Photo: Jeff Greenberg

Pu’u Keka’a” is the Hawaiian term for Black Rock. The large, black lava flow juts out into the Pacific Ocean and virtually divides Kaanapali Beach on Maui, Hawaii in half.

If you do not want to pay for a cruise to do some great snorkeling, Black Rock is supposed to have some great underwater viewing for snorkelers. Black Rock lava flow is the last lava flow on the island of Maui.

If you don’t find the snorkeling good at Black Rock give Old Airport beach a try. It is just around the point from Black Rock.

If you are not staying at one of the hotels that line Kaanapali Beach, there are public access paths so that you can also get down to the same beach where others are paying hundreds of dollars a night to stay.

Each night the Sheraton Hotel, which is anchored right into Black Rock, puts on an act where a diver climbs out onto the end of Black Rock with a torch. At the appropriate time, the diver tosses his torch into the ocean and then dives in. This is symbolic because ancient Maui residents believed that their spirits “jumped off” or left this world at this spot.

You can find a covered, one-lane bridge at the bottom of the hill as you descend from the town of Princeville into Hanalei Valley on Kauai – Hawaii.

As cross over the bridge, you arrive in an amazing emerald-green kingdom that seems to transport you to another world.

The one-way steel bridge, is the only access to the Hanalei Valley. But the scenic bridge is just the beginning. You will have the joy of crossing over seven more from the entrance into the valley to the very end of the road at Ke’e.

Years ago, you couldn’t find any bridge that crossed over the Hanalei River. Back in the 1800s, flat ferry platforms were connected to steel cables that ran back and forth across the Hanalei River at the location near where the existing bridge can be found.

Over the years, there has been much discussion to tear down the bridge and replace it with a larger concrete bridge. The concern is the large increase in traffic and larger vehicles traveling into the scenic valley.

The bridge has undergone extensive repairs, but so far the bridge’s character has remained the same.

So enjoy your visit to the beautiful Hanalei Valley, and hope the old bridges remain forever and preserve this pristine part of the world.

Cliff Dive Bar – Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is an amazing Maui property. One of the popular activities on Maui is watching the nightly torch lighting ceremony and cliff diving ceremony.

One of the best places to see the torch lighting ceremony and cliff diving ceremony is at The Cliff Dive Bar, where you can have wonderful grilled food and delicious drinks.

The Cliff Dive Bar is surrounded by a scenic, lava-enhanced swimming pool making it the ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the local views including popular Black Rock. Try the classic tropical Pina Colada!

Each night at sunset, the luxury Sheraton Maui Resort narrates an ancient story along with playing native Hawaiian music while reenacting King Kahekili’s cliff diving skill.

Hours of operation at
Cocktails: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Food Served 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ninini Lighthouse

At Ninini Point in East Kauai, stands the Ninini Lighthouse. The word Ninini translates to “Pour.” The wood and concrete lighthouse was initially established back in 1906.

Overlooking beautiful Nawiliwili Bay which is south of Lihu’e, the existing Ninini Lighthouse structure was built in 1933.

The imposing lighthouse tower stands about 86-feet tall. If you include the fresnel lens, the total height is 116-feet.

The lighthouse as automated in 1953 and no longer has a full-time lightkeeper. Once in a while a maintenance volunteer does allow a few lucky visitors to climb to the top for incredible panoramic views.

Right next to the Ninini Lighthouse you will find the stone foundation remains of the lightkeeper’s guest quarters. The visibility of the lighthouse beacon extends for 17 miles (27 km). Ninini means “Pour.

On the island of Kauai, there are many excellent beaches to explore from Poipu Beach.   Poipu Beach encompasses several beaches lining cloistral coves, gentle waves and clear, blue skies.

Brennecke’s Beach is an extension of Poipu Beach Park offering many things to do for everyone.  It has amazing sand and is fairly uncrowded.

