Butterflies Over Hawaii

Diamond Head State Park Trail

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One could say that Hawaii’s “diamond” in the rough is the Diamond Head State Park Trail. It sometimes can get overlooked by those just visiting Hawaii’s natural wonders. Originally constructed as a Fire Control Station, it is now one of the most beautiful hikes that Hawaii has to offer, not just historically, but aesthetically.

The hike in its entirety will take the average hiker about 2 hours. To and from the destination will be a traveling distance of 1.6 miles. In is made up of a steep trail that includes a lighted tunnel as well as stairs throughout the journey.You can find a quick rundown here Hikers should expect to see some old bunkers and the navigation lighthouse that was used in the mid-1900′s.

The best time of the year to take-on this hike is during winter. Many visitors and Hawaii natives travel here in the winter just to get a glimpse of the majestic humpback whales that cross here. Do not forget to pack a couple dollars. Any visitors to the Diamond Head State Park Trail must enter through the monument and will need to bring 1 each for walk-in’s and 5 dollars per vehicle to park in the parking area. Both dogs and bikes are not permitted on this trail.

America’s Royal Palace: Iolani in Oahu

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

For those who live in, or are planning a trip to visit Hawaii, making sure to visit all of the great hot spots, tourist attractions, and everything that the island has to offer, is something that a visitor has to consider before making the trip down. There are several places one will want to visit, for this reason, planning out an itinerary, and making sure to stay on track are essential, in order to get the most out of the trip to the gorgeous island, and in order to be able to visit all the spots that you want to see. From the beaches you will not find in any other US state, to the great palace of Iolani in Oahu, making sure that you plan the itinerary, in order to see all that you want to see, and visit all the great destinations, is important to stay on track. So, before you go out on your vacation, you have to have a set destination in mind, know the spots that you want to visit in Hawaii, and plan the time that you are going to stay at each of these destinations, in order to reach all of them while you are traveling.

Hot Fun in Waikiki

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The state of Hawaii is known all over the world as a tropical paradise. And Waikiki is one of Hawaii’s finest areas. Therefore, a stay in Waikiki promises plenty of hot fun in the sun.

Go to the Beach

Waikiki Beach is world famous for its spectacular beauty. It is a place not to be missed. Go for a swim or lay out on the white sandy beach. Participate in surfing or any of the other water sports. Then grab a beach towel. Dry up and do a little shopping. Then make sure to catch the gorgeous sunset on the beach.

Experience a Luau

Luaus are popular in Hawaii. And it is a definite must for anyone visiting Waikiki. So go to Paradise Cove. Enjoy the roast pig and lavish entertainment. It is considered by many to be the best luau in the state of Hawaii.

See Diamond Head State Monument

Take in the view of one of Hawaii’s most famed landmarks. Bring a camera. Take a hike. And feast your eyes on the magnificent coastline views.

Learn Something New

Take a lei lesson. Discover how to make a delicious Mai Tai. Learn how to do the hula dance.

Big Island Career Ideas

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re thinking about making the move to the Big Island you’re going to have to figure out something to do. There’s not a ton of industry here but that doesn’t mean you can’t live a fruitful life with all the delicious Hawaiian meals and HD Cable Hawaii channels you want. Here are some Big Island career ideas:

Become a Tour Guide: Ex-pats make great tour guides here but you may have to wait a year or two to break into this. You can work with one of the big event planning firms with tourism groups and learn the lay of the land quickly.

Own a Bed and Breakfast: Since tourism isn’t as big on the Big Island as some of the other Hawaiian islands it’s not as saturated with places to stay. Open a great bed and breakfast and really set yourself apart from the competition.

Grow Coffee: Near Kona is where most of the coffee plantations are and those owners make a killing! If you can afford the land cultivating coffee (or macadamia nuts) is a really profitable venture to start off in.

Fun Things to Do on Molokai

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When considering moving to Molokai, it is natural to ask what are some fun things to do? The great thing about Molokai is that there is something for everyone in the entire family to do and enjoy themselves. Rather your family is full of active adventure seekers, or a more relaxed group there is no reason to be bored when living on Molokai.

Adventure seekers will find plenty to do each and every single day. The island has mule rides down to the village of Kalaupapa, which offers stunning scenery. There are countless diving, fishing, and surfing adventures that one can help keep one busy for a very long time.

Should you prefer a more relaxed type of entertainment, there is plenty of beach to sit and enjoy the waves washing in. There are a number of museums to casually stroll through and learn a little about the history of Molokai and its people. There is also a sugar cane plant, and coffee mill to explore and enjoy some native treats.

Molokai has some of the worlds best natural resources. No matter if your adventurous and prefer to stay busy or enjoy wandering around in a more relaxed atmosphere there is plenty to keep everyone busy!

Fun Things to Do on Oahu

admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are way too many fun things to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to write in a short article, but there are a few attractions that stand out other than the obvious beaches.

If you want to learn about Hawaiian culture and animal and plant life, the Bishop Museum is a great place to visit. You will learn how the islands came to be and view many different cultural demonstrations. If you are on Oahu at the right time, their star gazing night is amazing.

The Honolulu Zoo is a good place to visit, especially in you have kids. A variety of native Hawaiian animals, as well as species from all over the world, are featured. There are many baby animals as well, which kids will really enjoy.

If you enjoy snorkeling, then Hanauma Bay is for you. It is one of the best and easiest places on Oahu to snorkel, and the sights and sea life are quite amazing. The water of the bay is the most amazing color of blue. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera.

