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.

Big Island Tour – Top 10 Places on the Big Island of Hawaii

Big Island lava flow at night

The Big Island of Hawaii is actually the largest island because it is the youngest island, and has not been eroded by the Pacific Ocean as much as other islands like Maui or Oahu. Legend says that the Island of Hawaii was named after the legendary land or realm of Hawaiki, which is a place from where the Polynesians originated, where they go in the afterlife, and the place where Gods live. Here is a short video showing all there is to see on a tour of the Big Island

The most recognizable feature about the Big Island of Hawaii is the active volcanoes that still erupt today. The island is actually formed by 5 overlapping volcanoes: Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualalai (dormant), Mauna Loa (active and part of our Big Island Grand Volcano Tour) and Kilauea (the most active and part of our Kilauea volcano tour). It is truly an amazing experience to witness the power of the earth growing right before your eyes! The Kilauea Volcano is by far the most active – it has been erupting almost continuously for over two decades. At the edge of the ever-expanding coast, where the lava meets the ocean, you can sometimes see billows of white steam rising into the sky. At night, on a Hawaii Volcano Nigth Eco Tour, the lava lights up the sky to give an orange glow and some incredible photo opportunities. Eventually the ocean grinds the dark volcanic rock into black sand beaches. Below are our top 10 activities and things to see when traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii: 1. Liliuokalani Gardens

The Liliuokalani Gardens on the Big Island overlook Hilo Bay. The land for the gardens were given to Hawaii by Queen Liliuokalani, who was the last monarch and only Queen Regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is the largest Japanese style garden outside of Japan. The gardens consist of Waihonu Pond as well as bridges, carp ponds, pagodas, statues, torii, and a Japanese teahouse.

liliokalani gardens big island hawaii

2. Banyan Drive Banyan Drive is named after the graceful and stately banyan trees that line the road. Each tree is named after the person who planted it. Familiar names who have planted trees include Emilia Earhart, King George V, Babe Ruth, FDR, and Richard Nixon.

Banyan Drive Big Island Hawaii

3. Historic Hilo Town Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island of Hawaii, it overlooks the Hilo Bay and is situated between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Volcanoes. Hilo is also know for its great farmer’s market and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation.

hilo bay

4. Wailuku River State Park and Rainbow Falls Rainbow Falls, at the Wailuku River State Park, is one of the largest waterfalls in Hawaii at 80 feet. The stream and pool are surrounded by lush, dense tropical foliage. To reach Rainbow falls you must hike down a slippery path made of stone which ends at the lookout.

Rainbow Falls

5. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916, it includes over 500 square miles of land. The area climate ranges from lush tropical rain forests to arid and barren Desert. Active eruptive sites include the main caldera of Kīlauea, which last erupted on March 19, 2008. The small explosion, the first since 1924, sent debris from the over an area of 74 acres. Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides amazing hiking and picture taking opportunities. The park encompasses diverse environments – ranging from sea level to the summit of the earth’s most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. The below photo was actually taken by one of our guests on the Hawaii Volcano Night Eco Tour

!

Hawaii lava at night

6. Thurston Lava Tube The entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube, pictured below, is the largest Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You will be able to walk into long caves that lava has carved out of the rock. Be sure to bring a flashlight and some sturdy sneakers.

Thurston Lava Tube Hawaii

7. Halemaumau Crater The Halemaumau Crater is actually located on the larger Kilauea Crater, check out the amazing video of lava and smoke flowing during the March 2008 eruption:

8. Kilauea Crater Kilauea crater is the most stunning volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii

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Kilauea Crater Big Island Hawaii

9. Punalu’u Black Sand Beaches As the volcanoes erupt down to the Ocean, the rocks (pictured below) actually get pounded into sand over time:

Hawaii black volcanic rock

10. Tropical Rain Forests The Big Island of Hawaii has such a diverse amount of climates and environments. In addition to the volcanoes you will be able to experience lush tropical rain forests – where Kona coffee grows wild:

Big Island tropical rain forest

That is the end of our Big Island Tour! Mahalo, Alex

Memorial Day weekend in Hawaii was blessed with great weather and some amazing ways to observe the Holiday. Below is a recap of what happened at Discover Hawaii Tours during our Memorial Day weekend. If you have any pictures or would like to share how you spent your Memorial Day please add them to the comments section below or to our Flickr Group Page

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Lantern Floating Hawaii Memorial Day 2009

Our tour guides reported that Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl National Cemetery were packed with people remembering those who have served in the US Armed services.

