Archive for the ‘Hawaii’ Tag
Weekly Photo Challenge: Green Leave a comment
Hawaii’s Botanical Gardens 6 comments
The Na’Aina Kai Botanical Garden is what I wanted to see: exotic plants, manicured gardens, statuary and lovely vistas around every corner.
When we first went to Hawaii, I didn’t really know what to expect. I mean, I had seen Hawaii Five-O (and played that wonderful theme song, like every high school band in the ’70s). I’d even seen surfing contests on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, back when that was the only Saturday afternoon escape available for a nascent sports junkie.
But what was Hawaii really like? I mean, a tropical paradise? That’s what I saw when I watched South Pacific (and in spite of a spirited discussion we had one night with the family, that is a GREAT musical … but a dated & lousy film at this point!).
Given our love of photography and, uh, pretty things, Velda and I have visited several gardens in Hawaii. Here is our ranking and recommendation for your visit to Hawaii:
1. Kauai – Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens
This is what I think a wonderful botanical garden should be. It’s probably too big: we did a guided tour that was about 2 hours long, and I don’t think we saw 30%, and I know we didn’t enjoy fully most of what we did see.
This garden has it all: it’s got a huge variety of plants. It’s got waterfalls. It’s got statuary. It’s a working hardwood plantation. It’s pretty. Gorgeous, really. I recommend it without reservation — which you will need when you visit.
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden has a dizzying array of exotics, such as these Rose Grapes from the Philippines.
2. Hawaii (Big Island) – Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
This garden is truly a tropical paradise. You follow a creek through a meandering path with little grottoes liberally sprinkled around the path with exotic flowers and plants everywhere you look. The path goes all the way to the ocean. The views are gorgeous. Do not miss this garden.
3. Maui – Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Worth the price of admission, but not an essential part of going on the Road to Hana. Pretty plants, wonderful paths to wander around. See some pictures, below.
4. Hawaii (Big Island) – World Botanical Garden & Waterfalls
This 3-tier waterfall is unusual for 2 reasons: it’s a 3-tier waterfall, and it can only be seen after you pay the admission to enter the World Botanical Garden.
I wrote about this garden previously, in 30: Hawaii. As I said there, this is the least appealing garden we have visited. Not all bad, but probably not worth the price of admission.
National Tropical Garden
5. Kauai – National Tropical Botanical Garden
There are 3 sites for the NTBG on Kauai:
South Shore – McBryde Garden
South Shore – Alerton Garden
North Shore – Limahuli Garden and Preserve
We visited the office on the South Shore without knowing what we were walking into, and decided that we didn’t have the time to spend on what seemed like an expensive guided tour. We passed, and haven’t found time to go back. I’m sure we will … but for now, I’ll simply state that their tours seemed expensive and their marketing hasn’t been persuasive. We did spend an hour or so in their free access public area around the office, and that was, uh, worth what we paid for it.
The paths through the Garden of Eden are cinder-lined, which means they are not treacherous when wet; it does rain frequently here!
Norfolk Island Pine trees were planted by sailing ship captains who prized them for their long, straight trunks, and needed a ready supply of replacement masts when they stopped at the Sandwich Islands, as Hawaii was known in the 19th century.
Variegated Ginger
Rainbow Eucalyptus tree
Maui: The Bee, part II Leave a comment
Maui: Haleakala Crater 3 comments
The crater of Haleakala — you can go camping there if you like. The cinder cone on the left is called Kamoali’i; on the right is Ka Lu’u o Ka ‘O’o (Plunge of the digging stick).
Maui: Funny or Pretty? Leave a comment
Pineapple Ginger, from New Guinea
Maui: The Bee, part I Leave a comment
Hawaii: Umauma Falls Leave a comment
Umauma Falls is part of the World Tropical Garden, which is a gated attraction. It’s the only waterfall in Hawaii that you have to pay to see … and then you can stroll through the garden while you are there.
30: Hawaii 6 comments
Akaka Falls is 422′ tall.
Our grand tour of Hawaii was in the home stretch when we made it to “the Big Island” of Hawaii. We had some great times, but we didn’t maximize our experience.
Kahuna Falls is just up the path from Akaka Falls. Waterfalls are everywhere in Hawaii!
Our biggest surprise was that we were unprepared to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
We drove to the Volcano House and grabbed lunch. At the visitor’s center for the Park, we learned about visiting the volcano … and were surprised to learn that it was dangerous. Molten rock from the center of the earth? Dangerous? I know, I know. But we were surprised.
We found that they recommend you wear hiking shoes, leather gloves, long pants and shirtsleeves. Cooled lava can be as sharp as glass; you need to be prepared. And, of course, if a shelf unexpectedly collapses, you will die. I was surprised that the Park’s presentation was so negative about going to visit … it’s not like people die while visiting on a regular basis! However, Velda and I had not dressed appropriately, so we did not visit the live lava flow. We toured much of the rest of the park, which is interesting.
There was much, much else to see, and we got some great pictures, as you can see. Click on any picture to expand it to full size.
