Kauai’s Shipwreck Beach on Keoniloa Bay is one of the largest expanses of beach in the Poipu area. The eastern portion of Poipu Kai Resort fronts Shipwreck Beach. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is immediately adjacent to Poipu Kai Resort and also fronts Shipwreck Beach.

Shipwreck Beach, also known as Keoniloa Beach. The first name was given to this strip of sand due to an old shipwreck found there, which no longer exists. Swimming at this beach is never a good idea because the currents and the surf are really strong.

However, Shipwreck Beach is a favorite among surfers, boogie boarders, windsurfers, and body surfers at the eastern end where the waves are good for these activities. A green flag means the water is safe, although it’s a joke that a green flag has never been put up despite the safe conditions that do occur from time to time.

If you like taking risks, or having a lot of fun, then jump off the Makawehi Point. It’s a cliff that is fun to jump off of into the ocean below although it might not be the best idea and accidents can happen. If you have seen the movie Six Days/Seven Nights then you saw the stunt doubles for Ann Heche an Harrison Ford jumping off this cliff.

Aviation buffs, in particular, will be intrigued by Charles A. Lindbergh’s simple grave. Lindbergh’s grave is covered with smooth pebbles and located beside the quiet Palapala Ho’omau Church.

The site isn’t easy to find, but it’s an apt resting place for a man who desired peace rather than the fanfare brought on by his pioneering crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

His marker gives only his name and dates (1902-1974), along with the first part of Psalm 139: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea…”  Charles Lindbergh died on August 26, 1974.

Directions: The Palapala Ho’omau Church on Maui, Hawaii is located just 8 miles south of Hana on the ocean side of the highway. A small road just past Mile Marker #41 leads to the church.

The Banyan Tree in Lahaina on Maui, is an amazing sight. In Maui’s tourist center of Lahaina stands the largest Banyan Tree in the United States.  Although most think it’s a forest of banyon tress, it’s actually a single Banyan Tree.

It fills Banyan Square.  Banyan trees come from Asia, but it would be hard to find anyone who has ever seen anything this size in either India or China, where the Banyans were not allowed such uncontrolled growth.

You’ll think you’ve seen trees until you come across this specimen! Indian in origin, it was originally planted in 1873 to commemorate Christianity’s foothold in town.

More than 125 years later, this mighty banyan rises 50 feet, has added 12 subsidiary trunks to its main support, and encompasses more than 2/3 of an acre.

It’s an ideal place to escape the hot tropical sun. Once you are under it, you’re likely to find craftspeople hawking their wares and artists selling their works.

One of the most amazing and beautiful creatures in the Hawaii Islands is the Green Sea Turtle, or honu. These graceful animals inhabit the warm waters of Hawaii, as well as many other places around the world.

The honu have long been featured in Hawaiian mythology, petroglyphs and as aumakua (personal family gods). Early Hawaiians used the green sea turtles as a source of food, tools and even ornamentation.

But more importantly, native Hawaiians made sure they kept their use of the green sea turtle in balance with nature.

Green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, actually got their name from the color of their body fat. It’s green from the algae or limu they eat.

The exact life span of sea turtles is not clearly understood. Hawaiian green sea turtles appear to grow quite slowly in the wild. The turtles typically take between 10 and 50 years to reach sexual maturity, about 25 years on the average.

Even though the green sea turtles live the majority of their lives in the ocean, the adult females must return to land to lay their eggs. Biologists believe that nesting female turtles return to the exact same beach as where they were born. This beach is referred to as a natal beach.

The sea turtles often travel very long distances, going from their feeding grounds to their unique natal beach. Hawaii’s green sea turtles can migrate as much as 800 miles from their feeding areas along the coasts of the main Hawaiian islands to the nesting beaches in the Northwestern Hawaiian islands.

An interesting fact is that the green sea turtles nest only at night. The female turtle labors by pulling herself out of the ocean water and crawl to the dry sand of the upper beach using only her front flippers.

Sadly, many of the turtle’s newborns do not reach the ocean. Some are grabbed by hungry crabs and other predators along the way. Some become lost and eventually die. Even the ones who make it safely to the sea are not safe. They can be eaten by sharks and other carnivorous fishes. Only a few baby turtles from each nest will survive all the way to adulthood.

