Tag: Honolulu

Surf Lessons on Oahu in Hawaii

Have you ever had inkling to pick up surfing as a hobby? Or perhaps just try it once and put it on that list of yep, I’ve done that? Then the island of Oahu in Hawaii is the place to do that. Waikiki beach is the best place for beginners to learn to surf. You may be picturing the lonely deserted beach pictured in the 1950’s Gidget or Elvis movies. But, I have to tell you that Waikiki beach has changed a lot since those days.

Waikiki beach is located in Honolulu, picture a miniaturized New York City located in paradise complete with palm trees, because after all, Honolulu is a city. The beach is narrow and very crowded, and with good reasons… the waves. The waves are typically small and very long. You can ride them all the way into the beach with plenty of time for beginners to get used to the feel of the wave. There are tons of places on Waikiki to take surf lessons. Just walk down the beach and take your pick, usually you don’t have to make reservations because these are just guys on the beach teaching lessons… i.e. bring cash. Because of the fierce competition amongst the “surfing schools” you can usually get a pretty good deal on the lessons.

If you are just learning to surf you should stay here in Waikiki. However, it is worth a trip to the North Shore just to see how the other half lives. It’s amazing to see world famous surfers riding the waves at Waimea Bay or at the pipeline. It looks like something out of the movies. The beaches are crowed with by standers and photographers. They watch in awe as these amazing athletes ride waves as high as thirty feet. But a warning to those daring novices… do not try to surf the waves here. The can be treacherous. In fact drowning is the number one accidental death in Hawaii. This probably comes as no surprise because the entire state is surrounded by water.

Rip currents are one danger to Hawaiian visitors. They are fast flowing currents that can drag swimmers out into deeper parts of the ocean. If you get caught in a rip current, don’t fight the current. You should swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current, and then swim safely into shore. Undertows are another dangerous factor while visiting Hawaii. If you get caught in an undertow, (you will feel the wave pull you out to sea) just go with the flow of the wave until it passes. Then you should be able to swim out of it. Don’t let the beautiful waters fool you; they can be deadly if not taken seriously.

Heed the warning, but try not to get discouraged. There are plenty of places in Hawaii for beginners to surf. If you do not get your fill while visiting the world famous Waikiki Beach, you may want to try one of the other islands. All of the other islands will have some beginner friendly waves to offer.

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Hawaiian Vacation for Golfers

Hawaii is a popular destination for many vacationers. It’s no wonder with its gorgeous palm trees, and white sandy beaches. The vast array of water sports such as surfing, kayaking and snorkeling attract many vacationers yearly. But Hawaii is also a great place for golf. The big island of Hawaii has over 20 golf courses. The Four seasons Hualalai Course was designed by world famous golf pro Jack Nichlaus. The Mauna Kea Golf Course has been said to be the best on the island. While taking a break from a round of golf, guests at this hotel can relax at one of the most gorgeous beaches on the island.

The crescent shaped bay boasts white sandy beaches and is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are also a couple of noteworthy golf courses located in Hilo. Make sure to bring an umbrella. We play rain or shine here, as Hilo is known as the rainiest city in the world.

Lanai is known as the rich man’s paradise of Hawaii. So, it’s not surprising that there are some great golfing opportunities here. Lanai is home to not one, but two, world class championship golf courses. The experience at Koele, which designed by Greg Norman is set amongst the backside of Hawaiian mountains, making for a challenging and unique setting. The challenge at Manele is located at another world renowned resort and was also designed by Jack Nicklas. It’s amazing that he has time to play golf, with all that designing he’s been doing. Another place to play golf in Lanai is located in Lanai city, the Cavendish Golf Course. It is a local favorite and is open to the public. This course has 9-holes and does not have greens fee (bonus).

Maui offers as many or more places to play golf as the big island of Hawaii. The island offers beautiful vistas that make for the perfect backdrop for golfing. Kapalua and Wailea are the most well known places to play. There are also some championship golf courses located in the resort area of Ka’anapali. This resort area was once a sugar plantation, converted into a resort area by its owners.

Lanai as well, is not lacking in golf courses. There are nine great golf courses here. Half were designed by either Jack Nickluas or Robert Trent Jones. The Princeville courses have made a name for themselves as some of the most challenging golf courses in the world. Princeville is a resort community located on the North Shore of the island. While taking a break here, golfers can enjoy world class beaches, as well as fine dinning and exquisite shopping.

Let’s not forget about the island of Oahu. Oahu is home to several 18-hole golf courses all located fairly close to Honolulu. The Ala Wai Golf Course and the Ewa Villages Golf course are actually located in the Wakiki Beach Area. Here golfers should take a break to catch a wave on famous Wakiki Beach. Turtle Bay Beach Resort is located on the North Shore of Oahu. It is home to 2 spectacular golf courses. One of which, was designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by George Fazio. The resort itself is located on a great beach complete with a reef for snorkeling.

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Hawaiian Souvenirs

Oh, Hawaii the perfect vacation spot for just about anyone, and what Hawaiian vacation would be complete without souvenirs? While vacationing you will find ample opportunity to pick up souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones.

Hilo Hattie’s is the big souvenir store. Unlike, the name suggests there are not located strictly in Hilo. It’s a big chain store that has several locations on just about all of the islands. Hilo Hattie’s is famous for all different types of souvenirs, but their crowning glory is, of course, the Hawaiian shirt. Every tourist needs a Hawaiian shirt. You will also find the other stapes, such as homemade chocolate covered macadamia nuts. These are sure to please every grandma. They also have a wide assortment of hula dancing dolls, perfect for your brother-in-law.

They have the standard dash board version, as well as the world famous hula lamp. I was surprised by the extreme variety available in the hula lamp. You can find cheap plastic hula lamps for as little as about thirty dollars; and the hand crafted more classy (if there is such a creation) hula lamp that can be as much as two hundred dollars.

Perhaps the goofiest souvenir, in my opinion, is a real live coconut. You can actually ship a real coconut back home to the continental United Sates. It usually costs about thirty bucks. I say, save your money, I’d rather have the dash board hula dancer. Coconuts are not the only live things that are frequently shipped from Hawaii as souvenirs. The live lei industry is very profitable in Hawaii. You can have a fresh flower lei sent back to grandma to go with those macadamia nuts.

Tiki statues are another popular Hawaiian souvenir. Hawaiian legends say than the ancients, who carried a Tiki statue with them experienced, an immediate run of good fortune. Today, you can find these statues just about anywhere. My favorite is the tiki statue that doubles as a bottle opener. You can have good luck while drinking your beer.

Ukuleles are another popular Hawaiian souvenir. These are miniature guitars that have been prevalent in Hawaii since ancient times. Again, just like the hula lamp, you can spend anywhere from about thirty bucks and up (really up). Some of these Ukuleles actually cost thousands of dollars. The work ukulele actually means “jumping flea” in Hawaiian. This refers to the way the player would strum around the strings.

There are many different souvenir shops on all of the islands from which to choose your gifts. In addition to Hilo Hattie’s, there is the old stand by the ABC store. This isn’t the type of ABC store that you think of on the mainland. It’s really just like a convenience store molded into a souvenir shop. They are on just about every corner in Honolulu. Another spot for cheap souvenirs is the flea market on Oahu. It’s located in the parking lot of a stadium on the northern side of Oahu. Here you can find everything from knock off purses to hand carved tiki statues. Whatever you are looking for, Hawaii is sure to please.

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