#Oahu Island tours

[funthingstodoinhawaii]

Fun Things to Do When Visiting Hawaii

Are you interested in visiting Hawaii and looking for some exciting things to do? There are many great options from Oahu Island tours to explore and enjoy. From sightseeing to off-the-beaten-path activities, there are plenty of fun activities for all ages and any budget. Read on to discover some of the top activities on the islands.

 Adventure & Sightseeing Tours

One of the best ways to explore Hawaii is by taking a tour. Oahu Island offers something for everyone, from sightseeing and touring popular attractions to more adventurous activities.

Enjoy an aerial tour of the island in a helicopter, or take a jeep to explore some of the wilder parts of the island. If you'd like to discover the rich history of Hawaii, many guided historical walking tours are available.

 Beaches & Water Activities

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a day at the beach. There are plenty of scenic beaches to enjoy on the islands, from breathtakingly beautiful Waikiki Beach in Honolulu to the wilder beaches at Ka'ena Point State Park.

Oahu has some of the best surfing spots in the world, and kayaking is also popular in the area. For a different beach experience, check out the tide pools and coral reefs for snorkeling or scuba diving.

 Hiking & Outdoor Activities

For a unique way to explore the island, take advantage of the many great hiking and outdoor activities available. You can trek up to the top of Diamond Head to enjoy stunning views of the ocean and city below, or go on a guided hike to Koko Crater.

Moreover, birdwatchers can take a birding tour, and those seeking a more relaxed experience can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the lush rainforest at Kailua.

 Experience the Hawaiian Culture

Hawaii is home to a rich and vibrant culture, with some great ways to experience it up close. Take a guided tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center or spend an afternoon learning stone carving or batik dyeing techniques.

You may also visit a local crafts market to find unique souvenirs or stop by a luau to enjoy a traditional dinner, Polynesian entertainment, and hula dancing.

 Food & Shopping

Wherever you go in Hawaii, you'll find a vibrant food scene. From mouth-watering food trucks serving up some of the best local dishes to high-end restaurants with stunning ocean views, there's something for everyone.

Furthermore, shopping is also a must in Hawaii, and you'll find plenty of unique gift shops and souvenir stores in Honolulu, as well as world-famous surf and streetwear stores.

 Take Away

Oahu Island offers an incredible range of activities to keep everyone entertained. From outdoor activities and cultural experiences to relaxing on the beach and exploring the local food scene, there's something for all tastes and budgets.

Start planning your perfect Hawaii excursions today as you check out Go Tours Hawaii. We are a local Hawaii tour operator that specializes in Oahu tours. Visit their website at www.gotourshawaii.com for more information about us, what we do, and the tours we offer. https://gotourshawaii.com/

#Oahu Island tours #Hawaii excursions

[hawaiiansightseeing]

Adventurous Escapes: Things to Include in Your Oahu Circle Island Tour

Finally, relish every second of your best Oahu Circle Island Tour with Hawaiian Sightseeing and completely lose yourself in the island’s allure, energy, and culture. Accept the journey, form deep friendships, and make treasured memories you will carry for a long time. To understand more about our tour packages, call us at [phone].

#Oahu Circle Island Tour

[islandgirlhustle]

Oahu Unveiled

Dive into the Extraordinary with the Submarine Scooter Adventure! Aloha, intrepid travelers! If you’re seeking an underwater escapade that combines excitement, exploration, and a dash of the extraordinary, look no further than the Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure. And for the ultimate booking experience, we’ve got one word for you: Viator Tours. Buckle up, because we’re about to unveil the…

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#hawaii #island #oahu #tour

[basuralindo]

If you've ever wondered why people in Hawai'i hate tourists, try to wrap your mind around the fact that there are CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, tourists sipping martinis and looking at fish within swimming range of the fresh corpses of local people who couldn't escape the overnight destruction of their entire town.

Try to comprehend that there are fully functional, high capacity boats passing through the waters in front of an area full of survivors who are stranded and in need of supplies, refusing to help. They are hosting snorkeling tours.

Really think about, try your best to actually picture over two thousand people unhoused and in need of shelter, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and nothing to return to. Understand that the island, stolen land, is littered with hotels full of air conditioned of rooms with beds and showers and toilets, each fully equipped to host hundreds of families for weeks, turning these people away because they're booked up with tourists who refuse to leave.

And understand that these tourists were offered free transport to return home or be hosted on other islands. Free. Courtesy of local tax dollars. 4,000 wealthy tourists were offered free flights shelter on Oahu and begged to leave the island, BEFORE the survivors were given shelter.