Pearl Harbor Tour

On the morning of Memorial Day I was able to get down to the Memorial Cemetary at the Byodo-In Temple, which we visit on our Pearl Harbor Tour, and found a number of people honoring U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. There were many families adding flowers, fruit, and ribbons to say thank you and remember their loved ones.

Memorial Day 2009

Monday evening I went down to Ala Moana Beach Park to watch and participate in the Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremnoy. The Lantern Floating ceremony is done to honor and remember all those who have given their lives in coflict and also prays for a peaceful and harmonious future. Thousands of people were down at Ala Moana Beach Park to watch the opening ceremonies and speaches and then float over 1,000 candle-lit lanterns out to sea.

Lantern Floating Hawaii Memorial Day 2009

Ala Moana Beach Park Lantern Floating 2009

If you have any pictures from Memorial Day please add them to our Flickr Group Page.

Hawaii Memorial Day Activities

USS Missouri Battleship at Pearl Harbor

Are you visiting Hawaii during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend? Hawaii has a very unique and important place in US military history and is an amazing place to observe Memorial Day. Below is a list of the many things to see while observing Memorial Day in Hawaii:
Pearl Harbor Tour
Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial offer an amazing historical experience of both US and World History. Pearl Harbor is a naval base famously attacked by the Japanese navy on December 7, 1941. This became known as a “Date which will live in infamy” when US President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation with news of the attacks. The attack sank 4 US Naval battleships, most notably the USS Arizona, which is where the Pearl Harbor memorial now resides.

Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and Memorial

To best see all the sights at Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, and to ensure you will have tickets, you can take a guided tour with Discover Hawaii Tours.

Visit the USS Missouri
The USS Missouri, also known as the ‘Mighty Mo’, is a U.S. Navy battleship, and was the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of Missouri. The USS Missouri was the last battleship built by the United States, and was the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan which ended World War II. The USS Missouri is full of US military history and can be combined with our Pearl Harbor Tour.

USS Missouri Battleship

Pacific Aviation Museum
The Pacific Aniation Museum, which is also located in our Pearl Harbor Tour, is an airplane hangar full of airplanes used to attack and defend Pearl Harbor.

National Memorial Cemetary at Punchbowl
Visiting the National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl is another great way to remember Memorial Day while in Hawaii. Inside the Punchbowl cemetary there is a memorial for those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

On Memorial Day over 50,000 fresh flower lei are put on the graves of veterans, if you would like to donate a lei you can do so by contacting the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department at 808-768-3002.

From the Punchbowl Cemetary you will also have a spectacular view of Honolulu down below. On Memorial Day, at 8:30 a.m. you can witness the 60th annual Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony.

Memorial at Punchbowl National Cemetary

Also, you can take one of our Hawaii Tours that visits the National Memorial Cemetary at Punchbowl.

Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park
During this ceremony 1,000 candle-lit lanterns are floated out to sea. This ceremony is done to remember those who gave their lives in conflict and allows for reflection on the memories of loved ones and dedicates prayers for a peaceful and harmonious future.

This event will be held Monday, May 25, 2009 at 6.30 p.m. on Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park, for more information please visit the Lantern Floating Hawaii website http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/index.html

If you have any further questions about observing Memorial Day in Hawaii please feel free to contact us:

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Hawaii has seen an increase in the number of Tourists looking to avoid swine flu at other popular destinations such as Mexico.

With no reported swine flu cases in Hawaii, the Islands are looking better and better as a tourist destination – especially when compared to Mexico. Hotels, airlines, and travel agents have seen cancellations in trips to Mexico, and increased bookings to Hawaii.

The state of Hawaii has taken a proactive approach to dealing with swine flu, with experience from the SARS outbreak a few years ago. Honolulu International Airport is actually way ahead of other international airports in terms of surveillance; Hawaii is the only state that has surveillance and diagnostic capacity at all airports.

Hawaii Senator Mike Gabbard, is encouraging state officials to take swine flu prevention a step further and put on “a full-court press” at its airports to make sure swine flu does not enter the Islands.

He wants state officials to:

· Take the temperatures of incoming passengers

· Screen passengers from Mexico

· Ask passengers to fill out a questionnaire in flight, detailing whether they have any flu symptoms and where they recently traveled

· Distribute information to hotel guests, including a hot line number to call if they develop flu symptoms

In addition to Senator Gabbards requests, Governor Linda Lingle has urged residents to “remain calm but vigilant” when it comes to swine flu.

