Camping Near Ka Lae, Hawaii

One of the main attractions at Ka Lae is Hawaii's only green sand beach, Papakolea, which is tinted by olivine crystal that falls from an eroding cinder cone. Also known as South Point, Ka Lae is the southernmost point of land in the United States. It is here in the Kau District where the first Hawaiians landed: Polynesian explorers who, navigating by the stars, paddled their double-hulled canoes thousands of miles before discovering the Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific. At South Point, home to Hawaiian temples and the island's first fishing villages, ancient canoe moorings juxtapose with remote-control boats that today’s fishermen use to cast lines in the face of rough seas and winds. Camping nearby lets you spend more than a day experiencing this sacred and interesting place.

Honuapo

• Fall asleep to the sounds of the surf at Whittington Beach Park, less than 10 minutes from Ka Lae. Morning almost always brings sunshine, with a beautiful view of Honuapo Bay. The quality of light at Honuapo deeply saturates the coastline's colors, from its tropical flowers to blue water crashing on black rocks. Dirt roads lead to viewing points and large ponds. The Hawaii County campground provides fire pits, grills, shelters and restrooms. Unfortunately, as with many coastal campgrounds in Hawaii, theft is not uncommon, so don't leave belongings unattended. The park's history is of special significance to the local community and Native Hawaiians, and the estuaries and coast protect and provide habitat to many native and endangered flora and fauna. The ocean is too rough for swimming here, but many of the ponds are large enough to swim in.

Punaluu

• When visitors speak of “the black sand beach,” you can bet they mean Punaluu Beach Park in Puna District. Most beaches on this windward side of Hawaii Island have gray to black sand -- a mixture of glassy, jet-black lava rock and eroded coral and shells -- but Punaluu's high content of lava rock makes the sands shimmer, contrasting with vivid blue water and green palms. Punaluu is kissed with more sunshine than most windward beaches, and its main beach is one of Hawaii's few nesting grounds for the endangered hawksbill turtle. The campground, about 30 minutes from South Point, perches on a lawn overlooking the main beach and the first of a series of coves children and green sea turtles often share. You can pitch your tent on an open lawn adjacent to the restrooms. School days are quietest at this popular campground.

Hookena

• Kayaking and spinner dolphins headline at Hookena Beach Park in South Kona District. Concessionaires at Camp Hookena rent a variety of kayaks, as well as snorkeling and camping gear. When the water's calm, paddle in a peekaboo kayak or snorkel over the reef to see turtles and colorful fish. Spinner dolphins are seen early in the morning before they retire after a busy night fishing. Bring binoculars to enjoy the dolphins from a distance. As with most Hawaii beach campgrounds, tents are pitched in an open area. Hookena has restrooms, outdoor showers, campfire rings and picnic tables. Friends of Hookena manages the Hawaii County beach, which is about a 40-minute drive from Ka Lae.

Volcanoes National Park

• The most peaceful campground near Ka Lae rests at Kilauea's summit in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fragrant eucalyptus trees shade Namakanipaio Campground, where you can pitch your tent on the open lawn or rent a camper cabin and have access to hot showers. The temperate rain forest, averaging 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, offers respite from hot and arid Ka Lae. At night, under a starry sky, enjoy your outdoor fireplace when temperatures plummet to the 40s and sometimes lower. Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, sends rivulets of lava toward the sea, not the campground. Halemaumau, though, glows at night, and you can get a closer look from Thomas Jaggar Museum. The museum in the park has a mural depicting the early Hawaiians landing at South Point. Namakanaipaio Campground is in northern Kau, about one hour from Ka Lae.

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Papa Bay Beaches in Hawaii

Papa Bay, a remote subdivision located at the far boundary of South Kona, Hawaii, is situated near a lovely selection of beaches well-known to locals yet accessible to all. From soft golden sands, to sands of a salt and pepper composition, to a cove composed entirely of pebbles, the beaches near Papa Bay offer visitors and residents alike a welcome and relaxing setting to enjoy the beauty of South Kona's coastline.

Honomalino Beach

• It's a bit of a hike to Honomalino Beach, but many visitors love the journey. After taking the windy road to the authentic Hawaiian fishing village of Miloli'i', you'll park in a public lot and follow a fairly well-marked foot trail through groves of coco palms, brackish ponds and past some picturesque beachfront property marked "private." Although its claimed "ownership" may be up for debate, it's best to simply walk by it and get to the main beach. There you will find soft sand and gentle shore breaks. Pods of dolphins frequent the bay and show curiosity about swimmers. Don't chase or herd them, however. Be sure to pack plenty of water and use restroom facilities before you hike in.

