Discover Hawaii Tours Blog

One of the most exciting and entertaining competitions is back! From May 12^th through May 15^th, the Polynesian Cultural Center will once again play host to the Annual World Fireknife Championships. This will mark the 18^th year that PCC has hosted the 4-day event culminating in an intense 2 day showdown between 3 finalists, which will take place during the intermission of the “Ha: Breath of Life” show on Friday and Saturday.

The tradition of Fireknife Dancing stems from Samoan Ailao- a warriors knife dance performed with the Nifo Oti (deadly tooth). The dance was originally performed both before battles to frighten their enemies and afterwards to celebrate victory. In more contemporary times, after village, tribal and inter island combat faded into history, the nifo oti has become an important aspect in the Samoan ta’alolo, or gift-giving procession, that honors special visitors.

On your upcoming trip to Oahu, be sure to book with Discover Hawaii Tours and ask about our North Shore Twilight Luau Tour 14B, for your chance to witness this magnificent display of acrobatics, death-defying stunts, rhythmic dancing, and fire-lit knives. This is a must see event that you will surely not want to miss.

North Shore's Waimea Beach

When you hear the word “Waimea” the first things that come to mind might be, world class big wave surfing, cliff jumping, or maybe just scenes of an endless white sandy beach.  From this north shore beach you might not even notice the lush rainforest that fills the valley behind the beach.  Take the time to learn about and explore the valley on your own, or let us share the beauty of this valley with you on any of our following  north shore tours: Tour 4A: Lost and Famous Films Experience, Tour 5A: Pearl Harbor/North Shore Combo, Tour 7A: Pearl Harbor/Circle Island Tour, Tour 9A: Full Day Scenic Island Oahu Tour, Tour 10A: Discover the North Shore Tour, Tour 11A: Pearl Harbor/Dole Pineapple Plantation/Polynesian Cultural Center Tour, Tour 13A: Polynesian Cultural Center & Deluxe Circle Island Tour, and Tour 14B: North Shore and Twilight Ali’i Luau Package.

Waimea Valley - "Valley of the Priests"

Oahu’s north shore is full of hidden gems rich in Hawaiian culture, history, legends, flora, and fauna, but none seem to compare to Waimea Valley.  Historically, Waimea was known as the “Valley of the Priests.”  With a history dating back more than 700 years ago, archeologists have uncovered over 78 sites of interest including religious areas and shrines on the valley floor.  Although few sites still remain, the Hale o Lono Heiau, (Hawaiian temple), can still be seen today.  Dedicated to the god Lono, or god of harvest, this temple dates between 1470 A.D. and 1700 A.D.

Waimea's jumping rock

Waimea valley is also home to a 150-acre arboretum and botanical garden area which is filled with over 5,000 species of tropical plants.  Of these plants there are 437 species of the known 1,200 Hawaiian plants, making it one of the most extensive collections of native plants anywhere.  Take the time to explore the back of the valley where you will find a 45 foot high waterfall.  Modern day conservation efforts are aimed at reclaiming the valley and transforming it into a more native environment filled with Hawaiian cultural activities, games, and agriculture.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Or Happy New Year! Trade in your cold weather clothes for your beach gear because Honolulu’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the largest celebration of the islands. Whether you are on a budget or even if no expense is too grand, you will be sure to find something to meet your needs this New Year’s Eve. This is a time where both visitors and locals alike can take part in the many different activities offered throughout the city.

Before you start your celebrations, be sure to take advantage of the short drive to the North Shore where you can visit world class surf destinations such as, Haleiwa historical town, Waimea Bay, Pipeline Beach, and Sunset Beach. Let us do the driving for you on any of our North Shore tours including; Tour 4A: Lost and Famous Films Experience, Tour 5A: Pearl Harbor/North Shore Combo, Tour 7A: Pearl Harbor/Circle Island Tour, Tour 9A: Full Day Scenic Island Oahu Tour, Tour 10A: Discover the North Shore Tour, Tour 11A: Pearl Harbor/Dole Pineapple Plantation/Polynesian Cultural Center Tour, Tour 13A: Polynesian Cultural Center & Deluxe Circle Island Tour, and Tour 14B: North Shore and Twilight Ali’i Luau Package.

North Shore's Haleiwa Surf Town

The main attraction during New Year’s Eve is the fireworks. Every year the city of Honolulu produces the largest New Year’s Eve display in the state of Hawaii. Be swept away by the lights and explosions above your head as you feel the sand between your toes on the beaches of Waikiki. Or if the beach isn’t your scene you can also enjoy free live entertainment on multiple stages at the Aloha Tower Marketplace where you can view a separate firework display over the Honolulu Harbor.

Fireworks from the Aloha Tower Marketplace

For a truly memorable New Year’s Eve experience, ring in the New Year with a glass of Champaign off-shore while onboard one of the many different dinner cruises available. Experience Hawaii’s largest firework display from the water while enjoying live music, food, and one of the best vantage points on the island.

For those of you who are looking to rock into the New Year, the Sheraton Waikiki is the place to be. RumFire will be hosting a “Studio 54 meets Waikiki Beach” bash. Located directly on the beach RumFire will be sure to offer you both amazing views of the fireworks as well as a chance to dance in the New Year. This year, RumFire will be hosting one of the most iconic groups of the 70’s music scene, The Village People. Also rocking the place will be the R&B group The Stylistics.

Wherever the night may take you, I’m sure that you will find many ways to ring in the New Year truly “Island Style.” Hau’oli Makahiki Hou 2010!!

One way to learn about another culture is by sampling the cuisine. Here in Hawaii, the cuisine consists of a medley of recipes and dishes from all around the world, as well as a few choice foods that have had their place in Hawaiian cooking for centuries. This blog addresses three specific staples that have existed in Hawaii’s kitchens for many, many years. They are the plate lunch, poi, and Spam Musubi.

Plate lunches can be found in pretty much every local restaurant. The most basic version consists of 2 scoops of rice, 1 scoop of simple macaroni salad (macaroni and mayonnaise), and a choice of protein for the main entrée. Loco Moco is the most popular type of plate lunch. A loco moco begins with 2 scoops of rice which are topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. Over the years, numerous variations of the classic loco moco have been derived with an easy switch of the main protein. You can find loco mocos that feature bacon, ham, spam, *Kalua pork, Portuguese sausage, teriyaki beef or chicken, mahi-mahi, shrimp, oysters, or other meats.

Loco Moco Plate Lunch

Poi is extremely popular in traditional and modern Hawaiian cuisine. Made from the stem or corm of the Taro plant, Poi is created by mashing the plant until a desired consistency is reached (consistencies range from liquid to dough like). Poi is traditionally eaten with the fingers, and oftentimes is referred to as either 2-finger or 3-finger as a description of its consistency.

Purple Poi

Spam Musubi is a low-priced snack that can be found at eateries like 7-11, grocery stores, snack stands, and movie theatre concession stands. Served either warm or cold, a musubi is composed of a block of rice with a small piece of spam overtop and wrapped in seaweed. Though not necessary, condiments can be used to offer more flavor to a musubi. Common condiments used include teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and *furikake. The spam in a musubi can also be cooked in jelly to add flavor to the snack.

Spam Musubi

“Do as the locals do” and make sure to try these traditional Hawaiian foods on your next trip to the islands! It will without a doubt be a great experience on your vacation…and tasty too!

* Kalua refers to the method of cooking meat with an underground oven or imu

* Furikake is a Japanese condiment made from a mixture of dried and ground fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar, salt, and MSG