The Pacific Golden Plover
By Aaron Philips at May 12, 2012 | 1:47 am | 0 Comment
One of Hawaii's most commonly seen seasonal visitors is Kolea, The Pacific Golden Plover. These birds migrate from Alaska and spend their winters in the Hawaiian islands. Adults arrive in August, juveniles arrive in October. Plovers are extremely widespread and their arrival in Hawaii marks a seasonal change and to many locals watching the plovers show up is an event to
Big Island Coffee
By Aaron Philips at May 1, 2012 | 8:07 am | 0 Comment
Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that grows coffee and Big Island produces more coffee than anywhere else. Most coffee consumed on island is grown here as well. The high cost of living and operating a farm in Hawaii has kept large coffee companies out. Because small farms can't compete with low-cost bulk coffee Hawaiian farms produce only high-quality specialty
Hawksbill Sea Turtles
By Aaron Philips at April 28, 2012 | 7:58 am | 0 Comment
Many sea turtles swim in the waters throughout the state of Hawaii, but the rarest of them all is the critically endangered 'Ea, or Hawksbill sea turtle, which can only be found in the waters around big island's Ka'u district. Less than 100 nesting females come ashore every year to lay their eggs in the sand on Ka'u's sparse sandy beaches. Most of Southern Hawaii
Jacksons Chameleons
By Aaron Philips at April 25, 2012 | 7:20 am | 0 Comment
In 1972 Robin Ventura, a pet shop owner in Kaneohe on Oahu, obtained a Hawaii State Dept. of Agriculture permit to import Jackson's Chameleons from Kenya to Hawaii in order to sell them in his shop. When the chameleons arrived they were unhealthy, thin, and dehydtrated, so he released them into a tree in his back yard to regain their strength believing that he could
Hawaiian Humpbacks
By Aaron Philips at April 23, 2012 | 9:51 am | 0 Comment
Every year more than 2,000 humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters. A population of up to 600 inhabits the waters off Big Island's western coast, and for those that come to watch them there's nothing quite like it. Watching whales in the clear blue waters of Hawaii is a far cry from mainland whale watching. To see the animal beneath the water, as well as above
Big Island Beef
By Aaron Philips at April 17, 2012 | 4:32 am | 0 Comment
In 1793 Captain George Vancouver arrived on the Big Island of Hawaii and presented King Kamehameha with a gift of a dozen cattle. Many of these cattle became ill and died and the rest were killed and eaten. The following year, in 1794 Captain Vancouver returned to the island and presented the King with another dozen cattle, this time suggesting that they be protected
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
By Aaron Philips at April 15, 2012 | 4:07 am | 0 Comment
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins are the smallest dolphin species in the world and are about as close to the human scale as dolphins get. Adults max out at around 200lbs and don't grow longer than 6 feet. These playful and inquisitive cetaceans can be found in all Hawaiian waters, but are extremely common along big island's Kona coastline, with most sightings along the 50
Tidepooling Big Island
By Aaron Philips at April 14, 2012 | 3:47 am | 0 Comment
Tidepools are a common sight around Hawaii, especially on Big Island which has more rocky coastline and fewer sandy beaches. An astonishing variety of life can be found in these small pools that sit in the grey area between the land and the sea. A lava shoreline is porous and in many places pockets of air will become trapped beneath overhangs, in caves, or
Night Diving with Manta Rays
By Aaron Philips at February 17, 2012 | 5:58 am | 0 Comment
At 8:15 we're driving down Ali'i dr. headed for Keauhou bay. The sun's been down for two hours, there's no moon, the ocean is just an inky blackness beyond the guardrail. We arrive at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay, park the car, and proceed up to the ocean overlook attached to the outdoor lounge. Here at Keauhou bay they shine bright lights into the coastal waters at night.
Simple Hawaiian Food Dishes
By Lottie Tagupa at February 12, 2012 | 9:03 am | 0 Comment
There is no facet of modern Hawaii where the multi-cultural influences are more evident than in the area of food. Everyday food choices that folks in Hawaii enjoy run a spectrum as glorious as Hawaii's rainbows. Office party pot-lucks, picnics and other special, but informal gatherings offer a unique insight into the day to day lives of Hawaii's people. On a menu at
Whale and Dolphin Watching from Shore
By Aaron Philips at February 4, 2012 | 7:43 pm | 0 Comment
Every year more than 2000 humpback whales travel to Hawaiian waters in winter to mate and give birth to offspring and about 800 of these animals spend their time in Hawaii around the shores of Big Island. Many people take whale watching charters or paddle kayaks offshore to view these massive underwater beasts, but if you know the right places to look you may be able to
Big Island Airports – Which One is Best?
By Lottie Tagupa at January 17, 2012 | 10:35 am | 0 Comment
Getting to and from the Big Island seems to getting easier every year especially for those who are arriving for the North American continent and points beyond. Many large airlines have discovered the Big Island and continue to expand non-stop service from the continent on a regular basis. Larger than al the other islands put together, the Big Island has become the only
Kuana Torres Kahele – Delightful and Silky Island Sounds
By Lottie Tagupa at January 13, 2012 | 10:13 am | 0 Comment
Many may have already encountered this Big Island talent during one of his performances as a part of the group Na Palapalai. The group was frequently featured at special events around the islands where they would bring their creative and cultural sounds to many visitors lucky enough to experience them at sunset in one of the large and lovely island resorts. However,
In Search of Hawaiian History in Keauhou
By Lottie Tagupa at December 23, 2011 | 10:16 am | 0 Comment
It’s a trip I’ve taken more than once over the past two years, but today, I thought it should be taken a slower than usual. Other times I have visited have been in the crush of the summer months where areas along Alii Drive swell with tourists, rental cars and other sign of economic prosperity. The weather wasn’t as postcard beautiful on this October day.
Hawaii County Bed And Breakfasts – Be Sure It’s Legal
By Lottie Tagupa at December 19, 2011 | 10:13 am | 0 Comment
Luxury resorts are numerous along the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, but many especially return visitors will opt out of the upscale resort experience in search of something more unique personal and private. The Big Island has many options to satisfy the tastes of the resort weary. However, there are many cautions for those in search of that ideal Big Island bed and
Hilo’s Tsunami Past
By Lottie Tagupa at December 3, 2011 | 5:12 am | 0 Comment
In recent years the world has been made shockingly aware what devastation and destruction can occur when earthquakes trigger tsunami. Traveling at the speeds of a jet aircraft, these waves are very difficult to track and advance warnings to possible victims can be a challenge even in this digital age. The Hawaiian Islands have had their share of tsunami. Hilo was
Hawaiian Airlines Adds Service to Seoul
By Mika at July 1, 2010 | 11:55 am | 0 Comment
Hawaiian Airlines yesterday announced new service between Honolulu and Seoul-Incheon which will commence in January 2011. The proposed new service still requires final approval from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. Airlines don't typically announce new routes until they have confirmed during negotiations with regulators and port