Pebble Beach

• Pebble Beach comprises a bay at the bottom of an immensely steep hill in the Kona Paradise subdivision. Don't look for any sand here because all you'll find are smooth, rounded pebbles. Due to its isolated geography and a deep drop off, Pebble Beach offers excellent snorkeling, especially on the north side. As with all South Kona beaches, the private access road leading to the beach can be a challenge, but just take it slow and watch for oncoming cars. A parking lot fronts the bay, making shore diving or kayaking convenient. If the water appears at all rough, use extreme caution and avoid swimming. It's placid in summer but tends to get rough in the winter months.
• Hookena Beach

• Two and a half miles down a windy road with a few hairpin turns, Hookena Beach Park is a local favorite. Administered by the county of Hawaii, Hookena Beach offers beach camping (with a permit). The beach also offers concessions -- food, stand up paddle surfing boards and kayak rentals -- and facilities, including hot showers and picnic tables. The soft, sandy bottom and fun surf at Hookena Beach encourage boogie boarding and body surfing. Dolphins visit in abundance. Lock your car and keep an eye on your valuables here.

Green Sand Beach

• The Green Sand beach, at the end of 12-mile long South Point Road, offers another remote, yet dramatic, beach spot near Papa Bay. The green sand color originates from olivine, a common mineral, and the beach is framed by high, sandstone-like cliffs. The swimming is good as long as it's not too rough. You can park at the end of South Point Road and hike into the beach area or take a 4WD vehicle in to get closer. Bring water and other supplies; this area has no facilities or concessions.

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The Beaches in the Hawaiian District of Puna

The beaches in Puna, Hawaii -- a district encompassing the broad southeastern flank of the Big Island of Hawaii -- is home to a stellar variety of Hawaii beach experiences. From the thermally heated tide pools of Kapoho and the black sands of Kehena to the expert surf breaks at Pohoiki's, the Puna area has a beauty and natural vistas like no other area of Hawaii Island.

Ahalanui Beach Park

• The Kapoho Hot Pools, found in and near Puna's Ahalanui Beach Park, has thermal tide pools — a mix of seawater and fresh springs — heated to a relaxing temperature, courtesy of nearby Kilauea volcano. While you won't find much sand here, the stretches of black lava rock and clear water provide premier snorkeling, drawing hundreds of colorful reef fish as well as the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle.

Kehena Beach

• Infamous to locals for its clothing-optional status, Kehena Beach is located at mile marker 19 and 137, also called the "Red Road," not far from the hippie town of Pahoa. Quiet and secluded, the black sands of Kehena, framed by stands of coconut and ironwood trees, offers an authentic Puna beachgoing experience. Watch your valuables here and lock your car. Beachgoers park along the road and take a short path in. As with all beaches on this side of the island, use extreme caution when swimming, as currents are very strong.

Issac Hale Beach Park

• Known locally as Pohoiki's surf break, Issac Hale Beach Park has picnic facilities, lawns, showers, restrooms and a boat ramp in addition to one of the best breaks in Puna. You'll see a lot of local families enjoying the area. The surf can get enormous and dangerous here without warning, so use caution at all times and feel free to ask locals for their advice on safe ocean conditions.

Pualaa Beach Park

• Only 1.3 acres in size, Pualaa Beach Park, also located on the Kaimu-Kapoho offers a safe family tide-pool setting along with restrooms and showers. The thermal waters — heated to about 87 degrees — are relaxing for adults and ideal for young children learning to swim. As one of the few family friendly beach parks in the area, Pualaa Beach Park can become crowded, especially during the summer months.

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Cheap Restaurants in Waikiki, Hawaii

Waikiki is located on the southern shore of Honolulu and consists of 1.5 miles of prime beach property lined with hotels, shops and restaurants. Visitors to the area enjoy year-round surfing, scuba diving and hiking. Attractions around Waikiki include the Waikiki Historical Trail, Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo. If you are visiting and are looking to dine for less and save money for events and attractions, several restaurants in the area will fit the bill.