And enough still insisted on remaining and carrying out their vacations that people are left without shelter and resources while they enjoy "their stay in paradise".

[Edit]: This current situation, and this type of tourist behavior is horrifying beyond words. In other circumstances, the tourism situation is much more complicated, and I need to ask that people do not add on to this post unless they are local.

#I'm sick to stomach #maui #Hawaii #Hawai'i #maui fires #disaster relief #hawaii tourism #Maui travel

[karmatourshawaii]

Dive into history with Karma Tours Hawaii's comprehensive guide! Unveil essential tips, must-see sites, and the perfect itinerary for your Pearl Harbor visit. From the USS Arizona Memorial to the Pacific Aviation Museum, this checklist ensures an immersive and respectful exploration. Plan your historical journey with confidence and honor the heroes of Pearl Harbor.

#Pearl Harbor visit #Pearl Harbor tours #Honolulu tours #sightseeing tours on Oahu Island

[itsmythang]

Damn colonizers...

This is Princess Lili'uokalani. She would become the last sovereign ruler of Hawaii. The photo was taken in 1853 when she was only 15 years old. In 1874, Lili'uokalani's brother, David Kalakaua became king, and a few years later, she was named the heir apparent. She spent the next few years building schools for the people of Hawaii. In 1881, Liliuokalani served as regent while the king was away on his tour of the world. When a smallpox epidemic broke out on the island of Oahu, she made the quick decision to close down all its ports, which helped to contain the spread and ended up saving many lives. However, her decision irked many of the wealthy sugarcane plantation owners. In 1891, her brother died, and she became the ruler of Hawaii.

Unfortunately, her reign would be very short-lived as a coup led by Sanford Dole (his cousin founded the Dole Food Company) and several other white businessmen and lawyers with the backing of the United States would annex the islands.

Two years later, when Lill'uokalani and her supporters attempted to return to power, she was charged with treason and forced to go under house arrest. In order to pardon her supporters, she agreed to yield her power to the United States. "Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under this protest, and impelled by said forces, yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands." She spent the remainder of her life in exile until her death in 1917 at age 79.

[bruinhilda]

The news is currently reporting that "tourists are urged to avoid Maui." They put it very nicely and softly.

So let me add to that:

Unless you are going there to help family or friends, STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MAUI RIGHT NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU???

There are hundreds of people still missing. They've searched a tiny fraction of the rubble. They are not letting residents who escaped to go back home and look for their missing loved ones themselves. The residents in the un-destroyed part of Lahaina can't get supplies or leave because if they do, they won't be let back in. There are people over here trying to get supplies to them by boat to bypass the roadblocks. The state is trying to get the hotels to open up their goddamn rooms to the locals who literally lost everything but the clothes they had on. They have SHUT OFF THE WATER in areas due to concerns about contamination in the supply, and are apparently NOT arranging shipping the massive amount of bottled water needed to replace it.

Don't go thinking that you can just go party in the non-destroyed parts. The infrastructure of the island is damaged. The resources are needed to keep more people from dying. Oh, and parts of the island are STILL ON FIRE. The roots of trees are burning underground, meaning the entire island is still a fire hazard. They need trained firefighters and rescue workers; not lookie-loos or untrained "volunteers" getting in the way.

If the hotels won't refund your booking, report them. Everywhere. Shame them on the news if you have to; let them admit publicly that they are more worried about their bottom line than the fact that a fair number of their own employees are currently homeless. You'll get your money back with enough noise. If you still want to come out here, there's other islands with hotels and tourist spots. (Though be aware that Oahu is taking in evacuated Maui tourists; please wait until that whole situation stabilizes.)

Maui will welcome you back when it can. Please listen to the RESIDENTS over there, not the tourist industry.

And if you ignore this and do come out? Don't whine when you can't go places or buy shit or restaurants are closed. Locals have gotten into physical altercations with the cops over not being allowed to go look for their missing relatives in their burned-out homes. You're going to be risking more than rudeness and "bad customer service" if you go disaster touring.

[journalsmente]

At least 36 people have died in fires burning through Hawaii, county reports

The fires were the latest in a series of problems caused by extreme weather around the globe this summer. Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such events.

WAILUKU: At least 36 people have died in the Lahaina fire in Hawaii, Maui County wrote in a statement posted to the county website Wednesday evening.

Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.

Officials said earlier that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured.

On Wednesday, crews were continuing to battle blazes in several places on the island. Authorities urged visitors to stay away.