Brennecke’s Beach on Kauai is famous for their boogie boarding and is known as the “body surfing Capital of Hawaii.”

Another activity to enjoy is watching the locals, who shore fish here.

The luxurious Kahala Hotel & Resort features a magnificent 26,000 square foot lagoon that is home to a variety of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin, turtles, and colorful tropical fish.

If you ever get a chance, you definitely need to swim with dolphins and doing it in Hawaii as part of Kahala’s Dolphin Quest is truly an unforgettable experience.

The Dolphin Quest program is provides guests with the opportunity to get up close, swim with and learn about Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort is stunning property on Oahu, east of Honolulu and Diamond Head. The lagoon area at Kahala is gorgeous and the ideal location to observe these incredible sea creatures.

The experienced trainers at Dolphin Quest provide daily education programs for guests to experience the dolphins up-close, and fully understand the uniqueness and intelligence of these wonderful creatures.

What I appreciate about the Dolphin Quest program, is the awareness of over-commercialization and not over stressing the dolphins. The trainers limit the number of private sessions to only a few each day.

Dolphin Quest features five beautiful dolphins:

• Hoku – (Name means ‘Star’ in Hawaiian) Hoku was born at The Kahala in 1991. A very good-natured animal, Hoku loves tactile attention and learning new behaviors.
• Kolohe – (‘Rascal’) He is from Dolphin Quest Hawaii, where his mother, Shaka, currently lives. Kolohe is usually one of the first to try new things and is not shy. Kolohe is 13 years old.
• Liho – (‘Rare and Precious’) He is a terrific animal and loves any and all guest interactions. Liho is 13 years old.
• Lono – (An ancient Hawaiian god of fertility and farming) He is the largest and oldest of our Dolphin Quest Oahu animal family. At 500 pounds, he ranks among the larger of the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin species. He has sired several calves at Dolphin Quest Hawaii where he resided for most of his life.
• Nainoa – (‘The Wanderer’) You will be able to differentiate him from the others because of his chocolate-colored topside. Nainoa was born at Dolphin Quest Hawaii on October 31st, 1997.

Class participants will become educated on how dolphins live and survive in the ocean. In addition, learn several hand signals and actually get the dolphins to perform a few tricks.

In case you are not able to take photos of your dolphin experience, a professional photographer shoots photos during the session. You can purchase the pics and capture the wonderful memories to later share with friends and family.

Whether you are guest at the the Kahala Hotel & Resort or just visiting, you can always just wander down to the lagoon at anytime and watch the dolphins.

For additional information, please visit http://www.kahalaresort.com/swim-with-dolphins-hawaii.cfm

or  http://www.kahalaresort.com/activities/dolphin-quest-encounter.cfm

Courtesy of: Honolulu Magazine

Hy’s Steak House has long been one of the best-known steakhouses in all of Hawaii. The restaurant has been a tradition in Waikiki for over a quarter century.

Hy’s Steak House restaurant has won awards from both local and national critics, and is a big favorite of Honolulu natives, as well as visitors.

Hy’s offers its patrons superb cuisine offering a mixture of American, European, Hawaiian and Pacific influences.

The specialties of Hy’s Steak House are the USDA Prime grade cuts of beef offered, including, New York Strip, Porterhouse T-Bone, Delmonico and Filet Mignon. In addition to the world-class steaks, Hy’s also offers a wide selection of specialty salads and seafood dishes.

Appetizers at Hy’s include Oysters Rockefeller and Beluga Caviar. Signature entrees include Hy’s Garlic Steak, Hy’s Grilled Vegetable Platter and Lamb Chops a la Hy’s .

Hy’s Steak House offers an extensive wine list that over the years, has earned the prestigious Award of Excellence from, “Wine Spectator Magazine”.

The interior of Hy’s has been described as “charming” and the dining area resembles an old English mansion and possesses all the ambiance of a private gentlemen’s club.

The restaurant’s booths and table seating are covered in tapestry or leather-like upholstery. Much like the dining room itself, guest seating is both ample and comfortable.