Duke's Waikiki

• Visit Duke's to sit right on Waikiki Beach and enjoy an all-you-can eat lunch buffet with items such as sauteed mahi mahi, grilled teriyaki chicken, Kalua pork and cabbage and a seasonal special that rotates. As of January 2011, the buffet meal complete with salad bar was $13.95 per person. Discounts for children and seniors are available. The vibe at Duke's in distinctively Hawaiian, and you will dine overlooking the beach while surrounded by native flowers and colorful art. The focus is on traditional Hawaiian cuisine.

Iyasume Musubi

• Iyasume Musubi serves Japanese menu items with a colorful Hawaiian flare in a casual environment at the heart of Waikiki. The restaurant is small and the walls are covered with a mix of eclectic items that include an area dedicated to President Barack Obama's Hawaiian heritage. The family that owns this restaurant has been serving sushi and other Japanese fare in Waikiki since 2000. Choose from selections that include spam and salmon musubi, rice balls and a number of soup choices. As of January 2011, meals at Iyasume Musubi started at under $6. That price will buy patrons two large pieces of sushi or musubi and a large bowl of soup.

Hee Hing

• Hee Hing serves authentic Chinese dishes in Waikiki within walking distance of attractions as the Ala Wai Golf Course, the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park, the latter of which plays host to the Waikiki Shell, an outdoor concert venue. The restaurant is known for its massive Asian-themed art collection and selection of Chinese dumplings which are also known as Dim Sum. Daily lunch specials include items such as roast duck won ton mein and minute chicken choy sum cake noodles. As of January 2011, specials started at $8.75 per plate. Dinners are also served and are generally priced at an average of $12 to $15 per meal.

Tiki's Grill and Bar

• Tiki's Grill and Bar is a Tiki-themed bar and grill that sits right on the beach in Waikiki. This is a happening party spot and is popular with guests from cruise ships and other travelers. Locals often frequent the bar for colorful cocktails garnished with fruit and topped with paper umbrellas. Meals at Tiki's Grill and Bar are served all day long and the prices are low in comparison to many of the high-end eateries in the area. As of January 2011, appetizers such as guava-glazed baby back ribs and prime rib poke could be had for $10.

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Cheap Ways to Live in Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful state to visit or to live, with white sandy beaches, stunning views of the ocean, tall volcanic mountains and a warm, tropical climate. It is also known for its low crime rate and relaxed lifestyle, although the cost of living can be quite high. Fortunately, there are a variety of creative ways you can live quite cheaply in Hawaii.

Live With Someone

• Sharing the expenses with a roommate is one way to cut the costs of living in Hawaii in half. Make arrangements to share all expenses from the rent, electric, gas, water and telephone to items such as grocery expenses. You can also carpool with your roommate, if you both work in the same area, to cut down on fuel costs.

Work for Someone

• Working for a company or an individual that provides housing as an employment benefit is another way to live cheaply in Hawaii. Some types of jobs that include housing as a benefit include apartment maintenance or management jobs, park or golf course maintenance jobs and private positions working as a nanny or a live-in housekeeper or butler. There are also some hotel chains that provide housing for certain employees. Explore the job market before you move and set up interviews.

House Sitting

• House sitting is another way to save paying rent while living in Hawaii. A house sitter is someone who tends a home that is for sale, or while the owners are away on vacation or business. The utility bills are already paid and most of these homes are furnished. All a house sitter has to do is keep the place neat and tidy and make sure no one vandalizes the home. The only expense a house sitter usually has is a grocery bill. You must be willing to move out quickly when the owners return or the home is sold, so it is usually a good idea to have some other house sitting offers set up for when one job is over.

Choose Public Transportation

• Hawaii is home to a robust public transportation system, and the cost to ride a bus is reasonably low due to the smallness of the islands. By utilizing the public transportation, you can save on expenses such as gas, vehicle payments, vehicle maintenance and insurance. You can also purchase a lightweight bicycle to serve your transportation needs.

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Cruises From the Mainland to Hawaii

Enjoy a trip to the tropical state of Hawaii without having to fly by planning your travels on a cruise ship. Cruise ships offer comfortable accommodations, gourmet dining, entertainment, shopping, gambling and the opportunity to tour new ports of call, all combined into one "floating city." A variety of major cruise lines sail to Hawaii, leaving out of ports around the country. Book a trip for two weeks or more than a month and explore cities in Hawaii, then relax by the pool, enjoy a cocktail and leave the driving to the ship's captain.

