Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Taking a Historical Sunset Cruise on the Kona Coast with Body Glove Hawaii

Body Glove Hawaii offers a very nice historical sunset dinner cruise that we had a chance to enjoy on our recent visit to Hawaii’s Big Island. The dinner, entertainment and sunset was very good, but what I especially enjoyed was learning the history of the Kona coast and, oh boy, there’s a lot of it! Kona Coast The Body Glove vessel leaves Kailua Kona harbor then heads south, skimming the coastline while the golden sun rays make the coast glow. As we made our way down to historic Kealakekua Bay , the historian, Boyd, highlighted heiaus, village remains, and stories of struggles and misunderstandings of Captain Cook’s visits to Hawaii Island. Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay The more I learn of Hawaii’s history, the more I want to learn, which made this sunset sail right up my ally. You don’t need to be a Hawaii nerd like me to enjoy it though. I felt like Boyd shared the history in a way that both new and veteran Hawaii visitors appreciated. The boat followed the coast as far as Kealakekua Bay where we slowed down inside the bay for smoother water as passengers enjoyed the dinner buffet that included Hawaii favorites like lomi lomi salmon, barbeque beef skewers and lau lau. While we were in Kealakekua Bay, dolphins came to the boat as if to say hello. They put on a little leaping and spinning show before heading further down shore. Kona Sunset On our way back to Kailua-Kona we listened to songs played by a very talented slack key guitar player and singer. That, of course, added to the romantic setting sun followed by the waning rays of the day. By the time we arrived back in Kailua-Kona, the sky was all dark which made the lights of town reflect on the water. Kailua-Kona lights shimmering on the bay What to know when you go: - The cost of this tour is $105.02 for adults and $72. 87 for youth ages 6 to 17. - This historical tour is offered three nights per week, at the moment – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. - The staff was very helpful. If they offer to carry your drink or food, it’s a good idea to let them help you. - One drink coupon is included in the cost of the tour. A cash bar was available with soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails. - Bring cash for tipping (at the end) and for the cash bar. - Try to get to the buffet line soon after it opens. Andy and I waited for the rush to die down. Our timing was bad as the boat pulled out of the smooth water of the bay in into the rougher waters. - You might want to bring a jacket or sweater. After sunset, the wind did have a bit of a chill to it. - If you have medium to long hair, you might want to bring something to hold your hair back. I have medium length hair and found it difficult to eat with the coastal wind swirling my hair. - If you are going to Hawaii during whale season (January – March), there’s a good chance you’ll see humpback whales,. So keep your eyes peeled. - See all our photos from this tour. Mahalo to Body Glove Hawaii for sponsoring our tour.

Continue reading...

Kealakekua Hawaii – A Song-Inspired Beauty

Have you heard that perky song that goes “Take me back to my little grass shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii”?  In case the song isn’t ringing a bell yet, take a look at this link to a YouTube video with the Joni James version of the song. Capt. Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay Have you ever wondered where is this song-inspired place called Kealakekua, Hawaii? Well, it’s a small town south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. See this link to a Google Map indicating Kealakekua . Kealakekua has an elevation of just over 1400 feet above sea-level (per Wikipedia ), but it is rather close to the Pacific Ocean. So, picture it as an elevated, hill-side town in the shadow of Mauna Loa. Another claim to fame for this Hawaiian town is the nearby Kealakekua Bay that’s well worth your time to visit on your Hawaii vacation. It’s a beautiful bay that’s full of history. It’s also one of the top snorkeling spots in Hawaii. See my post on planning a visit to Kealakekua Bay . © Go Visit Hawaii – Republication of this entire post is prohibited without prior permission. Using extracts of less than 100 words are permitted with full attribution and link back to GoVisitHawaii.com .

Continue reading...

Lucky we live Hawaii: Ahi, fireworks, Obama, Palin, Pelosi, Limbaugh and Rove and all the day’s news

A number of companies and hotels will offer pyrotechnics shows around the state on New Year's Eve as part of celebrations. Maui might get more crackle and pop this New Year's Eve. Dry conditions prompt fireworks warning Beginning at midnight, employees at Tanioka's Seafoods and Catering in Waipahu were to begin cutting large blocks of ahi into thin slices. The pre-dawn work today is in anticipation of the morning arrival of scores of customers who ordered sashimi for New Year's. President Barack Obama continued his low-key holiday vacation, spending several hours at the secluded North Shore home of a high school friend. Karl Rove, a senior advisor and top political strategist to former President George W. Bush, is scheduled to appear at the state GOP's annual Lincoln Day dinner in February, local Republicans said Wednesday. Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk radio host, is "resting comfortably" in the Queen's Medical Center after suffering chest pains, his program said in a statement. In stark contrast to Sarah Palin, whose Hawaii vacation was photographed and touted in the press, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is enjoying a very private luxurious time at the Four Seasons Hualalai resort on the Big Island. Crime in Honolulu rose nearly 6 percent in the first half of 2009, even as it fell nationwide. Despite an initial rejection by the governor ... a proposed agreement to reduce the number of teacher furlough days is still alive. Hawaii County is moving forward with its revised version of a $1.4 million upgrade to Reed's Bay Beach Park in Hilo. Firefighters continued to build a fire break around the Kealakekua Ranch fire Tuesday, West Hawaii Battalion Chief Reuben Chun said. Many Hawaii County property owners are abusing agricultural tax exemptions and not paying their fair share of taxes, according to the chairman of the Real Property Tax Board of Review. The voters’ rejection in 2008 of a proposed charter amendment that would have loosened ethical restrictions does not impact how the law is interpreted, county officials have determined. Do you walk three miles to and from work everyday? Would you expect a 7-year-old to? A recent study has thrown new light on the previously underestimated extent of pre-contact Hawaiian agriculture, particularly in dry lee areas of the Big Island.

Continue reading...

Kealakekua Bay, Big Island Hawaii- A gorgeous water day

Image taken on 2007-09-22 09:37:45 by R. J. Malfalfa.

Continue reading...