Hy’s Steak House
2440 Kuhio Ave
Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii 96815
(808) 922-5555

Wai’oli Hui’ia Church – Kauai

The beautiful Wai’oli Hui’ia Church & Mission House Museum in Hanalei, is one of the most popular photographic subjects for visitors to Kauai.

Wai’oli Mission Hall and picturesque Wai’oli Hui’ia Church (founded in 1834) are nearby.

The original Waioli Mission Hall building was first established by American Christian missionaries back in the mid 1830′s and is currently the oldest surviving church building on the lush island of Kauai.

Wai’oli Hui’ia Church is a United Church of Christ, and is most commonly known as the “Green Church” due to it painted an emerald green color.

Wai’oli Mission House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, Hapuna Beach is consistently called America’s most beautiful beach. Hapuna Beach is located in Hapuna Bay, at the north end of the beautiful Kohala Coast.

Hapuna Beach is the largest white sand beach on the island and is unbelievably beautiful. Hapuna Beach is about a half a mile long and 200 feet wide.

The beach faces almost directly towards the west, so you will almost always be treated to amazing sunsets.

There is excellent snorkeling to be found at the south end of the beach along the rocks. There are also some pretty cool lava tubes or cave to explore in the cliff side.

The body surfing’s pretty decent, especially when the wind picks up). Going on a weekday means less crowds and more room to explore on your own.

There’s a snack bar at the park entrance offering basic food choices,  plus chair and umbrella rentals, which help protects you from the tropical sun.

Shade is minimal at the beach, so pay the $10 for two chairs and an umbrella, and enjoy your day. If it’s too windy, find yourself a shady area near the trees in the back.

Kilauea Lighthouse

The impressive Kilauea Lighthouse on the north shore of Kauai, is actually also the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Located on the island of Kauai, the Kilauea lighthouse was built in 1913, and once had the largest lens of it’s kind. The lighthouse helped guide ships across the Pacific Ocean heading to and from the Orient.

The Kilauea lighthouse is now part of a national wildlife sanctuary. Either from the bluff overlook or the lighthouse itself, you will enjoy unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean, passing whales and a variety of bird species.

Back in the 1970′s, the Kilauea Lighthouse light was finally shut off for the very last time. This iconic Kauai landmark was later replaced by a low-maintenance light beacon. The scenic lighthouse is located on a narrow peninsula and remains one of Kauai’s most popular attractions.

Although Kilauea Lighthouse is one of the most photographed landmarks on all of Kauai, relatively few people actually see it since you must drive through a residential area to reach it.

There is currently a process underway to restore the lighthouse to its original stoic condition.

Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to a diverse population of nesting seabirds and the only such sanctuary in the islands.

Local lighthouse residents include the red-footed boobies, the Laysan albatross, and the great frigate bird with its mighty 8-foot wingspan.

Photo: Kauai Lagoons Golf Club – Marriott

We’re told that after Kauai Lagoons Golf Club at Kiele was completed in 1987, Nicklaus liked the design so much that he made only one change—adding a back tee to the 207/188/162/126 yard, par three, 13th.

You know this Kauai Lagoons Golf Club hole is famous, and regularly included on the list of Hawaii’s best holes.

Golfers pose on a cliff, simply staring in awe at the formidable task before them — a shot through the void and across a frothing, gaping gulf to a green that, from the blues, looks about as big as a goldfish bowl in a carnival.

The 13th conjures memories of the 16th at Cypress, or the second shot on the 8th at Pebble Beach, which happens to be one of his favorite shots in golf. Perhaps it provided some of his inspiration, here.

Before leaving, look back and appreciate the small green perched on a lava cliff, overlooking a lighthouse and inviting bay filled with golf balls.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club
3351 Hoolaulea Way
Lihue, Hawaii 96766-1700
Phone: (808) 241-6000 or (800) 634-6400