Lahaina residents Kamuela Kawaakoa and Iiulia Yasso described a harrowing escape from under smoke-filled skies Tuesday afternoon. The couple and their 6-year-old son grabbed a change of clothes and ran as the bushes around them caught fire.

“We barely made it out in time,” Kawaakoa said at an evacuation shelter on Wednesday, still unsure if anything was left of their apartment.

As Kawaakoa and Yasso fled, a senior center erupted in flames. They called 911, but didn’t know if the people got out. Fire alarms blared. As they drove away, downed utility poles and fleeing cars slowed their progress.

Kawaakoa, 34, grew up in the apartment building, called Lahaina Surf, where his dad and grandmother also lived. Lahaina Town dates back to the 1700s and has long been a favorite destination for tourists.

“It was so hard to sit there and just watch my town burn to ashes and not be able to do anything,” Kawaakoa said. “I was helpless.”

The fires were the latest in a series of problems caused by extreme weather around the globe this summer. Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such events.

As winds eased somewhat on Maui, some flights resumed Wednesday, allowing pilots to view the full scope of the devastation. Aerial video from Lahaina showed dozens of homes and businesses razed, including on Front Street, where tourists once gathered to shop and dine. Smoking heaps of rubble lay piled high next to the waterfront, boats in the harbor were scorched, and gray smoke hovered over the leafless skeletons of charred trees.

“It’s horrifying. I’ve flown here 52 years and I’ve never seen anything come close to that,” said Richard Olsten, a helicopter pilot for a tour company. “We had tears in our eyes.”

State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi said in a statement Wednesday that a team is working on contingency plans and preparing for the possible loss of an elementary school that had been in Lahaina for more than a century.

“Unofficial aerial photos show the King Kamehameha III Elementary campus — on Front Street in Lahaina — sustained extensive fire and structural damage,” he said. “The Department is striving to maintain regular school schedules to provide a sense of normalcy but will keep most Maui schools closed for the remainder of this week,” he said.

The Coast Guard said it rescued 14 people who jumped into the water to escape flames and smoke, including two children.

Among those injured were three people with critical burns who were flown to Straub Medical Center’s burn unit on the island of Oahu, officials said. At least 20 patients were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, officials said, and a firefighter was hospitalized in stable condition after inhaling smoke.

Richard Bissen Jr., the mayor of Maui County, said at a Wednesday morning news conference that he didn’t have details on how or where on the island the six deaths occurred. He said officials hadn’t yet begun investigating the immediate cause of the fires, but officials did point to the combination of dry conditions, low humidity and high winds.

More than 2,100 people spent Tuesday night in evacuation centers. Another 2,000 travelers sheltered at Kahului Airport after many flights were canceled. Officials were preparing the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu to take in thousands of displaced tourists and locals.

Mauro Farinelli, of Lahaina, said the winds had started blowing hard on Tuesday, and then somehow a fire had started up on a hillside.

“It just ripped through everything with amazing speed,” he said, adding it was “like a blowtorch.”

The winds were so strong they blew his garage door off its hinges and trapped his car in the garage, Farinelli said. So a friend drove him, along with his wife Judit and dog Susi, to an evacuation shelter. He had no idea what had happened to their home.

“We’re hoping for the best,” he said, “but we’re pretty sure it’s gone.”

President Joe Biden said he’d ordered all available federal assets to help with the response. He said the Hawaii National Guard had mobilized Chinook helicopters to help with fire suppression as well as search and rescue efforts on Maui.

“Our prayers are with those who have seen their homes, businesses, and communities destroyed,” Biden said in a statement.

Former President Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, said on social media that it’s tough to see some of the images coming out of a place that is so special to many.

Alan Dickar, who owns a poster gallery and three houses in Lahaina, said tourists who come to Maui all tend to visit Front Street.

“The central two blocks is the economic heart of this island, and I don’t know what’s left,” he said.

Dickar took video of flames engulfing the main strip before escaping with three friends and two cats.

“Every significant thing I owned burned down today,” he said. “I’ll be OK. I got out safely.”

Wildfires were also burning on Hawaii’s Big Island, Mayor Mitch Roth said, although there had been no reports of injuries or destroyed homes there. Roth said firefighters had needed to extinguish some roof fires and there were continuing flareups of one fire near the Mauna Kea Resorts.

The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which was passing to the south of the island chain, was partly to blame for the strong winds.

About 14,500 customers in Maui were without power early Wednesday. With cell service and phone lines down in some areas, many people were struggling to check in with friends and family members living near the wildfires. Some were posting messages on social media.

