Joyce Hauoli Carter Brings More Hawaii to BuyA Timeshare.com October 23, 2009
Posted by Bryan Connelly in : Timeshare Resource , trackbackIt is next to impossible to describe the islands in a few words, for each has its own special charm. I can offer you a taste of each one, moving from northwest to southeast, and from oldest to youngest geologically.
Ni’ihau is the oldest, a small private island known as the Forbidden Island on which only people of pure Hawaiian descent are allowed to live.
Kaua‘i is the seventh oldest island called the Garden Isle. It is best known for its Wailea Canyon, Napili Coast sea cliffs, the Fern Grotto, and the resort areas of Princeville and Poipu.
O‘ahu, the sixth oldest and best known island known as The Gathering Place is home to the 50th state’s capitol, Honolulu on the leeward (western) side of the island. Most people visit there to experience Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, the Aloha Tower, and Diamond Head. To the north, surfers head for the Pipeline. Very few people travel over the pali (mountain) to the windward (eastern), quieter side where the small towns of Kailua and Kaneohe and their protected white sand beaches can be found.
Moloka‘i, the fifth oldest island, is known as the Friendly Isle. There is only one main town on the island, Keonkakai, but the island is known for the colony given over to people suffering from Hanson’s Disease, formally known as Leprosy. People still live there, and visitors can visit the peninsula on mule back or by helicopter.
Maui, the fourth oldest island. For me, Maui no ka oi. Maui is the best. It is my second home and until recently I visited there as often as I could, sometimes three or four times a year. Maui has a little bit of what all the islands have to offer: It is called the Valley Isle because of the lush and fertile area formed by the combined lava flows from Mauna Kahalawai, an extinct volcano now known as the West Maui Mountains, and Mauna Haleakala, a dormant volcano known for its moon-like crater. Also well known is the ‘Iao Needle, Valley, and River. The Road to Hana is famous for its many one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, waterfalls, and lovely vistas. Famous, too, is the whaling town of Lahaina and the resort areas of Ka’anapali and Wailea.
Lana‘i is called the Pineapple Isle and was once part of Maui. This tiny island is known for its Garden of the Gods, Five Needles lava formations, and Lanai City.
Kaho‘olawe, The Target Island, was formerly known as Kanaloa. Once supporting a small colony of people, the territory allowed it to be used by the U.S. for target practice and is no longer habitable. Now returned to the Hawaiian people, a great effort is being made to bring the island back to life.
Finally, the newest island and largest island is that of Hawai‘i, known as the Big Island to avoid confusing the island and the archipelago. Three still active volcanoes formed the island, and a vent from one called Kilauea is the most well known. Volcanoes National Park is a favored spot to visit as are the Parker Ranch, Akaka Falls, Valley of the Kings, and the towns of Kailua-Kona on the west coast and Hilo on the east.
Now that you have participated in this taste of Hawai‘i, it’s up to you to stop saying you have always wanted to visit Hawai‘i. Save your pennies – well, maybe dollars – and GO!
There are cruises and packages and guided tours available to visitors, but I recommend that you find a good tour book and choose one island as your home base. You can always fly to others. Rent a condo so that you can eat either in or out. Rent a car, buy a good map, and set out on your own. It’s an island; you can’t get lost! This way you don’t have to rely on someone else’s idea of what you should see and do. Sunning at the beach or pool, water sports, land sports, sight-seeing, shopping, restaurant hopping, or relaxing—Hawai‘i has it all…
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