Celebrity Cruises

• Set sail from San Diego on a 15-night trip to Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Century ship. After four days at sea, spend days in port at Hilo, Kailau Kona, Honolulu and Lahaina, then four days sailing again. Before heading back to San Diego, California, the ship stops for the day at Ensenada, Mexico.

  While in port, you can enjoy Hawaiian attractions such as the circle of fire, helicopter sightseeing, volcano adventures, tropical botanical gardens, lava hikes, bike adventures, shopping and sightseeing tours.

  Four cabin styles are available, including an inside (no window), ocean view, balcony and suite. While on board, enjoy the piano bar, the martini bar, Internet cafe, spa, two-story dining room and a gourmet restaurant where your meal is cooked, carved and flambeed right at your table.

  Celebrity Cruises
  877-202-4345
  celebritycruises.com

Princess Cruises

• Embark from Los Angeles and sail into Hawaii with a 14-day trip aboard Princess Cruises' Golden Princess. After four days of sailing, the ship docks in Hilo, Kauai, Honolulu and Maui, then sails for four more days and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to California. Explore Hawaii through port excursions such as a Pearl Harbor tour, dinner cruise, ghost tour, golfing, dolphin encounter and city tour.

  Select from five cabin styles, including an interior room, ocean view, ocean view obstructed (you'll have a window but it may be partially blocked by a lifeboat or other ship materials), balcony or suite.

  During your days at sea, enjoy Golden Princess activities such as a nine-hole golf course, art gallery and auctions, arcade, caviar bar, hot tubs, golf simulator, jogging track and round-the-clock gourmet dining, buffets and room service.

  Princess Cruises
  800-774-6237
  princess.com

Holland America Line

• Spend a little more than a month on board Holland America Line's MS Rotterdam, departing out of Seattle on a 35-day sail to Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas. After leaving Seattle, the ship sails into Vancouver, British Columbia, and San Diego, California, before visiting four cities in Hawaii--Hilo, Lahaina, Kauai and Honolulu. It then crosses the international dateline and the equator and heads into the Cook Islands and French Polynesia before finally docking back in San Diego.

  Five room styles are available: interior, ocean view, balcony, balcony suite and a deluxe balcony suite. Activities on board include a casino, Broadway-caliber entertainment, art gallery, fitness center, poolside eatery, martini bar and dining including three daily buffets, room service, gourmet nightly meals, pizza and ice cream bars, plus a library.

  Holland America Line
  877-932-4259
  hollandamerica.com

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Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii, at Night

Green and tropical Hilo, on the east side of island of Hawaii, offers a very different nightlife than Kailua, where tourists flock on the sun-baked Kona Coast. The town on Hilo Bay has a more laid-back feel, and locals tend to be early birds instead of night owls, but that doesn’t mean you're destined to spend the evening in your room. The island's county seat with more than 40,000 residents offers excellent opportunities for arts and entertainment, Hawaiian style, a couple decent nightspots -- and if you look toward the skies or the volcano, things really get interesting after the sun drops behind Mauna Kea.

Arts After Dark

• At Hilo's "First Friday Night Market," view art, enjoy local entertainment and sample goodies from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterward, sip margaritas at Reuben's Mexican Restaurant or enjoy an Italian dinner at romantic Pescatores -- both have been serving patrons for decades. On just about any weekend night, there's a production at The Palace. Part of Downtown Hilo's renovation, The Palace opened in 1925 and was the grandest of theaters in all Hawaii outside of Honolulu. Built before the days of sound systems, the theater's natural acoustics are impressive. The bright marquee features big names in Hawaii and beyond, such as ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro.

Nightspots

• Nightclubs, unlike the hole-in-the-wall long-standing local bars, typically don't survive long in Hilo, so time will tell with some of Hilo's newer club, at time of publication: 100% Moxie in downtown Hilo. Dance, drink, shoot pool and keep the energy going with appetizers and sandwiches. The club attracts college students and locals. On Banyan Drive, catch class-act contemporary Hawaiian entertainers at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel's Waioli Lounge. "Wai" means water, and "oli" means happy. Overlooking Hilo Bay, Waioli Lounge brings smiles with its tropical concoctions during Friday and Saturday late-evening happy hours. But first, feast on the seafood buffet at the hotel's long-running and renovated Queen's Court with its panoramic views of Hilo Bay, enchanting on a clear night, under a full moon.

