Hawaii Travel Guide

Paradise Cove offers a variety of exciting luau packages that's best for you, each designed to cater to your specific needs. It is one of the largest and most respected of Hawai'i luaus. Twelve oceanfront acres come alive with island games and crafts, a traditional Hawaiian feast, and a spectacular Oahu luau show.

Held in the exclusive Ko Olina Resort area, Paradise Cove Luau is the most interactive luau on Oahu. The bus ride can get a little rowdy at times, so for a quieter experience, it is recommended for you to drive out on your own - the drive out to Ko Olina takes about one hour from Waikiki. Take the Ko Olina exit to Aliinui Drive. There is only one way off the exit and continue past the guard shack.

You will be greeted with a Mai Tai and shell lei upon arrival, and then be guided towards the activity area. Make your very own flower lei to wear at the luau or get a temporary Polynesian tattoo! Learn to weave your own headband or wristband from fronds and flowers, take a hula lesson or even take a paddle in a canoe.

Take part in the Hukilau, pulling the fishing net from the sea to the rhythms of a conch shell and island chants. Hawaii's only hukilau ceremony where guests, dressed as villagers, help to pull in the fishing net. Witness the imu fire pit ceremony and watch a skilled tree climber scale a tall palm tree and scatter tropical flowers in the "Shower of Flowers". A great photo opportunity is always available as guests take part in these traditional activities.

Hawaiian games of skill and chance, hula lessons, canoe rides, a shower of flowers; there is so much to see and do here! The imu amphitheater gives everyone a great view of the luau pig being dug up from its underground oven.

The buffet menu features tossed green salad with dressing, potato and macaroni salad, pasta salad, poi, taro rolls with butter, lomi lomi salmon, fried chicken, island fish with macadamia nut creme sauce, kalua pig the one from the imu ceremony , steamed white rice, fresh pineapple chunks, haupia coconut pudding, coconut banana cake, coffee or tea.

After dinner watch the rousing finale of the "Extravaganza" where award-winning dancers entertain and amaze you in an unforgettable display of songs and dances from Hawaii and other Polynesian cultures.

With our lush lawns and coconut palms overlooking a secluded beach, Paradise Cove is also the ideal location for any event. Paradise Cove Luau is known as the largest luau production in Hawaii. Paradise Cove Luau stands out by entertaining guests on their very own beachfront property in Koolina.

Exciting activities, delicious Hawaiian food, and spectacular luau show. This luau is not to be missed! Hawaiian food, entertainment, and superior customer service!

The site is the stage for a Hawaiian-style luau and entertainment where all are encouraged to feel the Aloha Spirit for a day.

Paradise Cove Strives to preserve the Hawaiian culture and island lifestyle that makes Hawaii so unique.

First things first, parasailing is the combination of hang-gliding and waterskiing and is perfectly ideal for those who want the thrill of their lives.

Parasailing works like this, you are strapped in a comfortable harness, this harness is then attached to a tether. You - and your friend, if you want to bring a friend along - let yourself be pulled rapidly behind a hi-tech speedboat. The instance your own parasail is caught by the wind, you will then magically rise towards the heavens.

Sky's the limit

Once this tether reels itself from the speedboat, you will then further rise up in the sky. Prepare yourself as you begin to see a literal bird's eye view of the beach and the ocean. The fact of the matter is that parasailing is safe and is a readily available activity in Hawaii.

Hawaii is the best in parasailing

Believe it or not, Hawaii has been offering parasailing for more than twenty years now. Their parasailing equipment is also completely hi-tech.

The coast guards of Hawaii, specifically of UFO Parasail, are fully certified and trained for parasailing making your parasailing ride a positively memorable activity, whether you are a virgin parasailer or an experienced one.

Parasail in Hawaii now

The first step is to ensure that there are assistants on the ground which check the harness and flight rig of your parasailor prior to taking off. Once these ground assistants hold their positions on the sail's opposite sides, the driver of the boat is signaled to go.

Tell the driver to start slow while the assistants hold the lines and aid the parasail to be filled with air. By this time, a parasailor will be taking long strides while the rope is taut. The canopy is to aid in the process of liftoff.

The parasail is to be steered by pulling the risers down on the direction desired. Although steering isn't necessary. Try to direct the boat which will do the pick up to go behind and trail the parasailor at least two hundred feet.

The safety pin is then released in order to make the parasailor gently float to the water at a low or high altitude.

All in all, parasailing is an activity that needs the unique skill of being able to let go and just let the wind take you where it will. It is more fun that way and a lot more memorable.

