we've spent there and of all the things we've done, we still have plenty we would like to do on our next trip. We think that by the time we've done it all (IF we can) it will be time to start over.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - preparing to fly

Being the adventurous types, we always get outdoors and experience firsthand the natural beauty of the destinations we choose. So lounging at the hotel's pool all day is not on our list. It's a real thrill for us just to get outdoors, drive around, generally explore the surrounding area, hike to interesting places, and seek out an off-the-beaten-path place. And these Sandwich Isles have plenty to offer in the form of outdoor activities: from hiking to biking; from sailing to snorkeling; from diving to golfing; from dining to wining. You are bound to find something that fits.

When you decide to come here, do not even entertain the thought of just sitting by your hotel's pool all day. There's plenty for you to experience. Get out there and explore!

Interesting Facts:

Kure Atoll is about 30 million years old

Kaua‘i is about 7 million years old

The Big Island is about 500,000 years old

Hawai‘i is the most remote island chain in the world existing about 2,500 miles from the nearest land mass

The State of Hawai‘i spans 1,500 miles across the Pacific and contains every island, islet, atoll and shoal (excluding Midway) from the Big Island on the east to Kure Atoll on the west

Hawai‘i has the greatest number of plants and animals on the US Threatened and Endangered Species List

Mauna Kea, when measured from its base to its top, is the tallest mountain in the world.

The next Hawaiian Island, Lo‘ihi, is currently 3,000 feet below the surface about 30 miles off the Big Island's southern coast and should break the surface in about 50,000 years at its current build-rate

Hawaiians consume more Spam ® per capita than any other State in our great Union

There's more to Hawai‘i than just surf, sand, and sun?

Are you a sunbather? If so, you may better fit the profile of the average vacationer in Hawai‘i. If not, you may be more like us. Our time is spent doing things that do not include sitting on the beach or swimming in the surf. Therefore, my pages emphasize the many possible adventures that await you that are totally beach UNrelated.

Are you looking for some adventure in your Hawaiian vacation? Are you wanting something more than just beaches, sun, and surf? Are you wondering about the off the beaten path places that few people care to see? Do you want to do more than just sit at your hotel's pool all day? Do you want to do something other than follow the herd? If so, I believe I can help you.

I have tried to concentrate on supplying as much content as possible on each adventure we've enjoyed while on the Sandwich Isles. I offer my apologies if you feel I get a little long-winded on my tips. I'm just trying to prevent the thought that so many people have that Hawai‘i is just for beach lovers who will sip Mai-Tais at the beach or poolside bar of their fancy hotel all day.

Hawai‘i on a budget?

Do you require a full-service resort for the duration of your stay? Can you afford $400 or more per day for a simple room? Do you desire to be pampered at a fancy 5-star hotel? If it fits easily within your means, you certainly should indulge yourself. But for others like us, we tend to spare the high-price places. Although they would be nice to try, we think our limited budget is better spent elsewhere.

You can save big bucks by cutting back to moderate accommodations like a B&B, private rental condo, or even a small cottage. You will have a place with much more character, peace, and quiet. Is there anything worse than loud talking in the hallway or a door slammed at 3:00am in the room next door? The dollars saved here can then be spent more freely on adventures, activities or even dining out. After all, what good is it if you spent a majority of your vacation budget on a fancy hotel and have nothing left to take any number of the excursions available to you?

Which Island to Visit?

On the lanai of Waipi?o Cliffhouse

Because each island has its own personality, your first visit should be to the island that suits you best. This will give you the best introduction and almost guarantees a great trip. So, how do you decide this? Well, you have a couple options available online.

First, there’s an old-fashioned test where you keep your own score. This travel-related website presents the questions and you maintain the scoring. When all is said and done, your final point total will help with deciding which island suits you best. It’s somewhat thorough. However, it seems to avoid my accommodations-of-choice: cottages and B&Bs. Nevertheless, you should try it.

Second, if you’re lazy and would like the website to keep the score for you, you can try this testing-related website. After registering, you can take their online quiz and it will give you a single island that suits you best according to your answers. I was surprised that, after taking the test, it responded with my favored island: Kaua‘i. Keep in mind that this website is selling their testing services and you are subject to the terms of their user agreement. If you dislike all of that, stick to the previous site.

Then, to help you learn more of your island-of-choice, I strongly suggest picking up the guidebooks from Wizard Publications. They have a book each for Kaua‘i, Maui, O‘ahu, and The Big Island. Each of these guidebooks will prove their weight in gold — almost. Ever since we found them we always buy the latest edition to help us plan. Their reviews and insights as well as directions and maps are invaluable. Their online content is extremely handy, too. However, their in-depth online content is limited to those who buy their books. You will find no better guidebooks for planning things to do while here. This way you do not end up sitting at your hotel’s poolside bar and wasting a day in paradise. Actually, you may find that you need more time than your wallet will allow after reading these books! And, no matter how many times you have been to Hawai‘i, these books will show you a side of the island you never knew existed. You will not be disappointed. I am sure of that.

Just grab a cool tropical drink, kick back, and start reading. If you'd like some Hawaiian music to enhance your reading, this weblink has some of my favorite online Hawaiian-style music. Slack Key Paradise is my favorite!

If you would like to contact me about anything you find here, please feel free to drop me an email on VT's internal email system or you may post a question on their Hawai‘i message board. It may take a few days for me to reply, but I do answer all emails and peruse the boards often.

â hui hou aku.

For general tips on visiting the State of Hawai‘i, click here..
For specific islands in Hawai‘i, click on one below.

Pick an island: The Big Island, Maui, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, or Moloka‘i.

Please, do not forget to look at the Travelogues linked at the bottom of most pages. These are the most under-utilized tools and overlooked features on VT.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful scenery, great year-round weather, friendly people and AWESOME food.
Cons:The long flight there. Even worse: The LONGER flight home!
In a nutshell:ilihia (stricken with awe)

Last visit to Hawaii (State of): Mar 2010
Intro Updated Jan 5, 2012
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Comments (48)

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kcbrit Aug 8, 2007 at 6:20 PM

Nice writing! We are going to Hawaii for our first visit next week and I am so excited I don't know what to plan on doing. Your comments have helped to solidify my plans but I have a feeling we'll be like you and have to keep going back!
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AVG2319 Apr 10, 2007 at 8:38 AM

Beautiful pictures and Great page on Hawaii. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to our trip to Hawaii next week!
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RedEaredPanda Aug 22, 2006 at 10:31 PM

nice pictures and tips.. thanks for sharing!!
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Florida999 May 10, 2006 at 11:55 AM

Nice page! You have a lot of good information.
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anagrettel Feb 19, 2005 at 10:28 AM

Thank's for your help! I loved your pages you really have a lot of information and pictures here, very helpful and very well done.
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Sally_chen Apr 1, 2004 at 1:28 AM

I didn't expect there is so cute cottage in Hawaii with affordable price....I choose cottage when I vacation in S.E Asia....
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Aurorae Nov 22, 2003 at 12:57 AM

Amazing place! Amazing page! Simply fantastic!
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slabeaume May 4, 2003 at 1:06 PM

I know how the islands can keep drawing you back---it does for us, too. Great info and pictures!
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LJPYES Apr 26, 2003 at 6:09 AM

Wonderful guide to Hawaii. We are going in July and your information and pictures have been a great help. Thank you.
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cougguy Mar 25, 2003 at 2:25 PM

One of the best Hawaii pages I have seen. I picked up both of the wizard pub books. Thanks for the info.