We are very excited to announce that we have recently opened our new online gift shop through Discover Hawaii Tours making your gifts and souvenirs from Hawaii accessible online, and avoiding over packed suitcases and the possibility of the airlines mishandling your bags and potentially causing harm to your vacation souvenirs. This represents the first time in the state of Hawaii that visitors will be able to purchase their tours and souvenirs on one easy to use site. Great gifts conveniently ship directly to your home and enable visitors to bring back those unique Hawaiian gifts, and save the hassle of fitting valuables into already full bags for the flight home. Items in our gift shop range from exotic scented bath and body products to chocolate covered macadamia nuts. We even have special sections dedicated to Christmas items, gender specific items, gift baskets and home furnishings. The concept of purchasing gifts and souvenirs online is especially relevant in today’s climate of excessive airline fees for overweight luggage or extra bags checked.

Hawaii is most known for its beautiful weather, perfect beaches, big wave surfing, and its all around beauty. One often overlooked element of Hawaii and its culture is the diverse cuisine and unique delicacies. Many different foods are grown, produced, and prepared throughout the islands, and are all important to the customs and way of life here in Hawaii.

Locally grown crops have played an important part in Hawaii’s growth and economy for decades. Fields of pineapple, macadamia nuts, and coffee are seen on many of our North Shore and Circle Island Tours, and our Big Island Volcano Tour.

A closer look at local food production:

Pineapple – It is unknown when the pineapple was introduced into Hawaiian culture; however, large scale planting of the fruit began around 1850. James Dole established a plantation near Wahiawa on Oahu around 1900 and production escalated and eventually spread to other islands. Today, the remaining pineapple producers in Hawaii are Dole and Maui Land and Pineapple Company.

North Shore Pineapple Field

Coffee – First introduced to the islands through King Kamehameha’s Spanish Advisor in 1813, coffee remains a very big part of Hawaii’s exports. Unique soil and weather patterns combine to make Kona Coffee some of the most sought after coffee in the world. Hawaii is the sole U.S. provider of coffee in the world and most of the coffee comes from a 20 mile stretch of over 700 small coffee farms along the Kona coast of the Big Island on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa, though there are small quantities produced on the islands of Kauai and Maui.

Taro – No other form of food may represent Hawaii more than the taro plant. Though it is grown in many tropical climates worldwide it is most widely used in Hawaii and early Hawaiians were known to consume large quantities of taro that had been ground into a paste known as Poi. When raw, the plant is inedible and considered toxic, but when cooked or steeped in water, the root is harmless after it has been cooked.

Coffee Tree in Kona

Macadamia Nuts – Introduced to Hawaii from Australia in 1882, the macadamia nut tree was originally raised because of its beauty. A very versatile nut in cooking, there are over 700 farms and 8 processing plants, mostly on Hawaii’s Big Island, that is responsible for 90% of the world’s supply. Used in many foods including candies, breads, coffee, spreads, and cooking oil, macadamia nuts contain a high level of good fats and have been found to reduce cholesterol.

Sugarcane – Though it is not as big in Hawaiian agriculture as it once was, sugar continues to grow in Hawaii. As early as 1802, people on the island of Lanai were using stone rollers to crush the sweet juice from the sugarcane in 1834, the first sugar plantation went up on Kauai after King Kamehameha granted the use of 980 acres to Ladd & Company for growing and harvesting. The booming industry once employed 1 in 12 people and brought in about $150 million each year, but has since seen its prevalence fall as Hawaii has since concentrated its economic ventures elsewhere.

