hawaii (20)

 

12619495493?profile=RESIZE_710xOriginal Hawaiian Chocolate Factory   
 

When you come to the Aloha State, go beyond the mai tais and and enjoy some divine, locally grown chocolate!

The Hawaiian islands are home a number of chocolate-making companies, and most are bean-to-bar businesses. Hawaii is the only U.S. state which grows cacao, then processes and makes it into bars and other cocoa products. I've done my share of eating chocolates on the different islands, and I find the chocolate confections not overly sweet and with

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Explore the Best Sea Experiences in Hawaii

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If there's one place on Earth that's synonymous with ocean beauty, it's Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands, with their lush landscapes, volcanic wonders, and miles of pristine coastline, are a dream come true for ocean lovers. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie seeking thrilling water adventures or someone who prefers to float serenely on the gentle waves, Hawaii offers something for everyone.

In this blog post, we'll take you on a journey through five of the best sea experiences in Hawaii, where you

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Hawai'i The Big Island, is the largest of the eight Hawaiian Islands. It's easy to find unique activities in Hawai'i that will leave lasting memories. The island is full of extraordinary natural wonders, regardless of which area of the Island you're on.

In the Kohala Coast, you'll see black sandy beaches and white sand at the 'Anaeho'omalu Beach (nicknamed "A-Bay") along with the 4 mile Onomea (Pepe'ekeo) scenic road - which is the most renowned scenic road on Hawai'i's island. It is also possib

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14 of the Top Tours on Maui

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Whether you want to catch the glimpse of awe-inspiring sunrise at Haleakala National Park; take to the water on a whale-watching adventure; snorkel around Molokini; or taste some of the Hawaiian Islands' best pineapples, there's is a tour in this list that fits well with your interests. Analyzing both expert opinion and traveller sentiment, we've determined more than a dozen of the best, which all feature trained veteran guides keen to share their insights about the Valley Isle’s astonishing

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@threetreecreative-3363.jpg?profile=RESIZE_930xAli'i Kula Lavender


“Ve vere bored in Hamburg,” Eva Kafsack mused to me as I had at a plateful of her divinely creamy chevre. Had I made a wrong turn at the sugarcane factory and ended up in a Monty Python sketch (“blessed are the cheesemakers…”)? Nein, mein Schatz, this very German-looking retired teacher sitting across from me, along with her former software entrepreneur husband Thomas, was the real deal: a goat farmer in the fertile “upcountry” of Maui. Sugar may once have been king hereabo

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Hawaii is famous for its many beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. It has always been one of the world’s favorite destinations for water sports lovers. The islands there boast of some of the best stands up paddle board locations in the world.


There are so many great paddle board locations to choose from in Hawaii, but here are my favorite spots for paddleboarding;

 

Ala Moana, Oahu


Ala Moana is one of the top spot for surfers especially for beginners because it has a protected bay and flat wate

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Today I headed south on Rt. 11. Through Kailua, past Captain Cook. We turned south on the South Point Rd. and drove the 12 miles to the end of land–”the southernmost point in the USA”. We watched and talked to the local fishermen, walked the cliffs and climbed the rocks out as far as we could go. Stunning, gorgeous. The one lane narrow rutted road, the rock walls across pastures, the cliffs, crashing waves and gray skies all bring England to mind–reminded me alot of Cornwall and Land’s End–not Q

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Costa Rican surfer,
Carlos Muñoz, is making his mark and earning Costa Rica a place in world surfing fame at many international competitions such as
Volcom Pipe Pro
competition in
Hawaii
.

The 18-year-old wave rider from Playa Esterillos scored the
first perfect 10
of the world-famous international competition. – Day 2 of the event. Beating out 64 surfers from around the globe, including Hawaiian legends Kalani Chapman and defending Volcom Pipe Pro Champion John Florence, Muñoz won the
“highest s

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Halona Cove

Halona Cove is where they filmed the 1953 film From Here to Eternity. It's a small cove right next to the Halona Blowhole, where water sprays up through an opening on the lava rock. The Halona beach area is on Kalanianole Highway (72) between Makapu'u Point and Koko Head and features a great lookout point toward the vast Pacific. A small parking lot accommodates visitors. To get to the cove, walk down the boulder stone steps right next to the highway and the southernmost end of the lot.