We visited a couple of gardens. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden was fabulous. The meandering path took you by many exotic plants on your way to the ocean. This is a great place; plan on a couple of hours if you’re going to take pictures and immerse yourself in the lush shade of this exotic place.
Steam venting from the Kilauea Caldera. Shot taken from the Volcano House overlook.
We also visited the World Botanical Garden, a much younger attraction that was a bit pricey for the experience. You have to pay their admission to see Umauma Falls. There’s quite a bit to see, but it’s the least appealing of the gardens we have visited in Hawaii. Maybe it will improve with age; perhaps we should visit it again in 2018.
We drove around the island (literally), and it was surprising to see the miles and miles of lava fields. Hawaii, AKA The Big Island, is the youngest of the islands (indeed, it’s still growing as the lava continues to flow into the ocean!). Driving the perimeter of the island is a great day. See the sights along the way; it will be a nice leisurely excursion.
Steam rising from the ground near the volcano is an everyday event.
A very large lava tube, which happens when lava cools, and then hot lava burns a new path through it, leaving a hollow shell.
Watch closely and you’ll see a mongoose.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
World Tropical Garden
Good to know this road is the way to leave, right?
Maui: Wild Bananas Leave a comment
Kauai’s Best Restaurants 5 comments
These are the best places we have found to eat on Kauai. Three of the four are extremely affordable — you can easily eat for less than $15 each.
In Hawaii, that’s no small thing. Enjoy!
Love the color of the ocean seen from Kilauea Lighthouse!
Buy some fish to grill for dinner while you enjoy lunch.
Kilauea Fish Market
Best ahi wrap we’ve found. The reviews are great, too. Very difficult to find this little place; its entrance is in the back of the building, facing away from the road. Keep looking; this will be worth your time.
Have lunch there on the way to or from the Kilauea Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is described as picture postcard perfect (and that’s about all it is, in my opinion). Take that picture, and then have fun looking at the coastline laid out below you. The inlet that it overlooks is gorgeous, and the many albatross nesting on the cliffs and riding the wind currents are more than worth the trip.
Mermaids Cafe
This hole in the wall delight is in Kapaa. Don’t let the outer trappings dissuade you, however. This has clearly outgrown this old kitchen; check out the menu on the website! You’ll find that this little restaurant serves some of the best fresh food around.
The Ahi Nori wrap is a delight and recommended. Seating is limited; there are counters running down the alley towards the ocean with stools when they’re available. Call it rustic. Call it charming. And enjoy the food!
TCs is the best part of the Coconut MarketPlace.
Wander around the shops of Kapaa while you’re there.
Coconut MarketPlace, TC’s Island Grill
We wandered into the MarketPlace on our first visit to Kauai, and we’ve returned on every visit. The location is between Lihue and Princeville, so you’ll find it’s convenient no matter where you are and where you are going when you’re on the east shore.
The shopping center has a very typical range of shops for Hawaii, from t-shirts to luggage, from jewelry to souvenirs. After you’ve done a quick lap to see the sights, then settle in for a very informal lunch or dinner at TCs. Whether you have fish and chips or a catch of the day grilled platter, you’ll enjoy this shack that would be a diner if it was located on the mainland. Here, it’s an Island Grill!
Luau Kalamaku at the Kilohana Plantation
This is the best luau we have found. It’s currently showing on Tuesdays and Fridays, so plan accordingly.
Arrive early to tour the grounds and see the wares offered by the craftsmen. Velda needed this nose flute, though her playing hasn’t advanced much since she stopped drinking the rum punch.
The cost is currently $65 for the all-you-can-eat buffet and show. In my opinion, you don’t go to a luau for the food, you go for the show. For the ohana. You’ll eat, of course, and the food here is fine for a buffet. Try the poi (it’s required) and expect a macaroni salad. But this show was worth the price of admission.
I’ve read reviews that prefer other luaus, which is always understandable. Opinions will vary.
This luau has:
Comfortable seating in and around the performance area. The principal stage is in the middle; the main performance is in the round. A few ancillary stages bring the action even closer to the audience.
The show tells a story (loosely!) and takes the audience on a journey. It’s more than just a variety show, as some luaus tend to be. This gets big points in my book.
Nice performances from dancing to fire juggling. Very visual, very colorful, very theatrical. For me, that’s a win, win, win.
Other Options
We had our 30th Anniversary dinner at Gaylord’s at Kilohana, which is also located on the Kilohana Plantation. Nice event meal. Pricey, and nice. Our problem, unfortunately, was that we ate at the restaurant on our anniversary, and that was a Tuesday evening … when the luau was happening 100 yards away. We enjoyed the meal but the drums were a bit annoying. Wish we would have known to avoid the restaurant on luau nights!
We’ve explored many other restaurants OF COURSE but none have risen to the level that I would recommend them. One of the nicest restaurants on the island is Roy’s on south shore, and we’ve yet to try it, honestly. We haven’t tried the one in LA, either. Or the one in Honolulu. Or the one in Las Vegas. Maybe someday.
Luaus are about family. Ohana.