A trip to Hawaii is certainly among the most exciting experiences for any individual on Earth. The 50th state in the Union boasts much rich culture along with history that will most certainly provide for a memorable stay. Specifically, a Kauai vacation is regarded as a top choice due to the variety of resplendent sights and the traditions that make for a most majestic island. Seek to learn more about the island particularly its unique layout and geography.

About the Island

Kauai, the name itself, most likely originated from Hawai’iloa, the Polynesian adventurer who is acknowledged as Hawaii's discoverer. Hawai’iloa was purported to have a favorite son whom he named after the island. Kauai also translates to “food season” or “place around the neck” exactly how a father would lift his preferred son. The island's population exceeds 60,000 and the United States Census Bureau defines Kauai as Census Tracts 401 to 409. This covers all of Kauai County omitting the islands Lehua, Ni’ihau and Ka’ula.

Kauai or Kaua’i makes up the oldest and fourth largest primary island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Kauai is also the twenty-first largest American island which lies 105 miles across the Kaua’i Channel, just northwest of O’ahu. Also called “Garden Isle”, it features blossoming vegetation and wild life, beautiful weather and fascinating volcanoes.

The island is of volcanic origin with Kawaikini the highest peak standing at 5,243 feet and Mount Wai’ale’ale at the center of Kauai at 5,148 feet. It is one of the planet's wettest regions featuring an annual rainfall resulting in deep valleys, canyons and waterfalls.

Lihue Airport provides the main air transportation servicing the island. Though many towns and cities populate the Kauai countryside, the most well-known communities can be found along the northern point of Hawaii Route 560 to the western end of Hawaii's Route 50. Some of the more popular places along this stretch include Kapa’a, Lihu’e, Wailua, Princeville, Hanalei, Hanapepe, Kilauea, Lawa’i and Anahola.

On any Kauai map, the island, as a shape, resembles a near perfect circle covering nearly 552 square miles. It's positioning allows for warm Pacific Ocean waters as well as near perfect temperatures throughout the year. Nearly half of the island's shoreline is made up of Kauai vacation beaches. Here you can anticipate finding a lot of extremely rare species of animals and plants, both on shore and off shore. Bamboo, orchid, hibiscus, sandalwood, eucalyptus, java plum, kiawe, iwi, nene goose, sea turtle, whale, and dolphins are just a portion of what you're likely to encounter.

What to Expect

You'll be able to savor a number of both open and commercial beaches all across the island in addition to plenty of vast, rich marine life. Mountain climbing or hiking is another extraordinary Kauai vacation activity due to its mountainous regions, in particular the Waimea Canyon or the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, rising up to nearly 4,000 feet. Yet another fashionable site with the tourists is the Napali Coast featuring fascinating coastal views, free-flowing waterfalls, hidden ocean caves plus tall cliffs.

Bask in the tropical weather of a Kauai vacation all-year round while temperatures tend to drop late in the day assuring cooler evenings. Unique micro-climates spot the island wherein both lush and dry areas co-exist. One such spot, Mount Waialeale, provides a beautiful rainforest experiencing in excess off 400 inches of annual rainfall.

Other island regions typically enjoy sunny days and warm breezes while surrounding sites near the mountainous peak are, for the most part, unaffected by the rainfall. Coastal spots see an average annual rainfall of eighteen inches, most of which falls during the overnight hours. But eventhough the rain falls heavily and often, it should not be enough to deter someone from vacationing on this island paradise.

On the island of Oahu, you will find great shopping, tons of nightlife, white-sand beaches, world-famous surf, snorkeling, leisure, and outdoor adventure for the entire family. Perhaps this is why Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii.

For adventure, you can take a hike to the top of Diamond Head crater for a spectacular 360-degree view of Oahu and Waikiki beach, take surfing lessons in front of the Royal Hawaiian hotel, scuba dive the spectacular coral reefs, go shark cage diving on the north shore, or take a ride on an outrigger canoe. Additional side-trips include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay amongst a myriad of tropical marine life, go sport fishing, take a Catamaran sunset cruise on Waikiki Beach, or for the really adventurous, go for a ride in a glider airplane high above the Oahu mountains.

An Oahu vacation isn't just for the adventuresome. Leisure recreation is everywhere. One thing everyone must do is take the scenic drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the historic site for a phenomenal view from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout point. Also be sure to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can stop and see where the famous big surf rolls in. If you want to buy a flower lei, stop at one of the stands on Maunakea Street to see how they're made. Many people love to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu to, not only view original Hawaiian lifestyle, but also become familiar with many of the other Polynesian South Pacific Islands. This is a full day of entertainment and its recommended that you buy your tickets well in advance if you are traveling during a busy season.