Tiare Lawrence was frantically trying to reach her siblings who live near where a gas station exploded in Lahaina.

“There’s no service so we can’t get ahold of anyone,” she said from the Maui community of Pukalani.

Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke said the flames had wiped out communities and urged travelers to stay away.

“This is not a safe place to be,” she said.

Luke issued an emergency proclamation on behalf of Gov. Josh Green, who was traveling. Green’s office said he’d cut short his trip and was returning Wednesday evening.

Fires in Hawaii are unlike many of those burning in the U.S. West. They tend to break out in large grasslands on the dry sides of the islands and are generally much smaller than mainland fires. A major fire on the Big Island in 2021 burned homes and forced thousands to evacuate.

Yasso, who fled her home with boyfriend Kawaakoa, said residents are going to need time to regroup and that people shouldn’t plan to visit right now.

“It’s everybody losing their memories of growing up,” she said. “It’s the memories for everybody. We all lost our homes with this.”

#fire #Hawaii

[tikhanovlibrary]

Mikhail Tikhanov in Hawaii pt. 2: Boki and Liliha

Boki, Chief of Oahu, and Hekili, Minister of the Navy, 1818

In the painting Boki, Chief of Oahu, and Hekili, Minister of the Navy. we get a close look at a male figures face. His hand is tucked under his robe in a similar manner to Kamehameha. From the title of the painting we can gather that this man is Boki, Chief of Oahu. In front of him, we see the side profile of another man, sporting a mustache, Hekili. Behind them, almost invisible, is a third character, a single hand carrying a spear.

Boki was a high chief and close right-hand man to Kamehameha, serving as Royal Governor of the island of Oahu and Minister of the Navy under Kamehameha I.

Boki and Liliha on the Kamchatka, 1818

In this painting four figures are present. Center a man with a bright coloured cape and somewhat somber expression stands holding a bottle and cup. Behind him, a woman sits atop a canon, she wears a yellow skirt and appears to be watching Tikhanov with suspicion. Around her neck is a dramatic looking necklace. Both man and woman appear to be drawn both in profile, and viewed from the back. This style is typical in Tikhanov’s work, and many of his portraits feature multiple angles of the subject. Closer examination reveals that the man and the woman with their backs faced to the scene, although wearing identical clothes, are not the same man and woman as those drawn in profile. The man has short hair, and carries a spear. The woman is not wearing a necklace and crown. Behind her, a fifth man, barely visible, peaks out. He carries some kind of fan or standard. There is a striking similarity between the fanbearer of this portrait and the spear bearer of the other. Between the fan and the spear, the dual opulence and violence that underlie Hawaiian aristocratic society is constantly present, lingering in the background almost out of frame. Boki and Liliha, a portrait by John Hayter 1818

These figures are, of course, Boki and his wife Liliha. Both Boki and his wife Kuini Liliha were leading members of a delegation to England led by King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu in 1824. After the monarchs died from measles during the stay, Boki and his wife returned to Hawaii with Admiral Lord Byron aboard the British frigate, HMS Blonde, which bore the bodies of the late king and queen. They served as interm representatives of the Kingdom, and after returning from the voyage, opened a hotel and bar called the Blonde Hotel, the first of it’s kind on the Island Kingdom.

During their tour of England, they posed together for a second portrait by John Hayter. This allows for a rare opprotunity to compare their likeness to the portrait captured by Mikhail TIkhanov. As we can see, not only are there striking facial similarities, but Liliha is even wearing the same necklace in both paintings.

https://tikhanovlibrary.substack.com/p/mikhail-tikhanov-in-hawaii

https://medium.com/@tikhanovlibrary/mikhail-tikhanov-in-hawaii-ca534846a78e

#hawaii #kingdom of hawaii #kamehameha #king kamehameha #boki #liliha #portrait #watercolour #1818 #Mikhail Tikhanov #Mikhail #Tikhanov #London #Blonde Hotel #John Hayter #Pacific #Ocean #History #Russia

[lifestyle-vlog]

Aloha Hawaii! An Enchanting Journey with Prolific Escapes

Aloha, fellow adventurers! Today, I'm thrilled to share with you the incredible Hawaiian experience we had with Prolific Escapes, the mastermind behind our dream vacation. From the moment we stepped onto the plane to the final sunset over the Pacific Ocean, Prolific Escapes took care of every detail, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the wonders of Hawaii.

