Surf fans again have reason to head north. The big waves are here for 2010. Though they aren’t expected to stay long, the first round of waves have hit the north facing shores of Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. With faces expected to reach between 25 and 35 feet from Tuesday November 2^nd through Thursday November 4^th, surfers in paradise will no doubt be out in full force.

Catching Waves at Waimea Bay

It is best advised to leave the surfing and swimming to the seasoned and expert surfers during high surf advisories, though we do recommend visiting Oahu’s Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay along the  North Shore to witness these massive waves.  In December, The Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau will hit Waimea Bay. 28 surfers are invited each December with the hope of competing in this classic event. The event requires face heights of 30 feet in order

With the big waves, comes the high surf warning and deadly currents. The advisory is in effect for the western shores of Oahu as well as Ni’ihau and Molokai, and the Big Island’s north shores. The National Weather Service in Honolulu will continue to closely monitor the surf conditions and make changes accordingly and as they deem appropriate for the waters.

Sunset Beach Shore Break

Be sure to join us on one of our Circle Island Tours exploring the island of Oahu, for your chance to see the North Shore and these impressive waves.

Read more: Surf’s Up Hawaii

Over 5,000 fans packed Queen’s Beach, many as early as 10am, for the chance to watch the exclusive sneak peak of the pilot episode of “Hawaii 5-0”, a full week before it airs nationally on CBS. Preceded by the networks mass marketing campaign over the recent weeks of billboard images of the stars and a social media blitz, the night in Waikiki brought with it the show’s screen test. It is safe to say that it passed with flying colors.

Hawaii 5-0, Then and Now

Among those in attendance included former stars of the original series, relatives of its creator, and droves of fans who remember the original fondly. Surviving cast members of the original were also in attendance and included Al Harrington, who played Ben Kokua in more than 60 episodes during the initial run. Just before the screening, Harrington read a statement from the original “Danno”, James McArthur, who was unable to attend the premiere but wanted to extend his excitement for the remake of the classic. McArthur even hinted that he would be making a cameo during the season.
Fans of the series will notice a difference from new to old, as the new series is filled with action and comedy, where the previous was straight forward and void of the writing style used for the new generation. Coincidentally, the show’s premier will air 42 years to the day that the original aired.
Don’t miss the television premiere of “Hawaii 5-0” beginning September 20 at 9:00pm.

Read more: It’s Not Your Mamma’s Hawaii 5-0 – World Premiere Last Night on Waikiki Beach

The travel industry, as with most functioning industries, is ever changing and evolving as consumers find new interests. One of the newest aspects of tourism and travel is Eco-Tourism.

Waimea Oahu Waterfall

The sole purpose of Eco-Tourism is to maintain and improve the environment for future travelers and generations to enjoy and venture to areas that are protected, tranquil regions, or unpolluted natural areas. Conservation, recycling, and energy efficiency are among the many environmental aspects targeted through Eco-Tourism. Minimal travel to natural destinations are often transported in clean burning vehicles and usually feature a walk or hike that explores local culture that supports the area.

One of the newest and most exciting series of tours that Discover Hawaii Tours offers is our line of Eco-Tours. These tours showcase a different side of the islands, while educating on the natural history and exploring beautiful sites of cultural significance. With these tours, we take you to the Big Island’s Kilauea Volcano, Maui’s Hana Highway, and many locations around Oahu, including Sacred Sites, hidden waterfalls and even a swim with Wild Dolphins off of Oahu’s West Coast.

Waimea Valley Panoramic View

Come with us on a fabulous tour and discover native plants and flowers, hidden beaches and waterfalls, and an abundance of spectacular sites that are only found in Hawaii. Ecotourism is an excellent and necessary manner in which to preserve the environment that is so important to Hawaii and the rest of the world.

Read more: Hawaii Ecotourism

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.

Read more: Hawaiian Agriculture

Here on Oahu, as all over the country, we are preparing for the upcoming summer months. Though most are bringing out their short sleeve shirts, shorts, and board shorts for the first time in months, we have had ours out for, well pretty much forever. The summer is inviting for many reasons: though it is a bit warmer and apart from the occasional rain, the weather really doesn’t differ too much from the rest of the year; we still have that gentle breeze from the trade winds, which makes for remarkably beautiful summer days; and the beautiful scenery of the island is out in full force. With that being said, a perfect way to see everything the island has to offer is with one of our Circle Island Tours. Whether you wish to see the North Shore, the South Shore, or all of Oahu, Discover Hawaii Tours has what you are looking for.

Read more: Summer in Hawaii Brings Perfect Weather