One of the most famous and beautiful spots on the island is Waimea Falls Park. There are trails, cliff divers, awesome waterfalls, and more. Very romantic, it can also be a fun place for the whole family. Waimean is one of the reasons people call Hawaii paradise.

Oahu offers so much more than the few attractions listed above, but this is a good start for those just visiting. Once living in Oahu, the full magnificence of the island will soon be discovered.

Fun Things to Do on Kauai

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are lots of fun things to do on Kauai. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, single or looking for family fun. Here are the top 5 things to do on the island for everyone regardless of who you are or what your family status is.

Take a Drive Down 560
Highway 560 is a beautiful, winding coastal highway that follows the North Shore. Ultimately, it comes to an end in a parking lot. From that point you can follow wilderness trails by foot or simply go to the beach. The highway attracts almost a million visitors per year.

Zip Lining
Zip Lining is a fun family activity for those who seek adventure with a safety harness. It is very popular on the island at night time when the moon is bright.

Surfing
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, surfing is one of the most popular things to do on the island.

Waimea Canyon
Considered the grand canyon of the pacific, it is more than ten feet long and almost 4000 feet deep.

The Beach
Everybody loves the beach. There is nothing better than Pacific sun and sand between your toes along with a drink with an umbrella!

Hiking Hawaii

www.butterfliesoverhawaii.com — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:17:24 +0000

Sure, when one thinks of Hawaii the mind typically runs to surf and sand; but Hawaii is an excellent destination for the hiking enthusiast, as well. Following are some popular trails that you may want to put on your list of things to do when next visiting (should you tire of the endless surf and sun!).

Kalalau Valley and The Na Pali Cliffs (Hanalei) is a 22 mile out-and-back trail that is rated at a skill level of “difficult” with a minimal elevation gain.
Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls (Waimea) is a 3.2 mile out-and-back trail that takes about 1.5 hours with a 600 foot elevation gain.
Halemauu Trail to Holua Cabin, Haleakala National Park (Kahului) is a 7.8 mile out-and-back trail that takes about 4 hours with a 1400 foot elevation gain.
Pihea Trail (Waimea) is a 3.5 mile out-and-back trail that takes about 2 hours with a 450 foot elevation gain.
Maunawili iFalls (Kailua) is a 2.6 mile out-and-back trail that takes about 1.45 hours with a 400 foot elevation gain.

And there’s more depending on your destination. Check around to plan for the hike in advance of your departure to the islands so you make sure you pack proper hiking gear in addition to your swim suits and sunscreen!

The Pearl Harbor memorials

www.butterfliesoverhawaii.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:24:28 +0000

Oahu Island is home to one of the most infamous places in American History. The site of the 1941 WWII attack, Pearl Harbor is now a memorial to everyone who lost their lives during the air raid. At this historic location, there are five exhibits: each of which explores a different moment in WWII history.Four of the memorials are related to the vessels that took part in WWII: USS Arizona, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin, and the USS Oklahoma. The USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma were a part of the Pearl Harbor attacks. Each memorial honors the soldiers onboard who didn’t survive the December 7^th strike. However, the Battleship Missouri and the USS Bowfin explore moments during the war itself. On the Missouri, relive the Japanese surrender and see the papers that made the end official. With the USS Bowfin, get an underwater perspective and discover what life onboard a WWII submarine was like.The final exhibit, the Pacific Aviation Museum, pays tribute to the aviators of the war. Visit Hangar 37, an airplane shelter that stayed standing despite the raid on December 7^th. At the hangar, you’ll see a F-102 Delta Daggar as well as a B-25B Bomber up close.The Pearl Harbor memorials will leave you in admiration of the soldiers who fight for our freedom. During your trip to Hawaii, take the time to visit this historic site, and pay your respects to everyone who has died at war.

Hawaii’s best beaches

www.butterfliesoverhawaii.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:06:54 +0000

A travel guide to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without one post on the island’s beaches. With six islands, Hawaii offers a variety of white (and black), sandy beaches and clear, blue oceans for its visitors to enjoy.KauaiWhether you’re a wildlife fanatic, or you watch the Travel Channel obsessively, Poipu Beach Park has something for you. According to the Islands of Hawaii website, Poipu is the perfect location to see giant sea turtles, humpback whales, and monk seals (an endangered species). With such views, it’s no wonder why, at one time, it was the Travel Channel’s choice for America’s Best Beach.OahuWaikiki beach is best known for its surfing history. “The father of modern surfing,” Duke Kahanamoku, used this beach as his training ground, and now, you can take your own surfing lessons here. You never know, you might catch some of Duke’s luck and head towards your own Olympic gold medal.MolokaiDue to its size, Papohaku Beach is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy Hawaii relatively undisturbed. Nicknamed Three Mile Beach, Papohaku reaches three miles in length and is supposedly where Hula began. As a result, the beach hosts the annual Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival. The event runs every third week in May and celebrates hula.LanaiHome to an abundance of tide pools and the Sweetheart Rock (Puu Pehe), Dr. Beach named Hulopoe Beach America’s best beach in 1997. Perfect for snorkeling, guests are recommended to stay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay which overlooks this fabulous beach.MauiKaanapali Beach is the place where royalty use to dwell. In fact, the beach hosts a nightly cliff diving from Black Rock (Puu Kekaa) in honor of King Kahekili’s own cliff diving act. The beach is also home to the Whaler’s village and two golf courses.Hawaii’s Big IslandPunaluu Beach is known for its volcanic black sands. Not the best location for swimming, you should still visit. After all, it’s not often you see black sand.