On Oahu, there are many different nature tours to choose from. Discover tropical rain forests, waterfalls, old Hawaiian Villages, visit an arboretum, or experience sunrise atop Diamond Head while learning of its history from your knowledgeable tour guide.

For surfers and those who simply enjoy the thrill of watching some of the largest surf in the world pound the Hawaiian beaches, a stop at Oahu's North Shore is a trip you'll never forget. With waves reaching 30 feet in height, you'll see some of the bravest surfers in the world risk it all as they tackle one of nature's most powerful forces. On Oahu's North Shore, you'll find famous surf beaches like Waimea Bay and Pipeline. The largest waves on the North Shore can be found during the winter months between November and February, while the summer months usually produce very small surf anywhere from a few feet in height to complete calm, which provides for great snorkeling and swimming for vacationers.

Your Hawaii Vacation in Oahu would not be complete without a trip to King Kamehameha's Palace. King Kamehameha was the first King of Hawaii. Under his rule, he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in the year 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha successfully preserved Hawaii's independence. Under his rule, he brought together all the other island's chiefdoms and united them under one single government.

Certainly, if this is your 1st vacation in Oahu, you'll want to visit Pearl Harbor. Here you'll visit the Memorials of the USS Arizona and the Missouri. The Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. The tour of the Memorial begins with a 23-minute documentary film depicting the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, showing actual footage that enthrusts awe, appreciation, and great respect for those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Anyone who appreciates aviation will certainly enjoy The Pacific Aviation Museum located in the WWII Hangars in Pearl Harbor. These hangers still show scars of our nation's first aviation battlefield. Here you'll find exhibits of a 1942 Japanese Zero and its' opponent, the USA's Wildcat. See the Stearman 18 year old George H. W. Bush honored as the war's youngest aviator. Learn how aviation turned the tide of World War II. Flight Simulators are also available for an extra fee.

With so many things to do on one island, it's no wonder Oahu is the most popular Hawaiian island for vacationers. For Oahu vacation accommodations, there are many Oahu hotels to choose from in Waikiki but many prefer to stay in privately-owned vacation rentals for both comfort and cost-efficiency. Most Oahu vacation rentals include fully stocked kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and some even have a private swimming pool, which works out great for a cheap familiy vacation. Therefore, it pays to shop around before considering the multitude of expensive Oahu hotels.

Aloha to everyone!

First things first, scuba diving is one of the foremost fun things one could do in Hawaii. Believe it or not, there are various diving companies, diving sites in and around Hawaii. All you have to do is open yourself up to the possibilities of fun and diving adventure.

Why dive in Hawaii?

The fact of the matter is that the chain of islands in Hawaii is basically made up of more than a hundred islands. The most famous of these islands are Kauai, Ni'ihau, Lanai, Molokai, Maui and Kahoolawe.

Hawaii is surrounded by the ocean and is specifically located about more than two thousand miles from the nearest continent.

It has been shown that more than twenty five percent of marine life is attributed to Hawaii.

Of the islands mentioned, the four islands that tourists most flock to are Maui, Oahu, Kauai as well as Hawaii.

These islands all have their own unique traits as well as diving locations.

The islands of Molokai, Lanai, Ni'ihau are actually less frequently dived yet they offer unique marine life.

These islands are recommended generally for divers that are advanced as well as intermediate levels.

If interested in going to Kahoolawe for diving, a charter diving boat is needed. However, there are other fun options one could do when you're not under the waves. Skydiving is one, visiting a luau is another.

You could also try going to one of the active volcano's in the world. Or if you prefer, relaxing in a secluded and peaceful beach is also a good option.

Diving sites in Hawaii

Hawaii is a perfect place to go diving. Thanks to its warm and pristine waters.

Oahu is a diving site in Hawaii that has lava offshore formations as well as grottoes, shipwrecks and plane. It also carries large colorful schools of sea green turtles and fish.

Maui is another Hawaii scuba diving site that is located on the west coast and also offers excellent sites for diving for any level.

Kauai is also known for the pristine and rugged diving sites. The winter season makes it quite inaccessible for diving, however that isn't the case when summer comes.

Lanai is another diving site that is known for the lava formations it offers. The formations consist of nature-made ridges, archways, tunnels and pinnacles.

All in all, there are many Hawaii diving sites to choose from. It all depends on your preference and need. It is a guarantee though that scuba diving anywhere in Hawaii is an activity that is unforgettably fun.