Our Guide Sharing the Aloha Spirit on Tour

Staying in touch with old friends and classmates grows increasingly difficult as the years progress. Innovations such as Facebook have made finding old acquaintances, former teammates, and others from our past somewhat easy. Starting with an idea in a Harvard dorm room back in 2003, Facebook is the fastest growing social networking site we have ever seen hit the internet and companies have taken notice. Not only is the site used for individuals hoping to keep contact, it is also heavily used by businesses looking to grow their name. With over 500 million active profiles, there may not be a simpler way to find prospective clients, partners, and consumers. This boom has not gone unnoticed at Discover Hawaii Tours. We have found that using Facebook is a great way to reach travel enthusiasts and those seeking the all around best tours for their vacation to the lovely Hawaiian Islands. Keeping with the Aloha Spirit, there are many great deals and features that we offer through our Facebook page. Before you book your tour online, become our friend and keep an eye out for specials on different tours. We look forward to seeing you on tour and becoming our friend soon!

*For the entire history and compelling story behind the creation of Facebook, be sure to check out the upcoming move “The Social Network”, due out October 1, 2010.

On June 4, 2010, the USS Missouri Battleship celebrated another achievement in its long and illustrious history. Though this did not take place in battle and there was nothing fired from the deck, it is still quite an accomplishment.
As Rachel Chmiel boarded the great battleship, she was met with gifts and celebration as the 4-millionth guest to visit the deck of the retired war vessel. With ties to Oahu and the daughter of a Navy man, she certainly understood the magnitude of the battleship and all of the glory that she carries. Various attractions from Pearl Harbor and around Oahu provided gifts to help Rachel celebrate her achievement that she will forever share with the Mighty Mo.

The Mighty Mo and all Her Glory

On the heels of a major preservation effort, the proud Missouri is still going strong and attracting an average of about 1400 visitors each day. The memorial recently announced that, in order to keep up with the demands of visitors, they will be extending its hours by 90 minutes each day. New opening time will be 7:30am and closing at 5:00pm, with the operating hours remaining in effect until Labor Day at the least.
With the busy summer season, we have seen a great increase in visitors to the islands and Pearl Harbor remains as a top attraction. Book your tour today for your chance to see the USS Missouri, the USS Arizona Memorial, or any other attractions that Pearl Harbor or Oahu has to offer. See you on tour!

The world famous Road to Hana features some of the most spectacular ocean views that would be very difficult to find at any other place in the world. With many scenic outlooks, hidden waterfalls, and many unknown locations located throughout, the Hana highway is a very popular destination to travel and see on a Hawaiian vacation.

Aerial View of Road to Hana

Lost on most that visit Maui is the original use for the highway and the town of Hana. Around 1850, George Wilfong started the first sugar can mill in Hana near the Ka-’uiki Hill. This began the sugar plantation boom on Maui and over the next 30 years, six separate plantations would open and operate. The large number of plantations called for a need of a road for workers to travel to and from their work days. This need was realized in 1926 when the Hana Highway was completed, making it possible for cars and trucks to travel from Hana to Kahului. By 1940, Hana was a bustling town with a population of over 3,500 residents. Life was good both in town and at the sugar plantations. However, in 1946, the last of the plantations near Hana closed and many families were unable to find work and moved to the other side of the island, where new plantations had began to open.

The Road to Hana was built by hand with picks and shovels. Volcanic rock crushed into a fine mixture was used as the road’s first surface material, and the road wasn’t fully paved until 1982. The road was eventually widened and resurfaced in the 1990s to better suit the many cars and buses that travel over the road daily. In August of 2000, as part of the country wide Millennium Legacy Trails campaign, the highway circling Maui was selected from nominations by Governors of states as one of fifty-two roads located throughout the country that reflect the unique spirit of the areas they represent.

While traveling along the Road to Hana, there are plenty of opportunities for pictures, visiting black sand beaches,and visiting authentic Hawaiian vendors. Join Discover Hawaii Tours on a trip to Maui and a drive around the beautiful Road to Hana. We look forward to seeing you on tour!