Day 1: Arrival in Oahu After an exciting flight booked by Prolific Escapes, we arrived in Honolulu, Oahu. Greeted warmly by our tour guide, we were whisked away to our stunning beachfront resort. As we checked into our comfortable rooms, the captivating view of the turquoise waters left us in awe, setting the tone for the magical journey ahead.

Day 2: Exploring Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach Prolific Escapes crafted an unforgettable day for us, starting with a visit to the historic Pearl Harbor. It was a humbling experience as we paid our respects to those who lost their lives during World War II. Later, we relished the sun-kissed paradise of Waikiki Beach, where the soft sands and crashing waves enchanted us all.

Day 3: The Majestic Maui A short and scenic flight organized by Prolific Escapes took us to the island of Maui. Our resort, nestled amidst lush greenery, exuded tranquility. In the evening, we were treated to a traditional luau, immersing ourselves in the rich Hawaiian culture through dance, music, and a sumptuous feast.

Day 4: Road to Hana One of the highlights of our trip was the breathtaking Road to Hana, thoughtfully curated by Prolific Escapes. Our knowledgeable guide led us on a journey through a tropical wonderland of waterfalls, bamboo forests, and dramatic cliffs. Each stop along the route revealed a new facet of Maui's beauty, leaving us spellbound.

Day 5: Helicopter Tour of Kauai Our adventure continued on the captivating island of Kauai, where Prolific Escapes arranged a thrilling helicopter tour. As we soared above the island's rugged terrain, we marveled at the dramatic Na Pali Coast, the lush Waimea Canyon, and the cascading waterfalls hidden within the emerald landscape.

Day 6: Leisure in Kauai With a day of leisure thoughtfully incorporated by Prolific Escapes, we had the freedom to explore Kauai at our own pace. Some of us chose to hike along scenic trails, while others savored moments of serenity on the tranquil beaches. The island's allure captivated each of us in unique ways.

Day 7: The Enchanting Big Island Our final stop was the diverse and captivating Big Island. Prolific Escapes treated us to an otherworldly experience atop Mauna Kea. As we gazed at the stars with the guidance of passionate astronomers, we were reminded of the vastness of the universe and our connection to the cosmos.

Day 8: Farewell, Hawaii! As our adventure came to an end, Prolific Escapes ensured a seamless departure with all travel arrangements taken care of. Saying goodbye to Hawaii was bittersweet, but we left with hearts full of gratitude for the cherished memories and newfound friendships forged during our journey.

Conclusion: Our unforgettable Hawaiian odyssey, meticulously planned by Prolific Escapes, was a symphony of beauty, culture, and adventure. From the flight bookings to resort accommodations and thoughtfully curated tours, they ensured every aspect of our trip was magical. Hawaii's spirit of aloha, coupled with the expert guidance of Prolific Escapes, made this vacation an unforgettable experience for us all. Mahalo, Hawaii, and Prolific Escapes, for the journey of a lifetime! Until we meet again, aloha!

#travel #travel agent #all inclusive #savemoney #hawaii #coast #national parks #luxury #affordable

[hollywoodfamerp]

ALOHA, FAMERS!

Pack your bags because on the morning of Friday May 27th to the evening of Monday May 30th, Hollywood Fame is going to be in paradise on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. Please remember, this is a mandatory trip - meaning all celebrities (regardless of hiatus or RA status) must be in attendance. Sometimes called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu certainly lives up to its name. The third largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of East and West cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. Oahu is a U.S. island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian island chain and home to the state capital, Honolulu. Highlights of the city include historic Chinatown and the Punchbowl, a crater-turned-cemetery. Waikiki is an iconic beach, dining and nightlife area.

All celebrities will be staying at the luxurious ESPACIO Luxury Resort or otherwise known as ‘the Jewel of Waikiki.’ There are nine luxury suites available, each occupying an entire floor and featuring Italian marble, Moroccan metalwork, and amenities curated to your specific tastes. These amenities include a rooftop infinity swimming pool, complimentary in-suite shopping by Neiman Marcus, and gourmet rooftop barbecue station. More information for the hotel will come on the roommates post!

There will be NO kids on this trip so parents, enjoy your weekend kid FREE. Roommates will be posted on May 25th after the activity check to assure that the list will be most up to date. Some activity suggestions are located under the cut of this post! Please note these are some activities that your celeb can do throughout the days but the only mandatory event is the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau Buffet Dinner on Sunday May 29th. You can tag all your Hawaii posts with ‘hfrphawaii’. We hope that your weekend is relaxing and as tranquil as the islands are!

Mahalo iā ʻoe, Famers!

