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Best of Hawaii: Itinerary Ideas for the Traveler |
by: Anitra Pickett |
Want to do specific activities in
Hawaii but have no idea which island has the best of the best? Use
these lists to get ideas and helpful tips about the best surfing,
scuba diving, exotic beaches, and much more!
This article is designed to help you choose which Hawaiian islands
to visit if you have a particular activity in mind. Granted, it
wouldn't be a stretch to say that all the 6 major islands of Hawaii
have all of these activities in one shape or form. We have used a
mixture of popular opinion and our own personal research and
experiences for compiling these lists. An "(s)" indicates it may
only be available during certain seasons. Remember to always check
conditions & availability, especially for water activities.
Best Nightlife
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona
Best Hiking
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast (s)
2. Kauai - Waimea Canyon
3. Big Island - Mt. Kilauea
Best Surfing (Advanced) (s)
1. Oahu - North Shore
2. Kauai - Hanalei Bay
3. Maui - Honolua Bay
Best Surfing (Beginner) (s)
1. Oahu - Waikiki
2. Kauai - Kalapaki Beach
3. Maui - Launiupoko Park
Best Scuba Diving
1. Maui - Molokini
2. Maui or Lanai - Lanai Coast
3. Big Island - West Coast
Best Windsurfing / Kite Surfing (s)
1. Maui - Hookipa Beach Park (advanced)
2. Maui - Kanaha Beach (beginner)
3. Oahu - Kailua Beach
Best Snorkeling
1. Oahu - Haunama Bay
2. Maui - Kaanapali (Black Rock)
3. Kauai - Lydgate Beach & Tunnels
Best Shopping
1. Oahu - Aloha Market & Waikiki
2. Maui - Lahaina
3. Big Island - Kailua Kona
Best Nude Sunbathing
1. Maui - Little Beach in Makena
2. Big Island - many locations
3. Kauai - Secret Beach in Kilauea
Best Exotic Beaches
1. Maui - Red Sand Beach (Hana)
2. Big Island - Punaluu Black Sand Beach
3. Big Island - Mahana Green Sand (s)
Best Nature Experiences
1. Kauai - Na Pali Coast
2. Big Island - Kilauea Volcano
3. Maui or Lanai - whale watching (s)
For even more "Best of Hawaii" lists, visit: http://www.gladtravel.com/HI-info/bestofhawaii.aspx.
About The Author
Anitra Pickett is CEO of GLAD Travel. Gladtravel.com (http://www.gladtravel.com)
is an advanced online search and booking engine for accommodation in
the Hawaiian Islands. The website features 1000+ budget lodging
options, all for $99 or less per night. GLAD Travel encourages
authentic, adventurous, and responsible travel for the independent
and budget-oriented traveler. |
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Six Steps To Planning A Hawaii Beach Wedding From
Afar |
by: Blake Kritzberg |
There's much to do when you're planning
a wedding in Hawaii. But as with any destination wedding, a special
wrinkle is that you'll need to take care of many details from far
away. And perhaps you've never been to Hawaii before. All this can
pile some frustration onto your planning, but in the end, there are
few places in the world that can compare to the Garden Isle of
Kauai, Magic Island off Waikiki, or Oahu's Paradise Cove, just to
name a few of Hawaii's many jewels.
Here's a quick checklist of things to do and remember when planning
a wedding in Hawaii:
1) First, find a location. This is the fun part. Pour over coffee
table travel books at the bookstore -- try the "From the Skies of
Paradise" series, for example. Eventually you'll settle on an
island.
2) Next, you have a second decision to make: should you go with a
resort, a wedding planner, or do it all yourself? For most brides,
the best bet is to choose a resort package, or book a local wedding
planner that specializes in destination weddings.
An on-site planner should help you pull together every aspect of
your wedding. They'll recommend vendors, let you know whether that
hotel really looks as beautiful as it does in the brochure, and help
you work out murky but important details, such as how to seat your
guests at the beach, or how transport your guests from the hotel to
the ceremony site. An experienced local planner can make a huge
difference, but you'll want to research her carefully before
choosing one. The last thing you want is to hire someone who "goes
dark" on you.
It's impossible to tell from a web site or a photo whether a planner
is responsive and professional. The best way to find a great one is
to visit destination wedding boards and ask newlyweds for their
recommendations.
3) Next, you'll want to consider your budget. Can you pay for close
family and friends to attend your destination wedding, or will they
need to pay their own way? If the budget's tight, one option is to
have a very small wedding on the island and throw a larger reception
later, at home.
You'll also need to look at the other aspects of the budget, and
consider the fundamental costs of things like ceremony locale,
reception locale, lodging, catering, your cake and flowers, and any
other services involved in your wedding. For very constrained
budgets, a small resort package might be both cheapest and most
stress-free choice. If you have more wiggle room, a good wedding
planner will help you make the most of your money.
4) Another important item on your checklist is the marriage license.
Fortunately, Hawaii makes this easy. You'll only need to arrive a
few days in advance, and the only major requirement is that both the
bride and groom appear in person. Hawaii doesn't have a waiting
period or require a blood test, but you'll need enough time to apply
in person on a weekday before the wedding.
5) You'll also need to research lodging and airfare for your entire
party. That means you'll need to manage a pleasant location that
offers a fair price for not only for the bridal couple, but for
guests as well. Be sure that your planner or other former brides
give the thumbs-up to your lodging before you book it.
Airline tickets are another major cost, especially if you're footing
the bill for friends and family. You can buy tickets up to 11 months
in advance, and the sooner you buy them, the cheaper they are. With
airfare on this scale, try to take advantage of other money-saving
tactics such as flying in on a weekday and staying over on a
Saturday night.
6) Finally, don't forget that the whole charm of a destination
wedding lies in not having to obsess over details. Be sure to
research a great wedding planner, but after that, be willing to roll
with the punches and take what comes. With a destination wedding,
you can often actually relax enough to enjoy and remember your day,
which isn't always true with more elaborate productions.
From choosing your favorite Hawaiian island to picking out foot
jewelry or beach-style invitations, there's plenty to do when it
comes to planning a wedding in Hawaii. While a destination wedding
is much like any other, they tend to feel more complex simply
because of the huge distance involved. The good news is that you can
easily get it all done, especially when you choose a resort package,
or hire an experienced local wedding planner who can be your eyes
and ears and guide you through the requirements and on-site issues.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas." Stop by http://www.favorideas.com
for wedding favors, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver,
free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures. For beach
favor ideas, see http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-favor-beach.htm |
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