Planetarium

• At the Imiloa Astronomy Center perched above the University of Hawaii-Hilo, a 3D stereoscopic and surround sound system enhances the planetarium's shows. Long-running shows include Pink Floyd's “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Mauna Kea: Between Earth and Sky.” The latter pays tribute to the Big Island's cultural and astronomy heritage, as it takes you in a Polynesian voyaging canoe guided by the stars, and then through the galaxies to the universe's beginnings. Check Imiloa's website for other shows and activities.

Star Parties

• Live sky shows are provided at the Imiloa Astronomy Center, but to see a truly star-studded sky, drive up Mauna Kea, about a one-hour drive from downtown Hilo, to the Onizuku Center and Visitor Information Station, where a free, stargazing program takes place nightly above the clouds at 9,300 feet. The stargazing program begins with a documentary film and continues outdoors, where volunteers assist with the telescopes and pointing out various objects in the sky. Sunsets above the clouds are also spectacular.

Fiery Nights

• Hilo is the gateway city to Hawaii National Volcanoes Park. While visiting the park, linger after sunset to see the glow above Halemaumau Crater -- best seen from the park's Thomas A. Jaggar Museum and also seen from the park's restaurant aptly named “The Rim,” in the renovated Volcano House from which in the late 1800s Mark Twain viewed Halemaumau's eruption. To see red-hot molten lava pouring into the sea, take one of the lava boat tours from Pohiiki Bay. For a less spectacular but still amazing experience, take the free, night hike in the Kalapana Viewing Area -- conditions vary, so call first.

Considerations

• An umbrella is a necessity in Hilo; the rainiest city in the United States averages about 130 inches at sea level and 200 inches upland annually. Pack summer clothes, and for Hilo evenings when temperatures plummet into the 60s, a lightweight sweater. If visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or Mauna Kea, add warm clothes for frosty nights. Check event calendars for more night activities, such as block parties and parades. The Merrie Monarch Festival in spring draws hula dancers from around the world and leaves no vacancies at Hilo hotels.

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State Park Cabins in Kauai, Hawaii

Of the seven Hawaii state parks on Kauai, two have cabins: Polihale State Park’s cottages are restricted to the military, but Kokee State Park offers cabins and cottages to the general public. Kokee, in the Garden Isle’s cool uplands, is not the typical Hawaiian destination. One hour from the resorts of sun-baked Poipu, Kokee has miles of hiking trails that meander through misty, birdsong-filled forests of cedar, redwoods, eucalyptus and koa, along brooks and across meadows where berries and wild plums grow. And then there is Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

Kokee -- Lay of the Land

• Kokee State Park sits at 3,600 feet elevation, and you can rent cabins and cottages year-round. Among the many trails, the 2-mile Canyon Trail in the park travels along the rim of the Southwestern-like Waimea Canyon State Park with its hues of desert purples and oranges. You can also hike to the bottom of canyon where a waterfall tumbles. Drive to Kokee's Kalalau Lookout in the morning for the best views of the Kalalau Valley and its steepled green cliffs in Na Pali Wilderness State Park. Watch as the mist rolls in and out, hiding and revealing the folded cliffs with their waterfalls and the valley’s flowering jungle. Near the cabins and cottages, Kokee Natural History Museum provides information about the park's nature and culture, and also hosts guided hikes and events.

Lodge at Kokee

• The Lodge at Kokee, circa 1926 and privately owned and operated, attracts hikers and hunters. The rustic cabins provide cozy warmth and full kitchens with utensils. Some of the cabins have wood heat and others electric. While the older cabins are a bit run down, the newer ones are attractive, with wood floors and cedar walls. You can rent a studio cabin or one with bedrooms. Dine on breakfast or lunch at the lodge’s restaurant, and order a cocktail in the lounge after a hike. Dorm beds are also available, and a tent campground is bordered by redwoods. According to the owner, groups often book here, so make reservations as far in advance as possible.

Camp Sloggett

• Also in Kokee State Park, Camp Sloggett, with its big campfire ring and camp activities, caters to families. The main lodge, on the National Historic Register, was built in 1925 as the vacation retreat for the Sloggett family. The YWCA now owns and operates the camp, surrounded by eucalyptus and cedar. The camp rents private cottages, beds in the Weinberg Bunkhouse and the lodge itself, which sleeps 15. It also has a tent campground.