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES: 

Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkel Tour: Snorkel in the extinct volcanic crater of Molokini on a thrilling adventure in Maui. Continue to Turtle Town to swim with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore: Enter the shark cage and get close to the magnificent sharks on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Alternatively, watch the sharks from the boat and discover the beauty of the sea life.

Waterfall & Rainforest Hiking Tour: Discover Maui’s natural beauty on a guided hiking trip to some of the island's most impressive waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the waterfalls and optional hotel transfers at your disposal.

Volcano National Park Tour: Join a full-day nature tour offering an in-depth look at Hawaii. Discover diverse landscapes as you explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waipio Valley waterfalls, and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.

Oahu Helicopter Tour with Doors On or Off: Soar above Hawaii's iconic attractions on a helicopter tour from Honolulu. Admire the views over Oahu with your choice of doors on or off.

Afternoon Turtle Town Snorkel Cruise: Cruise to Lahaina Turtle, considered one of the best snorkel spots in Maui. Dive into the clear waters to see Green Sea Turtles, Nenue, Goatfish, Octopus, Black Durgeon, Frogfish, and Parrotfish.

(MANDATORY) Voyagers of the Pacific Luau with Buffet: Transport yourself to ancient Polynesia and experience Hawaiian culture in an enchanting oceanfront setting on Kailua Bay. Delight in an island-inspired buffet complete with a captivating luau show and thrilling Samoan fire-knife dancing.

#hollywoodfameevent #hfrphawaii

[funthingstodoinhawaii]

Simple Tips for Planning a Trip to Oahu

Visiting Hawaii for the first time may be very challenging, especially if you are unsure which island to go to first. Oahu is the perfect island if you are searching for a place where you can enjoy individually while being with your family and friends.

It would be best if you started venturing into Oahu tour companies and their offerings. There are various tours and excursions, and you'll have to know what you like.

Oahu Hawaii tours include day trips to all tourist destinations and helicopter tours for adventure-seekers. If you want a more exhilarating adventure, ziplining is a great option.

As you plan the activities to enjoy, here are some considerations before packing your things and leaving for your Hawaiian dream.

Budget for your Trip

An adequate budget for your Oahu trip helps you plan your vacation and save you from unnecessary expenses. While there are plenty of attractions and activities on the island, some are surprisingly expensive.

Aside from the cost of airfare, you should also factor in the price of parking and hotel charges if you plan to stay for the night. You can search for other free parking spots around the island and alternative ways to travel through.

Book your Flight Early

Advanced flight booking provides flexibility in your travel dates, but there's no denying that the cost of your flight is higher if you wait until the last minute.

On the other hand, you can save money if you shop for the right flights. It would be better to compare prices from several airlines.

Pack for the Weather

The Hawaiian Islands are known for their humid climate, which can make it hard to stay cool. The best clothing to bring to Oahu is cotton. It is also a good idea to pack a sun hat. This will protect your face and ears from the sun's heat. You can also pack a lightweight umbrella, which will come in handy when you are out and about.

Visit Go Tours Hawaii for exciting tours and excursions that will let you feel the true Hawaiian experience. https://gotourshawaii.com/

#Oahu tour companies #Oahu Hawaii tours #free parking spots #oahu island tours #hawaii botanical garden oahu #byodo-in temple

[imperialofwaikiki]

Famous Filming Locations in Oahu

Oahu means “gathering” – whether that be a gathering of friends on the beach, family on vacation, or a gathering of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Here at the Imperial Hawaii Resort, we infuse our vacation packages with tours, great food, incredible views, and more than a little historical importance. As one of the top hotels with two room suites near Waikiki Beach, we offer one of the best breakfast deals in Honolulu and invite guests to transport themselves from their room to the beach within minutes.

But it’s not all relaxation and cocktails on the beach on the island of Oahu and around our resort. As one of the prominent hotels near Pearl Harbor, Oahu is an island which has long been considered one of the top filming locations for Hawaiian movies and blockbusters.

Here are some of the best and most famous locations in Oahu – and the movies that were shot there.

Lost – the whole of Oahu

Lost quickly became a hit when it immersed viewers in the drama of a set of adults stranded on a Hawaiian island after their plane crashed. Oahu was the set used to film Lost, with the crew transforming a series of locations across and throughout the island – including Kualoa Ranch and the Valley of the Temples.

In fact, the Kualoa Ranch has been the setting for some major movies and big screen experiences, thanks to its natural surroundings and the vast expanse of trees, forests, and grasslands available. A tour of the site today will invite you to see leftover props from some of the biggest projects, which include Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, and Pearl Harbor.