Photo: Gigi-hawaii

Ciao Mein is one of several fine restaurants located in the luxurious twin towers of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa on Oahu.

Ciao Mein was awarded Zagat’s “Excellent” rating for 2008. David Lewin, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa comments, “We are extremely pleased to again be recognized with Zagat’s ‘Excellent’ rating for Ciao Mein.”

The restaurant distinguishes itself from others by offering “collision cuisine,” a blend of Chinese and Italian traditions.

Excellent fusion really does exist in Hawaii these days and Ciao Mein is a fine example of it. The restaurant presents fine vegetarian offerings, and serves both Asian and Italian inspired dishes. Ciao Mein also stays true to itself and bringing true “collision cuisine” to a few sophisticated seafood items.

Under its Nouvelle Cuisine umbrella, Ciao Mein offers both an Italian and a Chinese selection. With straw and shiitake mushrooms plus vegetables, the Steamed Tofu is meaty-textured and oh so flavorful.

Ciao Mein’s Szechuan Eggplant is a “Taste of Honolulu” first place winner, and very deserving it is.

Located on the third floor of the Hyatt Regency, Ewa Tower, Ciao Mein is open for dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Be sure to call ahead for reservations. Parking is free with restaurant validation. But valet parking is the easiest option.

Ciao Mein
Hyatt Regency Waikiki
2424 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-2426

In the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Stevenson’s Library, named for Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, has always been the place to go for specialty and traditional drinks.

Lively conversation, live music, billiards and board games, plus outdoor seating overlooking Keoneloa Bay make this Kaua‘i’s best luxury nightspot.

Savor the aged Cognac and Scotch selections or indulge in a specialty martini.  The majestic 25 foot-long Koa bar in addition to seating areas with deep-cushioned chairs and sofas provide a variety of areas in which to indulge.

Featuring a Sushi bar Friday through Monday.  Open every evening from 6:00 PM, entertainment begins at 8:00 PM.

Stevenson’s Library
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road,
Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
Tel: +1 808 742 1234
Fax: +1 808 742 1557

Many years ago, Hawaii was an isolated tropical paradise, far removed from the rest of the world.  Hawaii was discovered by the Polynesians around  400 A.D. and marked the end of Hawaii’s isolation.  Since the discovery of Hawaii by the Polynesians and the arrival of Europeans in the late eighteenth century, this has caused long-term, negative effects on Hawaii’s fragile ecosystem.

All foreigners who visit Hawaii, directly or indirectly alter the ecosystem of the islands, primarily through the introduction of alien species of flora and fauna.  New species have often overwhelmed Hawaii’s fragile habitat, obliterating many of the island’s native populations of plants and animals.  As a result, many species endemic to Hawaii have been classified as endangered species.

The U.S. government and the Hawaiian government have worked hard to protect the endangered species and prevent further damage to the island’s ecosystem. Several of the species are: the Humpback Whale, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, The Nene, the Hawaiian State Bird, and the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.

Chinaman’s Hat – Oahu, Hawaii

Chinaman’s Hat, also referred to as Mokolii (“little lizard”), is a small island located off Kaneohe Bay in Ohau, Hawaii. It’s a 12.5 acre, 206 foot tall basalt island, about one-third of a mile offshore of Kualoa Point.

Chinaman’s Hat is a cone shaped outcropping of lava off Kualoa Point. Chinaman’s Hat got its name because it resembles the peasant’s chapeau (straw hat) worn by rural Chinese immigrants.

The reef surrounding the island supports an abundance of marine life and is one of the O’ahu’s best offshore islands.

The island’s eponymous profile is well-known from numerous vantage points on Oahu’s windward coast.

You can see Chinaman’s Hat from numerous vantage points along the coast but the best view is to actually go out to the island. You can walk there during low tide but the best way to get there is via kayak.

On the island is a small beach nestled in a secluded cove. There is also a small cave carved out of lava and a steep volcanic cone perfect for exploring. The view of the Koolau Mountains, Mokapun peninsula, Kahaluu, Kaneohe, and Kailua is unmatched.

Directions:
Off the Kamehameha Highway offshore from the Kualoa Point State Recreation Area, approximately 45 minute drive from Honolulu.

