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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
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| Oct 30 2008, 10:37 PM EDT (current) | dianemk | 218 words added, 5 words deleted |
| Jul 17 2008, 3:41 PM EDT | dianemk |
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Hawai'i - Big Island
Top Things to See
- Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. To see some great pictures go to the USGS website.
- Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historic Park – Kona
- Lili’uokalani Gardens/Coconut Island – view Hilo Bay, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa
- Waipi’o Valley overlook – Hamakua Coast
- Kona/Kohala gold coast resorts, golf courses and beaches - Waikoloa
- Akatsuka Orchid Gardens - just off the highway, on your way to Volcanoes National Park from Hilo
- Dan Deluz Woods & Koa Shop Kaffee Restaurant - master wood turner and yummy Portuguese bean soup, just off the highway on your way to Volcanoes National Park from Hilo. A retail shop also in Waimea.
Top Things to Do
- Mauna Kea stargazing or summit tour (commercial tours recommended, some car rental companies prohibit travel on the saddle road)
- Whale watching/seasonal or snorkeling cruises – Kona
- Helicopter and air tours from Hilo, Kona or Waikoloa
- Hilo Farmers Market Over 200 local farmers and crafters sell their produce, crafts, gift items and tropical flowers in a festive outdoor atmosphere that recalls back to the old "plantation" days of early Hilo.
- After a tour of the volcano visit Uncle Robert's Awa Bar (beach end of Kalapana Rd. off hwy 130) Kava is made from the pounded root of the awa plant and has an earthy taste that gives a relaxing affect.
- KONA: Take a tour of Kona Brewing Company located at: 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona HI (Phone: 808-334-1133). Tours are available M-F at 10:30 or 3PM.
Top Things to Taste 
- Kona coffee fresh – dozens of coffee farms, mills, roasters and retail stores clustered along the mountain slopes in Kona.
- Fresh local deep sea fish; sashimi and sushi
- Big Island Candies located on the bayside city of Hilo. BIC is also a generous gift give away sponsor for MLA08 in Chicago! Big Island candies produces Hawaii's finest chocolates and cookies. There's a viewing window where you can witness the chocolate making in action. In addition to the popular dipped shortbread cookies, they have Hawaiian macadamia nut chocolates, brownies, kona coffee and more!
- Two Ladies Kitchen located in old Hilo town at 274 Kilauea Ave. Metered street parking available. In the must try category: the fresh strawberry azuki bean paste mochi (YUM! I'm drooling already...) Call to order it in advance though as these treats are very delicate and perishable-- Fresh strawberries! (Ph: 808-961-4666) . Read this Honolulu Star Bulletin article
- Don's Grill located at 485 Hinano Street (Ph: 808-935-9099). Local food at it's best! The hamburger steak is broke da' mout ono kine one boy!!! And they bake their own pies! Fabulous lemon meringue and apple pies by the slice! It's family friendly and super casual. If you want the local dining experience give Don's a try!
- KONA: If you get a chance to visit the other side of the Big Isle, you have to make a pit stop at Manago Hotel where local pork chops are all the rave. Located on Highway 11 Captain Cook. The place is old and while the porkchops are certainly not to die for, they are tasty-- it's just part of the whole "must do while in Kona" experience...
- Ken's House of Pancakes - when Hilo is asleep and you're hungry, Ken's will be open, 24-hours, daily, extensive menu selections at 1730 Kamehameha Avenue, on the corner at traffic light intersection, close to Banyan Drive hotels.
Be sure to pick up free brochures and visitor booklets at the airports and shopping centers – lots of freebies and discounts.You will discover all the little tourist things to do, like free samples, yummo! at Big Island Candies in Hilo and Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. just outside Hilo; wine tasting at the Volcano Winery; seasonal attractions, etc.