Each June, Hawaii gears up for a fantastic celebration of their greatest ruler, King Kamehameha. The great monarch led the unification of the Hawaiian Islands under one rule, creating the Kingdom of Hawaii. Long remembered for the “Law of the Splintered Paddle”, which protects human rights of non-combatants in times of battle, Kamehameha was a very ambitious ruler who has been honored and celebrated in many ways since his death in 1819.
The first Kamehameha day occurred in 1872 after the King’s great grandson, Kamehameha V, established the order in the previous year. June 11 brings a parade and a block party through Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, complete with food, games, and music, with a ceremonial lei ceremony draping his statues on not only Oahu and Big Island, but a statue located in Washington DC in the company of federal officials. A 2-day hula competition also takes place in Honolulu at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
Many of our tours visit King Kamehameha’s statue located in downtown Honolulu near the Iolani Palace. To see this and many more Hawaii landmarks, join us on one of our fantastic island tours.

Hawaii’s extreme natural beauty and warm tropical weather creates idealistic conditions to hike and explore the islands. Many people often over look a few basic safety precautions which can ultimately save lives. During the month of January, Oahu saw two separate fatalities involving inexperienced hikers. Safety for our guests is one of the top priorities here at Discover Hawaii Tours; all of our hiking and eco guides are CPR and First Aid certified. Hiking with a certified guide is one of the best ways to ensure a safe adventure, however if you find yourself hiking in

Hawaii you should remember the following hiking tips:

Hiking trails are not paved sidewalks. Pay special attention to where your feet go.

Often forest floors can be muddy and uneven, proper shoes or boots should be worn

Trails do not often have clearly marked street signs. Stay with your guide or learn to carry and use a map

Don’t hike alone, be sure to hike with a buddy or group for safety

Don’t take unnecessary risks. Be safe

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s also a great way to stay in shape too. Discover Hawaii Tours offers guided hikes to hidden waterfalls and to the tops of volcanic craters. While on tour, many guests get the chance to observe many native plants and birds. On your next Hawaiian vacation be sure to join Discover Hawaii Tours on our either our 16B Hidden Waterfall Eco-Adventure Tour or our 15A Diamond Head Guided Eco-Hike. Remember, safety first!

Aloha and welcome to our new series of 4 blogs showcasing the many free activities on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii the Big Island.  During a time when everyone is feeling the economic crunch in their pockets, relax and make the most out of your stay by checking out the following activities.  Oahu will be first island that will be showcased.

Oahu – “The Gathering Isle”

Chances are that if you visit Hawaii your stay will include a visit to the island of Oahu where the state capital Honolulu is located. Besides enjoying the free sunshine and beaches you may also like a list of our Top 10 Free Things to do on Oahu:

10. LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF PINEAPPLE at the Pineapple Variety Garden in Dole Plantation located outside of Wahiawa.  Don’t forget to wet your taste buds with the world famous Dole Whip!

9. ASCEND TO THE TOP OF ALOHA TOWER, Honolulu Harbor’s famous clock tower, which at one time was the tallest building in Honolulu

8. TAKE ‘UKULELE OR HULA LESSONS at the Royal Hawaiian Center.

7. TAKE A STROLL THROUGH INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE, a bazaar of clothes, jewelry and souvenirs from the island’s colorful merchants set under the shade of a large banyan tree.

6. Make your friends and family envious as they watch you on a live streaming webcam from the Duke statue on the beach of Waikiki http://www.honolulu.gov/multimed/waikiki.asp

5. VIEW THE WORK OF LOCAL ARTISANS at the Art Mart along the fence of the Honolulu Zoo

4. CHEER AS THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE BEACH RESORT & SPA’S HOSTED FIREWORKS EXPLODE into beautiful colors on Friday evenings in remembrance and celebration of King Kalākaua’s Jubilee

3. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR HUMPBACK WHALES off Makapu‘u on O‘ahu’s South Shore or Ka‘ena Point on the northwest side of the island. 10,000 whales migrate to Hawai‘i between November and May.

2. WALK THROUGH CHINATOWN for a fascinating look at noodle factories, herbal shops, markets and gift shops

1. VIEW WORLD-CLASS SURFING COMPETITIONS during the winter months from November to March where waves can reach heights as high as 50 feet!!!

