Hula Planet:What To Do In Hawaii

Visiting Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site on Hawaii’s Big Island

Pu'ukohola Heiau On the sunny, leeward Kohala Coast, you’ll find Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, where you can learn about Hawaii’s ancient culture and history. Pu’ukohola Heiau was built under the direction of Kamehameha I in 1790 – 91  before he united the Hawaii Islands under his rule in 1810. Building this heiau was a crucial step towards the eventual king’s ascendancy as he was told by a prophet that he must build this heiau dedicated to the  war god of his family. The construction of this massive heiau is astounding – starting with moving the smooth lava rocks from Pololu Valley — nearly 20 miles away. Historians estimate that approximately 37,000 people stood in a human chain, moving the rocks from Polulu to the heiau site in Kawaihae. They estimate this rock relocation process lasted a year! Pu’ukohola Heiau can be translated to mean the temple on the hill of the whale. During humpback whale season (mid-December – March), this national historic site is a great place to watch for whales. Within this national historic site, there are two other heiaus – Mailekini and Hale o Kapuni . Mailekini the oldest of the heiaus at this site. It was converted into a fort, so it no longer truly resembles its original shape. Hale o Kapuni is an underwater heiau dedicated to the shark gods. In ancient Hawaiian culture, sharks were believed to be ancestral deities. Black tip sharks still frequent the waters here. Hale o Kapuni - an underwater heiau dedicated to the shark gods. I’ve only scratched the surface of the history at Pu’ukohola National Historic Site. I highly recommend you go see it and learn for yourself. I’ve been there twice already and plan to go again someday to discovery even more. What to know when you go: Visiting is free! Opening hours are 7:45am – 5pm. You must arrive no later than 4:30pm and remove your car from the parking lot by 5pm. The park is located at 62-3601 Kawaihae Road (Highway 270) in  Kawaihae along the Kohala Coast. Wear or bring sun protection as there’s very little shade here. Bring water. Wear comfortable walking shoes for walking the dirt and gravel paths. You can visit this site year round, but if you can, aim to time your visit for mid August when the Ho’oku’ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival is held. © 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 .

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Should You Look For An All-Inclusive Hawaii Vacation?

If your tropical vacations normally take you to the Caribbean or Mexico, you probably stay in an all-inclusive resort. So, when you start to look at Hawaii as your next tropical destination, you may wonder where you find the all-inclusive resorts. You might be surprised to learn that Hawaii doesn’t have many all-inclusives. Hawaii’s all-inclusive resorts are: Travaasa Hana is located in a remote area of Maui. This rustic luxury resort includes high end activities and spa treatments as well as meals for Sea Cottage guests. (Travaasa Hana also provides guest rooms that are not all-inclusive.) Kona Village Resort is located on Hawaii’s Big Island. Unfortunately, this resort was significantly damaged by the March 2011 tsunami. The resort hopes/plans to reopen, possibly in 2013. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this Polynesian resort can reopen. Occasionally, a resort will offer all-inclusive packages. For example, Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s Big Island currently offers an all-inclusive stay .

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Deal

Hawaii Travel Deals - The Big Island Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Book by 6/30/12 Promo Code:TIWS-EXPMORE Enjoy a $1000 resort credit for every five consecutive nights booked with Travelwizard.com. Valid when booking on of these rooms: Superior Partial Ocean View Suite, Superior Ocean View Suite, Superior Ocean Front Suite. Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you about booking this luxury Hawaii vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. Travel Valid: 04/16/12-06/30/12. Valid on new bookings and not combinable with other deals. A 5 night stay is required. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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Hawaii Vacation Deals & News: March 22, 2012

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Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel Deal

Hawaii Travel Deals - Waikoloa, the Big Island Hilton Waikoloa Village® Resort Four Nights From $700 pp,do Promo Code:TIWS Click to enlarge image Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you about booking this Waikaloa, Hawaii vacation. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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Save At The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

Kapalua, Maui Travel Deals The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Travel by 7/31/12 Book by 3/25/12 Promo Code:MLTWS Book this luxury Hawaii vacation to Kapalua, Maui with Travelwizard.com and enjoy free nights, a $500 hotel credit, and children 12 and under eat free deals at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in Kapalua. Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you about booking this luxury Maui vacation to Kapalua. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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Aloha Friday Photo: Poipu Panorama

Today’s Aloha Friday Photo comes to us from Cliff Jenson, who just spent six weeks in Poipu on Kauai. The above photo shows the wonderful view he enjoyed from his lanai at Poipu Sands Resort. Cliff is a repeat visitor to Hawaii. You can find more of his beautiful Hawaii travel photos from his Smug Mug account. Mahalo to Cliff for sharing this photo with us!

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Hawaii Vacation Deals & News: March 7, 2012

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Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Deal

Hawaii: Kauai Travel Deals Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa 5 nights from $1649

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Sheraton Maui Resort Deal

Hawaii, Maui Travel Deals Sheraton Maui Resort 3 nights from $709 pp,do Promo Code:CCVWS Call 1.800.330.8820 or click here to have a Hawaii Travel Specialist contact you about booking this Maui vacation. Ask about pricing with air. TravelWizard.com: Specialists in the Art of Travel: Call 1-800-330-8820

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