Hunger Games - Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay is an iconic hotel which not only offers guests a unique and luxurious experience, but which has also played host to a number of movies, namely the Hunger Games crew, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

This beachfront resort offers experiences to both guests and those who simply want to visit and enjoy the activities, making it a great stopping point on your vacation regardless of where you are staying.

From Here to Eternity – Eternity Cove

Eternity Cove earned its nickname from its moment in the 1950s movie From Here to Eternity – though it is actually called ‘Halona Beach Cove’. This site is where the two main characters shared their iconic movie kiss, which is what earned the beach its name, though the site has also appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and in Jurassic World.

Movie Magic

Oahu is a destination which combines movie magic with history, offering tours to visitors from all walks of life alongside marine activities, land adventures, and all the Tiki bars and cocktails that you could ask for. For more information on exploring the island and making the most of your Hawaiian adventure, get in touch with your hotel rep or visit our website and other inspiration blog posts.

#imperial hawaii resort #breakfast in honolulu #hotels with two room suites near waikiki beach

[freehawaii]

SEEN ON YESTERDAYʻS ʻFREE HAWAI`I TVʻ - DETOURS HAWAI`I - DECOLONIZING HAWAI`IʻS TOURISM

SFGate - July 27, 2022 Hawaii looms large in the imagination of the U.S. mainland as a tourist paradise: beautiful beaches and volcanoes, delicious food, and the spirit of “aloha,” a spirit of welcoming. But aloha is a complicated concept, and for some, the tourist industry sells the idea of Hawaii as uncomplicated and without any problems. Hawaii’s natural beauty conceals some ugly realities. The islands’ economy is dominated by tourism and the military — there are 143 bases or facilities and 41,000 active-duty personnel. The military controls 21% of the island of Oahu, and there are 115 different sites on the islands identified as having been poisoned by decades of ordnance testing and military activity. Meanwhile, Indigenous Hawaiians suffer disproportionately from homelessness and poverty. DeTours, an educational group run by Kyle Kajihiro and Terry Keko’olani, tries to pull back the blinders people have on when they visit Hawaii. “It’s sort of an anti-tourist experience,” Kajihiro explained, laughing. DeTours highlights the ways that Hawaii is dominated by the military and the tourist industry by taking visitors to parts of Oahu where they can be exposed to a different part of Hawaii’s history. Typical trips last around half a day and include visits to sites like Pearl Harbor, areas that are being reclaimed environmentally and parts of Honolulu tourists are unlikely to visit. DeTours grew out of work Kajihiro and others did with the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker activist group that works on a wide variety of peace and justice issues. The group had worked on anti-militarism campaigns since the 1970s, both to highlight the loss of land from Indigenous Hawaiians and to protest the connections between Hawaii and U.S. military power as it was used in Vietnam. Kaho’olawe Island, a sacred place for Hawaiians, was used by the military solely to test explosives: One such test in 1965 involved detonating 500 tons of TNT at a time to replicate the effect of small nuclear blasts. These kinds of tests led to the occupation of the island by Hawaiians beginning in 1976; by 1993, the military ceded the island back to the state. To promote understanding and learning, the American Friends Service Committee frequently organizes trips for people to visit and learn about other countries. But in Hawaii, Kajihiro and others noticed that they often had very progressive friends who, when visiting Hawaii, nevertheless treated the islands like a playground. “It was always striking that when people would think about Hawaii, their critical thinking would sort of turn off,” Kajihiro reflected. For Kajihiro, the tourism industry has sold this idea of Hawaii as a multicultural paradise without any problems, and that idea made no sense to him. “Part of the interaction between tourism and militarism is that one masked the violence of the other, and the other provided the force which maintains this unjust presence.” Kaijihiro and Keko’olani wanted to break people out of this habit. At first, they worked mostly by word-of-mouth. “We kept getting asked to do it,” Kajihiro explains. “We never advertise, it’s not something we actually set up but it just became a thing.” Many of their clients are students, with many groups coming from the University of Hawaii, but they get visitors coming from the mainland too. The tours that Kajihiro and others lead are meant to shed light on the history of the Hawaiian islands that are covered up by militarism and U.S. imperialism. Few people know what Pu’uloa refers to, but they’re much more likely to know it by another name: Pearl Harbor. For Indigenous Hawaiians, the harbor was a vital source of food, as its structure made it ideal for aquaculture. That is lost today, and Pu’uloa and what it represented was destroyed when it was transformed into a military base. It’s now a Superfund site. A typical tour starts at Iolani Palace, which was the royal residence for the Hawaiian monarchy until the coup ended native Hawaiian rule in 1893. Visitors then head to Camp H.M. Smith, headquarters of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, a drive through the Pearl Harbor base, a stop at the Pearl Harbor memorial, and a stop at the Hanakehau Learning Farm. Hanakehau is one of the many entities and organizations that exist to try and reclaim Hawaiian land. Drives through Honolulu also visit places like the Kalihi neighborhood that are working-class and immigrant neighborhoods dealing with their own issues, such as racism and discrimination. “We use that drive to acclimate people to some of the contradictions ... these are not places where tour buses would go,” Kajihiro explained. For Kajihiro, the goal behind DeTours is to raise awareness of these issues, but more importantly, to get them to imagine what Hawaii might look like without militarism. Lunch at Hanakehau becomes a discussion about alternative paths for the islands, and how visitors can play a part in that. “We want folks to see Hawaii as a place where they have relationships and responsibilities,” with many discussions centering around the idea of “kuleana,” a Hawaiian word loosely translating to responsibility in English. For visitors, this means educating others when they go back home and challenging the U.S. government’s policies.   Kajihiro also explained that he sees the group’s mission as reflecting their own kuleana. The military’s role in Hawaii isn’t solely to serve as a base of operations, but as a place to project power all across the globe. During the 1960s, military activities in Hawaii could be felt in Vietnam; today, they are felt in Afghanistan. “The wars that emanate from Hawaii, that are commanded from here, the techniques and technologies that are tested and perfected here, how is that harming folks in other parts of the world? That’s an aspect of the responsibility that we bear.”   When asked about what COVID-19 has done to the island economy, Kajihiro’s take was twofold. On the one hand, the COVID pandemic has deeply harmed the Hawaiian economy. “We have one of the highest unemployment rates because we’ve been addicted to the tourism economy.” However, from Kajihiro’s perspective, “it’s forced us to reckon with the environmental and social costs of tourism as a mainstay of the economy. What’s the point of having all of this if it’s making life harder and more expensive?” One more positive aspect: Kajihiro has also seen more community solidarity through food drives or organizing to connect farmers with consumers.   DeTours and other groups like it are a vision for a different kind of tourism. For most people and most tourist-centered organizations, you go somewhere for a little while and then you leave. What Kajihiro and Keko’olani want people to do is take some part of that with them and to use travel to sharpen their own sense of responsibility toward the rest of the world.