As we welcome 2010 it is a time of celebration and new beginnings. While most people make plans to lose that extra holiday weight or to stop bad habits, here at Discover Hawaii Tours we too are committed to resolutions for the upcoming year. As a growing company we are committed to providing excellent customer service that surpasses the industry’s standards. Enjoy our list of our Top 5 New Year’s Resolution for 2010.

1. Go Green! – Reducing the amount of resources used is our top priority. Our office staff is committed to reducing the amount of paper used by sending our guests emails instead of printed vouchers. We are also committed to recycling everything including our used oil for the busses, plastics, and papers.

2. Provide Superior Customer Service – We are constantly finding new and fun ways to offer our guests the best experiences on their vacations. Our “Mystery Shopper” program allows our guests to receive $20 off their tour. Mystery Shoppers just have to fill out a quick online survey after their tour to receive the discount. This is just one of the many ways Discover Hawaii Tours is committed to providing excellent customer service.

3. Expand to Eco and Cultural Tours – New for 2010 our Eco & Cultural Tours will share with you the “Real Hawaii.” Escape the crowds and explore the tranquility of the rainforest as our naturalist guides walk you through some of the most scenic terrain where a hidden waterfall awaits you. We also offer guided hikes to the top of an extinct volcanic crater, Diamond Head, where you can tower 765ft above the white sandy beaches of Waikiki.

4. Ongoing Tour Guide Training – All of our guides go through an extensive training program and are constantly being evaluated to ensure a professional tour every time. Greg, our newest tour guide supervisor, is committed to keeping his staff well trained and prepared for the upcoming year. We are committed to our tour guide training program and look forward to serving our guests needs.

5. Provide State-of-the-art Multimedia Experience – One of our newest and most anticipated departments of Discover Hawaii Tours is our Video/Media production team. Creating the most visually compelling and engaging videos are just some of the ways our Web Department interacts with our guests. Filming has already begun for our upcoming TV commercial and online testimonials. Who knows, while on tour you might get your big break and end up on camera!

The 2009 Fire Knife Championships were recently held at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The winner of the this years World Samoan Fire Knife Championships is Mikaele Oloa from Oahu. Congrats to Mikaele, check out his winning performance:

History of Fire Knife dancing

Knife dancing in Samoan culture goes back several generations. Traditionally, knife dancing was performed by warriors to showcase their knife skills prior to battle to intimidate the enemy and amp up the warrior, and then after the battle to celebrate victory. Fire was added to the performance in 1946 by a Samoan knife dancer named Freddie Letuli.

The modern Fire Knife Championships began at the Polynesian Cultural Center in 1992 and is held during the third week of May. Here is a list of previous champs: 2009 Mikaele Oloa – Waialua, Oahu 2008 Viavia Tiumalu, Jr. – Orlando, Florida 2007 Andrew “Umi” Sexton – Orlando, Florida 2006 Mikaele Oloa – Orlando, Florida 2005 Mikaele Oloa – Orlando, Florida 2004 Alex Galeai – Laie, Hawaii 2003 David Galeai – Cook Islands 2002 Pati Levasa – Samoa 2001 Pati Levasa – Samoa 2000 David Galeai – Cook Islands 1999 David Galeai – Cook Islands 1998 Pati Levasa – Samoa 1997 Pati Levasa – Samoa 1996 Ifi Soo – Maui, Hawaii 1995 Ifi Soo – Maui, Hawaii 1994 Ifi Soo – Maui, Hawaii 1993 Tauasa Sielu Avea – Laie, Hawaii How are Fire Knife performances judged? According to the Polynesian Cultural Center blog, here are the guidelines for judging Fire Knife performances: 1. Knives length – Points are deducted if they do not meet regulation size 2. Speed – The faster contestants spin the knife, while maintaining control, the better 3. Height of throws – Judges like throws at least twice the competitors height 4. Degree of difficulty – The more complex the more points competitors score 5. Presentation – Dancers are also judged on their costume and “warrior-like” demeanor Here are some more Fire Knife performances: Mikaele Oloa Final Performance Joseph Final Performance Visit the Polynesian Cutlural Center with Discover Hawaii Tours to learn more about Polynesian culture.