Maui
Top Things to See
1. Drive up to the top of Haleakala. Some ambitious people drive up to the top in the dark to watch the sunrise. It is an unforgettable experience! Haleakala National Park is 37 mi./1.5 to 2 hr drive from the airport at Kahului. Go from 85 degrees to 40 degrees and from sea level to 10,000 ft. in 2 hrs or less. 2. Heavenly Hana is a wonderful place to visit; the road is very windy and long -- if you get car sick, don't sit in the back seat on the way! Waianapanapa State Park has a black sand beach, lava tubes and sea arches. Top Things to Do
1. Walk through Lahaina. It is a very lively, colorful town with many little shops. 2. Cirque de Soleil.Soleil has a fabulous show titled "Ualena". It's a little pricey ($59.50 for the standard package) but I have to say that anything fromCirque de Soleil is always well worth the price. Check out the video clip on the website for a mini-view.
3. The aquariumMaui onOcean Maui.Center in Ma'alaea is an easy 1.5 - 2 hours. There's a turtle tank, Hawaiian Reef tank with so many fish and you don't have to get wet. A "petting zoo" for the kids - the sea cucumber feels just like you'd think something wet and spongy would feel. Shark tank and one of those 270 degree overhead tanks with the largest stingray I've ever seen.
Top Things to Taste
1.
- In Kahului town, eat at Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar. Have the shrimp tempura and miso butterfish. Food was good, generous portions. With your meal you get side dishes of bean sprouts, kim chee and a salad.
- If you've got some extra money try out Tommy Bahamas at the Shops at Wailea shopping complex. This is the only TB's you can find in Hawaii. Everything we had on the menu was excellent though a bit pricey (entrees were $29.50). The Big Island Goat Cheese - "warm macadamia nut crusted goat cheese" on a crostini with a fab mango salsa was a great appetizer. The Crab Bisque was a favorite of another librarian. For an entree the Santiago Sea Bass with a crispy crunch on the outside and perfectly cooked interior. Only on Maui and at the Mauna Lani on the Big Island.
Kauai
Top Things to See 
1. Queen's Bath - a short hike to a lava shelf on the North shore where if the ocean is calm, you can swim in a natural ocean pool. It's beautiful to see even if the water is rough - just don't go near the edge! 2. A waterfall! There are lots, so pick up a guidebook and decide whether you want to drive to one or hike to one.
3. Hanalei Beach - along Hanalei Bay on Kauai's North Shore, among top 10 beaches in 2008.
Top 3 Things to Do
1. Go to Poipu Beach Park and have a refreshing swim! 2. Drive to the Kalalau lookout stopping in Kokee State Park for a picnic lunch on the way.
3. Hike. There are great trails all over the island. You can do a Waimea Canyon rim hike and get a good look at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Or, you can hike one of the may trails in Kokee State Park. I also recommend hiking the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail on the North Shore.
Top Things to Taste
1. Blossoming Lotus - vegan fine dining restaurant in Kapaa on the East side. Outstanding, creative vegan dishes that anyone (including non-vegetarians) would enjoy. They also have a fabulous menu of sake-tinis. Moloka'i
Molokai is a very rural island with not much tourism. So, if you want to get away from it all and do some hiking - this is a great place. However, there are not many amenities orplaces to stay(Molokai Ranch & Lodge stopped operating in April 2008), so definitely do some research before deciding to visit Molokai. Top Things to See
See the Molokai visitors website for information about Molokai. Top Things to Do
1. Hike or ride a mule down the pali (cliffs) to the Kalaupapa settlement. Unless you've been invited by a Kalaupapa resident, you must make a reservation from a commerical vendor, such as Molokai Fish and Dive. It is well worth it! You can also fly in on a puddle jumper from Maui (I think). Top Things to Taste
1. Coffees of Hawaii - Try samples of coffees from each of the Hawaiian Islands or try a decadent espresso milkshake - delicious! Lana'i
Top 5 Things to See
Top 3 Things to Do
Top 2 Things to Taste
Photos fom the Neighbor Islands:
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