#detours hawaii #overtourism #free hawaii #hawaiian kingdom

[ya-world-challenge]

Book Review: Lei and the Fire Goddess (🌺 Hawai'i)

[image 1: Book cover - a girl with modern clothes, backpack, and bushy ponytail runs through Hawai'ian greenery, accompanied by a bat. There are red spider-like flowers carried on the wind, and a volcano spews lava in the background; image 2: a map showing the Hawai'ian islands in the center of the Pacific Ocean; image 3: steam vents around the Kīlauea volcano on Oahu, source: wikimedia]

Lei and the Fire Goddess

Author: Malia Maunakea

YA World Challenge Review for Hawai'i

Review

Anna Leilani is having school clique problems back home in Colorado, and she's decided the fantastical stories on the Hawai'ian side of her family are making her uncool. She's decided to put her foot down with her grandmother on this year's annual trip to Oahu. Until she pisses off the fire goddess Pele, and has no choice but to believe - and fix her mistake.

This was a wonderful adventure, with strong themes of mo'olelo (Hawai'ian oral tradition) and cultural belonging. All the creatures and legends were delightful characters - I don't think I can name a favorite, I liked them all - from the bat to the mo'o to the boar, and Pele herself. I also appreciate the character development that Anna/Lei went through. It felt realistic and in character.

The writing was polished, though occasionally I had difficulty visualizing the spatial movements described. The humor was fun between Anna and Ilikea, and the pop culture references thankfully not too overdone. I loved the descriptive tour through the Hawai'ian rainforest and volcano that we got. And lava-boarding!

I recommend this for a fun, very readable mythological adventure that is lighthearted and never too dark.

The sequel comes out in June.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★    5 stars

Other reps: #biracial #no romance

Genres: #adventure #mythology #contemporary fantasy #family #friendship

#book review #hawai'i #ya world challenge #books #booklr #adventure #mythology #contemporary #fantasy #contemporary fantasy #family #friendship #biracial #no romance #oceania

[karmatourshawaii]

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