State transportation director Brennon Morioka said, “We are doing everything that we have planned for. … We believe that we are ready to address any form of condition or situation that might arise.”

Overall, the State of Hawaii is doing everything in its power to prevent any cases of swine flu from arriving on the islands. Thus far, we believe the state’s plan is working, as there have been no reported cases.

The state Health Department unveiled a new swine flu information line for callers to get up-to-date information, if you would like call (866)767-5044.

Oahu, which means “The Gathering Place”, is often the first stop for vacationers in Hawaii, below is a list of the top 10 places to see on a tour of Oahu:

1.  Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

Waikiki is probably the best known beach in the world, and definitely the most popular beach in Hawaii. Waikiki was the favorite playground of Hawaiian royalty in the 19th century. At the time, Waikiki, which literally means “spouting waters”, was once an area of wetlands fed by streams from the valleys above Honolulu. This changed in the 1920s when the government built what would become the Ala Wai Canal, which drained the wetlands and paved the way for later development. This is how Waikiki looks today:

2.  Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor was a naval base that was attacked by the Japanese navy on December 7, 1941, which became known as a “Date which will live in infamy” when then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation with the news. The attack sank 4 US Naval battleships, most notably the USS Arizona which is where the Pearl Harbor memorial now resides. Today there are many ways to remember one of the most historic days in US and World history by taking Pearl Harbor Tours.

3.  Dole Plantation

Originally operated as a fruit stand in the 1950’s the Dole Plantation is now one of the most visited attractions during Hawaii Tours. The Pineapple maze at Dole Plantation is home to the World’s largest maze, which winds through the Pineapple fields. Can you solve the maze?

4.  North shore beaches (Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Sunset Beach)

The North Shore of Oahu is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the World, particularly in the winter which is when you will see some of the largest waves in the World. A short drive from Honolulu (Town), the North Shore is considered “The Country” by Oahu locals. The North Shore of Oahu is also where the Triple Crown of Surfing is held, where 3 Professional Surfing events take place during a six week stretch in the winter.

Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu

5.  Laie Point

Located in the Northeast corner of Oahu, Laie Point offers spectacular views of rock formations, mountains, and beaches. Only the most comprehensive Oahu Tours will stop at this location, it is a little off the beaten path and a difficult road to navigate, but well worth the effort. The coolest rock formation at Laie Point is an arch that was created by a tsunami wave that struck the island in 1960.

6. Chinaman’s Hat Island (Mokoli’i)

Chinaman’s Hat (Mokoli’i Island) is a famous island on the Windward side of Oahu in Kane’ohe Bay, due to its distinct shape similar to that of the chapeau straw hat worn by farmers throughout China. You can walk out to Chinaman’s Hat Island on the reef during low tide, but it is best to take a kayak or paddle board. Once on the island you can explore the little beach carved out of the lava, check out a cave, or climb to the peak – about a 20 minute climb.

Chinaman's Hat and Koolau Mountains

7.  Koolau Mountains and Valley – Film locations of Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor and Lost

The Koolau Mountains and Valley might be familiar to you if you have seen the movies Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla or the TV show Lost. This is a great filming location because of the stunning views of lush green mountains, open plain areas, and the beach and ocean below. The Koolau Mountain range is actually the eastern side of the shield volcano that helped form the island of Oahu. If you have the time you can take a tour of the ranch on ATVs.

8.  Byodo-In Buddhist Temple

This Buddhist Temple located on the Windward side of Oahu is a tranquil stop and a must see during a Hawaii Tour. The temple is actually a replica of the Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Japan. There are koi ponds, gardens, a 3 ton brass bell, and a 9 foot lotus Buddha statue inside.

9.  Polynesian Cultural Center

If you want to learn about some of the most influential cultures in the Polynesian Islands then the Polynesian Cultural Center is a great place to stop. The cultural center has separate villages dedicated to teaching visitors about each unique culture. The villages represent the different islands of Polynesia: Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. While you are at the Polynesian Cultural Center you can enjoy a buffet lunch with foods from the various islands.

10.  Sunset

All tours of Hawaii must end with a good sunset at the end of the day. Some of the best places to see a great Hawaii sunset are Waikiki beach, Diamond Head, and Sunset Beach.