Barking Sands Military Cottages

• The cottages at Polihale State Park’s Barking Sands Beach are owned and operated by the Navy’s Pacific Missle Range Facility, and therefore are exclusively available to military members and their guests. Polihale's wild coast is a long stretch of white sand that provides magnificent views and sometimes calm waters but no lifeguards. While the tent campground is open to the public, a four-wheel drive is strongly suggested for maneuvering the 5-mile dirt road laden with potholes that leads to the site.

Considerations

• Plan to dress in layers. Evenings in Kokee State Park average in the 40s and 50s, and daytime temperatures average in the 60s and 70s. For Waimea Canyon hikes, you'll want to shed more layers, because the sunny and arid canyon averages in the 70s and 80s. One other suggestion -- bring earplugs if you're not an early bird, because the roosters are.

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A Self-Guided Tour of the Road to Hana

The scenic, 55-mile drive to Hana, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is one of the island's most famous attractions. The winding road covers an astounding 600 hairpin turns and 54 one-lane bridges through coastal rain forest on the northern edge of the island. Driving the road on your own, rather than with a tour company, saves money, and you can make as many or as few stops as you choose.

Before You Go

• Most driving trips start in the surfer haven of Paia, on the northern coast of Maui. Fill up your gas tank here since there's no gas along the way except when you reach Hana, where it's marked up significantly. Buy lunch and snacks from Mana Foods, the organic grocery. Paia also is a good place to stretch your legs if you've traveled from another part of the island. Pack sunscreen, sturdy walking or hiking shoes, bug spray, towels and a bathing suit if you plan to take a dip in one of the many inviting pools, and, of course, a camera. You also might want to bring cash to buy produce, ice cream or coffee at one of the many roadside stands on the way to Hana.

Waterfalls

• Viewpoints abound on the road to Hana. You'll take in views of the coastline, the enormous Pacific Ocean waves -- and maybe the occasional surfer -- and the lush rain forest. But one of the most common themes on the Road to Hana is the waterfalls. Those 54 bridges cross over turbid streams that often sport stunning cascades. You can stop at a few, but often you have to resort to photographing them through your car window; the roads are narrow and stopping isn't always an option. There is a small parking lot at Pua'a Ka'a State Park, about 22 miles from Paia. Here, a short walk leads to an emerald pool sporting a small waterfall. The water usually is cold, but refreshing, on a hot day.

Waianapanapa State Park

• Just 3 miles before you reach Hana, stop for a picnic and a hike at Waianapanapa State Park. Here, you can photograph the volcanic rock-studded coastline, visit a natural blowhole where waves explode through rocks, and hike to a black-sand beach. The turquoise waves are inviting, but be careful if you're swimming here in the afternoon; waves can pick up considerably later in the day, and the water can be dangerously rough. Other trails lead to freshwater caves, which also are great swimming spots if you don't mind chilly water. The park has picnic tables, a campground and restrooms.

Hana

• The town of Hana is blink-and-you'll-miss-it small, but it's worth a stop. If you haven't had lunch, check out one of the roadside stands, or stock up at the Hasegawa General Store, which has served Hana since 1910. Walk Hana's quiet streets or stroll the beach at Hana Bay and get a feel for life on this remote part of Maui. Many travelers choose to turn around here, but if you continue your journey, you're in for more fantastic scenery and the most impressive waterfalls of all.

Beyond Hana

• Drive another 10 miles on the Hana Highway and you'll reach the coastal swath of Haleakala National Park, on the southern slopes of Maui's massive volcano. Here, in the Kipahulu district of the park, you can swim in the pristine pools of the Ohe'o Gulch, or hike up through a verdant bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls. From the parking lot, take the Pipiwai Trail 2 miles up the gulch until it ends at the 400-foot-tall waterfall. Stand in its spray as you crane your neck to take it all in.

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Personalities of the Six Major Hawaiian Islands

Rumor has it that Pele the fire goddess was chased across the Pacific Ocean by her sister Namakaokaha’i, the water goddess. As Pele spewed her lava on one island, Namakaokaha’i doused the flames. Pele ended up on the Big Island, safely housed in Mauna Loa, too high up for her sister’s waves to reach. The Hawaiian Islands were born of fire, but scientifically speaking, they were created by a “hot spot” far beneath those waves. Over time, erosion by wind and water -- along with the arrival of animals and people -- gave each island its own personality.