For a truly unusual Hawaii adventure, you can’t beat the allure of a scenic boat cruise up the Wailua River to a lava rock grotto covered with tropical ferns.  The Fern Grotto is only accessible via a short boat trip up the Wailua River.  Along with the cruise boats, kayakers, motor boats and water skiers also make the journey.

The memorable trip up the historic and sacred Wailua River will take about 40 minutes via a long flat bottom riverboat. To keep the crowds moving, boats depart from the south side of the river every 30 minutes.

During the short cruise to the Fern Grotto, you will encounter numerous photo opportunities of the tropical grasslands which line the river in addition to the cloud-capped Mt. Waialeale looming in the background.

Once you arrive at this famous Kauai destination, visitors to the fern grotto will receive a serenade by Hawaiian musicians playing traditional, local songs. The acoustics within this lush, natural amphitheater are incredible and will greatly enhance the singing and guitar accompaniment.

Once you arrive at the Fern Grotto, visitors will view a cave cloaked with ferns and cooled by the mists of a waterfall.

Viewing the Fern Grotto wasn’t as simple as it is now. There was a time when the Grotto was off-limits to all but Hawaiian royalty. But for more than 50 years, riverboats have provided tours of the site. The Grotto and nearby Paradise gardens are a popular place for wedding ceremonies. Another way to see the Grotto is to rent a kayak and paddle up the river on your own.

Directions :
Take Highway 56 north towards Wailua.  Cruise boats and kayak rentals are located on the south side of the Wailua River (before crossing bridge).

Fairmont Kea Lani Resort

The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Wailea Maui, is a great vacation destination for honeymooners and family vacationers. Situated on 22 landscaped acres facing Polo Beach within the Wailea Resort community, The Fairmont Kea Lani is a luxury all-suite and villa resort.

The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort offers a full activities program, several swimming pools, and many dining options on the southwest shores of Maui, and is approximately 16 miles from Kahului Airport. Local attractions include Iao Valley State Park, approximately 17 miles away, and Kihei Town, located three miles from the resort.

The Fairmont Kea Lani is a paradise for those that love to swim. The resort has direct access to Polo Beach, as well as three swimming pools, including an adults-only pool. Also located in the swimming area are a 140-foot water slide, children’s pool, and two whirlpools.

Filling the days at the Fairmont Kea Lani is the onsite activities program, offering snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, canoe paddling, scuba diving, excursions, yoga classes, and water fitness classes.

The fitness center is open 24-hours a day, and personal training sessions may be booked. The spa offers a full menu of massages and beauty treatments.

Other amenities include business services (fee may apply), babysitting services, children’s activity center, elevators, laundry services, laundry facilities, parking, and retail shops.

Dining options include light fare at Caffe Ciao Deli, Italian-Hawaiian cuisine at Caffe Ciao Restaurant, buffets at the Kea Lani Restaurant, Nick’s Fishmarket Maui, Polo Beach Grille and Bar, and romantic twilight dinners in rental cabanas. There is also an open-air lobby bar, featuring local musicians.

Guest rooms feature air-conditioning, alarm clocks, hairdryers, minibars, microwaves, refrigerators, coffeemakers, TVs, DVD players, CD players, VCRs, stereos, movies on-demand, high-speed Internet access (fee may apply), irons and ironing boards, safes, and furnished lanais.  Source: MauiHotels.com

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Maui is arguably one of the top vacation islands in the world, and the best stretch of beach is, in turn, the Wailea resort area on East Maui. Open-air design on Maui’s sunny south shore with an extensive spa and grounds that roll down to one of Hawaii’s best beaches.

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea hotel boasts 380 spacious rooms and suites with marble baths. In addition, there are private lanais that offer views of lush gardens, the Pacific ocean, or Mt. Haleakala.

The Four Seasons is sedate and calm no matter the time of year. Without the crowds, this allows a lot of space for quiet pool side relaxation.

Four Seasons luxury and class is evident everywhere here, from the tailor-fitted lounge chair covers, to the Spa at Four Seasons – which Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast have both named as one of the top spas in the world.

Of the top Wailea luxury hotels on Maui, based on the seclusion factor, this one should be considered the best for honeymoons, anniversaries, and other romantic vacations.

Four Seasons Resort Maui
3900 Wailea Alanui
Wailea, Hawaii 96753
Direct Phone: 808.874.8000
Reservations: 800.334.6284