Although
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Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

Ho'oumaluhia Botanical Garden means "to make a place of peace and tranquility" and it surely lives up to its name. It's hard to believe the garden is located just shy of a residential and urban area.

The garden sprawls for 400-acres at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Kaneohe, Oahu. With free admission, a scenic lake, picnic areas, walking trails and weekend campsites, Ho'omaluhia garden is not only a boon for locals, but also for tourists. Botany enthusiasts will love the plant collections f
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The Kahuka area in Oahu, approaching the North Shore off the Kamehameha Highway, features food trucks and shacks that serve delicious locally farm-raised shrimp in variety of forms, from garlic and butter sauce to curried or with lemongrass. Don't be dissuaded by the rustic appearance of these eateries -- the freshness and quality is a steal at dishes all under $20 a plate. I promise you'll become instantly addicted to this rich but simple pleasure.

Kahuka's terrain includes marshy areas where fa
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Oahu Wrap-Up

Coconut Island

I'm back from Oahu and I miss it already! I'm so fortunate I got to stay with family because this way I could see Hawaii more like a local. Below are some tidbits you might enjoy if you're blessed with the opportunity to visit this beautiful island.

  1. Eat shrimp in the Kahuka area.
  2. Visit Chinatown on a busy Sunday morning.
  3. Take in the sweeping views at the Punchbowl Cemetery lookout (and honor the military service men and women, too).
  4. Stop at Buzz's for a wickedly strong Mai Tai and calamari "steak" a
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Best View in Honolulu

Punchbowl Cemetery Memorial Walk Lookout
View of Honolulu with Waikiki and Diamond Head in the background.

Drive to the top of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (also known as Punchbowl Crater), stroll uphill the Memorial Walk and you will be rewarded with not only the opportunity to honor those who gave their lives in battle, but also with an extraordinary panoramic view of Honolulu. The cemetery is beautiful and solemn; the view from atop offers an opportunity for reflection.
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Forget the kitschy song and dance show at the Hilton on Waikiki; it barely scratches the surface of the amazing richness and depth of Hawaiian natural and cultural history. Here are three recommended spots to wet your feet in what will hopefully be a lifelong interest in and admiration of this beautiful chain of islands.

Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum - Hawaiian Hall
Polynesia and Hawaii 101 starts here. Good thing there's not a quiz at the end ... there's much to learn.

Begin your exploration here. The Hawaiian Hall consis

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Byodo-In Temple: Serenity in Oahu

Byodo-In Temple

Located inside the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, Kaneohe, the Byodo-In Temple is a scale replica of a 900 year-old Japanese temple and was established in 1968 to honor the first Japanese immigrants to Hawai'i. The temple is home to a unique golden Buddha sculpture, more than 18 feet tall. A three ton brass bell rings occasionally from the bell house and is the only sound, besides a small stream, that pierces through the serenity of this spot at the foot of the Koo'lau Mountains. Come here
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Vacationing in Hawaii

Why would you not vacation in Hawaii? It has got to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Hawaii is a chain of pearls in the Pacific Ocean with the eight larger islands and the smaller ones that lay there. This is a vacationer's paradise without a doubt. It's all there waiting for your arrival, a vacationer's dream of a lifetime and something you will never forget. So start packing and get on your way to the island of dreams.

There is so much to see and do in Hawaii that you'll soon
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Snorkeling Maui is one of the most popular activities on the Valley Isle. Maui has more miles of swimmable beach than any other Hawaiian island. The year round average temperature is 75-80 degrees. Snorkeling on Maui is the perfect activity . The best Maui snorkeling spots are Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay, Maluaka Beach, Black Rock, Ahihi Kinau Reserve and Molokini.
Honolua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District which means no fishing allowed. The bay is protected from wind on both sides by rocky
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5 of My Favorite Gorgeous Places to Visit

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Our planet is a beautiful place, and one lifetime is barely enough to experience it. Count yourself lucky if you can visit at least three of these five places chosen by Edward Granlund, travel enthusiast, which are some of the most breathtaking and gorgeous places on Earth.

 

Kauai, Hawaii

One might call this a paradise, and you wouldn't be wrong in doing so. It's also one of the rainiest places on Earth, so prepare your raincoats because it's raining cats and dogs here. Palm trees

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