Kauai -- Island of Discovery

• Kauai was the first of the main islands created by Pele. Once tagged the “Garden Isle” because of its lush greenery, Kauai is now promoted as the “Island of Discovery.” Capt. James Cook arrived in Kauai first. This is the land of the menehune, small folk thought to come out at night to complete impressive tasks such as the Menehune Fishpond near Lihue. Kauai has wide sandy beaches, lush rain forests, towering cliffs and impressive waterfalls. The photogenic isle caught the attention of Hollywood, and was used as a backdrop for films such as “South Pacific” and Elvis Presley's “Blue Hawaii.” In movies, even T-Rex roamed the North Shore forests, terrorizing scientists in “Jurassic Park.” Personality wise, Kauai is laid back, photogenic and impressively green.

Oahu -- The Heart of Hawaii

• Oahu was Pele’s second creation, and it has a split personality. The southern end is home to metropolitan Honolulu, the state capital that is just as sophisticated as anything on the mainland. Waikiki Beach, famed surfing and sunning spot with a reputation for partying, is a bonus. Kapiolani Park, an open green space in the heart of the resort area, has the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium. The North Shore is for those seeking out-of-the-box adventures. This unruly coast is home to gigantic waves challenging surfers that dare to enter the water. Laniakea Beach is a favorite sunning spot for green sea turtles. The endangered creatures don’t mind photos, but getting too close is not advised. Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa has been serving up its sweet, cooling treats since 1951.

Maui -- The Magic Isle

• Maui is the island of magic and romance. Kaanapali Beach on the western shore is the most famous of the island’s locales. This is a land of long lazy days, fiery sunsets and between November and April, humpback whales dancing offshore. Molokini Island, a crescent-shaped remnant of a volcanic cone, is a prime snorkeling and diving spot. Sleepy Hana is a bit of heaven on earth that so impressed aviator Charles Lindbergh that he chose that spot as his final resting place. Once you’ve negotiated the 52 one-lane bridges and the 600 hairpin turns you might be ready to spend the night. Accommodations range from pampered luxury at the Travaasa Experiential Resort to the more remote Hana by the Sea near romantic Hamoa Beach. Haleakala Crater takes up much of eastern Maui, and its summit is a great place to welcome the dawn.

Molokai -- Hawaiian by Nature

• Molokai is lightly populated, lightly visited and very much represents the Hawaii of old. This is where Father Damien ministered to those banished to Molokai because they had Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy. Kalaupapa National Historical Park is now open to visitors, accessed by a long hike or mule ride down a winding, narrow path. Today the good father is Saint Damien, and he is buried on the site. Plan a picnic on Papohaku, a family friendly white sandy beach, or book a sports fishing charter out of Kaunakakaui Harbor. Play a round of golf at Ironwood Hills, a laid-back golf course that doesn’t even require tee times. Nature lovers and those who want to relax a bit -- or a lot -- will enjoy carefree Molokai.

Lanai -- Hawaii’s Most Enticing Island

• It wasn’t too long ago that Lanai’s tagline was “The Pineapple Isle.” Once, this little cone-shaped island was one big pineapple plantation, with the exception of Lanai City and the Cavendish Golf Course. The course was built for the plantation workers, and to this day does not accept tee times. It’s also free. Today the island is home to two upscale Four Seasons Resorts, the oceanfront Manele Bay and the inland Lodge at Koele. Part of the enticement is the pure luxury offered by both of these resorts and world class golf at their respective courses. Another draw is the chance to bounce along a dirt road in search of hidden treasures such as the sculptured rocks at Garden of the Gods or the remote sands of Polihua Beach. Snorkeling the reefs off Hulopoe Beach Park is an unmatched underwater treat.

Hawaii -- The Big Island

• Pele’s current home, the island of Hawaii, is affectionately known as the Big Island. This is the land of paniolos herding cows on the Parker Ranch, of observatories scanning the universe from perches atop Mauna Kea and of world class golf courses adding color to an almost desert-like western shore. The sleepy town of Hilo, on the eastern end, is a reminder of times past. It doesn’t take too much imagination to picture horses tied up outside some of the storefronts rather than cars in parking spots. Roughly 30 miles southwest of Hilo is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fiery rivers of lava continue to pour over the landscape on its way to the sea. Since Kilauea’s awakening in 1994, the volcano destroyed the town of Kalapana but in return added 491 acres of real estate to the island. Pele and her sister are still fighting. Southeast of the Big Island, the island of Loihi is forming at the bottom of the sea. It will be centuries before the tip of Loihi breaches the surface, if Pele wins the argument.

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